Asian American leaders from across California say the rise in hate-crimes against Asians could be stemmed from better representation in Sacramento, and are calling on the governor to make the next attorney general someone of Asian descent.
"Enough is enough," San Francisco Assemblyman David Chiu said.
Chiu told KCBS Radio that no matter what investigators in Atlanta say, he believes this week’s spa shootings were hate crimes.
He’s been tracking the trend all year, and said 1,600 hate crimes have been documented in California.
Gov. Gavin Newsom now needs to appoint a new attorney general, as Xavier Becerra was confirmed Thursday to be President Biden's health secretary.
"California deserves to have a top cop who understands our communities, our diversity, and that has experience in building community based solutions that target hate," Chiu noted.
Representation matters and can build trust in the Asian Pacific Islander community, said Sacramento State Senator Dr. Richard Pan.
"There’s 58 counties with district attorneys in the state of California, and I believe we don’t have a single API district attorney,” he told KCBS Radio. "We are underrepresented in judgeships."
The governor’s appointment is expected to come soon.
Oakland Assemblyman Rob Bonta is said to be one of the contenders.
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