SAN FRANCISCO, California – An 87-year-old Chinese immigrant, Rongxin Liao, is preparing to leave the U.S. and return to China after experiencing a series of violent assaults in crime-ridden San Francisco. Liao, who arrived in San Francisco 24 years ago, hoped for a peaceful retirement after his wife passed away, but has decided to leave after facing unrelenting violence and feeling unsafe in the city.
Liao’s decision to return to China comes after a particularly notorious incident in March 2021, when he was kicked out of his walker while waiting for a bus in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. This assault, caught on video, left him hospitalized and required surgery to repair serious head injuries. Further incidents of violence, including a recent assault in October 2023, led Liao to conclude that returning to China was the best option for his safety and well-being.
The wave of anti-Asian hate crimes that have surged in San Francisco has also contributed to Liao’s decision to leave. In 2021, hate crimes against Asian individuals in San Francisco spiked by 567 percent, reflecting prejudice related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Liao’s family expressed concern for his safety and ultimately agreed that he should return to China to be cared for by his younger son.
The concerning rise in violence and crime in San Francisco has left Liao’s family feeling that public safety in the city has deteriorated. The decision to leave the U.S. after over two decades reflects the impact of urban squalor, drug markets, and an increase in hate crimes on the city’s residents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable populations.
While Liao’s story highlights the challenges faced by immigrants and elderly individuals in urban environments, it also sheds light on broader issues of public safety, urban decay, and the impact of hate crimes. As Liao prepares to leave San Francisco, his experience serves as a poignant reminder of the complex social issues facing cities across the country and around the world.