Vicha Ratanapakdee, Face of Stop Asian Hate, gets a new mural in San Francisco Chinatown
By Carl Samson
A new mural honoring Vicha Ratanapakdee, the
The incident: Ratanapakdee, 84, was walking along Anza Vista and Fortuna Avenues on Jan. 28 when a teenager shoved him for no apparent reason. The attack, which occurred in broad daylight, was captured on surveillance video.
- Ratanapakdee reportedly sustained life-threatening injuries from the incident. He died at a hospital two days later.
- The suspect, 19-year-old Antoine Watson, was arrested the same day along with a female accomplice. The latter was soon released due to an absence of evidence, while Watson pleaded not guilty to murder and elder abuse charges.
- Ratanapakdee’s death became a catalyst for the Stop Asian Hate movement. Many social media users changed their profile pictures into an illustration of his image, which was created by Los Angeles-based designer Jonathan D. Chang.
The mural: Community leader Forrest Liu reportedly organized the unveiling of Sunday’s mural in Chinatown. Among the attendees were San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Ratanapakdee’s family and community members.
- “You know, grandpa Vicha and his face has become a symbol for the national ‘Stop Asian Hate’ movement,” Liu told NBC Bay Area. “And we’re going to keep his story alive.”
- The mural was created by artists Thitiwat Phromratanapongse and Sarah Siskin. It is located at Grant Avenue and California Street.
- Ratanapakdee’s two children, Monthanus and Pasama, set up a new GoFundMe page in hopes of raising funds for their legal fight, education of his grandchildren, and grief counseling.
In July, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors introduced a resolution to rename a street after Ratanapakdee.
Featured Image via Eric Lawson (left) and NBC Bay Area (right)
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