June 7, 2017 International Examiner

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INTERNATIONAL EXAMINER

Seattle’s Asian Pacific Islander newspaper for over 44 years

June 7, 2017 – June 20, 2017 — 1

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FREE EST. 1974—SEATTLE VOLUME 44, NUMBER 11 — June 7, 2017 – June 20, 2017 THE NEWSPAPER OF THE NORTHWEST ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN COMMUNITIES. FIND YOUR INSPIRASIAN.

Frank Irigon honored by King County Council for four decades of social justice activism By Chetanya Robinson IE Assistant Editor On May 22, long time activist and community leader Frank Irigon was presented the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service by the King County Council that honors people who have improved the lives of communities in King County. At the beginning of his brief speech at the podium, Irigon said he was proud to have served in jail in 1980 in the very same building—the same place where Gordon Hirabayashi was jailed in 1942 for resisting the forced incarceration of Japanese citizens after World War II (and who in May this year, was honored by a plaque in the King County Courthouse). In 1980, Irigon was arrested and jailed for protesting what he saw as a racist admissions policy by the UW—but his career in social activism spans both before and afterwards. Born in the Philippines and brought to Washington at a young age, Irigon served in the military and used the GI Bill to attend college, eventually earning BA and MSW degrees from the University of Washington. At the UW, Irigon was the first Asian American student to serve on the UW student government (ASUW). While a student activist in the early 1970s, he advocated for the CID community and API issues, including demonstrating for low-income housing in the neighborhood,

Frank Irigon presented with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service by King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski on May 22, 2017. • Photo by Chetanya Robinson

against the Vietnam war and against the construction of the Kingdome in the neighborhood, among other issues. In a 2013 column in the International Examiner, Irigon wrote: “I was radicalized by the idealism of the Kennedy brothers, fueled by the anger of students against the Establishment.” Irigon co-founded and frequently wrote for the Asian Family Affair newspaper

during its 14-year run. He recently served as executive director of Washington Asian Pacific Islander Families Against Substance Abuse. Now retired, Irigon continues to fight for social justice issues such as income equality, equity in the justice system, public education and racial justice. Around 60 people filled the council chambers to honor Irigon and other

recipients of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal. Councilmember Rod Dembowski, who represents Council District 1, introduced Irigon and presented him with the award. “There are few more deserving of this honor than Frank, known to many as Uncle Frank,” Dembowski said. “He is a tireless advocate, a humble agitator, who is quick to raise his voice to call out injustice. While Frank is well known in the Asian Pacific Islander American community for his work, many King County residents have been positively impacted by his constant diligence in protecting our civil rights.” In a brief speech, Irigon addressed the current political climate and what it means for his 40 years of activism. “I am a U.S. citizen and served our country honorably in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1968,” he said. “But all of this means nothing in today’s political climate, where I can be stopped because of the color of my skin or my last name.” Irigon urged people to keep in mind the words of Pope Francis, who while speaking about the crisis of migrants and refugees said: “We cannot lose our sense of fraternal responsibility. The defense of human beings knows no barriers. We are all united in wanting to ensure a dignified life for every man, woman and child who is forced to abandon his or her own land.”

CIDBIA has plans for renewal, Residents, affordable housing advocates raise concerns over CID upzone at city hall seven-day sanitation, new lighting By Cliff Cawthon IE Contributor

and large concerned about displacement in the neighborhood.

On the evening of June 1, residents and advocates from the ChinatownInternational District packed the City Council chambers to voice their concerns over the proposed Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) Upzoning plan. The 5:30 p.m. public comment period—more accessible to many—brought a diverse and wide-ranging crowd, who were by

The proposal put forth before the City Council’s committee would further upzone parts of the CID neighborhood while implementing the Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) requirements under the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA). Residents were concerned that the changes UPZONE: Continued on page 5 . . .

By Kamna Shastri IE Contributor

This summer, the Chinatown International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) will submit a renewed budget proposal that will help shape the neighborhood as it works towards a more vibrant future. The renewed plan for the CIDBIA’s budget and goals is years in the making. Established in 1994, the organization has provided funding for neighborhood events, sanitation upkeep, and public safety measures.

owners, non-profit leaders, and residents— met to reflect on the neighborhood’s goals and urgent issues facing the district. A few areas of focus rose to the top of the neighborhood’s list of priorities: sanitation, public safety, marketing the district, and business retention and community advocacy.

In the seven years since, strides have been made in many areas with the help of grants and sponsorships; lighting has been added to dark alleys, security cameras have been installed, business vacancies have decreased by 5%, street signs have been translated into In 2010, stakeholders in the community— multiple languages—improvements that have everyone from local businesses, property

CIDBIA: Continued on page 5 . . .


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