May 5, 2025
Dear Petaluma City Council,
It is never too late to honor the Chinese people who have contributed so much to our society — people who faced excessive oppression and even death while creating great wealth, influence and power for their oppressors. The Chinese people who built our cities and infrastructure were strong, dedicated and resilient. They are the real heroes but instead were abused, disenfranchised, and disregarded because the criteria for heroes in American history were the privileged and powerful.
Thank you for your support in unearthing Petaluma Chinatown which will help undo the myths and lies written in American history. It will not only honor those heroes who have passed but will also ease generational trauma suffered by their offspring. It will inform residents and visitors of the real history.
Please vote to rename Center Park in honor of Petaluma’s historic Chinese community.
Thank you for your insight and thoughtful consideration.
Best Regards,
Gail Yamamoto Seymour
Chair, Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League Civil Rights & Social Justice Committee
And
Chair, Sonoma County NAACP , Environmental Justice Committee