Seattle, WA - Just days after Meta (formerly Facebook) announced changing its moderation policies to stop the spread of misinformation and hate speech, newly sworn-in State Senator Leonard Christian (R-Spokane Valley) posted on Facebook, “I was driving around the Bellevue area yesterday. I found it surprising to see a US Bank sign written in Chinese. [sic] Anyone else think this is just wrong?”

This stunning and xenophobic rhetoric comes on the heels of a report conducted by The Asian American Foundation in September 2024 which found that nearly two in five Asian residents across King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties experienced anti-Asian hate within the previous year. 

Legislative District 4 has a history of electing GOP officials who spread hate to the legislature. Matt Shea, the disgraced former Representative who was expelled from the GOP caucus after an investigation found he engaged in domestic terrorism in 2019 was also from LD 4.

“Senator Christian’s post is deeply painful for those of us in Washington’s growing and vibrant Asian American communities who love this state and are simply trying to live our lives,” said Chair Shasti Conrad. “We remember the hate we experienced under the first Trump Administration. We know what is coming and we do not need Republicans in this state fanning the flames of hatred. The Chinese-American and Asian American constituents who live in the 4th Legislative District deserve elected representation that respects who we are and the languages we speak. Senator Christian should apologize and I call upon the Republican Senate Caucus and Legislative District 4 delegation to publicly condemn these xenophobic comments. Hate has no place in Washington state.”