Rose Pak
Encyclopedia
Rose Pak is a political activist
in San Francisco, California
, noted for her advocacy for the Chinatown community. Pak serves as a consultant for the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce and organizer of the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco.
mayor of San Francisco. Pak said, "This was finally our moment to make the first Chinese mayor of a major city," Ms. Pak said. "How could you let that slip by?" She later said, "Now you know why they say I play politics like a blood sport."
movement in San Francisco and, in 2004, banned the group from participating in San Francisco's annual Chinese New Year's Parade. The group and others, including San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly
, subsequently alleged that Pak has connections to the Chinese Communist Party. Pak has consistently denied any ties with Beijing.
In an August 2011 interview with the New Tang Dynasty Television
and Epoch Times, former San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin
made similar allegations, saying that Rose Pak was "the real leader of San Francisco", and that she represented outside governmental interests that "include the People's Republic of China".
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, noted for her advocacy for the Chinatown community. Pak serves as a consultant for the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce and organizer of the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco.
Political involvement
In 2011, Pak was instrumental in obtaining consensus to nominate Edwin M. Lee as the first Asian AmericanAsian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
mayor of San Francisco. Pak said, "This was finally our moment to make the first Chinese mayor of a major city," Ms. Pak said. "How could you let that slip by?" She later said, "Now you know why they say I play politics like a blood sport."
Controversies
Pak has been critical of the Falun GongFalun Gong
Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline first introduced in China in 1992 by its founder, Li Hongzhi, through public lectures. It combines the practice of meditation and slow-moving qigong exercises with the moral philosophy...
movement in San Francisco and, in 2004, banned the group from participating in San Francisco's annual Chinese New Year's Parade. The group and others, including San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly
Chris Daly
Chris Daly is a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He represented District 6, on which he served from 2000 to 2010...
, subsequently alleged that Pak has connections to the Chinese Communist Party. Pak has consistently denied any ties with Beijing.
In an August 2011 interview with the New Tang Dynasty Television
New Tang Dynasty Television
New Tang Dynasty Television is a television broadcaster based in New York City, with correspondents in over 70 cities worldwide. The company was founded by Falun Gong practitioners...
and Epoch Times, former San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin
Aaron Peskin
Aaron Peskin is a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He was first elected to the Board in 2000, and was re-elected in 2004. In January 2005, his colleagues elected him President of the Board.-Personal life:...
made similar allegations, saying that Rose Pak was "the real leader of San Francisco", and that she represented outside governmental interests that "include the People's Republic of China".