VOL 39 NO 33 | AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2020

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VOL 39 NO 33 AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2020 FREE 38 YEARS YOUR VOICE

BLM protesters target Deputy Mayor’s house Mike Fong surprised them by waiting outside

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Photos provided by Tony Au

It wasn’t what “Black Lives Matter” protesters expected when they targeted the home of Seattle Senior Deputy Mayor Mike Fong on Aug. 6. Fong was waiting for them outside his house. The 100-plus protesters, who call themselves Seattle Everyday Marchers, didn’t surprise Fong—it was the other way round. There were also 30 people waiting to meet the protesters. Fong’s supporters came to “stand with him” to engage the activists. Did he know the protesters were coming? Actually, no. In the past few weeks, activists had protested outside elected officials’ homes at night due to their unwillingness to defund Seattle Police by 50%, although they have agreed to cut some funds. These surprise marches have resulted in property damage, physical altercations, denigrating graffiti, and disparaging verbal assaults on

 Senior Deputy Mayor Mike Fong and Chinese American supporters

 The protesters

Hong Kong media tycoon detained under new law, released on bail

elected officials. Fong knew what happened at Mayor Jenny Durkan’s house. People vandalized her home, writing “die,” “Resign bitch,” “guillotine Jenny,” and “Jenny is a bitch.” Councilmembers Debora Juarez and Alex Pedersen have had similar experiences. Police Chief Carmen Best’s home was also targetted by protesters. “With these events unfolded, I decided to be proactive,“ Fong said. Talking and listening would be his response if they show up, even though he doesn’t agree with the protesters’ approaches in pushing for police defunding, he said.

The encounter

When the protesters were looking for Fong’s house in the neighborhood, a voice shouted, “Right here ... I am Mike Fong. Let’s talk.” During the conversation, an activist chanted, “Whose lives matter?” see BLM on 12

Kamala Harris, first Black, Asian woman, picked as Biden’s running mate Local AAPI leaders thrilled

Media owner Jimmy Lai arrested by Hong Kong police on Aug. 10

Photo provided by Jeffrey Roh

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong authorities arrested media tycoon Jimmy Lai on Aug. 10, broadening their enforcement of a new national security law and stoking fears of a crackdown on the semi-autonomous region’s free press. Police were seen carting away boxes of what they said was evidence at Lai’s pro-democracy Next Digital headquarters. He was released on bail in the early hours of Aug. 12. In the evening, police arrested prodemocracy activist Agnes Chow Ting on charges of inciting secession under the same law, according to tweets by fellow activist Nathan Law, who left Hong Kong for Britain soon after the law took effect. An earlier post on

Screencap from AP YouTube

By ZEN SOO

Chow’s official Facebook page said police had arrived at her home and her lawyers were see LAI on 10

From left: Grace Roh, Sen. Kamala Harris, and Jeffrey Roh at a 2019 fundraiser for Harris.

By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT How one climber is calling our racism in the outdoor industry

6&7

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

When white people who do and say racist things—and the white friends who love and forgive them!

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EDITORIAL Carmen Best calls it quits

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Joe Biden named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on Aug. 11—making history by selecting the first Black and Asian woman to compete on a major party’s presidential ticket. “Together, with you, we’re going to

beat Trump,” Biden said. Born to a Jamaican father and Tamil Indian mother, the 55-year-old firstterm senator is one of the party’s most prominent figures. Harris quickly became a top contender for the No. 2 spot after her own White House campaign ended. see HARRIS on 12

412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com


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VOL 39 NO 33 | AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2020 by Northwest Asian Weekly - Issuu