San Francisco, AP — The San Francisco park where a grandmother was brutally attacked and later succumbed to her injuries will now bear her name. In a heartwarming and poignant tribute, the park, formerly known as Visitacion Valley Playground, has been renamed Yik Oi Huang Peace and Friendship Park.
Family and friends will gather this Saturday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially rename the park. This event is not just a tribute to Yik Oi Huang, but also a celebration of her life and legacy. Huang, an Asian immigrant and working-class woman, will be remembered through this visible and enduring symbol.
The renaming ceremony will feature an array of cultural healing festivities, including Chinese lion dancing and West African drumming, reflecting the diverse community spirit that Huang cherished. The park’s transformation into a place of peace and friendship aligns with the values she embodied throughout her life.
Yik Oi Huang, 88 at the time, was on her usual morning walk in the Visitacion Valley neighborhood on January 8, 2019, when she was attacked. The brutal assault left her with a broken skull, arms, and neck. Adding to the tragedy, her home was burglarized minutes after the attack.
Despite receiving long-term care in a hospital, Huang passed away in January 2020 at the age of 89. Although her assault occurred before the surge of anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic, it nevertheless sent shockwaves through San Francisco’s Asian community.
Within days of the attack, 24-year-old Keonte Gathron was arrested in connection with the crime. He remains jailed, awaiting trial on murder and other charges, according to online county jail records.
Huang’s granddaughter, Susanna Yee, has played a crucial role in preserving her grandmother’s memory and advocating for justice. She maintains a memorial website dedicated to Huang and has become an outspoken proponent of addressing anti-Asian hate, promoting racial healing, and advocating for restorative justice.
This newly named park serves as a testament to Huang’s legacy and the enduring impact of her life on the community. It stands as a reminder of the importance of unity, peace, and cultural understanding in the face of adversity.
According to the source, the renaming ceremony is expected to be a deeply emotional event, bringing together people from all walks of life to honor Huang’s memory and reinforce the community’s commitment to justice and harmony.
In renaming the park, the community not only honors Yik Oi Huang’s memory but also makes a powerful statement against violence and hate. The park stands as a beacon of peace, friendship, and cultural respect, embodying the spirit of an immigrant woman whose life continues to inspire and unite people across San Francisco and beyond.
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