书写圣城史 220维权挺梁大游行
李玉 02/24 5170
2月20日，200多圣安东尼奥（San Antonio, Texas）华裔民众走上街头，参与了由亚裔维权大联盟发起的“220全美百万亚裔维权挺梁大示威”游行示威活动。这一次游行示威，圣城华裔不仅响应了亚裔联盟的号召，为在美亚裔要求司法公正，不再成为司法不公的牺牲品发出自己的声音，也创造了圣城华裔历史上的第一次 —— 这一次史无前例的大游行将对今后圣城华裔的政治态度和参与方式起到深远的影响，并为圣城华裔在今后的政治生活中提供借鉴作用。
整个活动从早上10点开始，到中午12点结束，共持续两个小时。虽然早上有些阴雨，但这丝毫没有影响大家为公益、为正义而来的热情。由圣城华人联盟、华人专家协会、华人商会、山东同乡会、胡北之友联合组成的“220游行组委会”的志愿者们9点30分便集中在Main Plaza做好分发美国国旗、标语板、传单等准备活动。为游行活动提供安全防护的圣安东尼奥警察局也提前来到游行地点，为游行队伍提供提前封道、安插沿街巡逻员、警车开道等积极的协助。10时许，来自圣城各行各业的华裔200余人，以及数位来自不同族群的人士陆陆续续地汇集到MainPlaza。他们中年龄最大的81岁，最小的只有21个月。大家相互热情的点头致意，并安静有序地领取标语牌、国旗、传单，等待活动的开始。10点30分，组委会负责人刘艳娟，颜彦，杨占波、孙志全先后发言，对本次游行示威的目的、意义进行了阐述，并重申游行注意事项。11点，游行正式开始，游行队伍两人一排，整齐有序地排着队由Main Plaza出发。大家高举着“Fair Treatment For All”, “Justice Above Politics”, “One Tragedy Two Victims” 等标语牌，沿着Market Street， 来到人群熙攘的Alamo Plaza。许多路人驻足观望，有些上前询问游行诉求，很多人在得知缘由后纷纷表示支持，尤其令人欣慰的是一位非洲裔美国人毅然加入了游行队伍并走完全程。另一个值得一提的是游行队伍中有许多的孩子，相信这一次游行将于他们今后的生活有更深远的影响。游行队伍在Alamo Plaza做短暂停留后，经Houston Street，N. Flores Street，返回Main Plaza。游行活动圆满结束。
此次游行获得圣安东尼奥市前议员Elisa Chan的大力协助，以及许许多多来自各行各业华人的鼎力支持。这一次游行示威发出了圣城华人追求政治诉求的第一声，也展示了新一代华人团结一致的力量。
http://sa-chinese.org/Equality.html
San Antonio for Equality
Press Release
Contact Persons: Dr. Zhanbo Yang ; Dr Jason Zhao<SA4peterLiang@gmail.com >
National Peaceful Rally For Equality--San Antonio Rally
On February 20, 2016, over 200 Chinese American in San Antonio took to the street to hold a peaceful rally and march in downtown San Antonio. This is part of a nationwide rallies and protest concerning the case of former NYPD officer Peter Liang. As part of a national rally of over 40 cities, the San Antonio rally is organized by San Antonio ForEquality, an organization composed of several entities for the purpose of organizing this rally. The rally and march started at 10:30 at the downtown Main plaza.
Peter Liang, an NYPD probationary officer at the time, a Chinese American, along with another rookie officer, was assigned to conduct a patrol of one of the most dangerous public housings on Nov. 20, 2014. Multiple police officers testified under oath that they were often very scared while patrolling that same building. Mr. Liang’s service weapon accidentally discharged in a pitch-dark stairwell. The bullet ricocheted off the wall and struck 28-year-old Akai Gurley who entered the stairwell one floor below. Mr. Gurley tragically lost his life. He was an African American. Peter Liang was convicted of second-degree manslaughter among other changes.
“Any senseless loss of life is a tragedy unbearable to all of us. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Gurley. No words can undo the suffering of losing a loved one. Our thoughts and prayer are with the family of Mr. Gurley.” Said Dr. Zhanbo Yang, the spokesperson for the rally.
“We are deeply concerned about the apparent inconsistent treatmentof Peter Liang by the system”. Many say that Mr. Liang was used as an “example” of police violence and got caught in in the politics of New York's City Hall and the anti-police sentiment caused by the NYPD’s wrong doings in the past. It is particularly alarming when Liang’s partner, a non-minority officer, who committed many of the same actions was given immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony against Liang. In the Eric Garner case, which also happened in New York, Kizzy Adonis, a 14-year veteran officer of NYPD, an African American, was the only one facing NYPD internal chargeswhile the non-minority officer who actually committed the act is not facing any charges.
“Did Peter Liang get caught in in politics and was used to bear the consequences of the wrong doings of NYPD?” Continued Dr. Yang. “We request that the authorities of NYPD and NYC stop hiding behind Peter Liang. We request that every citizen of this country be treated equally.”
Several individuals from different ethnic background joined the march. This was the first time in history the Asian Community in San Antoniohad organized activities of this type. It indicated the increasingawareness and engagement in political process by the Asian American community in San Antonio. The rally and march were completed peacefully at 12:30 pm.
San Antonio for Equality Marching Committee:
San Antonio Chinese Alliance, Greater San Antonio Society of Chinese Professionals, Greater San Antonio Chinese Chamber of Commerce. San Antonio Shandong Association. San Antonio Hubei Association.
