Asian community supports Rapper Chino Yang’s first amendment rights to express his views on public safety

(SAN FRANCISCO) Rapper and restaurateur Chino Yang loves San Francisco and calls it his second home. He released his new rap video, San Francisco Our Home, lately to express his frustration over crime in which one of his restaurants had been broken into seven times since the pandemic. He was asked to apologize for his criticism against Mayor London Breed and take down his new video.

But the Asian community did not agree. Asian Justice Movement (AJM), a newly-formed national Asian coalition during the pandemic focusing on anti-Asian hate and violence, released a public statement demanding Rev. Amos Brown, NAACP San Francisco Chapter President, to issue his apology to Yang and respect Yang's first amendment right.

The controversy between Yang's new rap song and the African American community has been widely covered by the local, national and international news media. It is part of a series of the news coverage by the media related to San Francisco's overwhelming poor situation on public safety, economy, and drug overdose problem in recent years.

Yang, 35, was born in China and immigrated to the United States at the age of 13. He said in his songs that he grew up together with the African and Hispanic communities in the Bayview neighborhood in San Francisco.

Yang loves singing and has been a rapper for years. He also owns two restaurants in San Francisco, Kung Food in Alamo Square and Aceking BBQ in Richmond District. He has been active in the Asian community events and anti-Asian hate awareness movements. He has performed at many community events.

In 2021, Yang created a rap video, Stand Up & Speak Up, and also voiced his opinions on public safety and anti-Asian violence. "All the politicians don't care about us. It is time for change. It is time to change it," Yang sang in Stand Up & Speak Up video.

In the lyrics of the recently-released rap song, San Francisco Our Home, Yang was critical of Mayor Breed's failure on solving the crime problem in San Francisco. He sang about his restaurant Kung Food being burglarized seven times since the pandemic and his BBQ restaurant once. The music video showed that Yang put a notice on his restaurant door to indicate that no money could be found in his cash register.

"Now London Breed you ain't nothing but a clown. When we really needed you, you ain't never been around," Yang rapped.

NAACP San Francisco Chapter President Rev. Amos Brown called for a press conference in his church on December 28, 2023. Members of the African American and faith communities joined Rev. Brown demanding Yang to take down the rap video from public views.

At the same time, Yang issued an apology video on social media. "Lately I have been receiving a lot of threats, especially from someone extremely powerful, someone who has connections to presidents, senators... you know, the top elites," Yang said. "I am simply a civilian, so for the sake of my family and my loved ones, and my close friends, I'd like to openly and publicly make an apology regarding my actions and what I say in the video."

"I had no idea this extremely powerful individual had so much emotional attachment to London Breed," Yang said. "With that being said, I'm sorry for my ignorance. I'm sorry for my foolishness and impulsiveness. I should have been more informed about what she had done for our city."

Asian community activist Leanna Louie attended the press conference and spoke to the press that she supported Yang's freedom of speech to talk about his experiences as a crime victim in his songs. "A small business that has been broken into seven times is not acceptable," said Louie.

The Asian Justice Movement issued a public statement on social media and demanded Rev. Brown to apologize.

"Asian American voices have too often been silenced in this country. While taking no position on any individual politician, AJM supports the right of any Asian American to freely express their personal viewpoints about them." AJM stated.

"We are particularly concerned with the actions by Rev. Brown, purporting to represent the NAACP, which actions have had the impact of pitting the Asian and Black communities against one another. Our communities share a common history of fighting prejudice and hatred. We are stronger when we stand together," AJM further wrote in the statement.

"Peace, reconciliation, and genuine unity are our ultimate goals. But no American should be bullied into silence, and that is what's happening. We have optimism that Rev. Brown will eventually do the right thing and acknowledge his wrongdoing," said Charles Jung, Organizer with AJM. "The phenomenon of Anti-Asian violence is not over. Rev. Brown and the NAACP can demonstrate true allyship by joining with us to condemn this violence and work toward solutions together."

"Our community will not stand for this and will fight for justice. We will hold all city officials and leaders accountable," said Hudson Liao, founder of Asians Are Strong and an AJM member.

“I witnessed the same race baiting and intimidation during redistricting, when our Asian elders were constantly harassed and intimidated for giving public comments,” said Lily Ho, former Redistricting Commissioner, founder of Delta Chinatown Initiative, and member of AJM.

Public education activist Laurance Lee went to Kung Food for lunch to show his support to Yang. "We’ve seen a lot of bad faith talk stirring the pot in school board meetings during the (former Education Commissioner) Alison Collins years. It’s so unfortunate when we have much work to do to get things better. I’m just trying to support a small business which had to struggle through so much property crime. Given the recent reviews, I’m with many who support Yang and his restaurant," said Lee.

Rev. Brown spoke to Wind Newspaper that he would not apologize to Yang. "If I had threatened him, he should file a report with the FBI, U.S. Marshall or SFPD. There is no such a report."

"The crime problem is a national issue," said Rev. Brown. "His act is irresponsible. We should work together to fight crime."

Ellen Lee Zhou, a mayoral candidate in 2018 and 2024, showed her support to Yang and said, "What he sings in the rap song represents the frustration of small business owners and private citizens over crime in our city. Those are facts."

Zhou said she was intimidated by elected officials five years back when she first ran for mayor. "I am not afraid of them and will run again for mayor in 2024."

Yang's rap video has touched many Asian Americans in San Francisco. A number of them who are small business owners said they understood why Yang would apologize. They didn't want to be identified because of their businesses.

"It is true that a large number of young and elderly Asian Americans were robbed and attacked on the streets and their homes were invaded by intruders in the City of San Francisco for years. Asian elders are scared to go out. The mayor and all elected officials should be held accountable," said a Chinese restaurant worker who wanted to be anonymous.

Editor's note: The article has been updated to include a more detailed public statement from the Asian Justice Movement.