Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price faced criticism this week after announcing a press conference to reveal her Chinese name in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event, which was abruptly canceled without explanation, drew accusations of cultural appropriation and pandering from local Asian community leaders.
Charles Huang, head of the National Asian Pacific Islanders Prosecutors Association’s local chapter, called the planned announcement “ridiculous” and “pandering at the highest level.” Price, who is African American, has had a strained relationship with the Asian community since taking office in January 2023.
Price’s progressive policies, including a pledge to seek shorter sentences and reduce incarceration, have led to a recall campaign spearheaded by Save Alameda For Everyone. The group secured enough valid signatures in April for a potential ouster in November.
The DA’s office informed ABC7 that the press conference had been canceled, but Price shared a defensive video on social media, claiming to have a good relationship with the Asian community and emphasizing her former office’s proximity to Chinatown. She also stated that the individuals charged with the murder of 1-year-old Jasper Wu face hundreds of years in jail if convicted.
Price’s handling of the Wu case, in which she dropped sentencing enhancements against the alleged killers, has been a point of contention with the Asian community. The incident, along with the resignations of two veteran prosecutors who accused Price of mistreating and disrespecting the “AAPI community,” has further strained her relationship with Asian constituents.
