By Kyle Arnold
The Daily (University of Washington)
June 2, 2003
Leaders from Seattle’s Asian-American community gathered at the Ethnic Culture Center Saturday accusing corporations, such as those owned by Paul Allen, of leading to the destruction of culture in the International District.
“[Asian Americans] are being forced out of the place that has been our home,” said Rodney Camarce, of People’s Coalition for Justice of Seattle.
Soya Jung Harns, also of the coalition, said law-enforcement agencies are siding with corporations and not protecting the International District’s residents.
The workshop, presented by the Organization of Chinese Americans’ Seattle chapter, focused on finding solutions to claims of racial profiling of Asian Americans. It included presentations from several Asian Americans and a roundtable discussion on what could be done to stop what participants said was unfair action by local law-enforcement agencies.
The center of the discussion focused around a July 2001 incident in which 19 teenage Asian Americans were allegedly harassed by Seattle police officers after apparently jaywalking.
“Our goal here is not only to discuss the issues but also to find a solution,” said organizer Mellisa Chun.
Issues discussed at the forum also addressed misconceptions relating to severe acute respiratory syndrome and the effect the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks has had on immigration and Asian immigrants.
Camarce said racial profiling by police agencies, usually associated with blacks, happens to all ethnic minority groups, including Asian Americans.
“We are such an ingrained part of Seattle’s culture,” said Camarce. “We should be accepted here as Americans and treated like Americans.”
Speakers also focused on post-Sept. 11 hysteria and paranoia against foreigners as obstacles that Asians and Asian Americans are facing.
“Asian Americans, as well as other racial minorities, are being stopped at airports and sometimes randomly by cops,” said Jasmit Singh Kochar of the Sikh Coalition, “and this kind of racial profiling is being justified on behalf of national security.”
Mei-Ling Hsu, who spoke on the history of racial profiling, likened post-Sept. 11 racial profiling to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
In the roundtable discussion that followed the several speakers, comments quickly turned from discussing incidents of racial profiling and racism to what should be done to combat the problem.
The workshop’s attendants suggested that an independent task force be made up to investigate police misconduct, a proposal already made to the mayor’s office after the jaywalking incident.
“We can discuss and complain all we want, but nothing will ever happen if we don’t look for solutions,” said Hsu. “We need to make an organized effort to stop racial profiling.”
