Rev. Amos Brown condemned over alleged threats against rapper Chino Yang
January 2, 2024
The Asian Justice Movement (AJM) condemned reported threats by Rev. Amos Brown against Chino Yang, a rapper and small business owner who released a music video criticizing Mayor London Breed for San Francisco’s crime.
AJM’s claims: In an Instagram post shared on Dec. 30, the national coalition claimed that Brown, the president of the San Francisco National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), came to Yang’s business and intimidated him to demand an immediate apology. Brown allegedly threatened to turn the Black community against the 35-year-old rapper unless he repudiated his song, warning of consequences for his family and business.
“We are particularly concerned with the actions by Rev. Brown, purporting to represent the NAACP, which actions have had the impact of pitting the Asian and Black communities against one another,” AJM wrote. “Our communities share a common history of fighting prejudice and hatred. We are stronger when we stand together.”
Yang’s apology: Brown’s alleged threat led to Yang releasing a formal apology video last week, noting that he received threats from an unnamed powerful and influential figure close to Breed.
Brown’s demand: Despite the apology on social media, Brown was not satisfied, according to AJM. He proceeded to hold a press conference and allegedly commanded Yang to make a public apology. AJM and Yang expressed concern about Brown’s actions and demanded an apology from him.
“Asian American voices have too often been silenced in this country,” AJM said. “While taking no position on any individual politician, AJM supports the right of any Asian American to freely express their personal viewpoints about them… We demand that Rev. Brown apologize for his conduct.”
Brown denies allegations: According to Kron4, Brown has denied the allegations against him, saying that if Yang felt threatened, he should have communicated it directly. The controversy arises amid Breed’s upcoming reelection, where crime is expected to be a significant focus.
About the diss track: In December, Yang, who was born in China and raised in San Francisco, released the song and music video “San Francisco Our Home,” where he raps about Breed and city leaders’ supposed failure in addressing crime. In the song, Yang referred to Breed as a “clown” and “phony-ass liberal,” accusing her of turning the city into a “zombie land.”
He highlights his personal challenges in the song, particularly the impact of crime on his restaurant, Kung Food, which has been burglarized seven times. He also draws attention to the drug overdose deaths and increasing robbery cases in the city and pays homage to local Asian victims of violence, including 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee and 2-year-old Jasper Wu.
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