A San Francisco mom is asking for urgency and accountability after a man allegedly yelled racist anti-Asian remarks on a Muni bus and took out a stun gun. The incident occurred while Liz Le’s son was on the bus with other students from Lowell High School. There is no video released by SFMTA or SFPD that shows the perpetrator, causing concern for the mother. Her son, along with many other students, continues to take the bus and the person responsible for the hate crime is still at large. Le highlights the lack of responsiveness and accountability in addressing hate against Asians in San Francisco, especially after this recent incident on a Muni bus.
Le’s 14-year-old son was on his way home from school when a man began shouting discriminatory and racist remarks directed towards Asians. The man used racial slurs and expressed that Asians are ruining the country and need to leave. Le’s son was shocked and scared during the incident, trying to avoid eye contact for fear of being attacked more directly by the man. Other passengers attempted to intervene, leading the man to become more aggressive and pull out a stun gun. Chaos ensued, the bus was stopped, and Le’s son managed to escape and hide behind a tree while his friend ran in the opposite direction.
San Francisco police were notified of the incident and met with a caller who reported that a man on the bus had yelled slurs and brandished what appeared to be a taser. The suspect fled the scene and has not been located since. SFMTA is working with SFPD to identify the suspect using bus surveillance footage and has released a statement condemning the incident and stating that they do not tolerate hate crimes on Muni. They are taking the incident seriously and are committed to finding the perpetrator. Despite their efforts, police have not yet shared any video of the incident.
District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio commented on the incident, emphasizing that public safety is of utmost importance. He expressed concern for the upset parents and acknowledged that residents must feel safe in their daily lives for anything else to matter. Le is advocating for more to be done to protect students like her son from experiencing traumatic incidents like this. She emphasized the significant impact these incidents can have on young individuals and hopes that more people who were on the bus will come forward with information to aid in finding the suspect.
In conclusion, the incident on the Muni bus has sparked outrage and concern about the rise in hate crimes against Asians in San Francisco. Liz Le’s call for urgency and accountability highlights the need for immediate action to address these issues and protect vulnerable individuals in the community. The lack of video footage and information on the perpetrator is troubling, and efforts are being made by SFMTA and SFPD to identify and apprehend the suspect. District Supervisor Joel Engardio’s statement underscores the importance of public safety and the need for residents to feel secure in their daily lives. Le’s plea for greater protection of students and a stronger response to hate crimes reflects the deep impact such incidents can have on young individuals. It is essential for the community to come together to support those affected and work towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents.
