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More than 27 years have passed since police in riot gear dragged 55 elderly Filipino and Chinese tenants of the International Hotel out of their beds at 3 a.m. and into the cold morning air. The predawn evictions at the residence hotel, which served as an epicenter for many Filipino World War II veterans, sent tremors throughout the vibrant Filipino community and ultimately caused the demise of San Francisco's "Manilatown."
On July 27, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors resurrected old Manilatown and commemorated the Aug. 4, 1977, evictions by passing a resolution that designates a two-block area of Kearny Street a historical landmark and declares July 27, 2004, to be "Manilatown Day."
For Peter Yamamoto, who was among those evicted that night, this day is bittersweet.
"I want to dedicate this day in memory of the strong and old manongs who fought for the tenants and supported affordable housing," Yamamoto said. "Manilatown was a vibrant, soulful community and is now...