From Supervisor Gordon Mar’s Office:

Hundreds March in the Sunset District for AAPI Solidarity and Safety

On Sunday, April 17, a coalition of labor, faith, and community organizations and Supervisor Gordon Mar brought together hundreds of people in the Sunset District for a peaceful rally and march along the car-free Upper Great Highway in a powerful demonstration against hate and violence targeting the AAPI communities. 

“Today, we are speaking up for our community. We speak up for those who remain silent, isolated, or fearful, for they are not alone,” Supervisor Mar said. “ Our fear, sorrow, and rage are righteous. Together, it’s our duty to turn fear, sorrow, and rage into love and solidarity, not hate and division. Violence is a constant companion of hate and division. Healing and long-term solutions require building cross-racial understanding and solidarity.”

The event featured resource tables connecting attendees to local programs and services, along with speeches by faith, community, and political leaders, and a performance by Richmond-based rapper Son of Paper. The march was organized by Supervisor Mar’s office in close coordination with the District 4 Youth and Families Network, Wah Mei School, Self Help for the Elderly, Sunset Church, Sunset Ministry, and SEIU 2015, and was also co-hosted by District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar. 

The action came amidst a rise in crimes targeting Asian Americans in San Francisco and across the country. Data from Stop AAPI Hate shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic there have been at least 359 reported anti-Asian incidents in San Francisco with more than two-thirds against women. 

“Like all people of color, our communities have struggled against racism throughout our history in this country over 150 years, but the breadth and brazenness of the recent violence and racism directed at Asian Americans have been shocking,” said Supervisor Mar. “ These incidents of violence have made the especially difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, including widespread unemployment and the struggle to survive of our small businesses, even more painful.” 

The gathering followed a Board of Supervisors hearing Supervisor Mar held last week with District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan, wherein Mar called on City departments to work together to create a comprehensive citywide plan to prevent violence and support victims in Asian American communities. A multi-agency report in response to the hearing is expected before June. 

Sunday’s march was the latest civic action to take place on the Great Highway since it was closed to vehicles at the start of the pandemic; in 2020, other actions on the roadway included a Black Lives Matter Solidarity March and a Prayer Walk for Black Lives.

The Sunset District is majority Asian-American, with 57% of residents in the Sunset and Parkside neighborhoods estimated to be Asian American according to the American Community Survey.