Born out of the Community Safety Education Series last year, the Oakland Chinatown Elders Organizing Collective has convened again this year, co-led by Asian Health Services and APEN, to learn and advocate for community safety, violence prevention and healing in Oakland 💥 Last month, the elders had the incredible opportunity to go on a walking tour hosted by the Chinese Cultural Center in SF. Going on an intimate journey through murals and alleyways, the elders discovered the rich and hidden stories of Asian American activism in the Bay, including the history of Chinese immigration, the intergenerational movement of the I-Hotel, and the legacy of Wong Kim Ark. Afterwards, the elders headed over to the Chinese Progressive Association for a cross-community exchange. They listened to each other’s immigration stories, shared about their immigrant, working class grassroots organizing work, and laid out their vision and hopes for the future of Chinatown through a collective mural. ✨ “I learned that Chinatown was a ‘safe haven’ that people consciously built for survival and solidarity under oppression. This trip opened a new window for me to begin to understand the important role that Asian Americans play in the fight for equality and justice” - Simon from MHACC Stay tuned for the next stop of our journey with the Elders Organizing Collective! Photos by @viajordanfoster (fb)

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