LA County Assessor Jeff Prang Speaks at Local Vigil for Anti-Asian Violence
Courtesy of Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office
Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, shown with San Gabriel Vice Mayor Tony Ding, addresses the vigil Saturday in San Gabriel to end the violence against Asian-Americans. (Courtesy photo)
Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang was an invited speaker this past Saturday at a vigil honoring those Asian-American individuals who were murdered in Atlanta, as well as, the growing problem of Anti-Asian sentiments and violence.
The vigil attracted more than 200 people and was organized by San Gabriel Vice Mayor Tony Ding, the I-Chinese American Political Action Committee, Asian American Advocacy Alliance and the Chinese-American Equalization Association. The crowd, wearing facemasks, gathered on the plaza in front of the Mission Playhouse in San Gabriel.
Assessor Prang is the only countywide-elected gay official in Los Angeles and has been a tireless advocate for the rights of all Americans, regardless of ethnicity, race, creed or religion.
“More than a 100 years ago, from the beginning of immigration from China, Chinese-Americans have been discriminated against,” Assessor Prang told the more than 200 people gathered in San Gabriel for the vigil calling to end anti-Asian violence. “The Chinese-American Citizens Alliance was created to protect the rights of Chinese-Americans in their civil liberties and in their safety and I’m proud to be a member of that organization. And it is tragic that here we are more than 100 years later still fighting that same fight. It’s important that all of us fight together against hate in America. Whether we be Jewish, or Latino, or German – we all have to stand together against hate crimes. And I’m proud to be here, to stand with all of you, to come together to fight against discrimination in this country.”
Assessor Prang also acknowledged that he has had personal experience with discrimination.
“Being a Gay American and in public service, I have had some moments down through the years that have been most troubling and even frightening,” Prang said in a prepared statement. “I have long held that our greatest strength in this country is our diversity. A hate crime against one of us is a hate crime against all of us.”
Other notables at the vigil were State Assembly Member Ed Chau, San Gabriel Mayor Chin Ho Liao and Councilmembers Jason Pu and Denise Menchaca, as well as a number of other community leaders including Alhambra Councilmember Adele Andrade-Stadler, Monterey Park Councilmember Henry Lo and San Gabriel Water Board Member Thomas Wong
At 4 p.m., this Friday, March 26, there is another march scheduled from San Gabriel City Hall to Alhambra City Hall, sponsored by the Alhambra Teachers Association. For more information, go to Anti-Asian Violence Resource at https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/.
