The latest AAPI news from NCAPA and its 34 member organizations.

Aug. 16 - 23, 2017

A LOOK AHEAD

After doubling down on his support of the “fine people” among the neo-Nazis and white supremacists, President Trump headed to Arizona last night where he held a campaign-style rally and continued to equate white supremacist violence with those standing against this hate. During the rally, he repeated his divisive rhetoric and even threatened a government shutdown over building a border wall.

And, while Trump did not pardon Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio last night, he hinted that a presidential pardon could still happen. Arpaio was recently convicted of criminal contempt for disobeying a court order that required him to stop racially profiling and rounding up suspected undocumented immigrants.

UPDATES

ACT for America, the largest anti-Muslim group in the country, cancelled 67 “America First” rallies that were planned for Sept. 9 in 36 states, in response to the outcry against hate rallies. However, they are still organizing online media events. NCAPA joined several organizations led by Muslim Advocates who sent letters urging mayors in each of these cities to condemn hate.

Representative Pramila Jayapal introduced a resolution joined by 31 members of Congress urging President Trump to strongly condemn white nationalists, the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and other hate groups, and to remove from the White House and the Trump administration individuals who support white supremacists. To support Rep. Jayapal in this resolution, one way to do so is joining the Advancement Project’s petition.

NCAPA NEWS

Monica Thammarath becomes national president of APALA and is the first Southeast Asian American and youngest person to serve in the role. (Photo: Gregory Cendana)

APALA Celebrates 25 Years

The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) celebrated their 25th anniversary convention in Anaheim, CA this past week. Monica Thammarath, NCAPA education committee co-chair, became APALA’s national president, and is the youngest person ever to serve in the role. APALA’s anniversary banquet honored Steven Moy from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Arlene Inouye from the American Federation of Teachers, undocumented immigrant youth activist Yves Gomes from the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, and the Service Employees International Union’s Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus.

No Pardon for Arpaio

We joined racial equity anchors in denouncing a Presidential pardon for former sheriff Joe Arpaio. Guilty of criminal contempt, Arpaio has violated civil and human rights frequently in his two decades as sheriff.

MGM Resorts Names OCA in Donation Match Program

MGM Resorts International announced that they would match employee donations to civil rights groups, including NCAPA member OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates. Other organizations benefitting from the match program are Southern Poverty Law Center, NAACP, Anti-Defamation League, Human Rights Campaign, Council on American Islamic Relations and League of United Latin American Citizens.

NCAPA Members Urge Secretary Elaine Chao to Stand with Immigrant Communities

A coalition of AAPI groups, including four NCAPA members, issued a joint statement urging Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to support immigrant communities or resign after she stood by President Trump’s response to Charlottesville. The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), APALA, and the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) were the NCAPA members who signed the statement.

NAKASEC Continues 22-Day, 24-Hour DREAM Action and Vigil

NAKASEC is in its second week of a a 22-day presence in front of the White House to defend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Learn more about how to join and take action and read the highlights from the first week.

TAKE ACTION

Add Your Name: Asian Americans Against White Supremacy

Sign the pledge from Asian Americans Advancing Justice to stand up for democracy and reject white supremacy.

Tell Congress: America Needs Our Immigrants

Sign the Asian Americans Advancing Justice petition to tell your member of Congress to oppose the RAISE Act, which would separate families and cut in half the number of green cards available each year.

Speaking Your Truth to Power During August Recess

It’s important for legislators to hear from their constituents in order to understand the perspectives and priorities of the people that they represent in Congress, and accurately reflect those views in their votes. Take advantage of members of Congress who are home for August recess to let them hear from you on the issues you think are important! Find a town hall near you before the members return Sept. 5.

Download the Immigrant Know Your Rights Smartphone App
NCAPA member the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) designed and translated a smartphone app for immigrants and community members who are in crisis or have been approached by police or ICE. The multilingual app currently supports Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and English.  Click here to download this helpful app!

Track hate incidents and view their databases

South Asian Americans Leading Together | Asian Americans Advancing Justice | OCA National | Southern Poverty Law Center | Muslim Advocates

 ICYMI: AAPIs in the News

Chao comes under fire after Trump’s Charlottesville response (Melanie Zanona, The Hill)

Asian-American Groups Want Elaine Chao To Start Supporting POC Or Resign (Kimberly Yam, The Huffington Post)

Behind the ‘Model Minority’ Myth: Why the ‘Studious Asian’ Stereotype Hurts (Chris Fuchs, NBC Asian America)

 OPPORTUNITIES

NCAPA is hiring a new National Director! (Deadline: Sept. 7)

The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is accepting submissions for CAAMFest May 2018. CAAMFest is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian and Asian American films.

NAPAFASA Program Manager (Deadline: Aug. 25)

AAPCHO Hep B Fellow (Deadline: Aug. 31)

2017 AAPA Leadership Fellows Program (Deadline: Sept. 1)

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Manager of Digital Strategies (Deadline: Sept. 8)

APIAVote Programs Associate

NAKASEC: National Immigrant Rights Campaigns Coordinator,  VA Civic Engagement Coordinator

APIAHF: Digital Communications Specialist, Monitoring & Evaluation Director,
Experience Assistant

APAICS Communications Associate

APIASF: Communications Assistant, Gates Millennium Scholars Director, Gates Millennium Scholars Program Assistant  

NAPAWF: Chicago Organizer, NYC Senior Organizer, Georgia Senior Organizer, Finance and Operations Associate

National CAPACD: Director of Development, Business Operations Coordinator

NAPCA: Project Director – Senior Community Service Employment Program, Accounts Payable Accountant

Become an APIAVote Volunteer

SALDEF SikhLEAD Internship Program (Applications on a rolling basis. If interested, email resume and writing sample to [email protected]. 

More Opportunities (including Hill positions)

Events

Now - Wednesday, Sept. 6: NCAPA member National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and their partners Korean Resource Center, Hana Center and the Franciscan Action Network are holding a 22-day DREAM Action and Vigil in front of the White House.

Tuesday, Aug. 22 - Thursday, Aug. 24: 3rd Annual NHOA Business Summit Conference. Honolulu, HI.

Monday, Aug. 28 @ 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Ministers March For Justice (For All Religious Leaders From All Faiths). MLK Memorial, D.C.

Thursday, Aug. 24 - Tuesday, Aug. 29: Join AAPCHO at the NACHC Community Health Institute and Expo 2017. San Diego, CA.

Monday, Sept. 11 - Wednesday, Sept. 13:  2017 Building CAPACD Convention. D.C.

Friday, Sept. 29 - Saturday, Sept. 30: APIASF Summit: Elevate. D.C.

Monday, Sept. 25 - Saturday, Sept. 30: NCAPA Education Committee AANAPISI Week - Save the date to celebrate 10 years of Asian American, Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions. D.C.

Wednesday, Sept. 27 - Friday, Sept. 29: APIAHF VOICES Convention. D.C.

Saturday, Sept. 30: March for Racial Justice. D.C.

Thursday, Oct. 12 - Saturday, Oct. 14: SEARAC -  Moving Mountains: A Southeast Asian Equality Summit  (Registration open until Sept. 29)

Thursday, Nov. 2 - Sunday, Nov. 5: NAPABA Convention. D.C. (Early bird deadline: Aug. 25)