Dozens of people gathered outside San Francisco's Hall of Justice on Tuesday rallying for movement on the case of an elderly Thai man attacked and killed while walking in the city in January 2021.
"Five hundred days" was the rallying cry from family and friends of 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee, or "Grandpa Vicha," whose killer, 19-year-old Antoine Watson, appeared in court Tuesday.
Cameras were not allowed inside the courtroom, but reporters inside have said much of the hearing has been procedural. Today's hearing was to determine whether there's enough evidence to continue a full trial.
Many of those rallying on the courthouse steps told NBC Bay Area this is the sixth time they have gathered in the spot, and they refuse to let Grandpa Vicha's name be forgotten.
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"I have dedicated myself to supporting the AAPI community," said Monthanus Ratanapakdee, Vicha's daughter. "I have raised awareness to stopping Asian hate, and we need to help support the community, and we should raise our voice."
Many in the AAPI community became angry with now recalled San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin because he did not file hate crime charges in this attack.
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Watson is accused of elder abuse and murder. His public defender plans to argue that Watson never intended to kill Ratanapakdee.
"My heart breaks for you every day," said Hudson Liao with Asians Are Strong to the Ratanapakdee family. "And I can't imagine what you've gone through and how strong for me, and community and your family as well. Thank you so much."
