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#303 Gene Wu on Being American; CALDA/Franklin Tao; Judy Chu; Bracing for Threats in SF; +

In This Issue #303

·       Gene Wu: Being American and Shaping America

·       CALDA and Professor Franklin Tao's Lawsuit

·       Rep. Judy Chu's Remarks at 01/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting

·       Bracing for Threats in San Francisco

·       News and Activities for the Communities

 

From Governor Gavin Newsom's Office - Get Help Today on LA Fires

 

Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires – a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government.  Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance:

·       Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

·       Calling 800-621-3362

·       By using the FEMA smart phone application

·       Assistance is available in over 40 languages

·       If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

Please share with your families, friends, and colleagues in the Los Angeles area.

 

Gene Wu: Being American and Shaping America 


Gene Wu 吳元之 came from China to the U.S. when he was four.  Today he is the Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus.  His district covers part of Houston, a blue city in a red state.On December 31, 2024, Gene Wu was interviewed in a podcast by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, filmmaker, and immigration rights activist. Gene Wu addressed a range of issues on being American, how immigrants continue to shape America, and systemic issues faced by the Chinese American and all immigrant communities today.  

 

Highlights of his talk: 

1. Immigration Policy

·       Gene Wu frames immigration as a cornerstone of America’s success, advocating for education-based green cards and policies to attract global talent.

·       Criticizes restrictive immigration laws for contributing to labor shortages and economic challenges.

 

2. Systemic Challenges for Immigrants

·       Highlights issues like racial prejudice, hate crimes, and lack of trust in law enforcement among immigrant communities.

·       Warns against policies that undermine community safety by damaging relationships between immigrants and law enforcement.

 

3. Media Narratives on Immigration

·       Criticizes the media for oversimplifying immigration issues and failing to accurately portray the struggles and contributions of immigrant communities.

 

4. Political Leadership and Advocacy

·       Calls out policymakers for lacking nuanced understanding of immigrant issues.

·       Advocates for proactive community engagement to push for political change and counter discriminatory policies.

 

5. Coalition Building

·       As Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, plans to unite diverse racial and cultural groups to fight discrimination and build alliances for shared goals.

 

6. Personal Leadership and Vision

·       Draws on his immigrant background to champion equitable policies.

·       Emphasizes the importance of collective action and public advocacy to influence political and societal outcomes.

 

Watch the podcast and get to know Gene Wu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de-RCgAMm8Y (37:31).

According to AsAmNews and the Houston Chronicle, Gene Wu has sparked widespread discussion with his viral comments emphasizing the interconnected struggles of Asian and Black communities in the fight for civil rights from the podcast.  Gene Wu argued that the privileges many Asian Americans enjoy today would not exist without the sacrifices made by Black Americans during the civil rights movement.  He said, “The day the Latino, African American, Asian, and other communities realize that they share the same oppressor is the day we start winning because we are the majority now.” Wu highlighted how stereotypes, such as the “model minority” myth imposed on Asian Americans, have been used to pit minority groups against each other.His comments have resonated widely, going viral on social media platforms focused on Black and Asian audiences. They have also reignited discussions about the shared struggles of minority groups in the United States and the importance of unity in addressing systemic racism.Godfrey C. Danchimah Jr., or simply Godfrey, is a Nigerian American comedian, impressionist and actor.  He posted an Instagram response, in which he said, "I’m so happy that they’re having this conversation because black people and Asians are actually very similar. Here’s a fun fact, Bruce Lee 李小龙, when he was in San Francisco, his first student was an African American." 

 

 

CALDA and Professor Franklin Tao's Lawsuit

 

 

 

AsAmNewsInside Higher EdNBC NewsSouth China Morning PostThe Topeka Capital-Journal, and multiple other media have reported on the lawsuit filed by Professor Feng "Franklin" Tao (陶丰) against the University of Kansas (KU).  APA Justice is tracking the case of Tao v. University of Kansas (2:25-cv-02005) with CourtListener.As the first academic indicted under the China Initiative in August 2019, Professor Tao endured a grueling five-year legal battle before being fully acquitted of all charges in July 2024. Despite his exoneration, KU has refused to reinstate Professor Tao to his tenured position.On January 8, 2025, the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) 华美维权同盟 posted a Chinese-language report titled "陶丰教授起诉堪萨斯大学歧视不公,CALDA全力以赴支持打响维权之战" ("Professor Franklin Tao is suing the University of Kansas for discrimination and unfair treatment. CALDA is fully committed to supporting the fight for his rights").According to the report, CALDA has been actively working within the legal community to find attorneys who can seek justice for Professor Tao. After extensive discussions and careful negotiations with numerous experienced lawyers, they successfully helped Professor Tao secure legal representation from Karen R. King, a partner at Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello PC, a prestigious New York law firm with a 50-year history of excellence, along with her team.  Karen R. King and her colleagues have agreed to represent Professor Tao pro bono, offering their services without compensation.

Since the case will be heard in federal court in Kansas, a local Kansas attorney is required to participate. To further reduce Professor Tao’s litigation burden, CALDA will also cover part of the fees and case-related expenses for the local attorney in Kansas, fully supporting Professor Tao in his pursuit of justice.Attorney Karen R. King has extensive experience in complex litigation, U.S. economic sanctions compliance, regulatory enforcement, internal investigations, securities litigation, and strategic legal consulting. She has represented global financial institutions, international corporations, and individuals in numerous cases before federal and state courts, as well as in investigations by U.S. regulatory and enforcement agencies.Karen is also dedicated to public service, assisting the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) in addressing anti-Asian hate and violence issues and achieving notable successes in related Supreme Court advocacy. She was named an "Outstanding Leader" by the New York Law Journal in September 2022 and recognized as one of the "Outstanding Women in Law" by New York Business in June 2023.Read the CALDA report: https://bit.ly/3C26avy

 

 

Rep. Judy Chu's Remarks at 01/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting

 

 

On January 6, 2025, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) delivered a heartfelt New Year welcome, addressing the challenges faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and highlighting the progress achieved through collective advocacy. As she has done in recent years during APA Justice’s January Monthly Meetings, Congresswoman Chu reaffirmed her commitment to advancing civil rights and combating discrimination.Congresswoman Chu recounted the inception of the APA Justice Task Force in 2015, emphasizing its formation to address racial profiling against Asian Americans, particularly scientists such as Sherry Chen 陈霞芬 and Dr. Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星. She stated, “I put out a call to mobilize and organize, and I’m so proud that you took action and created the APA Justice Task Force.”She expressed pride in the community’s advocacy, noting how their voices have become more influential in addressing issues such as racial profiling and defending civil rights. She condemned the China Initiative, a program initiated under President Donald Trump that disproportionately targeted Chinese American scientists. Despite its termination, she acknowledged the lasting damage it inflicted: “We saw time and time again how baseless accusations... resulted in protracted legal battles that upended lives and careers.” She credited collective efforts for ending the initiative but cautioned, “Our job is far from done.”

 

Congresswoman Chu also condemned recent discriminatory land ownership laws at both state and local levels that specifically target Chinese and immigrant communities. She drew parallels between these laws and past racist legislation, sharing, “We’ve heard stories like... Mr. Zhiming Xu... who was forced to cancel his contract to simply purchase a new home, losing both his property and a $30,000 deposit.” She highlighted legislative efforts to address this injustice, adding, “And it’s why Congressman Al Green and I introduced the Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act to block state laws that would discriminate against individuals based on their citizenship.”Celebrating increased AAPI representation in Congress, she noted a record 25 AAPI members in the 119th Congress and 80 members of CAPAC, the largest in history. She reiterated her commitment to opposing discriminatory agendas and supporting the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.Congresswoman Chu emphasized the critical role of organizations like APA Justice in mobilizing communities, advocating for civil rights, and resisting discriminatory policies. She urged continued vigilance and activism to defend against harmful policies targeting AAPI and immigrant communities while fostering collaboration to protect civil liberties. She concluded with a pledge of ongoing support, stating, “I look forward to continuing our work together this year and beyond.”Watch Congresswoman Chu's remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MNT61PApwQ (8:17).  A summary of the January 6 APA Justice monthly meeting is being reviewed before its release.

 

 

Bracing for Threats in San Francisco

 

 

According to the San Francisco Examiner on January 7, 2025, Chinese American immigrant-rights groups and political leaders in San Francisco are bracing for potential anti-immigrant policies under President-elect Donald Trump's second term, set to begin on January 20, 2025. Trump's campaign promises of mass deportations, including targeting Chinese nationals, have sparked widespread fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities. San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, himself the son of immigrants, voiced concerns about the harmful consequences of anti-Asian rhetoric, citing the spike in anti-Asian hate crimes during Trump’s first term. He emphasized the city’s responsibility to protect its diverse immigrant population, including the estimated 40,000 undocumented Chinese residents and their families.Local advocacy groups, such as Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), are working to address the fears gripping the community. Since Election Day, CAA has seen an increase in inquiries from Chinese immigrants, particularly about naturalization and legal protections. Jose Ng, CAA’s immigrants-rights program manager, emphasized the importance of spreading accurate information to counter rumors and prevent panic. The organization has launched initiatives to educate the community on their legal rights, including protections under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, and has conducted outreach through Chinese-language media to provide reassurance.

 

San Francisco’s sanctuary city status remains a cornerstone of its immigrant protections, ensuring that local law enforcement cannot assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a warrant or court order. Jorge Rivas, executive director of the San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs, highlighted the city’s collaboration with nonprofits to prepare for potential federal policies. These efforts include analyzing Trump's proposed measures and ensuring a coordinated response. Officials have also encouraged immigrants to complete citizenship applications and other documentation while President Joe Biden remains in office.Despite the uncertainty, organizations like CAA are expanding their resources, including multilingual legal staff, to better serve immigrant communities. Ng stressed the importance of empowering residents through rights training and legal assistance to withstand potential challenges. “Don’t panic, because that’s what the administration wants,” he urged, while reaffirming San Francisco’s commitment to protecting its immigrant population. Advocacy groups and city officials remain united in their mission to support vulnerable communities and uphold the city’s long-standing values of inclusivity and justice.Read the San Francisco Examiner report: https://bit.ly/4jdpqHa

 

 

News and Activities for the Communities

 

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

 

 

Upcoming Events:2025/01/15 Master Class: Maintaining the Effectiveness of Organizational Equity Initiatives in the Current Environment2024/01/16 Master Classes: Asian American Career Lessons2025/01/19 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/05 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.

 

 

2. White House Initiative Releases Final Report

 

 

On January 7, 2025, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) released Rising Together, its final report to President Joe Biden.The report highlights the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for the communities, featuring updates from 29 federal agencies and 86 recommendations from the President’s Advisory Commission on AA and NHPIs. Key focus areas include combating anti-Asian hate, promoting belonging, advancing data disaggregation, improving language access, addressing COVID-19 recovery, expanding outreach and engagement, and diversifying the federal workforce.Read the final report: https://bit.ly/4fLQw5m

 

 

3. Celebration of the Life of George Koo


 

George Ping Shan Koo 顧屏山, a distinguished advocate for U.S.-China relations and a prominent figure in the Chinese American community, passed away on September 24, 2024, at the age of 86. His death resulted from a head injury sustained during a fall on the pickleball court.  Born in Hong Kong in 1938, George immigrated to the United States as a child. He earned degrees in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an MBA from Santa Clara University. Throughout his career, George was instrumental in fostering American-Chinese business partnerships and was a respected voice in the Chinese American community. He was a long-time member of the Committee of 100.  A celebration of George's life will be held in Mountain View, CA, on February 2, 2025.  

# # #

APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community.  For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org.  We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org.

January 13, 2025

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