Sacramento groups launch Laban vs. anti-Asian hate

At the launching of Laban anti-Asian hate initiative (from left to right), Co-founder of the Asian American Liberation Network in 2020 Megan Sapigao join speakers Dr. Angelica Cortez, Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, Attorney-General Rob Bonta, Sacramento City Mayor Pro Tem Mai Vang, President of the Filipino Community of Sacramento and Vicinity (FCSV) Lilia Rivera and Chief Executive Officer of Everyday Impact Consulting Vince Sales. INQUIRER/Jun Nucor

SACRAMENTO – Community advocates launched a collaboration to challenge intensifying bigotry against Asian Americans, promote cross-cultural and cross-racial community healing and publicize resources for traumatized victims.

At the core of the Laban collaboration are Asian American Liberation Network, Bulosan Center for Filipinx Studies, Everyday Impact Consulting and Philippine Fiesta.

Its recent launch at the California Museum in Sacramento invited speakers including California State Attorney General Rob Bonta; Sacramento City Mayor Pro Tem Mai Vang; founding director of the Bulosan Center for Filipinx Studies Professor Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez; Chief Executive Officer of Everyday Impact Consulting Vince Sales: President of the Filipino Community of Sacramento and Vicinity (FCSV) Lilia Rivera; and WeFilipino Executive Director Dr. Angelica Cortez.

Sales told INQUIRER.net that there were 446 reported hate incidents in California against Filipino Americans and many more that were never reported to authorities.

He explained that each partner in the initiative has been raising awareness against anti-Asian hate and violence, including writing articles for publications, social media outreach, short videos, community-organizing and media events.

Sales said there were similar efforts by entities in Los Angeles, like Burlington Community Services and Housing and Janelle So Productions, and that Laban would like to work with organizations like NaFFAA, to share materials and resources.

Attorney General Bonta thanked the community-led response for focusing on solutions and  resources to support of victims and survivors of hate incidents.

Bonta blamed the spike in Asian hate crime on former President Donald Trump and other ultra-conservative leaders for scapegoating Asian Americans when constituents are anxious and fearful of perceived social threats.

Some of the key findings in Bonta’s 2021 hate crime report include:

• 32.6% increase in reported hate crimes from 1,330 to 1,763 in 2020-2021;
• 30.1% increase in number of hate cases filed for prosecution by district attorneys and elected city attorneys;
• 117.5% increase in anti-Asian bias events from 89 in 2020 to 247 in 2021;
• 29.6% increase in anti-Hispanic or Latino bias events from 152 in 2020 to 197 in 2021, among others.

Bonta’s office also launched the Office of Community Awareness, Response and Engagement to work directly with the community organizations and members.

Dr. Cortez of WeFiIipino boldly declared “Stop Asian Hate, Fight Asian Hate, Combat Asian Hate” and asked, “When will we tire of these hashtags? When will we have enough?”

“We know that this State accounts for some six million Asian Americans, 15% of the population or 1 in 6 people in this State identifies as AAPI. Fearing for our safety and well-being of our loved ones is not the California we should accept. The outpouring of stories we hear and believe to be true is that our Fil-Am students and their families fear for their safety.

Cortes also cited that being one of the largest Asian group in California, “Fil-Ams have the duty to use our voice to fight hate” against Asians, Blacks, Jews, Hispanics and other minority groups, “to move the conversation forward to racial equity.

She said further: “Hate is a consequence of something greater going on in this country and is a true public health crisis. We need to reach out to other communities and other cultures other than our own. Invite them to a dialogue to also speak out against Asian hate.”

Dr. Magalit Rodriguez recalled the Watsonville riots where Filipinos were thrown from a  local bridge and worker Fermin Tobera was murdered in a violent attack on his labor camp.

“Despite being one of the oldest, largest, fastest-growing Asian American communities in the state, despite all of the ways we contributed to this great state,” Filipinos still face anti-Asian hate,” Rodriguez said.

A Bulosan Center report on Filipinos in California found:

• 93% of participants claimed that their race was the reason for the incident;
• more women  (247 or 55%) have been victimized than men (158 or 38%) with Non Binary at 24 or 5%;
• top incidents were harassment (45.2%), physical assault (12.4%), shunning (11.6%), online harassment (6.7%), discrimination or hostile work environment (6.1%).

If you have experienced or witnessed an incident of -hate, bigotry, or discrimination, report at stophate.calcivilrights.ca.gov or call 833-8- NO-HATE (833-866-4283).