President of Oakland's Chinatown Chamber of Commerce attacked; suspect arrested

OAKLAND, Calif. - Oakland police arrested a man for an attack on a prominent member of the Bay Area's Asian American community.

Carl Chan, president of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, told KTVU that he was walking near 8th and  Broadway on Thursday afternoonm out doing errands - and was also getting ready to visit another Asian assault victim.

Without warning, someone came from behind and yelled racial slurs at him, he said.

"Foul words, either something bad word Chinatown or Chinaman," Chan said. He said he was then knocked down to the ground.

Chan suffered cuts and scrapes to his knee but able to get up and snap a photo of the suspect walking away.

Oakland police arrived on the scene and were given the photo and suspect's description.

Officers tracked down the suspect and booked him on felony battery charges.

KTVU has learned that parolee James Lee Ramsey, 25, was taken into custody. Records show he has prior convictions for criminal threats and brandishing a weapon, and that he's had his parole revoked several times.

Chan is a very visible member of the community. In recent months, he's joined with merchants and leaders calling for more security and safety following a spate of attacks on Asian seniors in Oakland and the Bay Area

Despite his attack, Chan said he isn't backing down.

"My body is hurt, my feeling is strong, even stronger than before, and my determination isn't diminished because of this attack," he said.