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San Francisco Chinatown native praises resilience of her community

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San Francisco Chinatown native praises resilience of her community


As Lunar New Year festivities continue around the Bay Area, a student who grew up in San Francisco’s Chinatown gave KPIX her unique perspective on the neighborhood’s rich history, struggle and strength.

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in the nation, with one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations in the country. For Tracy Law, the world famous enclave was her backyard growing up. Every street, every alleyway reminds her of her childhood.

“This alleyway is very nostalgic, because this is where I learned how to ride a bike with my little four wheels,” said Law.

Walking through the streets of Chinatown, it was clear why Tracy had such a deep connection with the neighborhood.

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“We’re going to go to the park right now,” said Law. “It’s called Woh Hei Yuen or we started calling it the Y and everyone thinks we’re talking about the YMCA. This is the place that I basically grew up. Every Friday after school, I was here for meetings. Saturdays and Sundays, I was here for events. It has a special place in my heart.”

Law grew up translating not just for her mom, but for her entire neighborhood – where many could only speak Cantonese.

“Growing up here you might think this is normal,” said Law. “Everyone does this! Like, everyone translates for their family at home, right?”

She, her mother and younger brother lived in a small 100-square foot single room at an SRO hotel growing up. It was all she knew.

“It was never anything shameful or weird,” said Law. “Until I went to high school, then it really was a difference because my high school was so far, near the Sunset. I was like, ‘Oh, kids have their own rooms! You all don’t live in a cramped space.’”

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Law is now a freshman at UC Berkeley, but she still comes back to volunteer with the Chinatown Community Development Center. One of her mentors is Chao Zhang, a community organizer with the program who also grew up in Chinatown.

Zhang spoke about the heart and power of the community.

“The strength of the community cannot be underestimated,” said Zhang. “I think people don’t see Asians, Chinese, people in Chinatown as fighters. They think a lot of us are pushovers due to stereotypes and other stuff that I won’t get into, but this community has fought back. There’s always been strength in numbers, and it speaks volumes of how much we can all come together and push for what we need and respect our community.”

Law and other students are tour guides with Chinatown Alleyway Tours, a student-developed and student-led program through the Chinatown Community Development Center.

The CCDC has also started a program to help families who are trying to transition out of SROs into new homes.

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Body cam footage released in South San Francisco police shooting

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Body cam footage released in South San Francisco police shooting


(KRON) — The South San Francisco Police Department released video Thursday showing what led up to two officers shooting a man who authorities said was armed with a knife.

On December 8 at around 5:10 a.m., police arrived at the 900 block of Sandra Court on the report of a man under the influence of drugs and making threats to kill himself. When officers made contact with the man, identified as 28-year-old Luis Francisco-Manzo, he initially complied with orders, authorities said.

Officer-worn body camera video shows Francisco-Manzo walking toward officers in the entrance hallway of an apartment complex with his arms raised. A small dog barks as officers give repeated commands. Suddenly, Francisco-Manzo appears in the entranceway next to officers as one calls out, “He’s got a knife.”

South San Francisco Police Department officers shot Luis Francisco-Manzo on December 8, 2025. Authorities said Francisco-Manzo charged at officers while armed with a knife. (Photo: South San Francisco Police Department)

Officer Brendan Hart, who has been with SSFPD for eight years, fired a Taser at Francisco-Manzo, but it did not have the intended effect, police said.

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Four gunshots are heard in the body camera video. Police said Officer Hart and Officer Martin Corona were the officers who discharged their weapons. Officer Corona has seven years of law enforcement experience with over four years at SSFPD.

(Photo: South San Francisco Police Department)

Francisco-Manzo was transported to the hospital in critical condition. On Thursday, authorities said he continues to recover in the hospital. No officers were injured in the incident.

The police shooting remains under investigation by the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.



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Pedestrian killed in San Francisco hit-and-run crash

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Pedestrian killed in San Francisco hit-and-run crash


A hit-and-run crash in San Francisco on Wednesday evening left a pedestrian dead.

Driver fled scene

What we know:

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According to the San Francisco Police Department, the crash happened around 6:05 p.m. in the 5500 block of Mission Street. The driver fled the scene after striking the pedestrian.

The victim died at the scene.

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Officers have not yet provided a description of the suspect vehicle involved in the incident.

No further details were immediately released. 

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San Francisco: Anti-ICE protester gets probation for ‘depredation’ of ICE van’s tire

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San Francisco: Anti-ICE protester gets probation for ‘depredation’ of ICE van’s tire


SAN FRANCISCO — A protester who was initially charged with misdemeanor assault has been sentenced to probation for a less serious offense, ending a federal prosecution that only started four months ago, court records show.

On Dec. 8, Angelica Guerrero, 35, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor “depredation” of an ICE van’s tire — a fancy legal term for slashing it with a knife. The same day, a federal judge sentenced Guerrero to probation, according to a minute order of the hearing.

The charge stemmed from an Aug. 20 protest, when Guerrero slashed the tire of an unmarked Chevrolet van being used in an ongoing “enforcement and removal” operation by the Department of Homeland Security on the 100 block of Montgomery Street, according to prosecutors. The complaint alleges that Guerrero “made repeated threats” against one of the officers, including stating, “I’m going to (expletive) you up” and “I’m going after your family,” as well as threatening to stab the officer.

Guerrero was released within 48 hours but complained of “barbaric” conditions inside Santa Rita Jail, during an interview with ABC7.

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