FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Contact Person: Malcolm Yeung, (415) 984-1458

An Open Letter and Community Call to Action We, the undersigned, offer these words to the Chinese American community and to the public at

large:

With the revelations of the corruption indictment of Senator Leland Yee, the past several weeks have

been a shocking, troubling period for the people of San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. Its been especially alarming for Chinese Americans, as the inevitable fallout has brought intense scrutiny on

our community and, from some quarters, misguided doubts about the integrity of Chinese American

leadership as a whole.

After years of toil and effort, and hardfought gains, to become full participants in our local politics,

we cannot let the alleged corruption of a few set back the progress of the great many.

Some members of the media and others are tempted to interpret the indictments of Leland Yee and

his co-conspirators as a stain on the entire Chinese American community or, worse, to approach our community with renewed suspicion. Some have gone so far as to ask whether the Yee indictment

should cast doubt on all Chinese American elected officials in the Bay Area.

But, the fact is, nobody maligns the entire collection of white elected officials when a John Edwards

or Eliot Spitzer is disgraced; nobody suggests all Latino leaders are complicit in the Ron Calderon

affair; African Americans are not blamed for the crimes of Rep. William Jefferson or Mayor Ray

Nagin.

And the same is true here: there is nothing about the Chinese American political community, or its

culture, that is under indictment, only the shocking allegations against a few.

In fact, law enforcement has done the Chinese American community a great service. It has weeded

out alleged wrongdoing that, if proven, has festered way too long!

Far from casting doubt on the reliability of Chinese American leaders generally, the Leland Yee

indictments should re-affirm our faith in the American political system, of which we have fought so

hard to be a part. If you cheat, you get caught. It's that simple. . This is nothing to celebrate or smile

about, but justice is justice.

For Chinese Americans, this incident should also encourage us to participate in the civic process

more, not less. Our votes matter as do the politicians we help elect. Our participation is critical to the integrity and fairness of the system, and its important that we act as full participants at every level and not operate on the margins.

In fact, this past week should illustrate the maturation of our communitys place in the Bay Areas political system, as well as our resilience over the many decades. Theres no doubt Leland Yee was a

prominent Chinese American political figure but he is not the only representative from our community. The vast majority of our elected officials will pour their hearts and souls into

representing their constituents to the best of their ability.

The FBIs tenacity in pursuing this case shows that, going forward, other politicians, including any Chinese American ones, must think twice before breaking the law. Theyre going to get caught, and they should.

Law enforcement has shown its determination to protect the integrity of the system. Just as important,

we must show our determination to respect, and reflect, todays more inclusive civic institutions, and the best way to do that is to participate.

One politician does not make an entire political system. The people make the political system. So

take note, brothers and sisters, but do not let anyone put you on the defensive.

Now Leland Yee will have his day in court to defend himself; we as a community have nothing to

defend.

Signed,

NAME: ORGANIZATION FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSE ONLY

Rose Pak Community Leader

Rev. Norman Fong Chinatown Community Development Center

Anni Chung Self Help for the Elderly

Gordon Chin Community Leader

Sarah Wan Community Youth Center of San Francisco

Wing Hoo Leung Community Tenants Association

Kinson Wong R&G Lounge

Phil Chin Chinatown Transportation, Research and Improvement Project

Chang Jok Lee Ping Yuen Residents Improvement Association

Carol Kuong Committee for Better Parks and Rec in Chinatown

Patricia Thomas SF Housing Authority Commission

Amor Santiago APA Family Support Service

Jon Osaki Japanese Community Youth Center

Allan Low SF Recreation and Park Commission

Cindy Wu SF Planning Commission

Eric Wu SF Youth Commission

Victor M. Hwang Community Attorney

Charles Chan Chinese American Association of Commerce

Tilly Chang Washington Bakery

Eva Tam AOPA

Tong Zhang Cathay Post #384

Douglas Wong Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Malcolm Yeung Chinatown CDC

Michael Kay Sam Yup Association

Linda Chow Chase International Inc.

Donald Luu Community Architect

Tony Zhang Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Florence Kong Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Grace Yuen Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Harlan Wong Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Kitman Chan Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Eddie K. Au Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Esther Li Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Michael Lau Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Teresa Cheung Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Kenny Tse Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Francis So Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Sidney Chan Community Leader

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