NCAPA Weekly Roundup | Feb. 22-26, 2016 - National Council of Asian Pacific Americans

News and Updates

Supreme Court vacancy updates: NCAPA and our AAPI community want to see history made with a nomination of the first AAPI Supreme Court Justice, and we also will support consideration of whomever the President nominates. Read a compilation of editorials, statements and more on the NCAPA website at bit.ly/AAPIJustice. The following letters were also sent this week:

24 AAPI organizations signed a letter led by AAJC to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging the Senate to hold hearings and vote on a Supreme Court nominee and to do their jobs.
NCAPA and 11 of its member organizations joined the Leadership Conference’s letter to Republican Senate Judiciary members to urge them to uphold the Constitution.

NCAPA applauds nomination of Judge Lucy Koh: President Obama nominated Judge Lucy Haeran Koh to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. NCAPA, as well as NAPABA, welcomed the nomination as another example of the President's commitment to diversity in the federal judiciary.

NCAPA groups welcome Senator Hirono’s resolution for Day of Remembrance: NCAPA and several member organizations applauded Senator Hirono for introducing a resolution marking the anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and affirming the stand against xenophobic rhetoric and policy today. NAPABA, APAICS and SAALT were among the attendees for the Senator’s remarks in the Senate gallery, and AAJC and NAPABA also issued statements of support.

Peter Liang convicted of second-degree manslaughter: Following news that Officer Peter Liang was convicted of manslaughter in the shooting of Akai Gurley, APALA, OCA and JACL responded with a call to hold police accountable and for AAPIs not to be used as a racial wedge. APALA continues to demand justice for Gurley and noted that members of our community are not immune from police brutality. OCA and JACL also call for an improved justice system.

SALDEF celebrates 20 years: SALDEF marks its 20th anniversary this year! Read on the progress they’ve made in their national roundup.

NCAPA in the News

Will the next SCOTUS justice be Asian?: Watch National Director Christopher Kang on MSNBC Changing America explain why we are ready for an Asian American Supreme Court Justice.

The ‘Schumer standard’ would be an improvement: Christopher Kang writes in The Hill about why Senate Republicans should do their job and hold a vote on a Supreme Court nominee instead of completely blocking anyone the President chooses.

United Asian American Groups Hold Rallies, Urges Fair Ruling for Ex-NY Cop Peter Liang: Asian Fortune reported on the varied responses following Officer Liang’s conviction. The article quotes APALA’s Gregory Cendana and OCA’s Leslie Moe-Kaiser.

Hirono Introduces Resolution Marking Internment Camp Anniversary: Big Island Now covered Senator Hirono’s introduction of a resolution to mark the anniversary of Executive Order 9066. NCAPA is quoted, and staff from NCAPA and several of our member organizations are pictured in the article.

Q&A with NAPAWF Fellow Nimra Chowdhry: As part of Take Root’s speaker series, Nimra Chowdhry, the reproductive justice fellow at NAPAWF, was spotlighted in a Q&A and asked about her activism for reproductive justice. The Take Root conference is being held in Oklahoma this weekend.

Take Action!

Newest

Share your family reunification story: NCAPA’s immigration committee is collecting stories to help immigrant families by advocating for the Reuniting Families Act. Please share widely the story collection form: http://bit.ly/RFAstories

Stop Profiling Immigrants: NQAPIA’s action alert encourages you to sign a petition to tell DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson to #StopProfilingImmigrants. Learn more here.

Ongoing

#AAPI4SentencingReform: Join us, SEARAC and APALA in urging the Senate to support the Sentencing Reform and and Corrections Act at http://bit.ly/AAPI4SentencingReformand follow the conversation on Twitter with #SentencingReform and #AAPI4SentencingReform.

OCA questionnaire on undocumented student access to higher education: OCA is gathering stories from undocumented students regarding obstacles they faced in accessing higher education. The stories will be used for Hill visits to push priorities in the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act as well as in a social media campaign. Please share the questionnaire: https://ocanational.site-ym.com/?Undoc_Student_Access

NAKASEC - Stand with Adam: Sign the petition to #FreeAdam Crasper, a Korean adoptee placed in deportation proceedings.

In Case You Missed It

Asian Americans Face Unique Odds When Running for Office: Voice of America reports on two candidates running for local offices in California and the discrimination they have faced because of their ethnic backgrounds during campaigning.

What It’s Really Like to Work in Hollywood - If you’re not a straight white man: The New York Times interviewed people of color in the entertainment industry on their experiences, including Ken Jeong, Justin Lin, Mindy Kaling, Priyanka Chopra and more.

Announcements

SEARAC | Get on a list to improve local schools: Parents, students, business owners, STEM professionals and any other interested individuals are invited to sign up for SEARAC’s list to improve local public schools. This will be shared with the US Department of Education and Council Chief State School Officers. (Sign up by Sunday, March 6)

Imagination Foundation launches 2016 inventor’s challenge with AT&T Aspire: The Inventor’s Challenge is an opportunity for pre-K through high school children to create novel, imaginative and possibly viable solutions to all sorts of problems. (Deadline: March 11)

Nominate an honoree for AAJC’s American Courage Awards: The American Courage Awards reception is an annual event hosted by AAJC, honoring individuals, groups and corporations in recognition of their commitment to AAPI civil rights. Honorees will receive their awards at AAJC’s 25th Anniversary Celebration on the evening of Thursday, October 6, 2016, in Washington, D.C. Nominate an honoree here. (Deadline: Tuesday, March 1)

Nominate a Champion of Change for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders: WHIAAPI and the White House will honor Champions of Change for AAPI Art and Storytelling who have raised the visibility of diverse AAPI experiences and created dialogue around issues the community faces. See the nomination blog and form here. (Deadline: Wednesday, March 9)

Call for volunteers for NAKASEC: NAKASEC is seeking volunteers who are interested in engaging with the Korean & Asian American communities in Northern Virginia. Civic engagement volunteers will assist with naturalization clinics, voter registration and education activities, precinct walking, phone banking, and general voter outreach in the community. Immigrant rights volunteers will assist with DACA outreach, education, and application assistance.

3rd Annual Art as a Voice call for submissions: The Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project is looking for poetry, music, visual art, craft or objects from one’s own cultural identity as part of their annual Art as a Voice event to speak out against abuse. If you have questions or submissions, contact Marie Ramos at [email protected] by April 14. The event will take place April 21, and they are also looking for volunteers.

SABA North America Foundation Grant Applications: The SABA North America Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, awards grants of up to $5,000 in the following areas: Domestic Violence, Immigration Rights, Hate Crimes, Discrimination and Racial Profiling, and Community Access to Justice. (Deadline: March 1)

Appointments Project: The White House Presidential Personnel Office is continuing to develop slates for principal, assistant to principal and functional positions. NCAPA and APAICS continue to work with PPO in diversity outreach and are seeking individuals who are interested in an appointment positions for various levels, roles and background experience for agencies. Please help us to identify ideal appointment candidates who are AAPI. Once candidates complete the online application at https://apply.whitehouse.gov/, they should fill out this form, which will go to NCAPA and APAICS: http://goo.gl/forms/8Lnjv3G4oB

NAPABA Pro Bono General Counsel Program: This program provides AAPI organizations pro bono legal advice and counsel that they cannot afford. Get the application for organization and application for attorneys.

NCAPA Events

Saturday, Feb. 26 - Tuesday, March 1: JACL/OCA Leadership Summit
Saturday, Feb. 27 @ 2:00 p.m.: NAKASEC Naturalization Clinic in Fairfax, VA
Tuesday, March 1: APPEAL Open House in Oakland, CA
Wednesday, March 2 @ 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: NAPAWF - Rally to Protect Abortion Access. At U.S. Supreme Court.
Thursday, March 10 - Sunday, March 20: CAAMFest 2016 in San Francisco
Friday, March 11 - Saturday, March 12: CNHA Small Business Fundamentals for Native Entrepreneurs in Kapolei, HI
Wednesday, March 30 - Thursday, March 31: Advancing Justice Convention in Los Angeles

Other Events

Sunday, Feb. 28 @ 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.: Made in the USA - Chinese Food in America. At the Chinese Community Church in D.C.
Wednesday, March 9 @ 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.: Standing with our Muslim Neighbors - a Workshop for Allies in D.C. RSVP: allyworkshop.eventbrite.com
Thursday, March 10 @ 3:00 p.m. ET: Webinar: How to Access and Use Limited English Proficient Poverty Data
Wednesday, March 16 @ 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET: AAPI-focused ESSA Early Learning Listening Session at U.S. Department of Ed. Conference line will be available. RSVP to [email protected] by Friday, March 11.
Thursday, March 17: OMH Fundamentals for National CLAS Standards Webinar