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BIPOC, Local

Dozens gather in Auburn to remember Jesse Sarey

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[AUBURN] – (MTN) Family, friends, activists, politicians, and community leaders gathered in the parking lot where Jesse Sarey was shot by Auburn police officer Jeff Nelson two years ago to hold a candlelight vigil. Sarey was gunned down by officer Nelson on May 31, 2019, in an interaction that ended with Sarey dead of two gunshot wounds. Nelson was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the shooting and is the first officer to be charged under Washington’s I-940.

Elaine Simons, Sarey’s foster mother, has become an outspoken champion of his cause and the public face for the Sarey family. Other families who have experienced police violence were on hand to stand in support and tell their stories of loved ones lost.

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Friends and family did a balloon release after a four-second pause, to remember the four seconds it took between Nelson’s first shot and his third.

On May 31, 2019, officer Nelson responded to a call about Sarey, who was homeless and struggled with mental illness. When Nelson arrived Sarey was calm, sitting on a curb and chewing on ice cubes. Nelson attempted to take Sarey into custody and a short struggle ensued. Nelson fired one shot which struck Sarey in the chest and was fatal. When he went to fire his second shot his service weapon jammed, forcing Nelson to clear the round and fire a third shot in the head.

Nelson had been with the Auburn Police Department for 11 years, serving as a K9 officer. During his tenure, he was involved in 3 fatal officer shootings, including Sarey. In 2017, Isaiah Obet was shot and killed by Nelson with the same chest and head combination. The city of 85,000 paid a $1.25 million settlement to Obet’s family 4 days after Nelson was arraigned on criminal charges in the Sarey case.

Nelson’s next hearing is on June 3 and his trial is scheduled to start in October 2021.

BIPOC, Local

Bail set at $2 million for Bothell stabbing suspect Ian Patrick Williams

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[SEATTLE] – (MTN) Almost a week later family, friends, and investigators continue to struggle to understand why Ian Patrick Williams stabbed John Huynh to death in Bothell. Williams’s bail was set at $2 million by a King County judge after prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder.

On Sunday, surveillance video captured Willams lunging at Huynh and stabbing him in the heart in front of Huynh’s wife and multiple witnesses, less than a minute after Williams gave Huynh the middle finger. Huynh died at the scene despite heroic efforts by bystanders and local paramedics.

Williams has no previous criminal record and doesn’t have a significant social media footprint that could give insight into his motivation. Neither man knew each other and the stabbing happened outside of the apartment complex both men lived in and across the street from a restaurant, where many saw the attack unfold. Bothell Police Captain Bryan Keller stated, “Easily, 10, if not more. I would think there would probably be in the ‘more’ category right now.”

Williams is reported to have returned to his apartment and told his mother he had a conflict with an anti-masker and had cuts on his hand. Nothing in publicly released statements from witnesses indicates there was an exchange about masks.

The attack comes at a time when hate crimes and violent acts against the Asian and Pacific Islander community are skyrocketing in the United States. On April 22 the U.S. Senate approved an Asian hate crime bill 94-1, with Missouri Senator Josh Hawley voting against the measure.

“These unprovoked, random attacks and incidents are happening in supermarkets, on our streets, in takeout restaurants — basically, wherever we are,” said Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii. Senator Hirono is the legislation’s lead sponsor. She said the attacks are “a predictable and foreseeable consequence” of racist and inflammatory language that has been used against Asians during the pandemic.”

The U.S. House is expected to take up the bill in May where it has significant bi-partisan support.

Prosecutors and investigators have not labeled the murder in Bothell a hate crime, but the investigation into motivation is ongoing. a KUOW story in March reported a significant increase in hate crimes against Asians and Pacific Islanders in Seattle. Earlier this month, the Asian and Pacific Islander community gathered in Seattle to hold a Not Your Model Minority rally and march in the International District.

On Monday, the Bothell Police wrote on its website, “Although there are many potential witnesses — at this time, it is not possible for us to answer the very important questions about why this happened. We understand that many in the community we serve – have concerns and a lot of questions. We want to assure you that we are continuing to investigate all possible motives, and take this case very seriously. We are devoting all available resources to this investigation.”     

Two GoFundMe pages, one on the west coast and one on the east coast, for Huynh’s funeral expenses have raised over $92,000. Malcontent News has validated the legitimacy of both GoFundMe pages.

Huynh’s funeral is today in Pennsylvania, where he was born. A vigil for Huynh in Bothell that was planned for Friday at 5:30 PM has been canceled out of respect for the family.

Williams’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 12.

BIPOC, Local

Not Your Model Minority rally in Seattle speaks out against Asian-Pacific Islander racism

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[SEATTLE] – (MTN) Approximately 200 people gathered in Hing Hay Park on Saturday to speak out against Asian and Pacific Islander racism and violence. Organizers of the Not Your Model Minority rally and march featured several speakers who are survivors of bias, racism, violence, and police violence.

Asians and Pacific Islanders are considered a “model minority.” Races that try to blend in with white culture, achieve academic excellence, and are perceived as equally successful to whites. Even among Asian culture terms such as “banana” and “coconut” are used to describe someone who appears Asian on the outside, but thinks and acts white. In pop culture, Asians are typically stereotyped as either submissive or angry and impatient, and Asian women are fetishized.

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Within the Asian-Pacific Islander communities, there are many races that are economically disadvantaged and have education rates as low as other Black, Indigenous, and persons of color communities. Asian-Pacific Islander mean household wealth is above other minority groups but is only half of white households. Additionally, some ethnicities such as the Hmong and Khmer Rouge experience racism from within the Asian community.

Speakers included Elaine Simons, the foster mother of Jesse Sarey. Sarey’s family were Khmer Rouge immigrants who fled the killing fields of Cambodia. Sarey was shot to death by Auburn police officer Jeff Nelson on May 31, 2019. Nelson is awaiting trial for second degree murder and first degree assault, and is the first and only police officer in Washington to prosecuted under I-940.

An anesthesiology resident with the University of Washington told the audience how she has experienced racism and has been harassed since COVID arrived in our region in January 2020. The threats by strangers on the street reaching a point she expressed concern about being able to do things many take for granted like a last-minute trip to the grocery store or walking to her gym.

A couple of sex workers bravely spoke about their challenges including accusations of police misconduct, violence, and fetishizing of Asian women. Thunderous applause came from the audience when Seattle police were accused of ignoring the International District and the residents that live there.

Vendors provided Asixn and Pacific-Islander food and water was handed out due to the record-setting heat on Saturday. Lion dancers entertained the crowd while organizers prepared for the march.

The group then marched through the International District, chanting and stopping at historical locations to provide reflection and education. The Seattle police maintained an out-of-sight presence, observing the group from two to three blocks away.

The United States has seen a dramatic increase in violence against Asian peoples in 2020, with many cases going unreported. The most high-profile incident was in Atlanta when Robert Aaron Long targeted three Asian-owned businesses, killing eight, including six people of Asian ethnicity. Long was arrested after a high-speed chase almost 200 miles away, allegedly on his way to a fourth target.