By Chinese American Citizens Alliance
For Northwest Asian Weekly
In one of the most senseless and violent acts known to the International District of Seattle, community leader and hero Donnie Chin was ambushed and murdered early last Thursday morning as he was doing what he was always dedicated to doing–protecting the community he grew to love and the people who loved him even more. Community meetings were immediately convened to express shock and fear about what Donnie’s death would mean to the safety and security of this predominantly immigrant community. Though the investigation is only in its early stages, Seattle law enforcement has vowed to commit its full efforts to bring those who perpetrated this heinous act to justice.
There are not many in the city’s First Responder community who didn’t know of Donnie and his tireless work. If there was ever an example of what community “policing” was about, Donnie Chin was the model. If there was ever an example of what the whole point of “sanctuary city” was about, Donnie Chin was the model. Others think all that’s needed is to pass a law or ordinance and people will comply. That’s hardly ever the case when many immigrants come from corrupt areas of the world where laws are broken and legal and political systems are morally corrupt. Donnie Chin knew that if the residents of the International District were going to live and taste freedom, they would have to learn to trust those who are there to protect and serve, and he was the closest to being that.
With many of the activities scheduled in the International District, Donnie Chin was determined to coordinate many of the security aspects with the upcoming 53rd Biennial Convention of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.) from August 6-9, 2015 being hosted by Seattle.
Alliance President Ed Gor lamented, “This is terrible. This is not what’s supposed to happen to our community leaders. He was only about doing good. I was really looking forward to meeting Donnie because in addition to all the sacrificial things I heard about him, he was a collector of historical items in Seattle. He found some C.A.C.A. membership pins from the 1920’s that he donated back to our archives. I join with all residents of Seattle and ask our members across the country to remember Donnie Chin for his selfless dedication to being the “go-to” guy when you needed the one person you want to put your life into the hands of. He is already missed.” (end)