June 6, 2025 | Vol. 54, Issue 11

The only bilingual Chinese-English Newspaper in New England

Boston

U.S. Lawmakers Put Asian American History to the Test

Measure would put Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian lessons in nation’s classrooms Two U.S. lawmakers have introduced a measure they say would help better educate U.S. students about the key moments and historical realities of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander Americans that are often overlooked in U.S. classrooms and textbooks. “At a time when Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history is under attack, it is more important than ever before to ensure our stories […]

'They All Have Names' vigil held May 27 to May 28 recognized the names of the more than 17,400 children killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. Courtesy photo.

OPINION: ‘They All Have Names’ Vigil Reveals Moral Failures

As Dr. Lara Jirmanus spoke with the Sampan on the phone on May 28, a scan of the top stories on local newspaper sites around Boston revealed reports about the Karen Read case, the latest in the battle between Harvard University and the Trump administration, and immigration raids. What was missing? The 24-hour vigil that just concluded hours earlier in Cambridge, recognizing the more than 17,400 children killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. That number, for context, is far […]

Sheida Soleimani Creates Art of Resistance

Art can be beautiful, art can attack, or it can do both at the same time. It has long been used to challenge the status quo, and Sheida Soleimani, a 33-year-old visual media artist and Brandeis University professor, has made it her mission to shed light on the challenges of her Iranian heritage through her politically-charged work. “I want to leave people a trail of breadcrumbs,” Soleimani said. “I don’t expect anyone to have any crazy epiphanies. But if someone […]

Unverified Reports of Immigration Agents Spread Anxiety in Chinatown

Anxiety is gripping some Chinatown Residents and community leaders after hearing of unconfirmed reports of immigration agents in the neighborhood. “We want to find a balance between keeping people safe without spreading too much fear,” said Karen Chen, who directs the Chinese Progressive Agency. That agency held an emergency meeting for residents on May 27 to discuss reports by two individuals who said they had witnessed what they believed to be Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the neighborhood. No […]

Some Hong Kong, Chinese Students Say Visa Crackdowns Have Them Exploring Options

First there were the threats of crackdowns on immigration. Then there were the detentions of international students who had done nothing wrong. Then the deletion of many student visas and then … their reinstatements … for now. Amid those actions, a U.S. lawmaker has been pushing a bill to block Chinese students from coming to the U.S. Now, most recently, the U.S. State Department issued a brief statement on how it would “aggressively” crackdown on some students from China and […]

Crackdown on Students from China Blasted

Several Asian American groups and leaders are blasting a newly revealed State Department policy to prevent many Chinese international students from studying in colleges and universities in the United States. The U.S. State Department on May 28 put out a notice that it “will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.” The department, in the brief note, also said […]

Students and teachers of Boston String Academy. Photos by Adam Smith/ errorc1301.com

On a High Note: Boston String Academy Tunes Into Youth Talent

When sisters Marielisa and Mariesther Alvarez grew up in Venezuela, they were part of El Sistema, the National System for Youth Orchestras and Choirs. But when they came to Boston, they soon discovered a similar program was lacking. “When we came to Boston to do our studies at the Boston Conservatory, we realized that even though it is a culturally rich city, there was the need for a program where creating musical excellence was a communal effort — a program […]

Akiva Leibowitz; Photo by Adam Smith

Opinion: ‘Starts With the Keffiyehs, and Ends With the Pride Flags’

“It starts with the keffiyehs, and ends with the pride flags,” said Dr. Akiva Leibowitz during an interview with Sampan last week. A Brookline resident who has seen firsthand how even his neighbors could attack free speech, the parent was talking about the crackdowns of freedom of expression at every level of society over the past year and a half. Leibowitz, a critical care anesthesiologist, was just weeks earlier vying for a seat in the crowded race for Brookline’s school […]

REVIEW: Beauty and Humanity Permeate Bioh’s ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding Salon’

The play Jaja’s African Hair Braiding offers its audience a seat in a Harlem Black hair salon. But the audience will come away with much more than a new style – in fact it might just come away with a deep sense of shared humanity, empathy, and even an immediate fear for the lives of those – so often in the shadows – around them. The immersive play reels the audience in to watch the stylists gossip, roll their eyes […]

Let’s Rename Phillips Square After Beloved City Activist Tunney Lee

As the Boston Transportation Department continues to engage community members in plans to improve Phillips Square in Chinatown, a new idea has caught on with neighborhood residents, community leaders, and advocates. At a hands-on design workshop last month, residents and community workers of all ages gathered around tables with maps and pictures to develop a vision for that section of Harrison Avenue with tables and chairs between Essex Street and Oxford Place. Five different groups reported on their ideas, and […]

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