A 20-0302 Subject: Urging Pardons To Southeast Asian Refugee Communities
From: Councilmember Thao And Bas
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution Condemning Deportations Of Southeast Asian Refugee Communities By The Trump Administration's Immigration And Customs Enforcement (ICE); Respectfully Urging Governor Newsom To Grant Pardons To Sakhone Lasaphangthong And Somdeng "Danny" Thongsy To Allow Them To Remain In The United States And To Protect Our Lao, Hmong, Lu-Mien, Khmu, And Immigrant Community
I live and work in Oakland in D2. I strongly support this resolution. Danny and Sakhone are both cherished community members. I have known Danny for a few years and Sakhone for the past year and have worked together with them. They are actively involved in community efforts in Oakland, the Bay Area and beyond. They and others Southeast Asian refugees like them deserve to stay here with their families and not be deported due to cruel immigration policies. While Danny and Sakhone have mistakes, today they have transformed their lives to be positive forces in the community and lead with compassion. Their families fled Laos due to war caused by US foreign policy, and after all the trauma they have endured, the least we can do is provide them with an avenue to stay here. Due to their circumstances, a governor's pardon is the main way to achieve this. Please support this resolution. Thanks you for considering my comment.
My name is Amber Akemi Piatt, and I live in Oakland District 1 and work in Oakland District 2. I’m in full support of Agenda Item #4A, the resolution to protect our Asian community members, including Danny Thongsy and Sakhone Lasaphangthong. Both Danny and Sakhone have been leaders in Oakland since their release from state prison.
Danny is a dear friend who I organize with as part of the Justice Reinvestment Coalition and Audit Ahern Coalition. He is a powerful advocate, kind friend, and beloved community member. I appreciate the depth of experience he brings to the work, and I know he is committed to our collective liberation.
Keeping Danny and Sakhone in Oakland makes our community safer!
My name is Jade Cho and I am a lifelong resident of District #4 in Oakland. I'm writing in full support of Agenda Item #4A to protect Laotian community members, including Danny Thongsy and Sakhone Lasaphangthong. While I don't know Danny and Sakhone personally, as an Asian American, I have been concerned with the disproportionate impact that the Trump administration's immigration policy has had on Southeast Asian communities. I urge Oakland officials to demonstrate leadership and protect our Lao, Hmong, Lu-Mien, Khmu and immigrant community and advocate for Danny and Sakhone to stay with their families.
My name is Meghan Schwartz and I am writing in support of Item 4A. I am a friend of Danny Thongsy’s and could not think of a more deserving individual to be granted a pardon by Governor Newsom. Danny works tirelessly to mentor others in the community and to fight for justice for all people. He is one of the most selfless and kind humans that I know. He has been a great friend and mentor to my 11 year-old daughter who can’t help but hug Danny every time she sees him. Danny’s departure would be a great loss to our community and all who know him. We need to show that people cannot be judged forever by their one worst action and that Oakland (and California) can be a true sanctuary to immigrant communities. Although one action cannot make up for the trauma that the Laotian community has suffered, in such a dark and challenging time, you can send a message to our immigrant communities that we have their backs now. We are counting on you. Thank you.
My name is John Jones III, and addition to being on staff with Just Cities, I am also a founding member of the Justice Reinvestment Coalition, in which Danny serves as the coordinator. I strongly urge you all to vote unanimously yes on this agenda item. The basis of my work, as a formerly incarcerated person, is advocating for the empowerment and full restoration of our civil and human rights. Thank you all for your leadership and service which includes the passage of California's strongest Fair Chance Housing Ordinance.
My name is Wei and I am a friend of Danny. I work at the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI). I’m in full support
of Agenda Item #4A, the resolution to protect our Laotian community members, including Danny Thongsy and Sakhone Lasaphangthong. Both Danny and Sakhone have been contributing members of our community, as leaders in Oakland since their release from State Prison. I have met Danny 4 years ago when we both worked at the Asian Law Caucus. I was impressed by his humility and commitment to serve others. He used his experiences to demystify common stereotypes about immigrants with criminal convictions and shed a light on their struggles that led them to this path. Danny is one of the most committed individuals I have known supporting diverse causes and community members. Danny's story is a reflection of the humane side we often forget when society fails to provide the necessary resources for people like him to succeed.
My name is Aaron and I live in District 3 in Oakland. I’ve been a resident for 25 years . I’m in full support of Agenda Item #4A, the resolution to protect our Laotian community members, including Danny Thongsy and Sakhone Lasaphangthong. Both Danny and Sakhone have been contributing members of our community, as leaders in Oakland since their release from State Prison.
Under this current anti-immigrant federal administration, it’s important more than ever that our elected Oakland Officials demonstrate leadership and protect our Lao, Hmong, Lu-Mien, Khmu and immigrant community. It also calls on Governor Gavin Newsom to fully pardon Danny and Sakhone to prevent their deportation to Laos, and allow them to stay with family and community. Keeping Danny and Sakhone in Oakland, makes our community safer!
I live and work in Oakland in D2. I strongly support this resolution. Danny and Sakhone are both cherished community members. I have known Danny for a few years and Sakhone for the past year and have worked together with them. They are actively involved in community efforts in Oakland, the Bay Area and beyond. They and others Southeast Asian refugees like them deserve to stay here with their families and not be deported due to cruel immigration policies. While Danny and Sakhone have mistakes, today they have transformed their lives to be positive forces in the community and lead with compassion. Their families fled Laos due to war caused by US foreign policy, and after all the trauma they have endured, the least we can do is provide them with an avenue to stay here. Due to their circumstances, a governor's pardon is the main way to achieve this. Please support this resolution. Thanks you for considering my comment.
My name is Amber Akemi Piatt, and I live in Oakland District 1 and work in Oakland District 2. I’m in full support of Agenda Item #4A, the resolution to protect our Asian community members, including Danny Thongsy and Sakhone Lasaphangthong. Both Danny and Sakhone have been leaders in Oakland since their release from state prison.
Danny is a dear friend who I organize with as part of the Justice Reinvestment Coalition and Audit Ahern Coalition. He is a powerful advocate, kind friend, and beloved community member. I appreciate the depth of experience he brings to the work, and I know he is committed to our collective liberation.
Keeping Danny and Sakhone in Oakland makes our community safer!
My name is Jade Cho and I am a lifelong resident of District #4 in Oakland. I'm writing in full support of Agenda Item #4A to protect Laotian community members, including Danny Thongsy and Sakhone Lasaphangthong. While I don't know Danny and Sakhone personally, as an Asian American, I have been concerned with the disproportionate impact that the Trump administration's immigration policy has had on Southeast Asian communities. I urge Oakland officials to demonstrate leadership and protect our Lao, Hmong, Lu-Mien, Khmu and immigrant community and advocate for Danny and Sakhone to stay with their families.
My name is Meghan Schwartz and I am writing in support of Item 4A. I am a friend of Danny Thongsy’s and could not think of a more deserving individual to be granted a pardon by Governor Newsom. Danny works tirelessly to mentor others in the community and to fight for justice for all people. He is one of the most selfless and kind humans that I know. He has been a great friend and mentor to my 11 year-old daughter who can’t help but hug Danny every time she sees him. Danny’s departure would be a great loss to our community and all who know him. We need to show that people cannot be judged forever by their one worst action and that Oakland (and California) can be a true sanctuary to immigrant communities. Although one action cannot make up for the trauma that the Laotian community has suffered, in such a dark and challenging time, you can send a message to our immigrant communities that we have their backs now. We are counting on you. Thank you.
My name is John Jones III, and addition to being on staff with Just Cities, I am also a founding member of the Justice Reinvestment Coalition, in which Danny serves as the coordinator. I strongly urge you all to vote unanimously yes on this agenda item. The basis of my work, as a formerly incarcerated person, is advocating for the empowerment and full restoration of our civil and human rights. Thank you all for your leadership and service which includes the passage of California's strongest Fair Chance Housing Ordinance.
My name is Wei and I am a friend of Danny. I work at the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI). I’m in full support
of Agenda Item #4A, the resolution to protect our Laotian community members, including Danny Thongsy and Sakhone Lasaphangthong. Both Danny and Sakhone have been contributing members of our community, as leaders in Oakland since their release from State Prison. I have met Danny 4 years ago when we both worked at the Asian Law Caucus. I was impressed by his humility and commitment to serve others. He used his experiences to demystify common stereotypes about immigrants with criminal convictions and shed a light on their struggles that led them to this path. Danny is one of the most committed individuals I have known supporting diverse causes and community members. Danny's story is a reflection of the humane side we often forget when society fails to provide the necessary resources for people like him to succeed.
My name is Aaron and I live in District 3 in Oakland. I’ve been a resident for 25 years . I’m in full support of Agenda Item #4A, the resolution to protect our Laotian community members, including Danny Thongsy and Sakhone Lasaphangthong. Both Danny and Sakhone have been contributing members of our community, as leaders in Oakland since their release from State Prison.
Under this current anti-immigrant federal administration, it’s important more than ever that our elected Oakland Officials demonstrate leadership and protect our Lao, Hmong, Lu-Mien, Khmu and immigrant community. It also calls on Governor Gavin Newsom to fully pardon Danny and Sakhone to prevent their deportation to Laos, and allow them to stay with family and community. Keeping Danny and Sakhone in Oakland, makes our community safer!
Sincerely,
Aaron Pang