Judge Michael Kwan Was A Civil Rights Leader
By: Floyd Mori
Tags: History, Civil Rights, Racism, Asian American, American History

Judge Michael Kwan Was A Civil Rights Leader

Judge Michael Kwan (Image is author’s)

He worked tirelessly for justice and against racism

It is quite likely that many have never heard of Judge Michael Kwan, but he was a person who was worth knowing. He was a community leader who died too soon. Judge Kwan passed away on July 21, 2020, at his home in Utah. He was just 58 years old. It was a shock to the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Utah and the nation.

Judge Kwan was born in Inglewood, California, and he grew up in West Hills, California. He received a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and was certified in Chinese law by the East China University of Politics and Law. He taught law classes as well as being a judge.

After marrying in 1994 and living in California, Judge Kwan moved his family to Utah in 1996. He worked as an EMT and then as a burn technician at the University of Utah Hospital Burn Unit. He passed the bar in Utah and started a judicial career working as a Salt Lake City prosecutor. He was a Pro Tempore Judge in the Third District Court before becoming the first Municipal Judge appointed to the Taylorsville Justice Court where he remained until his death.

A descendant of one of Utah’s Chinese rail workers, Judge Kwan advocated for greater recognition of the state’s earliest Asian Americans, who helped to build the Transcontinental Railroad. In 2019, 150 years after the rail’s completion, Judge Kwan reflected on the legacy of his great-great-grandfather and the status of Asian Americans for the Associated Press. “We’ve been here for more than 150 years, and we have contributed every step of the way,” he said. “That’s the dream: Have people stop asking us where we’re from.” [That is a form of racism regularly faced by Asian Americans.]

Promontory Point Utah Enactment (Image is author’s)

As president of the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association, Judge Kwan spearheaded the recognition and celebration in 2019 in Salt Lake City and at Promontory Point in Utah. This was to honor the Chinese railroad workers for the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Chinese workers had been left out of the 100th year celebration.

Judge Kwan promoted civic engagement within the Asian American community through his work with the nonprofit OCA — Asian Pacific American Advocates. He was a co-founder of the OCA-Utah Chapter in 1999 and was its first president. He later served as the National President on the OCA Board. He was also a member of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and other organizations.

He has supported many AAPI groups. He was an activist who was not afraid to speak out and work for the sake of others. He was a visionary who never stopped working. He was a real advocate for justice who fought against racism.

I first met Michael Kwan and his sister, Karen Kwan, soon after they moved to Utah. Karen is now a member of the Utah House of Representatives. They are true leaders within the community. Michael was a great leader and a true gentleman. He was compassionate and kind. I was privileged to see him often at various events and to call him a friend. It was a distinct honor to know him.

The world would be a better place if there were more people like Judge Michael Kwan. He is greatly missed.

[Source: Salt Lake Tribune]