'The virus is our enemy, not China': SF's Chinatown holds large anti-discrimination rally

A martial artist completes a series of flips during an anti-discrimination rally in Chinatown on Saturday. A martial artist completes a series of flips during an anti-discrimination rally in Chinatown on Saturday. Photo: Steven Nelson Photo: Steven Nelson Image 1 of / 34 Caption Close 'The virus is our enemy, not China': SF's Chinatown holds large anti-discrimination rally 1 / 34 Back to Gallery

The head of a green dragon bobbed and weaved through a crowd of hundreds of people as they marched through San Francisco's Chinatown on Saturday.

"Fight for science, not rumors,” the demonstrators cried out, bearing signs with messages uplifting their community while condemning anti-Chinese discrimination as misinformation and fear around the coronavirus continue to fester throughout the city.

Though local storefronts have seen a significant drop in foot traffic as a result of rumors arising from the recent outbreak, bold red banners reminded spectators Chinatown was “open for business" while urging them to “reject fear and racism." Handheld signs brandished with hearts implored observers to “fight the disease, love the people.”

Local officials also showed their support at the march — among those in attendance were California State Senator Scott Wiener and San Francisco Assemblyman David Chiu.

"As coronavirus fears have intensified, incidents of violence & discrimination against Chinese Americans have increased," Chiu tweeted on the afternoon of the parade, announcing he had joined hundreds of San Franciscans that day in a protest against prejudice and racial profiling.

MORE: Video of San Francisco street assault prompts police probe

As coronavirus fears have intensified, incidents of violence & discrimination against Chinese Americans have increased.



Joined hundreds of San Franciscans marching in Chinatown today to protest prejudice and racial profiling. #TogetherWeStand #StandWithChinatown pic.twitter.com/fRp4MBgYiX — David Chiu (@DavidChiu) February 29, 2020

“Standing in solidarity with our Chinese American community & against racism & xenophobia,” wrote Wiener. “Coronavirus is a serious public health threat. It’s not an invitation to racial stereotyping."

Standing in solidarity with our Chinese American community & against racism & xenophobia. Coronavirus is a serious public health threat. It’s not an invitation to racial stereotyping.



Fight the virus, not the people. pic.twitter.com/1fXCHOPZhz — Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) February 29, 2020

ALSO: Has coronavirus scared people away from SF's Chinatown?

Organized by Chinese Americans for Peace, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and the ANSWER Coalition, the 20-minute rally began at Portsmouth Square, continued along Grant Avenue and eventually culminated at Union Square, where public officials delivered speeches. As part of the demonstration, a martial artist smashed a board with a single kick that had "sick man of East Asia" written on it.

During an anti-discrimination rally in San Francisco China town, a “Kung Fu master” kicked and smashed a board written “Sick man of East Asia” (東亞病夫)



Source:Singtao USA pic.twitter.com/t3AGOQP7gh — Alvin L (@alvinllum) March 1, 2020

According to a statement released by the San Francisco Department of Public Health's Grant Colfax, there are no recommendations to cancel social gatherings or avoid restaurants at this time.

To combat Chinatown's still-declining clientele, Facebook recently donated $20,000 to the Chinese Newcomers Service Center in an effort to bolster ad funding for local businesses. A Facebook spokesperson told the San Francisco Business Times they are donating another $5,000 in ad credits for shops to promote themselves on the social media platform if they so choose.

As of Sunday afternoon, there are 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S. For updates and resources, visit our complete coronavirus section here.

Amanda Bartlett is an SFGATE associate digital reporter. Email: amanda.bartlett@sfgate.com | Twitter: @byabartlett