Marlon Meyer
Northwest Asia Weekly
On January 15, volunteers went to Operation Clean Street in Little Saigon. (Courtesy: Mission continues)
A student in a black raincoat reached out with a long litter picker, grabbed a needle, and placed it in a biohazard container held by another student. The operation was small, but it showed the determination of nearly 150 people who showed up on January 15 to clear the streets, sidewalks and car parks of Little Saigon.
Organized by The Mission Continues, a national nonprofit that connects veterans with community service programs, in partnership with Friends of Little Saigon, the event responds to a widespread awareness among community members and advocates that they are being ignored by the government.
“Entire communities are traumatized, feeling abandoned by elected leaders (at the city and county level), and frustrated by the pandemic and crime. People crave the right message, the right team, and the right call to action to act. ,” said Lin Thai, Regional Operations Manager.
Many officers attended Operation Clean the Streets and participated in picking up trash and needles using equipment provided by Seattle Utilities, such as safety vests and trash pickups with pliers on the end.
From the roadside, a long line of well-dressed volunteers appeared to be no different from a group of highway criminals released on parole to clear the block.
Volunteers pick up trash on the streets of Little Saigon (Courtesy of The Mission Continues)
But up close, as a video shot by the Seattle University student club shows, many of the participants were in their teens and 20s sipping coffee while making a V with their fingers to the camera. Students from Garfield High School, as well as nearly a dozen veterans, were also present.
Most appear to be Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI).
For some, including officials, the event was nostalgic, an attempt to save a crumbling community that was once a source of hope and joy.
“Little Saigon is a special neighborhood where nearly every Vietnamese family who came to Washington in the 1980s and 1990s would gather on weekends for good food and groceries,” said State Senator Joe Nguyen. “Bringing together local leaders and community members is how we can overcome the tough problems facing Little Saigon. We can make a little effort to build a brighter future, and I’m sure this will be a catalyst for change.”
Congressman Adam Smith said the event honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., which he described as “justice and equal rights, and a continuous effort to improve this One point, to achieve greater equality in America, fight racism and bigotry, and really create equality in this country.”
Smith also praised the diversity of participants. “There’s a lot of people here making a difference in the community, it brings people together.”
The population of Vietnamese refugees increased after the Vietnam War in the late 1970s, but the community didn’t earn its nickname until 1984, when Southeast Asian businessmen established operations there. But since then, like Chinatown a few blocks away, it has faced crisis after crisis, as city and district officials focus most of the city’s problems within its confines, even ignoring its safety and maintenance .
Still, organizers of the event said many in the city had realized it had to be saved.
“In the days leading up to the event, I had to close event registration, respond to text messages and emails, and turned down dozens of requests to participate in the city, some as far north as the coastline and Brian South,” said the former U.S. Army company commander. Tai said. “Throughout the event, people were asking, ‘Are you going to organize more events like this soon?'”
King County Councilman Girmay Zahilay, who attended the event, was surprised by the number of volunteers.
“I was so inspired by the number of volunteers who participated in the Little Saigon Community Cleanup today! Great to see some love and attention to the community. Thanks to Mission Continue, Friends of Little Saigon and Seattle Utilities for the organization. Of course, to Linh Thai Shout out!” he said.
Earlier this month, The Seattle Times ran an editorial calling on local officials to protect Little Saigon. The paper followed with an editorial praising the Times’ focus on community issues, but noting that they have been common for years, including rampant theft and burglary, drug problems, violence, homeless encampments, and seemingly indifference legal response to law enforcement.
During the cleanup, Seattle Police Chief and West Division Commander Steve Strand said police were committed to providing security.
“I am excited to be participating in this day of giving back in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The Seattle Police are here today and every day to serve our community. I am deeply committed to improving our community for our children and the future, “He said.
For the most part, Saturday’s event focused on trash. Volunteers gathered in the parking lot adjacent to the Mi La Cay restaurant and then handed out the money.
According to organizers, they picked up more than 2,000 pounds of trash, though Seattle Utilities is calculating the exact number. That equates to about 304 work hours, Thai said.
Video from Seattle University shows volunteers working behind dumpsters, carefully digging needles from the ground and even pulling blue rubber gloves from roadside bushes.
Thai said he expected the event to draw attention from others — perhaps even a regular monthly cleanup — and was seeking feedback from participants, businesses and officials.
Participating officials shared their enthusiasm for the project and pledged to seek additional resources for the community in the future.
“The cleanup in Little Saigon is truly a community coming together in a time of need. I am excited to add to my work in the cleanup, but commit to making sure King County invests in the long-term work,” said King County Assemblyman Joe McDermott .
Seattle City Councilman Tammy Morales said she is working with Zahilay and McDermott to “find solutions” for the community.
“Little Saigon is one of Seattle’s most important cultural centers, and right now it’s struggling. I’m committed to doing everything I can to help—from fighting for the city, to providing much-needed resources for Little Saigon, to Roll up your sleeves and help keep our community clean,” she said.
Mahlon can be contacted by info@nwasianweekly.com.
