#294 11/18 Meeting; Science Editorials and Report; Deportation? Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall; +

In This Issue #294

·       2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting

·       Science Editorials and Report on Politicization, Taking Stock, and Election Outcome

·       NBC News: Deportation of Undocumented Chinese First?

·       Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall

·       News and Activities for the Communities

2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting

The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, November 18, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET.  The meeting was moved to avoid conflicts with Election Day.  In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Joanna YangQing Derman, Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Dr. Kai Li, Vice President, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers are:

·       Rosie Levine, Executive Director, US-China Education Trust

·       Michael Wong, Board Member and Former National Vice President, Veterans for Peace

·       Peter Michelson, Luke Blossom Professor in the School of Humanities & Sciences and Professor of Physics, Stanford University

Senator-Elect Andy Kim is invited to give remarks.The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APAJustice - Steven Pei 白先慎, Vincent Wang 王文奎, and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org.

Science Editorials and Report on Politicization, Taking Stock, and Election Outcome

In an editorial titled "Science is neither red nor blue" published in Science, Marcia McNutt, President of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), addresses the increasing politicization of science in the United States and calls for renewed efforts to rebuild public trust. She highlights the apolitical nature of science and its role as a vital tool for predicting outcomes and informing policy, while urging scientists to better explain its norms, acknowledge its limitations, and avoid implying that science dictates policy.The NAS emphasizes the need for objective, evidence-based guidance informed by diverse perspectives and highlights the importance of combating misinformation. While science can project the consequences of policy decisions, it is ultimately up to elected officials and society to weigh values and priorities. The NAS reaffirms its commitment to objectivity, independence, and excellence, offering its expertise to help the new administration address pressing societal challenges."The public and policymakers can discuss and debate how to respond to the myriad challenges that confront society, but these deliberations need to be informed by the objective, dispassionate evidence that only science can provide," the editorial states.Read the Science editorial: https://bit.ly/4ftFNwZ

In an editorial titled "Time to take stock" published in Science, Editor-in-Chief H. Holden Thorp examines the challenges facing the scientific community following Donald Trump’s reelection. Thorp highlights the alienation of Americans who distrust institutions, including science and higher education, as a key issue. Trump’s success, driven in part by divisive rhetoric, reflects a deeper disaffection that science leaders must address by fostering inclusivity and rebuilding trust in science.Thorp critiques the scientific community’s previous efforts to counter political attacks, noting that confrontational responses on social media and cable news during Trump’s first term failed to build public confidence. The pandemic, in particular, highlighted the limitations of these approaches, as platforms amplifying division undermined trust in science. Further damage comes from institutions mishandling misconduct, resisting transparency, and prioritizing reputations over accountability.To rebuild trust, the editorial urges scientists to reject the opacity of traditional institutions. Instead, they should embrace openness to new data, accessibility, and a clear prioritization of public interest over institutional self-protection. With political attacks on science expected to escalate over the next four years, Thorp calls on the scientific community to adopt strategies that not only defend against these assaults but also strengthen public confidence in science."The reelection of Donald Trump for a second, nonconsecutive term as US president ... underscores a reality: Although his success stems partly from a willingness to tap into xenophobia, sexism, racism, transphobia, nationalism, and disregard for truth, his message resonates with a large portion of the American populace who feel alienated from America’s governmental, social, and economic institutions. These include science and higher education," the editorial states. "The attacks are going to keep coming and probably accelerate for the next 4 years. As painful as that will be, it’s up to the scientific community to respond in a way that makes those blows less successful."Read the Science editorial: https://bit.ly/4i3EFlE

A report by Science warns that Donald Trump’s reelection and Republican control of Congress pose significant challenges for U.S. science. Advocates fear reduced funding for basic research and restrictive immigration policies could stifle innovation. Former National Science Foundation Director Neal Lane cautioned, “There’s no good news for science in this election,” as Republicans may prioritize deficit reduction over long-term research investments. These policies could also undermine climate science and public health, with Trump likely to ignore scientific consensus on issues like global warming.Leadership changes in Congress add to these concerns. Senator Ted Cruz, expected to chair the Senate commerce and science committee, has criticized diversity initiatives and climate action, raising alarms about his potential impact on science policy. In the House, Republicans may weaken the CHIPS and Science Act, jeopardizing planned funding increases for the National Science Foundation. “It could be a very dark time for universities,” said one higher education lobbyist, reflecting widespread anxiety over the political climate.Climate and U.S.-China relations are emerging as key flashpoints. Trump’s potential withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and efforts to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act could hinder federal climate initiatives, though bipartisan support for clean energy projects offers some hope. Meanwhile, a revival of restrictive policies like the China Initiative risks damaging international scientific collaborations. “Our prosperity as a nation is built upon the federal investment in research,” emphasized MIT geophysicist Maria Zuber, highlighting the stakes for U.S. leadership in science.

With Congress deadlocked over the 2025 budget, agency funding remains frozen, threatening deep cuts to civilian research programs. If unresolved by January, Trump’s administration could rewrite the spending plan, potentially deprioritizing science. Advocates stress the need for robust research investments to maintain U.S. competitiveness, warning that the next four years could mark a critical decline in national scientific leadership.Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/4fu2txn

NBC News: Deportation of Undocumented Chinese First?

According to NBC News on November 15, 2024, Asian American organizations are preparing for the potential impact of Donald Trump’s campaign promise of mass deportations, particularly targeting undocumented Chinese nationals deemed to be of "military age." Sources suggest these actions, reportedly tied to national security concerns and anti-China sentiment, have prompted community groups to intensify efforts to educate immigrants on their rights, provide legal resources, and develop in-language materials.Anti-China sentiment has grown under successive administrations, increasingly framing Chinese nationals as security threats. Advocates argue these policies reflect racial profiling trends that harm Asian American communities. Bethany Li, executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, highlighted this targeting as a continuation of historical patterns, referencing anti-Chinese alien land laws and the Trump-era China Initiative. “We know that both the state and federal government have deemed China as a national security threat,” Li said. “We saw this in World War II with Japanese Americans and post-9/11 with Muslim and South Asian men.”Jo-Ann Yoo, executive director of the Asian American Federation that works with 70 member agencies, shared that her organization has been proactively scenario-planning for months to counteract Trump’s immigration promises. “We’re working to get ahead of these challenges,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and preparation.

Jo-Ann Yoo, executive director of the nonprofit Asian American Federation, a New York-based umbrella organization that works with 70 member agencies, said that for the past few months, her group has convened meetings and engaged in scenario planning in an effort to get ahead of Trump’s immigration promises.  Yoo said that it is important for vulnerable communities to stand in solidarity.  “There is no time for rest. We are seeing real danger,” she said. “We’re going to push and we’re going to have to be brave.”Read the NBC News report: https://bit.ly/3VjqAH5

Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall

WHAT: Stop AAPI Virtual Town HallWHEN: November 18, 2024, 8:00 pm ETWHERE: Online EventHOST: Stop AAPI HateDESCRIPTION: The re-election of Donald Trump presents a monumental threat to our rights, our freedoms, and our safety. But we can and we will fight back together against his administration’s racist and hate-fueled agenda.  Join this virtual town hall with Stop AAPI Hate and other movement leaders to learn more about the dangers our communities face under the next administration and how we can mobilize in opposition to Trumpism — far-right extremism, authoritarianism, xenophobia — and in support of a fairer, more equitable vision of America. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3AGnMwt

News and Activities for the Communities

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

Upcoming Events:2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/11/18 Stop AAPI Virtual Town Hall2024/11/24 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/12/08-10 National Immigrant Inclusion Conference2024/12/08 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/12/11 Webinar on Alien Land Laws2025/01/06 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.

2. Air Force Honors Sabu Dastagir 

On November 12, 2024, the U.S. Air Force unveiled a portrait of Sgt. Sabu Dastagir, a Hollywood actor-turned-American Airman, in a ceremony at the Pentagon. The event, led by Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton and Assistant Secretary Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, marked a historic addition to the Pentagon’s World War II hallway.Dastagir, an Indian American actor known for films like The Thief of Baghdad and The Jungle Book, enlisted in the Army Air Forces during WWII. Serving as a tail gunner with the 370th Bomb Squadron, he flew dozens of combat missions in the Pacific, earning five Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor. He passed away in 1963 at age 40. The portrait, donated by Houston artist June Xu, now joins the Air Force Historic Program.June Xu, a lifelong passionate painter and fine arts student at the University of Houston, is known in Texas for her activism, particularly during last year’s protests against SB147, an alien land bill that would ban land ownership by Chinese nationals. Her advocacy, including organizing protests and legislative meetings, deepened her commitment to amplifying Asian American experiences.In April, Xu joined the Committee of 100’s "Next Generation Leader" program, connecting with a project to spotlight Asian American military stories. She described contributing the portrait as a personal milestone and a broader triumph for representation. “This is a historic moment for our community,” Xu said. “If we don’t tell our own stories, mainstream society certainly won’t do it for us.”

Read the U.S. Air Force announcement: https://bit.ly/3ZaMHl5.  Read the 休斯顿在线 report: https://bit.ly/48RVr2V

3. National Immigrant Inclusion Conference

WHAT: National Immigrant Inclusion Conference WHEN: December 8-10, 2024WHERE: In person, Houston, Texas HOST: National Partnership for New AmericansFOR MORE INFORMATION/REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3YUq7vB

4. APA Justice Newsletter Web Page Moved to New Website

As part of its continuing migration to a new website under construction, we have moved the Newsletter webpage to https://www.apajusticetaskforce.org/newsletters.  Content of the existing website will remain, but it will no longer be updated. We value your feedback about the new web page. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org.