Park renamed after Chinese woman who died one year after the attack there

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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KPIX) — A park in Visitacion Valley has been renamed after a great-grandmother who died from her injuries a year after the attack in the park.

San Francisco city leaders, neighbors and Yik Oi Huang’s family unveiled the new sign reading “Yik Oi Huang Peace and Friendship Park” on Saturday afternoon.

A granddaughter of the victim, Sasanna Yee, chanted his name, “Yik Oi,” which means “exuberant love” in Chinese.

Yee and his neighbors from Visitacion Valley wanted to turn a senseless defeat into a victory.

“The motto was love without limits,” said Diana Yee, a granddaughter of Huang. “(The renaming) is certainly a big step toward healing.”

Diana Yee said the attack had frightened many older Asians and kept them away from the park.

“People were really afraid to come out in the morning to exercise and reclaim the park. And with the lion dancers and the new name, it now feels like a whole new park,” said Diana Yee.

According to police, 18-year-old Keonte Gathron brutally beat 88-year-old Huang in the park in January 2019. Investigators said it was unprovoked. Police said she died of her injuries a year later.

The great-grandmother lived in a beige house next to the park and exercised there every morning. After her death, the African-American and Asian-American communities joined forces to push for the renaming.

“There is a sense of victory and a sense of justice,” said Sasanna Yee.

“Everyone is coming together and not necessarily being divided by this tragedy,” said Mayor London Breed.

While Sasanna and Diana forgave the suspect and wanted to make amends for him, they acknowledged that many of their family members are still divided and angry.

Diana hoped that positive energy, healing and lots of love would help her large family find peace.

“The fact that I was able to cry at this event meant a lot to me because I was completely detached,” said Diana.

Five years after the attack, the case is still pending in court. Prosecutors said defense attorneys had asked for more time to review the evidence.

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