Former SF DA Chesa Boudin Faces Protest Over Alleged Failure to Protect Asian Elders

San Francisco, California – The organization StopAAPIHate has called for a public protest against former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, accusing him of failing to protect Asian elders from street attacks during his tenure. The demonstration is scheduled for September 26 at 12:30 p.m. outside the San Francisco Main Library, urging community members to voice their opposition to Boudin's recent public statements on Asian victims.

The group's criticism stems from a perception that Boudin's progressive criminal justice policies led to a decrease in public safety and a lack of accountability for crimes, particularly those targeting the Asian American community.

"Chesa Boudin failed to protect Asian elders from street attacks, denying them justice. Now he dares to speak for Asian victims of history. He had his chance. He failed. He doesn’t speak for us," StopAAPIHate stated in its social media announcement.

This sentiment reflects long-standing frustrations among some community members regarding crime rates during his time in office.

Boudin, who was recalled from his position in June 2022, was elected in 2019 on a platform of criminal justice reform aimed at reducing incarceration and addressing root causes of crime. However, his tenure was marked by significant public concern over rising property crime and highly visible street-level offenses. The recall campaign gained momentum amidst a backdrop of increasing anti-Asian hate incidents, with many in the Asian American community expressing dissatisfaction over what they viewed as insufficient prosecution of these crimes.

The protest announcement follows Boudin's recent participation in events focused on combating anti-Asian hate and promoting criminal justice reform, where he has spoken on the importance of addressing systemic issues. His continued advocacy on these topics has drawn mixed reactions, with some supporting his efforts and others, like StopAAPIHate, criticizing his past record as inconsistent with his current public stance. The planned demonstration highlights ongoing divisions within the community regarding approaches to public safety and criminal justice.