Crackdown on Asian American burglary rings
Police ramp up efforts to stop organized break-ins targeting Asian American homes.
The Rebel Yellow Issue 32
Big companies are making moves on DEI—some are quietly scaling back, while others are standing their ground. The NAACP just dropped a list calling out who’s sticking with diversity efforts and who’s bailing. But that’s not all—this issue also covers major burglary rings targeting Asian Americans, a Chinese university outpacing MIT and Stanford, and Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17 getting early reviews.
Here are the major companies abandoning — and sticking to — their DEI commitments
As diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives face direct opposition under the new Trump administration, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the country’s oldest civil rights organization, has stepped in to guide consumer choices. On Saturday, the group released the “Black Consumer Advisory,” a resource highlighting companies that maintain their commitment to DEI policies, as well as those stepping away from theirs.
“We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — diversity is better for the bottom line,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement. “The NAACP stands firm in our belief that, in a global economy, those who reject the multicultural nature of consumerism and business will be left in the past they are living in.”
Catch up
President Donald Trump’s anti-DEI orders not only targeted federal programs but extended to private sector initiatives, threatening consequences for companies, non-profits and universities maintaining certain diversity practices. Following these orders, the Justice Department under Attorney General Pam Bondi began examining DEI practices at organizations receiving federal funds.
Such developments, combined with the Supreme Court’s June 2023 decision ending affirmative action in college admissions, prompted widespread corporate reevaluation of diversity programs.
Who’s out
The following major companies have made substantial shifts in DEI approaches:
Amazon on Jan. 10 announced it would phase out “outdated programs” while continuing certain initiatives until specific disparities are eliminated.
Boeing on Oct. 31, 2024, dismantled its global DEI department, combining staff members with another human resources group focused on talent and employee experience.
Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, which are both government contractors, are reportedly preparing to comply with DEI bans. PepsiCo has already removed DEI references from SEC filings and will conclude its $570 million investment in Black and Hispanic communities this year. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola CFO John Murphy said the company will “follow any change in regulations at the national level,” with changes expected in upcoming SEC filings.
Disney on Feb. 11 changed its “Diversity & Inclusion” performance metric to “Talent Strategy.” It also halted its “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative (which featured stories from underrepresented groups) and modified its “Business” Employee Resource Groups (BERGs) to “Belonging” Employee Resource Groups.
Deloitte on Feb. 10 told U.S. employees that it will “sunset our workforce and business aspirational diversity goals, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Transparency report, and our DEI programming.” On Feb. 5, staff in its Government & Public Services division were asked to remove pronouns in their emails. Deloitte’s U.K. branch, however, maintains its diversity commitments.
Ford Motor Co. on Aug. 28, 2024, ceased participating in external diversity surveys and evolved its employee resource groups to focus on networking and mentorship.
Goldman Sachs on Feb. 11 dropped its board diversity requirement for IPO clients, citing “legal developments.” Goldman Sachs International CEO Richard Gnodde told the BBC that the policy, which was introduced in 2020, “has served its purpose.”
Google on Feb. 5 announced the end of its diverse hiring targets, which were set as “aspirational goals” in 2020.
Meta on Jan. 10 ended multiple diversity initiatives, citing changes in the “legal and policy landscape.” Changes included ending its “diverse slate approach” to hiring.
Target on Jan. 24 ended its DEI goals that sought to improve Black employees’ representation, Black shoppers’ experiences and Black-owned businesses.
Standing firm
Despite the pressure, some industry leaders have defended their company’s diversity commitments. At the World Economic Forum in Davos last month, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon emphasized continued outreach to diverse communities, saying, “We are going to continue to reach out to the Black community and Hispanic community, LGBT community and the veteran community.”
Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins addressed the DEI backlash directly. “If I’m sitting in a room to try to solve a complex problem, I want a lot of diverse brains in that room,” he said. Meanwhile, Vista Equity Partners CEO Robert Smith backed his position with data: “I look at the facts. When we have diverse teams, our teams are more productive. We have lower risk.” Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman maintained that diversity makes the company “perform better,” suggesting such issues “come and go with different political cycles.”
Costco shareholders also demonstrated notable support for DEI initiatives, with 98% opposing a proposal to review these programs. The board’s response affirmed inclusion as fundamental to operations. Apple similarly rejected pressure to modify its approach, while Ben & Jerry’s and E.l.f. Cosmetics maintained their DEI commitments.
At a Jan. 10 earnings call, Delta Airlines Executive Vice President Peter Carter emphasized DEI as “critical to our business.” Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan told Reuters that diversity has “commercial logic,” while Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing told reporters they can “see how Deutsche Bank has benefited from it.”
Economic context
The NAACP’s initiative, led by economic strategist Keisha Bross, emphasizes positive consumer choice over boycotts. This approach considers McKinsey Institute projections of $2 trillion in Black consumer spending by 2030, alongside findings about community access to major retailers.
Johnson articulated the strategy’s aim. “If corporations want our dollars, they better be ready to do the right thing,” he said.
The organization reportedly maintains dialogue with companies adjusting their policies while monitoring broader corporate responses to current pressures.
Several states show crackdown progress on burglary rings targeting Asian Americans
Law enforcement agencies across the country are making headway in dismantling organized burglary rings that have been systematically targeting Asian American communities. Latest developments from Oregon to Texas highlight both the scope of these operations and the increasing success in apprehending suspects.
Oregon arrests of 4 suspects accused of burglarizing nearly 40 Asian American homes
Tigard police announced on Feb. 11 that four Colombian nationals were arrested in connection with at least 39 home burglaries targeting Asian American homeowners across Oregon. The arrests came after a coordinated multi-jurisdictional operation involving law enforcement agencies from multiple cities and counties.
The suspects, all Colombian nationals, were identified as Herbert Grueso-Vergara, 30; Maria Castro-Gamboa, 26; Fabio Vergara-Cortes, 29 and Fatima Gomez-Aragon, 33. All four were apprehended during a raid at a residence on Gross Drive in the Three Rivers area near Sunriver on Feb. 2. Police spokesperson Kelsey Anderson told KTVZ News that the suspects “would stay in the Portland area and travel to other parts of the state to commit these crimes.”
The investigation, which kicked off with 10 known cases in November 2024, has since expanded to include at least 39 confirmed burglaries, all homes owned by Asian Americans. The operation involved collaboration among multiple agencies, including law enforcement from Oregon cities and Washington state’s Lynwood police and Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
Texas sentencing of suspect who targeted Asian business owners
In Texas, authorities uncovered another organized operation targeting Asian business owners, leading to a conviction on Feb. 11. Jefferson County District Judge Raquel West sentenced Jonathan Zuniga-Bravo, a 39-year-old Colombian national, to 10 years in prison for a May 8, 2024, felony burglary of a habitation where the victim was of Asian descent and a local business owner.
The case highlighted sophisticated criminal methods, including the use of jamming devices to block police radio frequencies during operations. In a statement, Assistant District Attorney Tommy L. Coleman said the case represented “a new and disturbing level of criminal technological ingenuity.” During the sentencing hearing, Coleman presented evidence showing that the defendants were part of a broader operation specifically targeting Asian business owners.
Two co-defendants in the case, Dominican Republic national Pedro Henry, 30, and Colombian national Jaider Quinones-Riascos, 32, posted bond and have since absconded. “We will use every tool in our tool box to hunt down, apprehend and return Henry and Riascos to Jefferson County for the purpose of holding them accountable,” Coleman added.
California arrests of suspects linked to dozens of burglaries
Just last month, San Jose police apprehended three suspects linked to 78 burglaries spanning San Jose (30 cases), Mountain View (20 cases), Cupertino and Saratoga (18 cases), and Campbell (10 cases). Authorities recovered an estimated $1 million in stolen property, including 700 pieces of jewelry.
In Santa Rosa, police arrested five Colombian nationals on Dec. 19, 2024, found with sophisticated burglary equipment including GPS devices, trail cameras and night vision goggles. All eight suspects are being held without bail, facing multiple felony charges including hate crime enhancements.
What’s next
Authorities anticipate additional charges and arrests as investigations continue across multiple states. Many of the suspects face multiple felony charges, with some jurisdictions pursuing hate crime enhancements.
Law enforcement officials emphasize their commitment to addressing these targeted crimes. As San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph told reporters, “These crimes have deeply impacted our communities, instilling fear and preying on many vulnerable families.”
Local Chinese university beats out MIT, Stanford in scientific research output
China’s Sichuan University (SCU) has outperformed top players such as MIT, Stanford and Oxford in high-quality scientific research output, while Chinese institutions now dominate global physics research, with the U.S.’ highest-ranked physics institution placing only 13th.
On the rise
Located in the southwestern city of Chengdu, SCU now ranks 11th globally for research output, according to the January 2025 Nature Index. While Harvard maintains the top spot, Chinese institutions occupy nine of the top 10 positions.
The news marks a significant milestone for SCU, which ranked 26th just two years ago. Today, it especially excels in chemistry, ranking ninth in the world in the subject area. The university has transformed through strategic initiatives and international outreach.
Since mid-2023, SCU has organized promotional events across 12 countries and regions, attracting over 200 foreign-trained researchers. The university has more than doubled its leading academics from 325 in 2018 to 810 in 2024.
A scientific revolution
China’s scientific leadership extends far beyond a single institution. Based on research output from November 2023 to October 2024, the Nature Index reveals China’s commanding lead in physics research, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) and Tsinghua University claiming the top three positions globally. Germany’s Max Planck Society ranks fourth, with only one other European institution — the French National Centre for Scientific Research — breaking into physics’ top 10.
This dominance extends across other fields. A 2024 study by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) shows China leading in 57 out of 64 key technology areas for papers released between 2019 and 2023. Most notably:
Chinese researchers control 73% of hypersonic detection and tracking citations
The country produces 63% of advanced aircraft engine research
China leads in radar and satellite positioning research
This represents a complete reversal from 2003 to 2007, when the U.S. led 60 of these categories.
Journey to excellence
China’s path to scientific leadership traces its roots to the mid-1970s with Deng Xiaoping’s modernization policy. Since 2000, the country has sent over 5 million students and scholars abroad to study science and engineering. China has become the world’s largest producer of engineering Ph.D.s, publishing almost 830,000 papers in 2023, representing around 15% of the world’s 5.4 million articles.
In a January 2023 article in The Conversation, Dr. Caroline Wagner, Milton & Roslyn Wolf Chair at the Ohio State University, noted that “China is now no longer an imitator nor producer of only low-quality science.” Wagner’s research shows that Chinese scientists now publish the highest number of top 1% most-cited papers globally. In 2022, in artificial intelligence alone, Chinese researchers published three times as many papers as U.S. researchers, with Chinese papers outnumbering U.S. papers by a 2-to-1 ratio in the top 1% most cited AI research, according to Wagner.
What’s next
China aims to become a global manufacturing powerhouse by 2049, the centennial of the People’s Republic. With its current momentum in research quality and output, the country appears set to maintain its scientific leadership.
The transformation of institutions like SCU from regional schools to global powerhouses suggests that China’s scientific revolution is not just sustainable, but accelerating. The country’s recent dominance in physics research — a fundamental science underpinning technological innovation — further cements its position at the forefront of global scientific advancement.
K-drama star Kim Sae-ron dies at 24
South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, known for her roles in the 2010 action-thriller “The Man from Nowhere” and the 2023 Netflix series “Bloodhounds,” was found dead at her home in Seoul on Sunday. She was 24.
A friend discovered her body and contacted authorities, who later confirmed her death. While initial reports did not specify the cause, police stated they believe she died by suicide and found no signs of foul play.
Kim began her acting career at the age of 9, debuting in the 2009 film “A Brand New Life.” Her performance earned international acclaim and led to an invitation to the Cannes Film Festival, making her one of the youngest actresses to attend. She gained further recognition through critically acclaimed roles in “A Girl at My Door” (2014) and television dramas such as “Listen to My Heart” (2011) and “The Queen’s Classroom” (2013). Throughout her early career, she received multiple awards, including best new actress at the Korean Film Awards.
Her career took a downturn following a drunk driving incident in 2022, for which she was fined 20 million won ($13,800). Despite a public apology and efforts to rebuild her career, she faced ongoing online harassment and negative media scrutiny. In a social media post at the time, she admitted, “I made a big mistake by being drunk at that time... I will reflect and reflect again and again so that this never happens again. I’m sorry.”
Her last acting project was “Bloodhounds,” though much of her role was edited out due to the controversy.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For a list of international suicide hotlines, click here.
Bong Joon-ho's “Mickey 17” earns early praise after Berlin premiere
Acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho unveiled his latest sci-fi comedy, “Mickey 17,” at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on Feb. 15. Adapted from Edward Ashton’s novel “Mickey 7,” the film stars Robert Pattinson as a series of expendable clones on a mission to colonize the ice world Niflheim.
Praise for Bong Joon-ho’s Vision: Many critics hailed Mickey 17 as another triumph for the South Korean filmmaker, praising his ability to blend genre storytelling with sharp social commentary, drawing comparisons to his previous works like “Snowpiercer” and “Okja.”
Clarisse Loughrey, The Independent: “This is Pattinson at his best, holding his movie star charisma hostage in order to pursue loveable weirdos in all kinds of shades. He's fully liberated here, consistently finding the most unexpected and delightful ways to deliver a line.”
BJ Colangelo, Slashfilm: "’Mickey 17’ is a deeply heartfelt and uncomfortably funny musing on capitalism, colonization and corruption. It's a perfect film for our time, and Bong Joon-ho's best English-language film yet."
David Ehrlich, IndieWire: “I’d argue that ‘Mickey 17,’ the best and most cohesive of Bong’s English-language films, offers such exciting proof of Bong’s genius precisely because it feels like such a clear amalgamation of his previous two, both of which are even goofier and more fumbling than his Korean-made work.”
Mixed but appreciative reviews: Some critics praised the film’s ambition while pointing out certain shortcomings:
Peter Debruge, Variety: “For bona fide Bong fans, the film’s hectoring tone and irreverent sense of humor should feel like a return to that strange blend of sentimentality and cynicism we saw in the ‘Parasite’ director’s two previous English-language projects: gonzo meat-is-murder comedy ‘Okja’ and full-throttle eat-the-rich thriller “Snowpiercer.”
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter: “While a game-for-anything dual-role performance from Robert Pattinson keeps the English-language feature entertaining enough, the satirical thrust feels heavy-handed.”
Critical disappointment: Not all reactions were positive, with some critics deeming the film a misstep:
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian: "’Mickey 17’ is visually spectacular with some very sharp, angular moments of pathos and horror. But at two hours and 17 minutes, this is a baggy and sometimes loose film whose narrative tendons are a bit slack sometimes."
Hugh Montgomery, BBC: "The bad news — and possibly an explanation for its delays in release — is that it doesn't really know what approach it wants to take instead. All in all, it must be considered a serious disappointment from the director."
Box office projections: The film, which currently holds an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is set to open in U.S. theaters on March 7. Early tracking suggests “Mickey 17” may have a softer-than-expected opening in North America, with projections at around $18 million.
Ang Lee becomes 2nd Asian filmmaker to receive DGA Lifetime Achievement Award: Taiwanese director Ang Lee made history on Feb. 8 by becoming the first filmmaker of Chinese descent to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Directors Guild of America (DGA). He is only the second Asian recipient, following legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa. The honor, considered the Guild’s highest recognition for distinguished achievement in feature film direction, was presented to the 70-year-old filmmaker by Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh at a ceremony in Beverly Hills, California.
American dream realized: Lee joins an elite group of only 37 directors to have received the award since the Guild's founding in 1936. "I have received many awards in my career, but this one is the most special to me because it comes from my beloved peers," Lee said in his acceptance speech, adding that standing on the DGA stage felt like "a realization of the American dream."
Legendary career: Lee, who was born in Pingtung County, Taiwan, built a career that spans both Asian and Hollywood cinema, earning two Academy Awards for best director with “Brokeback Mountain” (2005) and “Life of Pi” (2012). His body of work also includes “The Wedding Banquet” (1993), “Eat Drink Man Woman” (1994) and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000), the latter of which won him a DGA award in 2000.