PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 40 NO 41 OCTOBER 9 – OCTOBER 15, 2021
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Violent temple attack Local Cambodian community is now speaking out Members of the local Cambodian community are making their voices heard after a series of videos were posted online showing a Buddhist nun being assaulted at a Tacoma temple. “We are tired of being scared,” Savong Lam said during a Zoom call on Oct. 5. While the virtual meeting was in response to the attack, which occurred last month, she was referring to the violence against the greater Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, specifically since the beginning of the pandemic. The call included more than 100 community members, city, state, and national lawmakers, and representatives from public and private organizations and agencies from throughout the Puget Sound region. For Lam, a member of Tacoma’s Cambodian community who works with the Khmer AntiDeportation Advocacy Group and Khmer Language Arts and Culture Academy, her request was simple. “We need you to work with us.” She said this means concrete support and a commitment from leadership at different levels—from public and private agencies— to really work with the Cambodian community and
Provided by Chea Poeuv
By Samantha Pak NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Judge John H. Chun
Judge Dale Ho
Judge Florence Pan
Screenshot from video of nun being attacked
By GENE JOHNSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
provide resources to come up with long-term solutions to stop the violence against the community. Lam doesn’t know what that looks like, which is why they need to start having the conversation. The Oct. 6 call was the start of that conversation. Sameth Mell with the Equity in Education Coalition, who facilitated the call, said they plan on holding these
SEATTLE (AP) — President Joe Biden on Sept. 30 announced the nominee for the extremely shorthanded federal bench in Seattle: Washington state Court of Appeals Judge John H. Chun. Biden has stressed the importance of ethnic and professional diversity in his nominations. Chun, a son of Korean immigrants who has served on the appeals court since 2018, would be the first Asian American man to serve as a judge in the district.
see VIOLENT ATTACK on 11
see JUDGES on 11
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster dose recommended for some OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has begun offering booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to certain individuals following recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices, and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. At least six months after completing the primary Pfizer vaccine series, the following individuals should receive a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine: • People 65 years of age and older, • People 18 years of age and older living in a longterm care setting, and • People 50 – 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions or those at increased risk of social inequities. Additionally, the following individuals who completed a Pfizer vaccine series at least six months ago may receive a Pfizer booster dose:
Biden picks Chun, Ho for federal judge roles; Pan confirmed
King County Elections certifies recall petition for Kshama Sawant On Sept. 30, King County Elections (KCE) certified the recall petition filed earlier this year against Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant. A total of 10,687 valid signatures from Seattle City Council District 3 registered voters were required to send Kshama Sawant the recall issue to voters. Petitioners submitted over 16,000 signatures to be verified in early September. In a news release, KCE said it “follows a comprehensive verification process that includes
Dr. Shireesha Dhanireddy
see BOOSTER SHOT on 13
see SAWANT on 14
Why get the COVID vaccine now?
“So we can go out and hang with friends again.” Everyone ages 12 and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe, easy, and free - no insurance or appointment needed.
KingCounty.gov/vaccine
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audrey, fl ynn, & no va ce n tr al di st ri ct
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