The celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year in San Francisco’s Chinatown is anticipated to peak on Wednesday, but locals began early festivities on Sunday, as large crowds gathered to usher in the new year.

A Changing Political Climate

With the arrival of the new year comes a notable shift in the political atmosphere within the city, highlighting the evolving sentiments among the Asian community towards local governance. Longtime resident Winky Toy expressed her contentment at the bustling activity in Chinatown, marking the return of visitors and involvement in civic matters.

Community Engagement in Voting

Toy, who has lived in Chinatown for 45 years, emphasized the importance of civic engagement, particularly noting the participation of older residents in the recent presidential election. “They were in their 80’s, 90’s–old ladies, old men–they all came out to vote,” she remarked, voicing her concerns over the rising crime rates and the direction of political leadership in the area.

Shifts in Political Loyalty

Interestingly, recent data indicates a significant rise in Republican Party registrations among Asian Americans in San Francisco, marking a transition from the sentiments observed during the pandemic when former President Trump faced backlash over perceived racism linked to his comments on the coronavirus.

One Chinatown resident recalled the community’s previous struggles, stating, “America has become less hospitable to immigrants and refugees,” reflecting on the heightened challenges faced during that period.

Voices of Change

As sentiments shift, Toy articulated a collective frustration with corruption in local governance, stating, “What I see is that regular citizens, such as I, we are all fed up with the corruption here in San Francisco and also in California.” Nancy Yu Law, a business owner in Chinatown, echoed these sentiments, noting that many of her friends had also reassessed their political views this year. She expressed a pragmatic approach to politics: “As long as they know what we need and serve what is needed, then I’m happy to vote for them.”

Organizational Changes

This evolving political landscape has prompted significant organizational shifts within local political groups. The Rose Pak Democratic Club, a historically notable Chinese political organization, announced its decision to rebrand as the Rose Pak Asian American Club, citing the San Francisco Democratic Party’s failure to adequately address the community’s needs. The organization intends to continue supporting Democratic candidates while charting its independent course.

Impact on Local Governance

The Democratic Party’s local chair, Nancy Tung, responded to the club’s departure, expressing disappointment, especially following recent initiatives aimed at enhancing party conduct concerning issues like sexual assault. “The Party always welcomes Democrats from across the political spectrum to form a chartered club,” she stated, emphasizing a continued openness to dialogue within the community.

Looking Ahead

Toy concluded with hope, stating, “We only want to have a safe city and safe state,” highlighting the general desire among residents for substantial change and improvement in their community. As San Francisco’s political landscape continues to shift, it’s clear that the voices from Chinatown are becoming increasingly pivotal in shaping future leadership.