Dear Editor,
Re: “Speed of rainbow irks Coun. Au,” News, June 20.
Considering Coun. Chak Au’s past history of intolerance, including his well-reported stance against marriage rights for same-sex couples, I am not surprised he is the only city councillor who voted against the motion to spend $15,000 for a rainbow crosswalk near the Brighouse Library.
Arguing the cost or the lacking of consultation is dog-whistle politics. I have never seen Coun. Au being upset about the cost or having issues with lack of public consultation to have Christmas lights go up in front of the city hall every December .
Furthermore, in 2019, the capital budget for the City of Richmond is close to $120 million, $15,000 for a rainbow crosswalk equals to 0.0125% of the city capital budget. Anytime the city spends 0.0125% of its budget to showcase a sign of kindness and acceptance, it’s money well spent, I’d say.
Coun. Au may say he is supportive of the LGBTQ2S community (interesting enough he never mentions that to the local Chinese media), but his action speaks otherwise. Once the fake layer of “fiscal prudence” is peeled off, Coun. Au’s bigotry is on full display.
Peter Xie
RICHMOND
