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San Francisco – Asian American officials and leaders will gather Thursday to warn voters that Proposition H, the increased use of force Taser policy measure on the June 5th San Francisco ballot, is misleading and dangerous. The measure is backed by nearly $500,000 in highly deceptive advertising purchased by the local police union, the San Francisco Police Officers Association, claiming it’s needed to equip SFPD officers with Tasers. That’s false. Tasers were fully approved for officers more than six months ago and a carefully crafted policy controlling their use was adopted in March.
In reality, Prop H is the police union’s attempt to overturn that policy and to, instead, allow this weapon to be used on people who pose no immediate threat. Prop H would also strip both the Chief of Police and Police Commission of their power to make policy changes on how and when Tasers can be used. Prop H is opposed by Mayor Mark Farrell, Chief Bill Scott, and an overwhelming majority of local officials, organizations and media outlets.
Asian American officials and leaders will speak about the impact of such a policy on Asian American community members and highlight the problems with language access, excessive force, and inadequate access to culturally competent mental health services.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: Thursday, May 31, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Chinese for Affirmative Action, 17 Walter Lum Place, San Francisco, CA 94108
WHO:
Norman Yee, Member San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Jeff Adachi, San Francisco Public Defender
Angela Chan, Policy Director and Senior Staff Attorney, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus (former San Francisco Police Commissioner)
Vincent Pan, Co-Executive Director, Chinese for Affirmative Action (former San Francisco Police Commissioner)
John Hamasaki, Attorney and Police Commissioner Nominee (Board of Supervisors action on Rules Committee nomination expected June 5th)
John Crew, No on Prop. H Committee Co-Chairperson (former Police Practices Project Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California)
Moderated in English and Mandarin by Hong Mei Pang, Director of Advocacy, Chinese for Affirmative Action.
