David Chiu, San Francisco’s first Asian-American City Attorney, is making significant strides in championing the rights of the Asian community amid a troubling rise in anti-Asian sentiment. In a recent interview, Chiu highlighted the critical role of legislative efforts in safeguarding Chinese American interests and urged greater participation of Asian Americans in electoral politics to amplify their voices.
Before taking on his current role, Chiu served as a California state assemblyman during a very challenging time marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and a noticeable increase in anti-Asian hate crimes—over 6,600 reported across the nation in just one year. To address this alarming trend, he instituted a three-year “Anti-Hate Plan,” which focuses on creating community safety patrols that maintain constant communication with law enforcement. This initiative enables members of these patrols to quickly alert police to any incidents of anti-Asian activity.
Chiu’s plan also includes bystander intervention training, equipping community members with the tools to effectively step in when they witness acts of anti-Asian violence. He remarked, “This initiative is a reminder that the fight against anti-Asian crime is not solely an Asian American issue; it’s a concern for all Americans. Similar to the protest movements after George Floyd’s death, it’s crucial for everyone to unite in combating anti-Asian hate.”
His comprehensive strategy not only aims to support the mental health recovery of anti-Asian hate victims but also to improve their daily lives, educate the public on racial equality, and enhance judicial responses to hate crimes.
Constantly reflecting on how to deepen his contributions to the fight against anti-Asian racism, Chiu has co-authored 120 pieces of municipal legislation in San Francisco and 75 state laws. He is dedicated to tackling these issues at their roots, providing civil legal guidance to government entities on effectively addressing hate crimes and bolstering law enforcement responses. Acknowledging that language barriers pose significant challenges for immigrants, Chiu is committed to creating more accessible pathways for these communities to obtain essential government information.
As City Attorney, Chiu’s duties involve legal litigation concerning various public utilities, including the police and fire departments, public health services, social services, the airport, and public libraries. This role differs from that of the City’s District Attorney’s Office, which mainly handles criminal prosecutions. Instead, Chiu’s focus is on serving the electorate and ensuring legal protections for community infrastructures, notably in areas like Chinatown, tourism, and the development of hospitals and transit projects.
Chiu has organized numerous roundtable discussions with the Asian American community, enabling dialogues between community members and law enforcement. These discussions aim to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the community, especially concerning hate crimes targeting Asian and Pacific Islander populations. They also serve as a platform for stakeholders to explore solutions and maximize available resources.
In light of the current climate of anti-Asian sentiment, Chiu spoke about prevention strategies, legislative actions, and community support organizations while encouraging Asian Americans to pursue political roles. He believes that political engagement is essential for reshaping the rules that govern the community and providing a unified platform for advocacy.
