Vancouver realtors face anti-Asian threats for Penticton listing

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Two Vancouver-based realtors are speaking out about anti-Asian hate directed at them for their involvement in the listing and marketing of a $12.8 million home in Penticton.

Matt Zhang with Vancouver-based Oakwyn Realty says since an article was published about the luxury home in December, he and his colleague Kevin Chen have been hit with a series of messages from locals implying they are money launderers with links to China.

Zhang says it reached a peak on Saturday, with someone sending an email suggesting Chen should be shot, adding there would be “dire consequences” if he didn’t return to China, a country he is not from.

Two realtors speak out about the anti-Asian hate directed at them for their involvement in listing & marketing a $12.8-million home in Penticton. They've been getting messages implying they're involved in money laundering — a new low with a weekend death threat. More @NEWS1130

— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) April 27, 2021

“We weren’t scared by any means,” Zhang said. “We weren’t gonna not do our jobs but at the same time, I was furious. I was like, this person is not only upset that you know we’re in Penticton, but now he’s threatening to shoot you.”

Chen has filed a report with Penticton RCMP, but there could be challenges as the person who sent the message took efforts to shield their identity.

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“Growing up as an Asian guy in Vancouver — and I’ve been here since … like, one year old — so Vancouver is home. I’m Canadian,” he said. “I can barely even speak Chinese. I’ve never lived in Asia. Even if I did, it didn’t matter … At the end of the day, it boggles my mind how people can assume these things about you, when they have no idea who you are and what you do.”

Zhang says various groups and leaders in Penticton have contacted the pair to offer support and apologize for what is happening.