Tag Archives: Facilitation Forum

Calling for AAPI Representation in Biden-Harris Administration

With record breaking-numbers of AAPI voter turnout in the 2020 election, it is evident that AAPI communities are an increasingly powerful electorate and our unique needs must be heard and addressed in the upcoming administration. With calls for inclusion of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in all levels of government and advocating for community policy priorities, the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans has released statements raising questions over why there have been no Asian American, Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander nominees for Cabinet Secretary positions and calling for inclusion of the AAPI community in the Biden-Harris policy agenda. 

NCAPA: “AAPI communities this year have faced a two-fold pandemic of COVID-19 and racism—both scapegoated for the spread of the virus and disproportionately vulnerable to its economic and health impacts. This dual pandemic has exposed and exacerbated inequities that have impacted our communities for decades and that will likely continue to impact us even after the public health crisis ends. This moment requires bold leadership and decisive action. The Biden-Harris Administration has promised to be—and has the mandate to be—the leaders for this moment, and the Administration has committed to making racial equity a day one priority.”

In a letter addressed to the Biden-Harris Administration, NCAPA and their coalition members detailed top policy priorities for the AAPI community and urge the incoming administration to adopt the suggested policy priorities in order to support and uplift Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. 

Read NCAPA’s Full Statement Here

 

 

Action Alert: Drop the Charges Against SEAA Organizers

VietLead’s Executive Director, Nancy Nguyen, and a group of Freedom Fighters were targeted for speaking out publicly against ICE Director Tony Pham for using his Viet refugee status to spearhead their terror campaign against Black and Brown immigrant and refugee communities. As the government frequently criminalizes Freedom Fighters like Nancy Nguyen who speak out against human rights abuses and imprisons them with bogus charges, take action today and stand with movement leaders and groups who are fighting for justice by signing the Nat’l Statement Demanding Commonwealth Atty. Shannon Taylor to Drop the Charges. We call on all who are against injustice to sign on to this Drop the Charges Demand letter. To join the movement to demand to drop ALL charges, use the action tool kit.

Read Nancy Nguyen’s Op-Ed in The Philadelphia Inquirer

 

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Building Power & Safety Through Solidarity Campaign

As our communities of working-class immigrant and undocumented workers and families grapple with the impacts of the escalating COVID-19 pandemic, which will continue to grow into a social, health, and economic crisis, Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM) has launched the “Building Power & Safety Through Solidarity” Campaign. Offering what they have learned in hopes that other communities will find it useful as they organize, this campaign provides a practical, accessible, and participatory program for building community power while also meeting the material needs of frontline communities that have been under-resourced and targeted by policies of neglect and destruction. Contribute to the “Building Power & Safety Through Solidarity” Campaign by donating to the Campaign & Leadership Development and Emergency Direct Aid Funds

Learn and Grow as Anti-Racist Activists, Advocates, and Allies

In the wake of the murders of George Floyd and so many others, we have been reminded of the anti-Blackness that exists in our community. As an organization of Muslim women committed to building sisterhood and advancing social equity, Reviving Sisterhood is opening space for our community to learn and grow as anti-racist activists, advocates, and allies. Please visit our anti-Blackness resource page to learn about places to begin or continue your anti-racism journey.

 

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Pledge for Racial Equity and Learn as Anti-Racist Activists, Advocates, and Allies

Read and sign the pledge today to take action and join the movement for racial equity for all! Now more than ever, Asian Americans Advancing Justice invites you to commit to racial equity, fight against white supremacy, and support Black people’s struggle for justice and liberation. To fight for a more abundant future for our children and to move in solidarity with Black people, we must challenge and disrupt the status quo and pledge to be anti-racist. 

In the wake of the murders of George Floyd and so many others, we have been reminded of the anti-Blackness that exists in our community. As an organization of Muslim women committed to building sisterhood and advancing social equity, Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment is opening 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.

As communities continue to speak up about law enforcement misconduct and demand change and greater accountability, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 addresses policing practices and law enforcement accountability, changing the culture of law enforcement and re-imagining public safety. This bill includes measures to increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct in court and improve transparency through data collection. With a framework to prohibit racial profiling and discriminatory policing practices, the bill also establishes new requirements for law enforcement officers and agencies such as wearing body cameras and training on implicit bias and racial profiling. Read more about the sweeping police reform bill that was passed in the House on June 25 here. As of August 27, 2020, the bill has been looking for movement in the Senate.

Justice for George Floyd

APACE demands Justice for George Floyd and Urges all Asian Americans to stand with the African American community – We want to be intentional in centering Black voices and Black organizers during this movement. Please find resources below that are centering their work. Please also find resources to talk to your families and friends from an AAPI perspective.

 

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We sent this letter to around 500 of our community members on Tuesday and decided to share it on social media as well. Words will never be enough and statements like these are insufficient and performative without action. We’ve included some action items that you can find in the link in our bio. Our letter: The recent murder of George Floyd by Minnesota law enforcement was an unconscionable act that demands the ongoing need for police accountability and the end of police brutality. One of the officers is Asian American and this cannot be overlooked–Asian Americans continue to be actively complicit in the anti-Black racism that results in the death of Black and Brown lives. When the Asian American community was targeted with anti-Asian racism during COVID-19, we were quickly reminded of our status as a perpetual foreigner. We cannot forget our history in the fight for civil rights and we must stand with our Black brothers, sisters, and siblings who fight for collective liberation. Asian American silence against white supremacy and anti-Blackness is violence. We must speak out against the Model Minority Myth, which has and is still used as a harmful wedge against other BIPOC communities. Without addressing the internalization of anti-Blackness and colorism within Asian American culture, there cannot be the collective liberation from the injustices of police brutality that we strive to achieve. We urge any person involved in physical protesting to take precautions in practicing social distancing and wear masks. Nonetheless, we stand with those demanding justice for George Floyd and with Black Lives Matter. We want to be intentional in centering Black voices and Black organizers during this movement. Please find resources below that are centering their work. Please also find resources to talk to your families and friends from an AAPI perspective.

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