Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2023 - Day 30

An Asian American family in Orange County (California) was being harassed. Now their neighbors stand guard.?

Haijun Si and his family moved to the Ladera Ranch neighborhood of Orange County in September 2020, with the country deep in the COVID-19 pandemic and hate crimes against Asian Americans on the rise.?Almost immediately, teenagers swooped in for nightly visits, repeatedly ringing the doorbell, yelling and pounding on the door.?They were told to "go back to your country".?Some use pejorative slur.?Some threw rocks. Neighbors estimate that from 15 to 20 children have participated in the harassment, one as young as 10.?Three children have apologized, Si said.?But one family sent a cease-and-desist letter after seeing their child in security footage posted on Facebook.?The letter threatened a lawsuit if the post is not removed.

The attacks kept coming — until their new neighbors stepped in.

Neighbors organized nightly neighborhood watch for the family with coverage from 6 p.m. until at least midnight.

“We’re seeing an epidemic of hate right now, and we have to stand together,” State Sen. Dave Min (D-Irvine), who represents the district just west of Ladera Ranch.

it's sad bullies come in all sizes - there is no age requirement.