Carson residents and officials hold vigil against anti-Asian hate

Over 100 Carson residents and officials demonstrated against hate attacks on Asian Pacific Americans, in front of their City Hall on Sunday March 28. INQUIRER/Florante Ibanez

CARSON, California – Over 100 Carson residents and officials demonstrated against hate attacks on Asian Pacific Americans, in front of their City Hall on Sunday March 28.

The vigil-rally was organized by the Alliance Against Asian Hate, spearheaded by Fe Koons and Richard Bis who were able to pull together the large crowd of mostly Filipino Americans. A Buddhist minister prayed and the Thai community unfurled a large banner, “Thai Americans Against Hate.”

The City of Carson often boasts a roughly equitable race make up (1/4 Black, 1/4 white, ¼ Latino and ¼ Asian Pacific Islanders).

State Senator Steve Bradford and Assemblyman Mike Gipson joined Carson Mayor Lulu Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Dear, and other city council members at the vigil. They supported very vocal Asian and Pacific Islander constituents in denouncing the nationwide rise in anti-Asian hate crimes.

The rally participants included seniors and youth, community leaders, Palm Sunday church-goers, Carson Sheriff station Captain, Damon Jones and LAUSD school board member Tanya Ortiz Franklin.

The Samoan Federation brought its whole staff and encouraged cars passing by the rally site to honk their horns to show support. The rally/vigil was closed peacefully by Carson community activist Alice Wong , who called out white privilege and former president Trump’s encouragement of anti-Asian prejudice.