Regarding recent events in Antioch, CA

TW: police violence, anti-asian hate

On December 23, 2020, Angelo Quinto, a Filipino American veteran, was suffering a mental-health crisis. The Quinto family called the police in hopes to support and provide safety to Angelo. However, when the police arrived, the officers handcuffed Angelo and another kneeled one his neck for five (5) minutes. Angelo cried “Please don’t kill me”, but unfortunately he died shortly after the incident.

This knee-to-neck restraint is the same method that was used in the unjust murder of George Floyd. It has been over nine (9) months since the death of George Floyd, yet we still see these violent tactics being used. Police brutality has resulted in numerous wrongful deaths, which are most disproportionately members of the Black community.

Furthermore, policemen are not equipped to handle situations as such. Mental health crises require an appropriate medical emergency response. Social workers and/or crisis counselors understand how to engage mental health concerns and are able to reduce risks. Officers have not been trained on how to de-escalate distressing situations, and have been taught to respond to all situations with force. 

We encourage our members to call your local government and demand the ban of chokeholds and strangleholds, as well as require police officers to de-escalate situations before using force. 

In addition, The Justice for Angelo Quinto! Justice for All! Coalition will be holding a week of action from March 8 to March 14. There will also be a candlelight vigil in Antioch on March 10th at 5pm at Antioch City Park in honor for his remembrance.

With the growing Asian American hate crimes, it is imperative that BIPOC communities stand together through unity and solidarity, as we resist and dismantle the history of colonialism, imperialism, and racism. 

Isang Bagsak,

Frances Capupus

Executive Director

Frances Talino and Krystel Salvador

Community and Political Affairs Co-Directors

A List of 911 Alternatives:

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
    • 1-800-662-4357
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine 
    • 1-800-950-6264
    • or Text “NAMI” to 741-741 (open 24/7)
  • National Suicide Preevenion Lifeline (NSPL)
    • 1-800-273-8255
  • Didi Hirsh
    • A Multilingual Suicide Prevention Hotline
    • 1-800-273-8255 for English and Spanish
    • 1-877-727-4747 for Korean
    • Text “HEARME” to 839863 for those who are deaf or hard of hearing