close
close

A San Francisco mother is urging her students’ safety after an alleged anti-Asian bus incident

A San Francisco mother is calling for urgency and accountability after a man allegedly shouted racist anti-Asian remarks and once brandished a stun gun on a Muni bus.

The incident occurred Wednesday when Liz Le’s son was on the bus with other students at Lowell High School.

There is no video released by SFMTA or SFPD that shows the person who shouted the racial slurs, and that is what has the mother so concerned.

The person is still out there while many students continue to ride the bus.

“He has to use public transportation every day, just like many little children, and in our city there is a lot of hate towards Asians, but not a lot of responsibility,” Le said.

She said there is a lack of urgency to combat anti-Asian hate in San Francisco, especially after the recent incident on a Muni bus.

Her 14-year-old son was on his way home from Lowell with his friend when a man began shouting discriminatory and racist comments.

“I use the C-arm and then say the Asians are ruining this country, they have to go,” Le said.

She said her son was shocked and scared.

“He said that when this man yelled these things, he would look at his feet and try not to make eye contact because he was very afraid that the guy would attack as soon as he made eye contact – because he looked Asian-American.” I can address him more directly and personally,” Le said.

She said other passengers tried to get in, at which point the man became more aggressive and pulled out a stun gun.

“Chaos ensues, the bus stops and lets people out,” Le said. “He (her son) got out and hid behind a tree and his friend ran the other way,” Le said.

San Francisco police said they arrived at Sunset Boulevard and Santiago Street around 3:15 p.m. Wednesday and met with a caller who said a man on the bus was yelling insults at people and pulling out what he said was a Taser. The person then fled and has not been seen since.

SFMTA says SFPD is monitoring bus surveillance to identify the suspect, adding in a statement: “We take this incident very seriously and are working with SFPD to locate this suspect.” We do not tolerate crime, harassment and hate attacks against Muni and thank the drivers who reported this to us.”

Police have not yet released video of the incident.

In a statement, District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio said in part: “This is a sober reminder that ensuring public safety is our most important responsibility.” I have heard from many parents who were upset about this incident. If residents don’t feel safe in their daily lives, nothing else matters.”

Le hopes more will be done to protect students like her son.

“I think it’s very traumatic for the children. I don’t think we can understand this right away. I think that’s the most heartbreaking part because they’re young,” she said.

Le hopes more people who were on that bus will speak out.

San Francisco police are asking anyone with information to call them.