San Francisco, CA - The Asian Law Caucus, a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, congratulates San Francisco's new Interim Mayor Ed Lee, who was sworn in on Wednesday to become the city's first Asian American mayor. Lee served as an ALC law clerk in 1976, a staff attorney and managing attorney from 1979-1989, and since 1994 has co-chaired the organization's fundraising event, the Caucus Classic golf tournament. ALC is proud of Lee's record as a long-time civil rights advocate, community leader and civil servant.

"This is an historic moment for our great City," said Titi Liu, ALC's Executive Director. "It signals a new era in San Francisco government and also for the city's residents, over thirty percent of whom are Asian American.  Lee understands not just the needs and concerns of Asian Americans, but of all of the diverse communities that call San Francisco home."

Lee's long career has its origins in civil and legal rights work, where he represented residents of the Ping Yuen public housing complex in Chinatown. Concerned with unsafe and unsanitary conditions in the complex, he represented the residents in their rent strike against the San Francisco Housing Authority.

In 1989, Lee further solidified his dedication to civil rights when he co-represented African American, Latino, Asian American, and female workers in successfully suing the city of San Francisco for discrimination within the Fire Department.

ALC is excited to see Lee continue his legacy of activism in his new capacity as mayor.  Liu continued, "Lee helped to build the legacy of ALC, and we know he brings to the mayor's office strong values of fairness and justice. We look forward to his leadership in upholding the civil and human rights of all San Francisco's residents, and most especially low-income communities of color." 

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