ADHIKAAR – Sign This Petition: Redesignate Nepal for Temporary Protected Status! READ AND SIGN THE PETITION HERE Adhikaar – Nepal remains unsafe for return due to the continuing effects of the 2015 earthquake along with the current impacts of COVID-19 and recent flooding. There are approximately 10,160 Nepali TPS holders, but currently, TPS only applies to those who have been in the United States until June 24, 2015. This is why we request for redesignation of TPS for Nepal. The Department of Homeland Security must redesignate Nepal, which could allow anyone who has fled conditions back home in Nepal and come to the United States until now, to apply for TPS (meaning 36,795+ additional people could be eligible for TPS if we win redesignation). Not only is Nepal unsafe for return due to the continuing effects of a devastating earthquake, the ongoing political instability, and catastrophic flooding in 2017 have widened the cracks in Nepal’s infrastructure, leaving the country vulnerable to economic, political, and societal shocks. After nearly 10 years of political turmoil after the overthrow of absolute monarchy, Nepal had finally managed to adopt a new constitution in 2015; however, Nepal has seen four different governments in the six years since then, and the instability continues – just on July 12, 2021, the Supreme Court of Nepal has ordered the reinstatement of the parliament and the change of government after months of infighting between various political parties. Just this May, while some countries were on their way to COVID-19 recovery, Nepal hit its peak infection rate. The lack of health resources like beds and oxygen tanks has further exacerbated the issue. Health officials reported an incredible daily positivity rate of 50 percent, with infections rising from 150 people per day to over 9,300 per day in one month. Additionally, more recent flooding extreme monsoon rains and landslides across the country have displaced entire communities. Redesignation would not just benefit TPS holders, it would also benefit U.S. citizens and the United States as a whole. Extending TPS to thousands of Nepalis also protects thousands of U.S.-citizen children of Nepali TPS holders and prevents family separation. Current Nepali TPS holders have worked on the frontlines during the pandemic as doctors, nurses, health aides, grocery store clerks, restaurant workers, and package delivery personnel, keeping our country running, safe and healthy. The humanitarian crisis in Nepal persists, and there is no possibility for these hardworking, essential Nepali immigrants to safely return at this time. Nepal is in no condition to receive the return of over 36,000 Nepalis and their families living in the United States. DHS Secretary Mayorkas must redesignate Nepal for TPS and extend vital humanitarian protection to those who need it. In addition to Nepal, we encourage DHS to conduct a review for redesignation of all other countries currently with TPS protections.
The TEAACH Act in Illinois Illinois has become the first state to mandate that Asian American history be part of its public school curriculum thanks to advocacy efforts from numerous individuals and organizations, largely led by Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago. Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) Act (HB 376) will paint a more complete picture of our shared history by adding Asian American history to the Illinois School Code. The TEAACH Act will ensure that Asian American stories and experiences are highlighted in Illinois, not just the stories of Asians outside the United States. NBC Chicago: Pritzker Signs Law Making Illinois First State to Require Asian American History Be Taught in Schools “Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday [July 9, 2021] signed into law a new measure making Illinois the first state in the U.S. to require Asian American history be taught in public schools. Pritzker signed House Bill 376, the Teaching Equitable Asian American History or TEAACH Act, at Niles West High School in suburban Skokie. The new law requires every public elementary and high school in the state to devote a unit of curriculum to the history of Asian Americans in the United States.” “We are setting a new standard for what it means to truly reckon with our history,” Pritzker said in a statement. “It’s a new standard that helps us understand one another, and, ultimately, to move ourselves closer to the nation of our ideals.” “The curriculum must include “the events of Asian American history, including the history of Asian Americans in Illinois and the Midwest, as well as the contributions of Asian Americans toward advancing civil rights from the 19th century onward,” the legislation reads.” “These events shall include the contributions made by individual Asian Americans in government and the arts, humanities, and sciences, as well as the contributions of Asian American communities to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of the United States,” per the new law. The law takes effect on Jan. 1 and the requirement begins with the start of the 2022-2023 school year.” Read more about the TEAACH Act from Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago, who was the lead organization in this effort. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Advancing Justice-Chicago (@advancingjusticechicago) View this post on Instagram A post shared by HANA Center (@hanacenterchicago)
Ruling on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) On Friday, July 16, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen issued a court order invalidating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Although DACA will remain in place for current recipients, the order directed the government to stop processing new DACA applications while allowing the processing of renewals pending appeals. Here is a quick break down about Judge Hanen partially ending DACA from United We Dream. Advancing Justice: “The Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation condemns this decision from Judge Hanen, who has a history of anti-immigrant rulings and is playing politics with people’s lives by attacking this program that is widely supported by Americans. We remain confident that the DACA program is on firm legal ground and urge the federal government to swiftly appeal this case.” Read their full statement here. Here are some informational graphics shared by various network partners on this recent ruling as well as ways to get involved and take action, access resources, and support our impacted community members:
Take Action Against Anti-Asian Violence and Racism Our network partners have worked In allyship and solidarity across marginalized groups and have continued to call on community members to report hate incidents, condemn anti-AAPI and racist sentiments, attend workshops and bystander intervention trainings, and call for greater accountability and policy responses from elected officials. Community groups and activists have also provided support systems and spaces for community members to reflect in the current moment, learn more about the long history of anti-Asian violence in the United States, as well as support those who have experienced hate themselves. Here are some ways you can take action against anti-Asian violence and racism: Stop AAPI Hate has published a survey on state and local resolutions, which found that only 18 states and 49 of 3,073 (1.6%) counties have enacted resolutions in opposition to anti-Asian hate. You can use their 50-state survey to find out if your state or local representatives have stood up against hate (download it at https://bit.ly/3dzQmRl) and learn how your elected officials can take action by taking a look at their template resolution (download it at https://bit.ly/3qJygSq) Donate to the Support the AAPI Community Fund campaign! This fund aims to condemn incidents of anti-Asian violence and create lasting social change as AAPI voices are amplified and empowered while we address broader, systemic problems. With the donations received through the Fund, GoFundMe.org will issue grants to trusted AAPI organizations working to rectify the racial inequalities in our society. Other fundraisers through the website include: Fundraisers for AAPI Justice – Verified fundraisers helping those affected by violence against the AAPI community Fundraisers for AAPI Neighborhoods – Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) neighborhoods have been struggling to survive since the beginning of COVID-19. Take action to revitalize and preserve AAPI culture in your local community by donating or sharing the verified fundraisers on this page, or by donating to the general fund supporting various AAPI organizations. Fundraisers to uplift the AAPI community – Support various AAPI efforts determined to increase awareness around inequalities, create solutions, and inspire hope within the community. Take action by donating or sharing the verified fundraisers on this page or by donating to the AAPI Community Fund, supporting various AAPI organizations. Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago is offering various Bystander Intervention Trainings throughout July. To combat the current rise in harassment and discrimination and to also proactively prepare for the future increase of hate incidents, Advancing Justice | Chicago is partnering with New York-based nonprofit Hollaback! and CAIR-Chicago to plan and implement an aggressive scaling up of locally-led bystander hate incident intervention trainings for community members. Help Chinese for Affirmative Action and 150+ community-based organizations and the California API Legislative Caucus #FaceTheHate and fight for the passage of this historic proposal that would go beyond general condemnations of hate and address the structural inequities and injustices that API communities have grappled with for generations now. Together, we can pass the API Equity Budget. You can download their #FaceTheHate toolkit to get started. Watch this Facebook live event from Cia Siab, Inc where community members learned how to effectively respond as a bystander and how to form a safety plan from some of the Cia Siab, Inc. staff. Members of the community can also continue to report hate incidents through Cia Siab, Inc’s Hate Incident Form at www.ciasiabinc.org/hateincidentreport. OCA Greater Houston is also offering Bystander Intervention Training in August and September. Learn how to help people targeted by identity-based bigotry and harassment. Register today at https://houstonagainsthate.org/BIT This FREE 1.5-hour, interactive training will teach you Hollaback!’s 5D’s of bystander intervention methodology. We’ll start by talking about the types of disrespect — from microaggressions to violence — that people with marginalized identities face and the history of identity-based violence. You’ll also learn what to look for and the positive impact that bystander intervention has on individuals and communities. We’ll talk through five strategies for intervention: distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct; and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening. We’ll have time at the end for practice, and you’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see identity-based harassment online or in person. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Advancing Justice-Chicago (@advancingjusticechicago)
Mobilizing To Increase Community Representation and Visibility Since the 2020 election, our network partners have continued to defend and protect the right to vote, increase AAPI voter turnout and representation, and organize members of our communities to make sure policies and elected officials reflect our community concerns and conditions. Together, we can continue to speak up, inform others, and exercise our democratic rights to get represented and address issues and policies. Here are some of the campaigns our network partners are currently working on with opportunities for you to get involved and spread the word on: Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta – From canvassing to voter registration, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta is out in the field putting in the work for a more equitable Georgia. If you’re interested in helping build and shift power in Georgia, come volunteer to canvas and register voters with us! Sign up at https://www.advancingjustice-atlanta.org/volunteer. To celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta is fighting to protect immigrant rights and their access to essential services. Join them in the fight for language equity by signing their petition that urges policymakers to do more for our communities by providing translated materials that would create equitable access to the ballot. Sign the petition at http://bit.ly/voicesrisingcta! CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities – CAAAV is calling all Bangla, Korean, and Chinese (Cantonese & Mandarin) interpreters to help them develop language justice practices! They are looking for experienced interpreters so they can continue to do the work of building a pan-Asian membership base in NYC. Interpreters are integral to their work and have ensured that their members can: engage in principled debate with one another about strategy, participate in training on racial capitalism, and play a role in coalition building across the city. Please email Alina at [email protected] with your name, fluency, and prior experience to get involved! North Carolina Asian Americans Together’s internship for Fall 2021 is currently open! NCAAT is excited to meet and work with youth who are interested and passionate about advocating for Asian American communities. Apply to join NCAAT today at ncaat.org/internships! You can also volunteer to phonebank with NCAAT during this summer. They will work with trained volunteers to help call Asian American voters removed from the 2021 NC voter files. North Carolina purged 391,000+ from the NC voter files in 2021 alone, about 4,000 of which self-identified as Asian American. This is a great opportunity to help eligible voters re-register and understand their voter status and build connections with local Asian Americans in your local community. Many NC elections are decided on razor thin margins, so truly every vote counts! Sign up at ncaat.org/phonebank! VAYLA’s petition for racial inclusion has reached over 100 signatures! “‘Other’ is Not My Identity” is a petition for inclusion, demanding state officials include data for more racial groups in voter statistics and beyond. It comes at a historical influx of xenophobia, racial hate and violence. “Other is not our identity. Data inclusion is a public health issue. Data inclusion is a community impact issue. Data inclusion is a social equity issue–we have the power to make sure we are all seen and represented,” says Jacqueline Thanh, Executive Director of VAYLA New Orleans. Disaggregated data is essential to identifying the complex needs of all communities, as well as providing much needed visibility to the underserved and often overlooked. Help spread the word by signing and sharing the petition at change.org/OtherIsNotMyIdentity. You can also volunteer with VAYLA to be a volunteer translator that supports their movement to amplify the voices of AAPI communities – Sign up easily at https://linktr.ee/vaylano! Asian American United – Asian Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing demographic in PA and yet historically under-engaged by candidates, political institutions, and our state and local governments! That’s why we’re building the first ever state-level issue and policy platform that reflects the shared values and needs of the AAPI community, from the bottom up! But we need to hear from you. Fill out the #AAPIPASurvey to let us know what matters to you: https://surveyhero.com/c/AAUsurvey View this post on Instagram A post shared by NC Asian Americans Together (@ncaatogether) View this post on Instagram A post shared by VietLead (@vietlead)
Address Anti-Blackness through Racial Justice Discourse As we continue to work towards social and racial justice, incidents of anti-racism and xenophobia in AAPI communities has also brought forth calls for racial solidarity to dismantle anti-Blackness in our communities and understand the role of white supremacy in our struggles toward shared liberation. Here are some ways to take action, continue your education to address anti-blackness, and help fight against attacks on social justice discourse: VAYLA’s AAPI Rising: Uplifting AAPI Means Dismantling Anti-Blackness Event – Over the past year, the uptick of anti-Asian incidents has reminded us that racism and violence against AAPIs is not new. Through much grief and pain, our AAPI community is strengthened through solidarity. As AAPI communities move forward and overcome increased anger, fear, and violence, it is critical for us to recognize and dismantle anti-Blackness in our communities and understand the role of white supremacy in our struggles toward shared liberation. Watch the recorded session and listen to the community and conversation around addressing anti-Blackness with our own family, community, elders, and navigating internalized white supremacy. Join the crucial fight to defend the truth with the African American Policy Forum’s #TruthBeTold Campaign – “After unprecedented global protests for racial justice that followed the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, right-wing groups across America instigated and intensified well-funded, orchestrated disinformation campaigns against critical race theory, intersectionality, and other forms of racial and gender justice discourse.” Visit their website to learn more about how to respond to these organized attacks and find the latest updates from the disinformation and legislative campaign against critical race theory, social justice discourse, and race and gender education. This website also offers articles, research, and critical analyses that help explain the who, what, where, and why of the coordinated attacks on critical race theory, racial justice, and anti-racist education (including useful explainers of critical race theory, research into the structure of the disinformation campaign, political analysis, and more). As an organization of Muslim women committed to building sisterhood and advancing social equity, Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment has continued to open space for our community to learn and grow as anti-racist activists, advocates, and allies. Please visit their anti-Blackness resource page to learn about places to begin or continue your anti-racism journey. These resources include To commemorate Juneteenth and celebrate to forge stronger alliances across Asian American and Black movements and communities, North Carolina Asian Americans Together encouraged us to take part in actions, gatherings, and rallies across the nation, both in our communities and online. Support organizations in North Carolina like Black Voters Matter, NC Black Alliance, NC BLOC (Black Leadership and Organizing Collective), BYP 100 Durham, SpiritHouse, and Wake County Black Student Coalition that are fighting for Black lives and all of our collective liberations. View this post on Instagram A post shared by VAYLA New Orleans (@vaylano)
Organizing to Protect Immigrants, Refugees, and TPS Holders Our network partners have been advocating for immigrant and refugee rights and protections as they call for pathways for citizenship, organize against ICE, defend asylum, advocate to end deportations and incarceration in our communities, and work to free our community members from immigration jails, prisons, and detention facilities. Here are some of the most recent campaigns that you can take part in to protect our communities from these incidents of anti-Asian violence. Adhikaar has previously called upon Congress to act now to protect Nepali TPS holders and affirm immigrants by creating a concrete pathway to citizenship and permanent residency through legislation. Adhikaar is launching a TPS redesignation campaign and needs your help! Nepal remains unsafe for return due to the continuing effects of the 2015 earthquake, ongoing and recent political instability, and the current impacts of COVID-19. This is why we are launching our campaign to urge the Department of Homeland Security to redesignate Nepal for TPS, which could allow for 35k+ additional Nepalis to become eligible for TPS. Watch this video to understand why redesignation is so important and what you can do. Take action today by signing the petition to call Secretary Mayorkas to redesignate Nepal for TPS! Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW) – “In order to #StopAsianHate, we have to hold to account the way the government enacts anti-Asian violence through deportation. Anti-Asian violence isn’t just between individuals, it’s ingrained in how our country is governed. #seafreedom #stopseadeportation.” Join the Coalition of Asian American Leaders and their partners with the Southeast Asian Deportation Defense Network (SEADDN) in calling for urgent action to end the deportation of Southeast Asian families by signing this petition demanding that visa sanctions against Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos be removed. Sign this petition to demand that President Biden and DHS Secretary Mayorkas lift all visa sanctions. Freedom Inc – Deportation impacts the whole family and community. Freedom, Inc has been fighting against the deportation of Southeast Asians for the last 20 years and has been centering the voices of women, children, and those who identify as LGBTQI+. Southeast Asian Freedom Network – SEAFN has worked to lift up the stories of community members who were targeted unjustly by the immigration legal system. Detention and deportation is anti-Asian violence. The Southeast Asian immigrants facing deportation have families, communities, lives ahead of them. They do not deserve to have their lives upended by an unjust immigration system. Join these organizations and pledge to support the end of Southeast Asian Deportation: http://bit.ly/seafreedom. You can also share their toolkit: https://bit.ly/seafreedomtoolkit. We cannot stop until deportations are ended entirely for Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SEARAC (@searac) Unless ICE and DHS flip the script on enforcement & prioritize people for protection not deportation, our immigration system will continue to traumatize our communities. @DHSgov, #ProtectDontDeport! Read the letter signed by nearly 160 orgs ➡️ https://t.co/FjMOjypLbu pic.twitter.com/N1GJzoBqgT — NCAPA | National Council of Asian Pacific American (@NCAPAtweets) June 29, 2021 View this post on Instagram A post shared by SEA Freedom Network (@seafnofficial) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Advancing Justice-Chicago (@advancingjusticechicago)
Biden Signs COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Thursday, May 20, 2021 Statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Attorney General Merrick B. Garland made the following statement after President Biden’s signing of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law: “Today’s bill signing is an important step toward protecting everyone in our country from acts of hate and intolerance. “We have seen a substantial rise in hate crimes and bias-related incidents against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community since the beginning of the pandemic. “This new law will help speed our response to hate crimes and provide resources to law enforcement to improve hate crime reporting. The law will assist law enforcement in targeting its efforts, which will help to prevent these devastating crimes and to respond efficiently and effectively to crimes, when they occur. “The Department of Justice is proud to play a central role in implementing this legislation. Investigating and prosecuting hate crimes is a top priority, deeply rooted in the department’s founding. We will use the new law to enhance the aggressive measures we are taking to combat crime motivated by bigotry and discrimination.” Office of the Attorney General Press Release Number: 21-468 Updated May 20, 2021
Thursday, May 20, 2021 Statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Attorney General Merrick B. Garland made the following statement after President Biden’s signing of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law: “Today’s bill signing is an important step toward protecting everyone in our country from acts of hate and intolerance. “We have seen a substantial rise in hate crimes and bias-related incidents against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community since the beginning of the pandemic. “This new law will help speed our response to hate crimes and provide resources to law enforcement to improve hate crime reporting. The law will assist law enforcement in targeting its efforts, which will help to prevent these devastating crimes and to respond efficiently and effectively to crimes, when they occur. “The Department of Justice is proud to play a central role in implementing this legislation. Investigating and prosecuting hate crimes is a top priority, deeply rooted in the department’s founding. We will use the new law to enhance the aggressive measures we are taking to combat crime motivated by bigotry and discrimination.” Office of the Attorney General Press Release Number: 21-468 Updated May 20, 2021
VietLead: Free SAROUN ATTENTION! If you haven’t done so already, PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO #FREESAROUN. SHARE IT AS… Posted by VietLead on Friday, April 23, 2021 [TODAY!!] Friday, April 23, 2021: Phone Zap Contact ICE office @ TX Share action toolkit with your networks Sign the petition: https://bit.ly/freesarounpetition Community, we need your support and solidarity as we understand that Saroun’s case reflects larger systemic issues relating to the continued violence our people face through detention and deportation. This form of anti-Asian VIOLENCE is nothing new, but we MUST continue fighting to demand the release of all of our community members! Take action to #FreeSaroun and keep him with his family!!! To #BringThemHome and #ForWhenWeAreAllFree!!
Bystander Intervention 101 You have the power to stop identity-based bigotry and harassment. Learn more at a FREE virtual bystander intervention training. This FREE 1.5-hour, interactive training in partnership with Houston Coalition Against Hate teaches Hollaback!’s 5D’s of bystander intervention methodology. Click this link to register!