OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
YOUR VOICE
■ POLITICS
asianweekly northwest
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Can Kim-Khanh Van defeat Reagan Dunn? By Faith Noh NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Kim-Khanh Van would be the first Asian American woman to be on the Metropolitan King County Council since 1973, if she beats Reagan Dunn on Nov. 2. As a refugee and immigrant from Vietnam, Van hopes to represent communities that are often neglected in policy-making, and she hopes to unseat Dunn, the incumbent for District 9. “It’s a privilege, an honor, and a responsibility to make sure that our policy reflects the Asian American lived experience and professional experience,” Van said. Some of her main priorities are building affordable housing and reducing homelessness, ensuring public safety by addressing gun violence and hate crimes, and investing in transit and transportation. Van has a long history of representing the Asian American
community in the Puget Sound. She is the co-founder of AAPI Against Hate, as well as the president of the Vietnamese American Community of Seattle and Sno-King Counties. Van also runs her own law office where she manages cases on immigration, personal injury, and family. Van was also a volunteer attorney for the Northwest Immigrants’ Rights Project. As a Renton City Councilmember, Van decided to run for the King County Council because she wants policies that reflect the various cultures and communities that are often missing from the conversation, such as the Asian American community. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” Van said. “The policies that we’ve had really neglected Asian American communities. When we talk about racism, it’s either a Black or white issue, when in fact, there are issues happening to our community members.”
Kim-Khanh Van
Another motivation for Van was her dissatisfaction with Dunn. Last year, he was the only council member who voted against the resolution to declare racism as a public health crisis. “When our elders get slammed to the pavement across the nation, we need to come together to make sure that we have a voice,” Van said, referencing the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, Van emphasized the importance of standing in solidarity with all marginalized and underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, immigrants, seniors, and veterans. “Our lived experiences are within the greater context of King County, as we know from the Gang of Four,” Van said. On the other hand, this race has been an uphill climb for Van. Her opponent is not only a fourterm incumbent, but he has also received 55% of the votes during the primary election in August while Van was in second with 22%. “It was not an easy journey thus far, not that I was assuming it would be, but definitely the experience of my race and my gender really came into play in terms of barriers to overcome at times.” However, Van explained that these structural and cultural barriers actually became opportunities. Her lived experience as a
woman of color has empowered her to claim her seat at the table and to amplify the voices of the vulnerable and the underrepresented. Van is endorsed by many fellow Asian American politicians, such as state Rep. My-Linh Thai. “I believe in representation and elected leaders must represent the community they serve,” Thai stated. “Ms. Van is the candidate who will bring voice and representation to the council that reflects the growth and diversity from her community.” Despite the odds stacked against her, Van continues to march forward with strong support from many individuals and organizations. “It’s just too often that Asian Americans are left out and left behind,” Van said. “It’s time for us to have experience in leadership.” Faith can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
Photo by Matt Chan
Two shot, suspects arrested in CID robbery
A shooting victim on a gurney, surround by Seattle police on Oct. 16
Police arrested the suspects in a robbery and shooting, which left two people injured in the Chinatown-International District on Oct. 16. At approximately 12:15 p.m., police responded to 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street for reports of gunfire. Police arrived and found a woman and man, both with gunshot wounds to their legs. Medics transported the 28-year-old woman and 41-year-old man to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition. Matt Chan was riding his bike and came upon the scene about 10 minutes after the shooting. “The [crime scene] tape had been put up and there were officers with assault rifles searching the area so I assume the shooter had escaped into the neighborhood. I overheard a witness, who was being
questioned, mention a robbery and something about a cell phone.” Police said a man shot another man during a robbery. The female victim had not been involved, and had just been walking by when she was shot. The woman had been carrying her child, who was not injured. Witnesses provided officers with a description of the male suspect and a female accomplice who had accompanied him as he left the area. Officers soon located them in a vehicle at a gas station at Rainier Avenue South and South Charles Street. The 28-year-old man and 27-year-old woman were booked into King County Jail. The man had a warrant for escaping community custody related to a previous robbery conviction.
Mail-in voting only for ISRD Board election SEATTLE — There will be no in-person voting this year for the International Special Review District (ISRD) Board election, due to the continued impacts of COVID-19 and ongoing public health concerns. The election will occur by mail-in ballot only. The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON)’s Historic Preservation Program annually hosts an election to facilitate the selection of ISRD Board members who have been nominated by the community. All residents, persons who operate businesses, their employees, and property owners of the ISRD, who
have registered to vote within 30 days of the ISRD election, are eligible to vote. To confirm registration status or request a voter registration form, contact ISRD Board Coordinator Rebecca Frestedt at rebecca.frestedt@seattle.gov or (206) 684-0226. There are five positions open this year. The Board has seven members, five elected by the community and two appointed by the mayor. Board members typically serve two-year terms. Due to the postponed 2020 election, two seats on this year’s ballot will be for one-year terms. Positions 3 and 5 would have been
on the 2020 ballot. — #1 Business Owner, Property Owner or Employee (term expires 11/30/23) — #2 Resident, Tenant or Community Participant (term expires 11/30/23) — #3 Business Owner, Property Owner or Employee (term expires 11/30/22) — #4 Resident, Tenant or Community Participant (term expires 11/30/23) — #5 At-Large (term expires 11/30/22) To nominate a candidate, submit a nomination form no later than Nov. 2. Mail it to: Department of Neighborhoods, PO Box 94649, Seattle, WA 98124-4649.
Ballots must be received by Nov. 30. The ISRD Board was created in 1973 to preserve, protect, and enhance the cultural, economic, and historical qualities of the Chinatown-International District and, in particular, its unique Asian character. To preserve this special character, the ISRD Board must review and approve all uses including use of the public sidewalks, new construction, and changes to building exteriors within the district, including signs or new paint colors or security gates, before installation or construction.
