Newsletter - #233 2/5 Monthly Meeting; USHCA; Restore Scholarship Programs; Enter The Dragon; More #233 2/5 Monthly Meeting; USHCA; Restore Scholarship Programs; Enter The Dragon; More In This Issue #233 · 2024/02/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · US Heartland China Association (USHCA) · Call to Restore Severed Scholarship Program · Enter The (Year of The) Dragon · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/02/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, February 5, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC; and Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), invited and confirmed speakers are: · Erika Moritsugu (invited), Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison, The White House, will kick off the Lunar New Year by reviewing the Year of the Rabbit (2023) and looking forward to the Year of the Dragon (2024). · Lora Lumpe, Chief Executive Officer, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, will tell us about the Quincy Institute and its plans and activities. The Quincy Institute promotes ideas that move U.S. foreign policy away from endless war, toward military restraint and diplomacy in the pursuit of international peace in a world where peace is the norm and war is the exception. On November 13, 2023, it led a coalition of diverse organizations in a letter to Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping calling for more stable and productive bilateral ties. · Min Fan 范敏, Executive Director, US Heartland China Association (USHCA) will introduce USHCA and describe its mission and activities. See below for more description of USHCA. · Sandy Shan, Executive Director, Justice is Global, will share how individuals and organizations can help support grassroot rollout of a US-China climate cooperation bill this spring. In 2020 and 2022 , Justice is Global conducted two community canvassing projects that engaged swing state voters susceptible to anti-immigrant sentiments in conversations about the future of US-China cooperation. The positive outcomes from these two projects informed Justice is Global’s current work in supporting the rollout of a climate cooperation bill. 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 APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org Year of The Dragon - Empowering Justice, Embracing Change According to ChatGPT, "Empowering Justice, Embracing Change: Welcoming the Year of the Dragon 2024 with APA Justice. May this year be a symbol of strength, resilience, and transformative justice for the Asian American community. Let us unite, roar against injustice, and soar towards a future where equality prevails. Happy Lunar New Year from APA Justice - Advocating for a brighter and more just tomorrow!" US Heartland China Association (USHCA) Originally the Midwest U.S.-China Foundation, US Heartland China Association (USHCA) was founded by U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson (IL); John Rodgers , Lawyer and Professor, and Governor Bob Holden (MO), former Chairman of the Midwest Governors Association. USHCA covers 20 states that stretch from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. 430 Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered in 84 of the cities within the Heartland region. Our mayors lead 37 of the 100 largest cities in the United States. In the first such visit since the pandemic; USHCA led a bipartisan delegation of six U.S. mayors representing communities along the Mississippi River Basin to visit their counterparts in the People's Republic of China in November 2023. Watch the video of the visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJsS8beUppg (8:25). The six mayors are: · Mayor Jim Brainard , Carmel, Indiana · Mayor Robyn Tannehill , Oxford, Mississippi · Mayor Barbara Buffaloe , Columbia, Missouri · Mayor Kim Norton , Rochester, Minnesota · Mayor Lee Harris , Shelby County, Tennessee · Mayor Chokwe Lumumba , Jackson, Mississippi Min Fan 范敏, Executive Director of USHCA will introduce USHCA and describe its mission and activities at the February 5 APA Justice monthly meeting. Call to Restore Severed Scholarship Program According to a report by Diplomatic Courier on January 31, 2024, nearly 300,000 Chinese higher–education students studied in the U.S. during the 2022–2023 school year , while only around 350 U.S. students studied in China. Closing this gap will be key to improving U.S.–China relations in the long–term.In the 2022–2023 school year there were just under 300,000 Chinese higher–education students studying in America. That is down from a peak of over 370,000 in 2019–2020, yet China remains the largest source of international students in the U.S. education system. By contrast, it has been reported that there are roughly 350 American students currently studying in China [according to US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns , that number has doubled to about 700 during the Jimmy Carter Forum last month], down from 11,639 in the 2018–2019 school year and its peak of just under 15,000 in 2011–2012. Much of this drop has to do with the pandemic preventing study in China, but also deteriorating relations have kept American students away.What is the best method to increase this number? The U.S. should begin sending students to China again through programs like Fulbright, Peace Corps, and the Boren Awards, which have all been closed to China within the past four years.Peace Corps volunteers in China received notice in January 2020 that all programs in China were shutting down. President Donald Trump terminated the China and Hong Kong Fulbright programs on July 14, 2020 via executive order as a response to the Hong Kong national security law that broadly eroded Hong Kong’s independence. These moves were politically charged, short–sighted, and aimed at worsening U.S.–China relations. These programs have been questioned before as a wasteful use of taxpayer dollars, yet they have received bipartisan funding for decades. Shutting these programs down did not set back the Chinese government, but it did constrain American students, would–be China experts, and U.S. national security interests. Why should the U.S. reinstate these programs and increase the number of American students studying in China? Firstly, these programs create the next generation of China experts. Secondly, the U.S. should reimplement these programs to improve U.S.–China relations. There is a bill to bring back the Fulbright program , but it has been sitting in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for almost a year with three cosponsors. These programs also help improve relations in the day–to–day lives of citizens. For many Chinese, the first American they met was in one of these programs. Participants become pseudo–ambassadors for America, sharing our values and views with Chinese who otherwise might never have heard directly from an American.Ultimately, suspending the Fulbright, Peace Corps, and Boren Awards for Americans in China harms, rather than protects, national security and the future of U.S.–China relations. A crucial step in improving and preparing for the future of U.S.–China relations is to reestablish these government–funded grants. This way, future public servants will be able to more accurately understand, interact with, and create policy on China.Read the Diplomatic Courier report: https://bit.ly/3HGQrRO According to AP News on January 29, 2024, the Chinese government has protested to the United States over the treatment of Chinese arriving to study in America, saying some have been interrogated for hours, had their electronic devices checked and in some cases were forcibly deported from the country. Xie Feng , the Chinese ambassador in Washington, said dozens of Chinese holding valid visas have been denied entry over the past few months when returning to school from overseas travel or visiting relatives in China. The protest comes as the U.S. and China try to boost student and other exchanges to shore up their relations, which have turned confrontational in recent years over trade, technology, human rights and, more fundamentally, the future direction of the world.China’s state media have reported at least three cases since November at Dulles where Chinese students lost their valid student visas, received a five-year entry ban and were repatriated following long hours of interrogations. They were asked if their studies were financed by the Chinese government, if they were members of the Chinese Communist Party or its youth arm, and if their research was linked to the Chinese government, the Chinese military or key state laboratories. The students were headed to the National Cancer Institute, Yale University and the University of Maryland respectively.Read the AP News report: https://bit.ly/3OpWMF5 Enter The (Year of The) Dragon According to NBC News , it is the Year of the Dragon, and people can expect a lot of good fortune — but only if they are harnessing the animal’s most important quality: compassion.Lunar New Year — which includes Chinese New Year, Seollal in Korea, Tet in Vietnam and more — will begin February 10, kicking off more than two weeks of festivities, customs and plenty of feasts. It celebrates the arrival of spring and the start of a fresh year based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar.The upcoming year’s dragon sign is perhaps the most popular zodiac creature, associated with a host of positive qualities such as nobility, wealth and wisdom. The year’s dragon sign is, more specifically, a wood dragon. The element of wood is seen in Daoist tradition as a return to the natural state of being, which in the dragon’s case, points to a return to kindness. And Confucian thought interprets wood as a symbol of unlimited potential. The dragon, which corresponds to years 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 and 2024, has long been associated with highly valued traits, according to Jonathan H. X. Lee , a professor of Chinese folklore and religion at San Francisco State University. Those born in the year of the dragon are often said to be generous, make great leaders and have a lot of charisma. Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/47XogZy News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/02/01 CAMDC Deadline for Essay Contest2024/02/04 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/02/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/02/10 New Year's Day of the Year of the Dragon2024/02/13-15 Senior Executives Association Senior Executive Leadership Summit2024/02/13 Committee of 100: The Career Ceiling Challenges in Journalism Visit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. Committee of 100: The Career Ceiling Challenges in Journalism WHAT: Committee of 100: The Career Ceiling Challenges in Journalism WHEN: February 13, 2024, 5:00 - 6:00 pm Eastern Time WHERE: Online Fireside ChatHOST: Committee of 100MODERATOR: Peter Young, Committee of 100 member and Chair of the Committee of 100 Asian American Career Ceiling InitiativeSPEAKERS: · Nicole Dungca, Investigative Reporter, Washington Post and President of the Asian American Journalist Association · Amy Qin, National Correspondent, The New York Times DESCRIPTION: Asian Americans have faced significant career obstacles in the Journalism industry, as is true in many industries,. Our two panelists will share their observations about the career ceilings problem in Journalism, their own personal experiences, and the advice that they would give to Asian Americans pursuing careers in the industry. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3u0p6qM 3. SEA: Senior Executive Leadership Summit WHAT : Hybrid Event 2024 Senior Executive Leadership Summit WHEN: February 13-15, 2024 WHERE: Online and In-Person: Partnership for Public Service, 600 14th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005 HOST: Senior Executives Association DESCRIPTION: As the premier annual conference on public service leadership, the summit will inspire, develop and connect leaders across government, with a focus on current and aspiring Senior Executive Service (SES) members. This three-day event will include world-class keynote speakers, esteemed panels and productive group breakout discussions that will address the current obstacles federal leaders are facing and how to break boundaries and lead despite these challenges. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3HDSaay Back View PDF February 1, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #290 Special Edition: McCarthyism and The Good, Bad, and Ugly of The Media #290 Special Edition: McCarthyism and The Good, Bad, and Ugly of The Media In This Issue #290 · Rise and Fall of McCarthyism with The Media · Historical Media Bias Against U.S. Persons of Asian Origin · Role of Media in The Wen Ho Lee Case and The Yanping Chen Case · Media's Role in a Modern McCarthyism - The "China Initiative" · McCarthyism Expanding to Beyond Scientists · News and Activities for the Communities During "China Week" in September 2024, Representative Judy Chu , Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), took the House floor to denounce efforts to revive the "China Initiative," calling it a New McCarthyism.This is a special edition on McCarthyism and The Good, Bad, and Ugly Roles of The Media. Rise and Fall of McCarthyism with The Media According to a PBS report on McCarthyism from August 23, 2006, in the late 1940s and 1950s, America was gripped by fears of communism’s spread, particularly in Eastern Europe and China. Capitalizing on these anxieties, on February 9, 1950, 41-year-old Senator Joseph McCarthy delivered his infamous "Enemies from Within" speech in Wheeling, West Virginia, claiming to have a list of 205 "card-carrying" communists in the U.S. government. Although he never substantiated this claim, it fueled the Red Scare and set the stage for McCarthyism, an era of intense political repression and paranoia.The media played a significant role in amplifying and spreading McCarthyism. Newspapers, radio, and television often reported McCarthy's accusations uncritically, lending credibility to his unverified claims. For instance, the New York Times covered McCarthy’s “205 communists” allegation without questioning its validity. Historian Margaret Brennan noted that McCarthy’s numbers changed frequently, saying, “he had no list. He had no names. It was all a big lie." Yet, the impact was horrific, 6,000 federal employees left the government in the last two years of the Harry S. Truman Administration. At the end of the McCarthy era, "there was never anybody in government that they could prove to be a card-carrying communist," Brennan said.Sensational headlines and broadcast coverage heightened public fear, reinforcing McCarthy’s portrayal of Communism as a pressing internal threat. Television brought the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings and the Red Scare directly into American homes, magnifying McCarthy’s influence. The McCarthy-Army hearings, televised from April to June 1954, marked a turning point. Over 36 days, an estimated 188 hours were broadcast, reaching a large national audience. During these hearings, Army counsel Joseph Welch famously rebuked McCarthy, asking, “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?” This moment is widely viewed as the beginning of McCarthy’s downfall. Most journalists initially refrained from challenging McCarthy due to Cold War tensions and fears of being labeled Communist sympathizers. However, broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow played a pivotal role in countering McCarthyism. On March 9, 1954, Murrow’s See It Now broadcast exposed McCarthy’s fear-based tactics, marking a major turning point in public opinion.The following is a transcript for a 2-minute excerpt of Murrow's broadcast: "No one familiar with the history of this country can deny that congressional committees are useful. It is necessary to investigate before legislating, but the line between investigating and persecuting is a very fine one, and the junior Senator from Wisconsin has stepped over it repeatedly. His primary achievement has been in confusing the public mind as between the internal and the external threats of communism. We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof, and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men—not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were for the moment unpopular. This is no time for men who oppose Senator McCarthy's methods to keep silent, or for those who approve. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of a republic to abdicate his responsibilities. As a nation, we have come into our full inheritance at a tender age. We proclaim ourselves, as indeed we are, the defenders of freedom—wherever it continues to exist in the world—but we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didn’t create this situation of fear; he merely exploited it—and rather successfully. Cassius was right: "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves. Good night, and good luck." Edward R. Murrow profoundly shaped broadcast journalism, setting standards with his commitment to factual reporting, democratic principles, and the press’s role as a vigilant watchdog. The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University continues this legacy, promoting ethical journalism, strategic communication, and digital media, all inspired by Murrow's unwavering dedication to integrity and accountability in the media. References and Links Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University: website 2017/04/23 YouTube : Edward R. Murrow - See It Now (March 9, 1954) (2:02)2014/12/16 C-SPAN : Senator Joe McCarthy's "Enemies from Within" Speech (14:59)2006/08/23 PBS : McCarthyism Historical Media Bias Against U.S. Persons of Asian Origin Throughout U.S. history, media have often depicted Americans and immigrants of Asian origin through biased and derogatory stereotypes, particularly during times of geopolitical tension. Their coverage has fueled harmful public perceptions and policies with lasting impacts on Asian communities.Notwithstanding the 61-year Chinese Exclusion era (1882-1943) and the Alien Land Law period from the first state law in California in 1913 to the mid 1950s, American newspapers contributed to the anti-Japanese sentiment by portraying Japanese Americans as disloyal spies or saboteurs. Headlines warned of a “Fifth Column” within the U.S., stoking fear and prejudice. This coverage, often based on unsubstantiated claims, helped garner public support for the internment of 120,000 persons of Japanese heritage, about two thirds of them U.S. citizens.No Japanese American was ever proven to have committed espionage for Japan during World War II, despite extensive U.S. government investigations.Before his children books, Dr. Seuss ( Theodor Seuss Geisel ) worked as a political cartoonist and propagandist during World War II, creating cartoons and illustrations that were published in newspapers and used in military training films. One of his infamous cartoons on February 13, 1942, shows Japanese Americans lined up as the "Fifth Column" along the West Coast, awaiting "the signal from home," playing into widespread fear and prejudice and helped to justify Japanese American internment and other discriminatory measures. On February 21, 1942, two days after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing internment, the Los Angeles Times published an editorial endorsing it, asserting that Japanese Americans posed a national security risk. Along with other outlets, the LA Times shaped public opinion by promoting fear-based narratives questioning Japanese American loyalty.Seventy-five years later, on February 19, 2017, the LA Times formally recanted its 1942 editorials. Acknowledging the paper's role in promoting internment, it expressed regret for fueling anti-Japanese sentiment and drew parallels with current issues of xenophobia, discrimination, and anti-immigrant rhetoric. The 2017 editorial warned against repeating such injustices, highlighting the need to protect civil liberties for all. References and Links Wikipedia: Dr. Seuss 2017/02/19 LA Times editorial: Looking Back with Shame 2012/02/21 The Daily Mirror : Times Editorial Praises Japanese Evacuation Role of Media in The Wen Ho Lee Case and The Yanping Chen Case History repeated itself before the LA Times issued its 2017 editorial.On March 6, 1999, the New York Times identified Chinese American nuclear scientist Dr. Wen Ho Lee as a suspect in alleged espionage at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Using alarmist language, anonymous sources, and unsubstantiated allegations, the report relied heavily on stereotypes and ethnic background, fueling widespread public suspicion of Dr. Lee and, by extension, other Chinese Americans in the scientific community.. Dr. Lee was arrested nine months after the New York Times report and imprisoned in solitary confinement for nine months before charges were dropped. U.S. District Judge James Parker apologized to Dr. Lee, condemning the government’s handling of the case.On September 26, 2000, the New York Times published an editorial acknowledging its role and errors in uncritically accepting government claims, but it stopped short of a full apology.In 2006, Dr. Lee settled a privacy lawsuit, accusing government agencies of leaking sensitive information. The U.S. government paid $895,000, and five media organizations—the New York Times , Washington Post , Los Angeles Times , ABC News , and Associated Press —contributed $750,000 to protect their reporters from being compelled to disclose their sources. Dr. Lee’s case highlighted issues in journalistic ethics and transparency, but similar patterns emerged when Dr. Yanping Chen , a Chinese American academic and founder of the University of Management and Technology in Virginia, became the target of a federal investigation in 2010. Although no charges were filed, leaked details of the closed investigation surfaced in a series of Fox News reports in 2017, making misleading insinuations to accuse her of spying for China.In 2018, Dr. Chen filed a lawsuit against federal agencies, alleging Privacy Act violations and racial profiling. Her case raised broader concerns about government leaks and anti-Asian prejudice. Dr. Chen subpoenaed Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge to identify her sources. The U.S. District Court imposed a fine of $800 per day until Herridge complied. Herridge has appealed.On July 29, 2024, the Asian American Legal and Education Defense Fund (AALDEF) and a coalition of 11 organizations filed a 43-page amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals in support of Dr. Chen. The brief addresses issues of racial prejudice and the negative stereotyping of Asian Americans, particularly in the context of government actions against Dr. Chen.The U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia Circuit will hold a hearing of oral arguments on Dr. Chen's case on November 18, 2024. References and Links CourtListener: Chen v. Federal Bureau of Investigation (1:18-cv-03074) 2024/08/07 AADELF: The Red-Baiting of Dr. Chen and the Dangerous Target It Puts on All Asian Americans 2024/07/29 Chen v FBI 1:18-cv-03074: Brief of Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund and Asian American Advocacy Organizations as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff-Appellee 2006/06/03 Washington Post : Wen Ho Lee Settles Privacy Lawsuit 2003/01/08 Wen Ho Lee and Helen Zia: My Country Versus Me: The First-Hand Account by the Los Alamos Scientist Who Was Falsely Accused of Being a Spy 2001/02/04 New York Times : The Making of a Suspect: The Case of Wen Ho Lee 2000/09/26 New York Times : From The Editors; The Times and Wen Ho Lee 2000/09/14 New York Times: Statement by Judge in Los Alamos Case, With Apology for Abuse of Power 1999/03/06 New York Times: BREACH AT LOS ALAMOS: A special report.; China Stole Nuclear Secrets For Bombs, U.S. Aides Say Media's Role in a Modern McCarthyism - The "China Initiative" In March 1950, Herb Block , a political cartoonist known as "Herblock" for the Washington Post , coined the term "McCarthyism" shortly after Senator Joseph McCarthy delivered his "Enemies Within Us" speech. This term describes the practice of making unfounded accusations of subversion, disloyalty, or treason without sufficient evidence. Today, McCarthyism symbolizes any campaign or movement that seeks to silence or punish dissent or perceived disloyalty through fear and intimidation, rather than through fair, evidence-based processes.Launched by the Department of Justice in 2018, the "China Initiative" reflects contemporary McCarthyism through its reliance on broad suspicion and racial profiling under the guise of national security. It was joined in effect by the National Institutes of Health in the name of research security and integrity. These initiatives then shifted focus from security concerns to profiling Chinese academics and scientists, fostering an atmosphere of fear and a chilling effect within academic and research communities. Many researchers of Chinese descent reported feeling unfairly targeted solely due to their ethnicity or international connections.The consequences of the "China Initiative" have been severe; even when charges were eventually dropped, individuals faced damaged careers, personal trauma, financial ruin, and even loss of life. Hundreds, if not thousands or more, of Asian Americans and immigrants, particularly those of Chinese origin, have been subjected to surveillance, investigations, and threats of prosecution. Many more endure daily assaults, hate incidents, and discrimination as a result. The media's role in the "China Initiative" brought a range of both positive and negative impacts. Jamie Satterfield , an investigative reporter for the Knoxville News Sentinel , played a crucial role in highlighting the wrongful accusations against Dr. Anming Hu , a University of Tennessee professor prosecuted under the “China Initiative.” Her reporting exposed significant flaws in the government’s case, illustrating how the FBI targeted Hu based on unfounded suspicions and employed aggressive tactics, including attempts to coerce him into espionage.Satterfield documented the trial proceedings in 2021 meticulously, revealing key admissions from FBI agents about false accusations and fabricated evidence against Hu. Her work not only drew national attention to the injustices faced by Hu but also sparked broader discussions about racial profiling, due process, and fairness within the framework of the "China Initiative," emphasizing its detrimental impact on innocent Chinese American academics.On December 2, 2021, MIT Technology Review published two investigative reports. The first report revealed that the "China Initiative" deviated from its national security goals. Key findings include a lack of official definition for the initiative, a shift from economic espionage to “research integrity” issues, and a high dismissal rate for cases. Notably, only about 25% of those charged were convicted, with about 90% of defendants being of Chinese heritage. The second investigative report highlighted gaps in the information provided by DOJ. MIT Technology Review constructed a database to track every case made public under the "China Initiative." Shortly after MIT Technology Review requested comments, DOJ updated its webpage, removing cases that contradicted its narrative of success. Less than three months after the MIT Technology Review reports, DOJ announced the formal end of the "China Initiative."Both Satterfield and MIT Technology Review exemplify the positive role of investigative journalism, utilizing facts and evidence to expose the overreach, profiling, and flaws of the initiative. Their efforts raised public awareness and sparked dialogue about racial bias in government investigations, holding agencies accountable and prompting policymakers and civil rights organizations to reconsider the initiative's efficacy and ethics, ultimately contributing to its termination in 2022.In contrast, some media outlets resorted to alarmist and sensational language, reinforcing stereotypes and depicting Asian Americans and immigrants—particularly those of Chinese descent—as potential threats. Headlines often emphasized national security concerns without adequate context, exacerbating public fears about espionage and fostering an atmosphere of suspicion. By uncritically repeating government statements, some of these outlets lent the initiative unwarranted credibility. They frequently overlooked the scientific and academic contributions of Chinese and Chinese American professionals, sidelining their valuable work and contributions to the American society. References and Links APA Justice: 11. MIT Technology Review Investigative Reports CourtListener: United States v. Hu (TV1) (3:20-cr-00021) 2021/12/02 MIT Technology Review : The US crackdown on Chinese economic espionage is a mess. We have the data to show it. 2021/12/02 MIT Technology Review : We built a database to understand the China Initiative. Then the government changed its records. 2021/06/13 Knox News : Trial reveals federal agents falsely accused a UT professor born in China of spying McCarthyism Expanding to Beyond Scientists There are continuing attempts by Republican members in Congress to reinstate the "China Initiative" or under a different name. Alien land laws are being revived and expanded at both the federal and state levels that will risk reinforcing racial discrimination."Enemies Within Us" against immigrants in a nation of immigrants has resurfaced as a prominent topic in the lead-up to the November 5, 2024, U.S. presidential election, framing a focus on Chinese influence in America. Media, politicians, and campaign ads are again promoting anti-Asian rhetoric and harmful political narratives and stereotypes about Chinese Americans as perpetual foreigners or national security risks. On September 3, 2024, The Washington Post released a report titled "How China Extended Its Repression into an American City," alleging Chinese government interference within U.S. communities. As explained in the Asia Times, "The Washington Post ’s Witch Hunt on Chinese Americans" lacks evidence. An October 4 opinion argues that the Washington Post report fosters distrust toward Chinese American communities by selective use of biased sources—primarily anti-CCP activists and U.S. government entities. By failing to represent voices within the Chinese American community who have diverse views on China, the opinion contends, the report risks fostering harmful stereotypes and echoing historical patterns of profiling minority groups based on geopolitics. A more balanced approach would involve perspectives from diaspora organizations that may experience complex, often nonpolitical relationships with Chinese institutions. It also warns against blanket assumptions about the loyalties of Chinese Americans, potentially leading to unfounded public suspicion of these communities.On October 21, 2024, a Wall Street Journal report alleged China of using hometown organizations in New York City’s Chinatown to influence local communities, pressure Chinese Americans, and advance its political goals. Without evidence of specific influence activities, Representative Grace Meng , the only Chinese American congresswoman from New York, was implicated in the Wall Street Journal report because of her association with Chinatown and hometown organizations.Chinatowns in the U.S. emerged as ethnic enclaves largely because of social, economic, and political conditions in the U.S. in the mid-19th century dating back to the Qing Dynasty. These communities offered safety, employment, and a cultural connection to home for new immigrants facing systemic discrimination and harsh labor conditions. Discriminatory laws forced segregation and led to the establishment of Chinatowns and hometown associations as self-sustaining neighborhoods where immigrants could find mutual support, housing, work opportunities, and Chinese-owned businesses, fostering community resilience against external hostilities. Guilt by association, the unfair assignment of blame to individuals based solely on their affiliations rather than on concrete evidence, was a central tactic of McCarthyism. While WWII-era suspicions focused on a supposed "Fifth Column" of internal threats, the "Thousand Grains of Sand" theory arose during the Wen Ho Lee case in the 1990s, insinuating alleged widespread infiltration efforts by Chinese agents. The term evolved to "Non-traditional Collectors" as the "China Initiative" began, with scrutiny directed toward Chinese and Chinese American scientists and academics suspected of espionage.Now , with media coverage increasingly emphasizing potential links to foreign influence in Chinese American communities, guilt by association appears to be broadening beyond scientists and researchers. With the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal already linking community organizations or elected officials to foreign interference based on limited or circumstantial connections, guilt by association, or a new McCarthyism, may become more pervasive again with the assistance of media. "We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof, and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason," - Edward R. Murrow References and Links 2024/10/21 Wall Street Journal : How Beijing Recruited New York Chinatowns for Influence Campaign 2024/10/04 Asia Times opinion : The Washington Post’s witch hunt on Chinese Americans 2024/09/03 Washington Post : How China extended its repression into an American city News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/11/03 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/06 Asian American Women in Media and Music2024/11/10 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/12 Threats to International Engagement and Academic Freedom2024/11/14 An Advice and Networking Event (Financial Services, Investing and Consulting)2024/11/15 Yangtze-Mississippi Regional Dialogue2024/11/15-17 AAASE Inaugural Annual Summit2024/11/17 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/11/24 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. NOTE: Because the regular scheduled day falls on the eve of Election Day, we have moved the next APA Justice monthly meeting to Monday, November 18, 2024. 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 APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . 2. 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 . Back View PDF October 30, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

October 22, 2019 The American Physcial Society announced on October 22, 2019 that Temple University Physics professor Xiaoxing Xi is the recipient of the 2020 Andrei Sakharov Prize . The Prize is awarded every two years by the American Physical Society and recognizes "oustanding leadership of scientists in upholding human rights." Citation: "For articulate and steadfast advocacy in support of the US scientific community and open scientific exchange, and especially his efforts to clarify the nature of international scientific collaboration in cases involving allegations of scientific espionage." The struggle of Chinese American scientists against racial profiling by the U.S. government, as symbolized by Professor Xiaoxing Xi, is now recognized to be a human rights issue. Previous Next Professor Xiaoxing Xi Receives Andrei Sakharov Prize

Newsletter - #162 Texas SB147; Your Rights; Terminated Workers; Judge Robinson/Franklin Tao; China Panel #162 Texas SB147; Your Rights; Terminated Workers; Judge Robinson/Franklin Tao; China Panel In This Issue #162 Protests Against Discriminatory Texas Senate Bill 147 Know Your Rights on Airport Enforcement and Border Harassment Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment Judge Robinson Lectures; Professor Tao Appeals Fear of House China panel will Fuel Bigotry Protests Against Discriminatory Texas Senate Bill 147 The Asian American community in Texas is mobilizing and organizing rallies and protests against the discriminatory Texas Senate Bill 147. On January 20, 2023, a rally was held at Fort Bend County Justice Center, in Richmond, Texas. It received wide local media coverage. “Injustice for one is injustice for all,” Fort Bend County Judge KP George said. “It’s unfathomable that our state leaders, who are elected to serve in the best interest of all of their constituents, would target groups of people from different nations and prohibit them from their right to own property. It’s blatant discrimination.” Judge George said the bill should concern everyone because additional countries could be added to the list at any point. He also stated that he believed it could have a negative economic impact on the state. Asian American community members who attended the rally held signs that called the bill discriminatory. They said they fear that they will be unable to purchase homes if the bill passes."Anyone who is in this country from North Korea is here as a lawful refugee fleeing an oppressive government," State Representative Gene Wu 吳元之 said at the rally. "They are now being punished again for the actions of that oppressive government simply because they come from the same place." Judge George held a rally on the steps of the Fort Bend County Justice Center in Richmond, Texas. Dozens of people, mainly from Fort Bend County’s Asian population, were in attendance. State Representative Gene Wu , Representative Ron Reynolds , Representative Sulemam Lalani and U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee were also present. “This blatantly racist and xenophobic piece of legislation is exactly what we expect coming from what is anticipated to be the most conservative session we’ve seen in Texas,” said Harris County Democratic Party Chair, Odus Evbagharu . “The Senator claims she wants Texans to control Texas land while being elected to serve some of the most diverse places in not only the state but the country. Bills like this only seek to further alienate groups of people and promote fear-mongering.” On January 23, 2023, a rally will he held at the Houston City Hall. For more information, contact Professor Steven Pei at PeiUH4@gmail.com On January 29, 2023, an Anti-Asian Bill Rally will be held in Austin, Texas. Read more at https://bit.ly/3QXjiFx (in Chinese language)As part of the expansion of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, California enacted the Alien Land Law, barring Asian immigrants from owning land in 1913. Other states followed with their discriminatory laws restricting Asians’ rights to hold land in America. These laws remained in place until the 1950s, some even longer.APA Justice has created a new webpage to monitor the continuing development of Texas SB147, community responses, media repots, and the 1913 Alien Land Law: http://bit.ly/3QXNPTr Know Your Rights on Airport Enforcement and Border Harassment On January 26, 2023, the Asian American Scholar Forum will host a webinar on "Know Your Rights on Airport Enforcement and Border Harassment" as part of its series on Know Your Rights. ACLU, criminal, and immigration legal experts will be speaking. Register to attend: http://bit.ly/3ZMVUhX Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment According to a report by the Washington Post on January 20, 2023, Google’s parent company Alphabet was cutting 12,000 jobs, estimated at 6 percent of the workforce. It is cutting the most jobs in its history, spanning the company’s product areas and regions. The cuts are the latest in an industry that has shed more than 200,000 workers last year and so far this year. While the company is reportedly refocusing its priorities, which includes investments in artificial intelligence (AI), some of the workers who were cut were working on AI-focused teams.On January 19, 2023, Mark Zuckerberg , chief executive of Meta, warned employees that more positions could be eliminated — after Facebook’s parent company already slashed 11,000 workers, or 13 percent of its workforce, in November.Microsoft recently announced the layoffs of 10,000 employees. Earlier in January, Amazon said it was eliminating 18,000 workers. Salesforce also announced it was cutting around 10 percent of its 80,000 workers.It is unclear how many nonimmigrant workers are impacted by these massive layoffs. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) provides information for nonimmigrant workers whose employment has terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. These workers may have several options for remaining in the United States in a period of authorized stay based on existing rules and regulations for up to one year.The CIS notice is posted here: http://bit.ly/3HnuCYo . Please help to spread the word to your circles, especially for those who may be impacted.Regrettably, APA Justice does not offer legal advice or assistance. Judge Robinson Lectures; Professor Tao Appeals According to Science on January 20, 2023, a sentencing hearing is a forum to mete out justice for someone convicted of a crime. But this week, U.S. District Court Senior Judge Julie Robinson used the sentencing of Franklin Tao 陶丰 , a chemical engineer formerly at the University of Kansas (KU), Lawrence, to also talk at length about what motivates academic researchers—and how the U.S. government appeared to misunderstand that culture in pursuing criminal charges against Tao.Her remarks are a rare example of a federal judge speaking in public about the U.S. academic enterprise and its pursuit of knowledge. Tao was convicted last year of failing to accurately report his interactions with a Chinese university to KU, which said this week he is no longer a faculty member. But Robinson, who was appointed by then-President George W. Bush in 2001, says the government wrongly portrayed Tao’s exploration of an academic job in China as a malicious attempt to share the fruits of federally funded research with the Chinese government.Although Robinson was only speaking about Tao, her comments also raise questions about how the government has prosecuted some two dozen U.S. scientists, most of them born in China, under an effort by the administration of former President Donald Trump to stop Chinese economic espionage. Human rights groups have said the campaign, called the "China Initiative" before it was renamed last year to target all nation-state threats to U.S. economic and national security, engaged in racial profiling and had a chilling effect on international scientific collaborations. In sentencing Tao, Robinson rejected the government’s request that he spend 30 months in prison and pay a fine of $100,000. Instead, she decreed no fine and no additional jail time beyond the 1 week he spent behind bars after his arrest in August 2019. She did order 2 years of supervision for the 52-year-old Tao, who has worn a monitoring device on his ankle since his arrest.Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/3J1euNi . Read the transcript of the sentencing hearing: https://bit.ly/3D2C2NT . Read Professor Tao's case at https://bit.ly/3fZWJvK On January 20, 2023, Hong Peng, wife of Franklin Tao, made an appeal in the GoFundMe at https://bit.ly/2Uj7Z19 that they will fight the lone count of conviction until Tao's name is cleared completely. Fear of House China Panel will Fuel Bigotry According to Roll Call on January 20, 2023, the newly established bipartisan House select committee tasked with studying strategic challenges coming from the Chinese government has aroused concerns in the Asian American community that lawmakers may wind up fueling anti-Chinese bigotry and broader anti-Asian discrimination in the United States.The committee’s membership list has not yet been announced, nor have initial topics for public hearings been described. Still, the sheer formation of the panel has sparked fresh concerns among some Democrats who voted against its establishment, as well as some within the Asian American community, about how the panel could potentially be used to spread anti-Chinese and anti-Asian paranoia and discrimination.“I have concerns with the potential direction that Republicans could take this select committee, including using this platform to promote policies and language that endanger Chinese Americans and people of Asian descent living in the U.S.,” Rep. Grace Meng 孟昭文 , D-N.Y., who is the vice chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said in a statement.In the last Congress, Meng saw her COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act become law. The measure is aimed at combating xenophobia and violence against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders.“Unfortunately, as we have seen in targeted attacks, some aren’t distinguishing between the CCP and Asian-Americans who are simply going about their daily lives,” said Meng, who is Taiwanese American. “Careless rhetoric can give way to dangerous assumptions which people can, and sadly, have acted upon as we witnessed in Indiana.” Meng was referring to the incident earlier this month in which an 18-year-old Indiana University student, who is Asian, was stabbed repeatedly in her head as she rode a public bus. The student’s accused attacker reportedly told authorities she did it because it “would be one less person to blow up our country.”“We have two years of solid evidence during the pandemic when people got really mad at random Asian Americans and even Latinos who had the misfortune of looking Asian and beat them to a pulp or shoved them into subways shouting, ‘Go back to where you came from. This virus is your fault,’” said Frank Wu 吴华扬 , a prominent member of Chinese American civic organizations.Wu, who in 2020 became the first Asian American to be appointed president of Queens College in New York, doesn’t think the new select committee is needed or likely to be helpful. He pointed to recent failed efforts during the Trump administration to weed out and crack down on instances of illicit Chinese government-linked economic espionage.“You could not have a better example of a total waste of taxpayer money,” Wu said. John Yang 杨重远 , the executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a civil rights organization, said given the committee’s full name and remarks made by McCarthy and others, he is cautiously optimistic that House leaders will be careful not to platform anti-Chinese xenophobia and anti-Asian bias.Read the Roll Call report: http://bit.ly/3J520UN Update on the Indiana University Student Stabbing Incident. On January 19, 2023, NBC News reported that Asian Americans at Indiana University Bloomington are reeling after an 18-year-old student was stabbed on a city transit bus last Wednesday, allegedly because of her identity. But they don’t feel that they’ve received sufficient support. Since the incident, a sense of shock has rippled through the school’s Asian community. The suspect, Billie Davis , told the Bloomington Police Department that she targeted the student, who survived the incident, for “being Chinese,” adding “it would be one less person to blow up our country,” court documents show. With fears around their safety amplified, Asian American students who spoke to NBC News said they’ve been disappointed in the response from both those outside the Asian community and the school administration, who made their first statements around the attack two days afterward. The students say that conversations around the incident have been active among the Asian Americans on campus. But they admit that when stepping outside of their safe spaces, they often feel a sense of loneliness.“There’s not really any advocacy group in the community that makes Asian issues very visible. I think the administration should make that more of a priority, just expanding their own diversity and inclusion efforts to the community, because the students can’t do that alone,” a student said. In the 1920s, an estimated 1 in 3 white protestant males in the state were dues-paying members of the Ku Klux Klan, according to the Washington Post. Over a century later, the Southern Poverty Law Center tracked 15 active hate groups throughout Indiana. Race-related violence against Asian students also lives in the city’s not-so distant past as former IU student Benjamin Smith , a vocal white supremacist who had disseminated white power pamphlets on campus and across the city, murdered 26-year-old doctoral student Won-Joon Yoon in 1999 outside the Korean United Methodist Church. Smith, who had previously been sought in a series of shootings earlier that year that targeted Black, Jewish and Asian people, fatally shot himself the same night. Read the NBS News report: https://nbcnews.to/3Wr0QWD Subscribe to The APA Justice Newsletter Complete this simple form at https://bit.ly/2FJunJM to subscribe. Please share it with those who wish to be informed and join the fight. View past newsletters here: https://bit.ly/APAJ_Newsletters . Back View PDF January 23, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Kaikai Zhao 赵凯凯 Docket ID: 1:20-cr-00187 District Court, S.D. Indiana Date filed: Aug 4, 2020 Date ended: July 26, 2021 Table of Contents Overview Five “Visa Fraud” Cases Links and References Overview On July 23, 2020, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrest of four scientists from China on claimed visa violation, including Kaikai Zhao. A fifth scientist was arrested for similar charges in August 2020. Kaikai Zhao applied for a United States Non-Immigrant Visa in June 2018 and was issued an F1 Visa for a PhD program studying machine learning and artificial Intelligence at Indiana University (IU) in Bloomington, Indiana. On July 23, 2020, DOJ charged Kaikai Zhao and charged with one count of visa fraud and one count of making false statement. On July 23, 2021, Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Rinka motioned to dismiss the case against Kaikai Zhao “with prejudice, in the interests of justice.” On July 26, 2021, Judge James R. Sweeny, II, granted the dismissal of the case against Kaikai Zhao. The other four visa fraud cases were also dismissed at the same time. The five visa fraud cases including Kaikai Zhao were identified under the China Initiative, but they were removed from the DOJ online report after their dismissals. Five “Visa Fraud” Cases he Department of Justice (DOJ) announced visa fraud charges against four of five scientists from China on July 23, 2020. The fifth scientist, Lei Guan, was first charged in August 2020 for Destruction and Alteration of Records in a Federal Investigation with visa fraud charges added in September 2020. The announcement of the visa fraud cases coincided with the U.S. order to close China’s consulate in Houston, accusing it to be a "spy center" to conduct spying activities with local medical centers or universities. The five Chinese scientists are: Lei Guan (关磊) , Visiting researcher (mathematics), University of California at Los Angeles Dr. Chen Song (宋琛) , Visiting researcher (neurology), Stanford University Dr. Juan Tang (唐娟) , Visiting researcher (cancer), University of California at Davis Xin Wang (王欣) , Visiting researcher (neurology), University of California at San Francisco Kaikai Zhao (赵凯凯), Doctoral candidate (machine learning and artificial intelligence), Indiana University These five visa fraud cases were abruptly dismissed by DOJ in July 2021 without an explanation for the dismissals. Wyn Hornbuckle, a Justice Department spokesman issued a statement that said "[r]ecent developments in a handful of cases involving defendants with alleged, undisclosed ties to the People’s Liberation Army of the People’s Republic of China have prompted the department to re-evaluate these prosecutions... We have determined that it is now in the interest of justice to dismiss them.” On July 22, 2021, Reuters reported that there was "recently disclosed evidence of a report by FBI analysts that questioned if the visa application question on 'military service' was clear enough for Chinese medical scientists at military universities and hospitals." In another report by the Washington Post, an unnamed official was quoted to say that "the punishment for visa fraud typically does not exceed a year. That fact, combined with the prospect of prolonged litigation in several instances, led officials to assess that the interests of justice were best served by dropping the cases." Upon further research, defense attorneys for Dr. Juan Tang filed a Defendant's Trial Brief and Memorandum Supporting Dismissal at Trial on July 19, 2021. It included a section on "The FBI’s Deliberate Failure to Disclose Critical Exculpatory Evidence to the Court and to the Defense Warrants a Dismissal of this Ill-Conceived Indictment." "There is dissension in the FBI’s own ranks," the trial brief started. It cited that the government intentionally did not comply with the discovery order for the trial and highlighted that "... just days ago, a heavily redacted report dated for release four months ago, on April 1, 2021, which the government did not disclose to this Court when it ruled on Dr. Tang’s Motion to Dismiss." Exhibit A shows a FBI Background Note dated April 1, which includes a statement that investigations and expert interviews "suggest that the visa application form (DS-160) potentially lacks clarity when it comes to declaring one's military service or affiliation." DOJ motioned to dismiss Dr. Juan Tang’s case four days before the trial was to start on July 26, 2021. On July 12, 2021, a partially redacted draft FBI report appeared as part of an exhibit in a non-motion response filed in the case of Lei Guan. The 28-page exhibit includes a draft white paper that provides assessments on seven cases under the "China Initiative," including the five that were dismissed. The draft paper states that targeting of the researcher and students "likely had minimal, short-term positive impact on the technology transfer threat from PRC students, scholars, and researchers." In addition, "[o]nly two of the arrests has a nexus to technology transfer violations, ... and none included charges related to other counterintelligence concerns." The operation "likely contributed to the deterioration of the FBI's delicate yet valuable relationship with some US universities by not exercising more caution before approaching PRC students." Although there was strong advice against investigating and arresting students and researchers with the operation, "several FBI field offices proceeded with visa fraud charges for individuals who met the criteria but did not meet the threshold for a high-priority technology transfer threat." "It is in the best national security interest of the FBI to strategically identify, target, and mitigate PRC technology transfer threats while also preserving educational opportunities in the United States for PRC students who do not pose a threat," said an unredacted portion of the FBI report. A footnote also stated that "the FBI does not consider clinical medicine an area of concern for PRC technology transfer." According to the exhibit, a FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst drafted the report as a response to a February 2021 award nomination. She was originally included as part of the award nomination but disagreed about the "high impact" the award's nomination claimed to have made. She did not think the arrest of the PLA students met the threshold for high impact at that time, as she assessed at an early stage the impact was minimal. The draft was a way for her to dispute the information contained in the awards packet. She removed herself from the award nomination. In December 2020, John Demers, former head of the China Initiative at DOJ, and William Evanina, former chief of the counterintelligence branch at ODNI, attributed without supporting facts and evidence that more than 1,000 Chinese researchers affiliated with China's People's Liberation Army fled the U.S. after the FBI conducted interviews in more than 20 cities and the State Department closed China’s Houston consulate in July 2020. Some of the visa fraud prosecutions were based on photos of the individuals in uniform. However, wearing a uniform does not always imply military service. There are two non-armed branches in the uniformed services of the United States, including the Public Health Service which is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps which is part of the Department of Commerce. Previous Item Next Item

Policy Advocacy See what we're doing Working with federal agencies and policy makers to advocate for social justice and rights. Social Justice The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) The Office of Science and Technology Policy advises the president on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs. OSTP Developments This is a paragraph. Click to edit and add your own text. Add any information you want to share with users. Change the font, size or scale to get the look you want. Read More Item One Subtitle Goes Here This is a paragraph. Click to edit and add your own text. Add any information you want to share with users. Change the font, size or scale to get the look you want. Read More Item Two Subtitle Goes Here This is a paragraph. Click to edit and add your own text. Add any information you want to share with users. Change the font, size or scale to get the look you want. Read More Item Three Subtitle Goes Here On September 9, 2022, Dr. Steven Pei and Dr. Jeremy Wu, Co-Organizers of APA Justice, joined a virtual meeting with Senior Research Officers at the Association of American Universities (AAU). The meeting was moderated by Roger Wakimoto, Vice Chancellor for Research, UCLA. It included a 10-minute presentation by Steven and Jeremy on "Academic Freedom and Engaging Faculty on Campus - The Asian American Perspective " and a package of backgrounds and references , followed by questions and answers, and robust and productive discussions. The meeting continues our engagement and collaboration with AAU after Toby Smith, Vice President for Science Policy & Global Affairs, spoke at the APA Justice monthly meeting on June 6, 2022. Founded in 1900, AAU is composed of America’s leading research universities which collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society. PROPOSAL TO SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICERS OF THE AAU We suggested four wishes from the Asian American faculty perspective: Engage faculty in the development and implementation of NSPM-33 and similar policies on campus to make sure clear instruction, sufficient support, and proper training are provided to faculty, researchers, and administrative staff. “Establish (an independent or joint with faculty senate) committee (preferably led by a Chinese American faculty) to evaluate, define and protect the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of faculty and administration in cases involving the investigation of faculty by outside agencies” - a resolution passed by the faculty senate of a founding member of AAU Offer and publicize first response followed by independent legal assistance. Consider legal insurance in the long term. Help faculty, staffs, and students to resolve visa, border entry, and related issues. Dialogue with the AAU Warrantless Surveillance The U.S. Constitution protects its people against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the U.S. government engages in mass, warrantless surveillance of phone calls, text messages, emails, and other electronic communications. Information collected under this law without a warrant can be used to prosecute and imprison people, even for crimes that have nothing to do with national security. Chinese American immigrants and scientific communities, have especially been targets for warrantless surveillance leading to wrongful and unjust prosecutions. Learn more The China Initiative From November 11, 2018 to February 23, 2022, the US national security program created to address economic espionage disproportionately targeted Asian American academics, scientists, and researchers for what were largely administrative errors, harming academic freedom. Learn more See what we've been fighting Advocating for the rights of APA academics, researchers, and scientists. Academic Advocacy

Newsletter - #15 September 14 Will Be A Very Informative Meeting #15 September 14 Will Be A Very Informative Meeting Back View PDF September 11, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

James Patrick Lewis Previous Item Next Item

Newsletter - #148 "China Initiative" Cases Crumble; Caught in Tension/Hate; 10/03 Meeting; 09/12 Summary #148 "China Initiative" Cases Crumble; Caught in Tension/Hate; 10/03 Meeting; 09/12 Summary Back View PDF September 30, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #318 Webinar Recap and More; Funding Freeze Blocked; Supreme Court Order; NYT Editorials; + #318 Webinar Recap and More; Funding Freeze Blocked; Supreme Court Order; NYT Editorials; + In This Issue #318 · Recap of Webinar on Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws · Upcoming Webinars on China Initiative and Racial Profiling · Judge Blocks Trump's Funding Freeze · Supreme Court Rules Against Trump Order on USAID · NYT Editorials on Elon Musk and Rule of Law · News and Activities for the Communities Recap of Webinar on Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws The Committee of 100 and APA Justice co-hosted the second webinar of a series on Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws on March 4, 2025. Video of the event is posted at https://bit.ly/3EOqGke (54:13).The webinar examined the impact of nationality-based homeownership restrictions on real estate professionals and homebuyers, particularly within the Chinese American community. Real estate professionals and advocates are actively pushing back against these discriminatory policies. This webinar offered valuable insights into how these restrictions are reshaping the housing market and what actions can be taken to challenge them. John Trasviña , Former HUD Assistant Secretary for the Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity moderated a conversation with Scott Chang , Senior Counsel for The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and Hope Atuel , Executive Director at Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA). The panel introduced the Fair Housing Act and held an engaging Q&A session with the audience. The Committee of 100 released an update of its interactive tracker on land ownership restriction laws, highlighting that 28 states are currently considering 82 bills that would restrict foreign property ownership. In 2024 alone, 17 land ownership restriction bills was passed into state law. APA Justice maintains a web page on the history and continuing developments on Alien Land Bills .Read the Northwest Asian Weekly report on the webinar: https://bit.ly/41ymVHn . Watch the first webinar on The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfjrVAZrjj8 (1:00:56). Upcoming Webinars on China Initiative and Racial Profiling 1. 03/12 MSU Webinar: The China Initiative On March 12, 2025, please join the webinar hosted by Michigan State University's Asian Pacific American Studies Program for an insightful discussion of the past and present of the China Initiative, a Trump administration program that targeted Asian American scholars and researchers for investigation and prosecution. Dr. Lok Siu of UC Berkeley and Dr. Jeremy Wu of APA Justice will speak at the event moderated by Dr. Kent Weber of Michigan State University. Register to attend: https://bit.ly/4hVaITO 2. 03/21 SFU Webinar: Fighting Racial Profiling and the Criminalization of Academia in North America WHAT : Fighting Racial Profiling and the Criminalization of Academia in North America WHEN : March 21, 2025, 4:00 pm-6:30 pm PT/7:00 pm-9:30 pm ET WHERE : Hybrid event · In Person: Room 7000, SFU Vancouver Harbor Centre Campus, 515 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3 Canada · Webinar via Zoom HOST : Simon Fraser University, Labor Studies Program Moderator : Dr. Xinying Hu , Simon Fraser University Speaker : Dr. Anming Hu , University of Tennessee, Knoxville Discussants: · Dr. Jane Wang , University of British Columbia · Dr. Jie Yang , Simon Fraser University DESCRIPTION: Join us for an important discussion on the case of Dr. Anming Hu, a respected scientist who was wrongfully targeted under the previous Trump administration’s China Initiative. Dr. Hu’s case highlights critical issues of racial profiling, academic freedom, and the growing surveillance of scholars in North America. This event will feature insights into Dr. Anming Hu’s case and experience, the broader implications for researchers of Chinese origin, and the fight for justice in academia in North America. We will also discuss what universities, scholars, and policymakers can do to protect academic integrity and prevent future injustices. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3Fd11SD Judge Blocks Trump's Funding Freeze According to AP News and multiple media reports, U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell for the District of Rhode Island has extended an injunction blocking the Trump administration from freezing grants and loans potentially amounting to trillions of dollars. The lawsuit, State of New York v. Trump (1:25-cv-00039) , brought by nearly two dozen Democratic states, challenges the Trump administration’s sweeping pause on federal spending, which has caused confusion and uncertainty nationwide.In his ruling, Judge McConnell found that the executive branch had placed itself above Congress by imposing a categorical spending freeze without legislative approval, stating that such an action “undermines the distinct constitutional roles of each branch of our government.” He asserted that the executive branch cannot impose a categorical funding freeze without explicit congressional authorization. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha condemned the administration’s actions, arguing that the president’s move sought to subvert the rule of law and override the separation of powers. The funding freeze has impacted a wide range of programs, including critical services such as disaster relief, clean water access, and law enforcement funding. Democratic attorneys general have argued that the freeze has put critical services at risk, including law enforcement funding, healthcare, and childcare. Although the Trump administration rescinded a memo outlining the freeze, states, universities, and nonprofits report that federal agencies continue to withhold funds.Despite earlier court orders, Judge McConnell noted that federal agencies still appeared to be defying his directives. As part of his ruling, he instructed FEMA to submit a status report by March 14 detailing its compliance with the order. The case also raises broader constitutional questions about presidential power over congressionally appropriated funds, with Trump advocating for the Supreme Court to strike down the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Another federal judge, Loren AliKhan , has also extended an injunction against the freeze in a separate case brought by nonprofit groups and small businesses, National Council of Nonprofits v. Office of Management and Budget (1:25-cv-00239) . The rulings mark a significant judicial rebuke of the Trump administration’s efforts to exert control over congressionally appropriated funds. Supreme Court Rules Against Trump Order on USAID As of March 8, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump 's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 113 with one closed case.The Trump administration issued an executive order on January 20, 2025, pausing foreign development aid for 90 days, leading to stop-work orders for USAID grants. Two nonprofits, AVAC and JDN, sued, arguing the order was unlawful and harmed their operations. They filed a lawsuit, AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State (1:25-cv-00400 ), and sought an injunction and restoration of funding.On February 13, 2025, U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) in this case and Global Health Council v. Donald J. Trump (1:25-cv-00402) , blocking the blanket suspension but not fully overturning the executive order. Plaintiffs later accused the government of noncompliance. The court partially enforced the TRO but did not hold the government in contempt.Further litigation led to a February 25 ruling requiring the administration to pay outstanding invoices and ensure future payments. The Trump administration appealed to the D.C. Circuit and later the Supreme Court, but both rejected its motions. According to the New York Times on March 5, the Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s emergency request to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid. Though the ruling’s language was cautious, it effectively signaled skepticism toward Trump’s plans to reshape government. The court upheld a lower court’s order requiring payments for pre-approved foreign aid projects. The administration had tried to delay compliance, arguing for a case-by-case review. The Supreme Court’s ruling lifted a temporary stay, meaning the government must now follow through on the payments.According to a separate report by the New York Times on the same day, despite the Supreme Court ruling, uncertainty remains for humanitarian and development organizations. For weeks, the administration has sought to dismantle USAID, canceling over 90% of contracts and halting payments for completed work. Thousands of NGOs and companies remain in limbo. While the lawsuit’s plaintiffs argue the ruling should restore all foreign aid, the administration insists it has the authority to restructure or eliminate the agency. NYT Editorials on Elon Musk and Rule of Law 1. 2025/03/08 Musk Doesn’t Understand Why Government Matters Excerpts from the New York Times editorial :" Elon Musk ’s life is a great American success story. Time and again, he has anticipated where the world was headed, helping to create not just new products but new industries. "But Mr. Musk’s fortune rests on more than his individual talent. He built his business empire in a nation with a stable political system and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, and he built it on a foundation of federal subsidies, loans and contracts. Mr. Musk’s companies have received at least $38 billion in government support, according to an analysis by The Washington Post . NASA has invested more than $15 billion in SpaceX; Tesla has collected $11 billion in subsidies to bolster the electric car industry."Now, as an influential adviser to President Trump, Mr. Musk is lawlessly tearing down parts of the very government that enabled his rise. "Mr. Musk claims that the government is a business in need of disruption and that his goal is to eliminate waste and improve efficiency."But DOGE is not building a better government. Instead, its haphazard demolition campaign is undermining the basic work of government and the safety and welfare of the American people. "Even worse is that Mr. Musk, with Mr. Trump’s support, has demonstrated a disregard for the limits that the Constitution places on the president’s power."But in their campaign to shrink the federal government, Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump have defied laws passed by Congress, and they have challenged the authority of the federal courts to adjudicate the legality of their actions. Mr. Trump recently referred to himself as a king and then insisted he had been joking, but there is no ambiguity in his assertion of the power to defy other branches of government. It is a rejection of the checks and balances that have safeguarded our nation for more than 200 years. Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump are not trying to change laws; they are upending the rule of law."Businesses can take risks in pursuit of profit because it’s OK if they fail. Americans can’t afford for the basic functions of government to fail. "The stability of the nation’s laws, and of the government’s role, has caused frustration throughout American history. It is also a kind of secret sauce, facilitating the private-sector investment and risk taking that are the wellspring of the nation’s prosperity."That stability is now under assault. "Mr. Musk has made clear that he holds caution in contempt. But the president, whose power Mr. Musk is wielding, should listen to those in his party who are raising concerns about Mr. Musk’s methods and priorities. There are already signs that the chaos is hurting the economy. Inflation expectations have risen; stock prices have tumbled."Americans like to take risks; to do so, they need a government that is steady and reliable." 2. 2025/03/08 The One Question That Really Matters: If Trump Defies the Courts, Then What? According to an Opinion published by the New York Times , the future of American constitutional democracy may hinge on whether President Donald Trump and his administration comply with court orders. Federal judges have issued numerous rulings against Trump’s policies, but the administration has already ignored some of them. With over 100 legal challenges pending, the Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court’s order to release frozen foreign aid, while another judge forced the release of billions in funds to states. However, the judiciary lacks enforcement power, and if the executive branch refuses to comply, the courts are left powerless. Trump and his allies, including Vice President JD Vance , have suggested that executive authority should not be constrained by judicial rulings, while some Republicans have called for the impeachment of judges who rule against the administration. The push to remove judges over policy disagreements is unprecedented and contradicts past conservative reliance on the courts to block Democratic policies. Historically, presidents have complied with court rulings, even when they strongly disagreed. Franklin Roosevelt accepted Supreme Court decisions striking down parts of the New Deal, Harry Truman obeyed a ruling against his steel mill seizure, and Richard Nixon turned over the White House tapes despite the consequences. However, the Trump administration has sent mixed signals on whether it will follow court mandates, with Trump stating he abides by the courts but also claiming that actions taken in the name of saving the country cannot be illegal. If Trump defies judicial authority, enforcement mechanisms are limited—officials could be held in contempt, but he could pardon them, and federal marshals enforcing civil contempt orders fall under his control. With Congress unlikely to impeach him, Trump could evade accountability, setting up a constitutional crisis that tests whether the United States will continue to function under the rule of law. "Perhaps public opinion will turn against the president and he will back down and comply. Or perhaps, after 238 years, we will see the end of government under the rule of law," the Opinion concludes. Author of the Opinion is Erwin Chemerinsky , dean of the Berkeley School of Law at the University of California and the author of the book “No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States.” News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2025/03/12 MSU Webinar on China Initiative2025/03/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/21 Fighting Racial Profiling and the Criminalization of Academia in North America2025/03/30 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/04/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/24-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2025/04/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/05/05 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. # # # 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 . Back View PDF March 10, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #163 Tragedies at Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay; Anti-Texas SB147 Rallies; Fred Korematsu #163 Tragedies at Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay; Anti-Texas SB147 Rallies; Fred Korematsu In This Issue #163 Tragedies at Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay Protests Grow Against Texas Senate Bill 147 and New Related Bills Sign-on Letter to Honor Fred Korematsu Tragedies at Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay At a time when the Asian American communities and the rest of America were celebrating the lunar new year, two senseless mass shootings in California shook first Monterey Park on January 21, 2023, and then Half Moon Bay on January 24, 2023. According to media reports, 11 persons, five Asian men and six Asian women age between 57 and 76, died in a dance studio in Monterey Park, about seven miles east of the Downtown Los Angeles civic center. Nine other people were injured. The suspect, a 72-year Asian man, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he was prevented from attacking another dance club in Alhambra. Three days later, five men and two women, all reportedly either Asian or Hispanic, were shot and killed at two mushroom farms in Half Moon Bay, about 30 miles south of San Francisco. The suspect, a 66-year old man of Chinese origin, was arrested after driving to a police station. He had worked at one of the mushroom farms and was formally charged with premeditated murder.Motives for both mass shootings are being investigated at this time.Monterey Park is a city of about 60,000 people on the eastern edge of Los Angeles and is composed of 65% Asians - mostly immigrants from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, or first-generation Asian Americans. A 1994 book by Professor Timothy P. Fong at Sacramento State University describes Monterey Park as the "First Suburban Chinatown." In recent years, several publications have named the city as one of the U.S.'s best places to live . Lily Lee Chen was the first female Chinese American mayor in the United States when she became mayor of Monterey Park in 1983. Rep. Judy Chu 赵美心 , Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, represents the 28th congressional district which includes Monterey Park. She previously served as mayor for three terms and city council of Monterey Park. Yahoo News reported that Rep. Chu spoke to the media outside the Monterey Park Civic Center and was at a candlelight vigil to honor the victims of the mass shooting. In a statement released by her office, Rep. Chu said, “This shooting in my hometown of Monterey Park has torn a hole through all of our hearts. My thoughts and condolences go to the victims of this horrific crime, and to their families and loved ones who woke up this morning to the worst news imaginable. I can't even comprehend the pain and suffering they are going through."While there is so much we do not yet know, we do know this occurred at a time that should have been very special to Asian Americans in this country and around the world. Lunar New Year is the highlight of the year for Asian American communities, and a time of celebration and of being with our families. In fact, it is horrific to think that only hours before, and only one block away, I joined with thousands of people and many elected officials at the opening of the Lunar New Year Festival. But now, Asian Americans in the Monterey Park community and nationwide are in mourning and are terrified instead of celebrating."If there is one thing I know, it is that Monterey Park is resilient. Our community is strong, and we will get through this terrible event together.” On January 22, 2023, President Joe Biden issued a statement on the mass shooting in Monterey Park and directed U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless attack. "I directed my Homeland Security Advisor to mobilize full federal support to local and state authorities as they continue to respond and investigate this shooting. As we await more crucial information from law enforcement, I want to assure the community of Monterey Park and the broader area that we will support you in every way we can," according to the statement. On January 24, 2023, PBS News Hour interviewed Erika L. Moritsugu , Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison, who was in Monterey Park. "It's important to show up, in the first instance, when there's a crisis and a tragedy that befalls the community that's already felt under siege and in terror, to be present. And that's one of the reasons why the president asked me to come here immediately in the wake of the tragedy, even as it was still unfolding, to be with the community, to deliver his messages of healing and condolences on behalf of him and Dr. Biden, but also because I am a member of the community. This is my community too." said Moritsugu. According to USA Today and NBC News ,, Vice President Kamala Harris , a former California senator, arrived outside of the dance studio in Monterey Park on January 25, 2023, stopping to take a look at each of the victims' names and pictures from the deadly mass shooting before placing a bouquet in front of the memorial. Harris told reporters the nation is mourning the loss of the 11 people killed and nine others injured, while also advocating for stricter gun control laws. "Tragically we keep saying the same things," Harris said. "Congress must act. Should they? Yes. Can they? Yes." In a report by Ding Ding TV (video 21:44) on January 24, 2023, AAPI community leaders in California gave their reactions and statements on the mass shootings. They included Joel Wong 黄锦斻 (Chairman of National Asian Americans United), Maeley Tom 唐美梨 (Founding President, Joint California Legislative Caucus Institute), Ken Fong 方瑞贤 (Founder and Chairman of Kenson Ventures), Dennis Wu 伍宗德 (Chairman of SF Cause), Wilson Chu 苏元吉 (Board member of SF Cause), Carmen Montano (Mayor of Milpitas), Anthony Ng 吴柱梁 (Executive Director of CLUSA), and Carl Chan 陈锡澎 (President of Oakland Chinatown Chamber Foundation).Maeley Tom said: “I do agree that these past years of living under the threat of anti Asian violence has taken its toll on the mental health of the Asian community, especially the elders, though not condoning this as a reason for the two tragic incidences. But our community is really on edge, angry and frustrated.” Ken Fong stated: “It reminded us of the serious emotional trauma of the APIs that we are facing now. Not that we are condoning this kind of desperate action, you and I have to pay close attention to it and let our elected representatives know about the seriousness. It is most likely other ethnic groups have similar problems, but these two side by side API mass killings have brought this long simmering mental instability to the surface.” AASF Webinar Postponed to February 2 . Due to the two mass shootings leading to the deaths and injuries of multiple Asian Americans and immigrants, the Asian American Scholar Forum is moving the "Know Your Rights on Airport Enforcement and Border Harassment" webinar to Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 8:00 pm ET. Register to attend: http://bit.ly/3ZMVUhX Protests Grow Against Texas Senate Bill 147 and New Related Bills On January 29, 2023, two Anti-Asian Bill Rally will be held in Austin and Dallas, Texas, respectively. Read more at https://bit.ly/402lG1w . On January 23, 2023, Texas Representative Angie Chen Button 陳筱玲 announced that she has joined State Representatives Cody Harris and Jacey Jetton in support of House Bill 1075 , recently filed legislation that would prohibit foreign governments or any entity owned or controlled by a foreign government from purchasing agricultural land in Texas."Like so many other Texans who immigrated here for a better life, I came to America because it afforded me new opportunities, including the right to own property and freely purchase a safe and stable home in which to rase my family. This is a right that all Texans, regardless of race, color, or creed, should have," stated State Representative Angie Chen Button.Under HB 1075 by Rep. Harris, all individuals and American-owned businesses will maintain their right to purchase ag property in the State of Texas. As filed, the legislation applies to all foreign governments or government-controlled entities equally.On January 23, 2023, Texas Senate Bill 552 was introduced. The title of the bill is "Relating to prohibiting contracts or other agreements with certain foreign-owned companies in connection with agricultural land."On January 23, 2023, a rally was held at the Houston City Hall to p rotest against the discriminatory Texas Senate Bill 147. According to multiple media reports, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said during the press conference that with Houston being a very diverse city, the bill would affect a lot of individuals who immigrated here from those targeted countries. "Senate Bill 147 is just down right wrong," he said. "It is more divisive than anything else. Houston, the most diverse city in the United States, stands as one to say that we all should stand against 147 – this is not the way to start 2023."“After an unprecedented rise in anti-Asian hate around the nation, our communities continue to struggle against not only violence within our society, but with political persecution as well," State Representative Gene Wu 吳元之 said in a statement. “SB 147 is discriminatory, hateful, and brings back painful reminders of laws passed a hundred years ago that specifically prevented Chinese individuals from owning property, starting businesses, or even marrying the person they love." Wu is an Asian-American who immigrated from China as a child. He said his family moved here to have a better life for themselves, not to be targeted.Congressional members Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green also spoke at the rally. The Anti-Defamation League, the NAACP, CAIR-Houston, and other leaders were also at the press conference. Texas SB147 would affect people like Niloufar Hafzi who was born in the U.S. but also has citizenship in Iran. "I shouldn’t have to choose between being able to visit my family and having that citizenship and being able to have property rights here," said Hafzi. Many are worried this bill would bring along more racism. APA Justice is monitoring the continuing development of Texas SB147, community responses, and media repots at: https://bit.ly/402lG1w . It includes a link to Immigration History's " Alien Land Laws In California (1913 & 1920) " and the text of California's original 1913 Alien Land Law. Franklin Odo , who served as the director of the Asian Pacific American Program at the Smithsonian Institution from the program's inception in 1997 until his retirement in 2010, wrote the following commentary:California led the way for fifteen states to pass legislation preventing “aliens ineligible to citizenship” from owning land. Although occasionally used against other Asians, these laws were directly aimed at Japanese immigrants, who were perceived as gaining undue economic power through agricultural holdings. Legislation using the words “Asian” or “Japanese” would clearly be unconstitutional, hence the circumlocution. Violators would have their property revert to control by the state. But at least some Japanese manage to evade the law, and the legislature moved in 1920 to strengthen its provisions as well as prohibit the practice of immigrant Japanese (as guardians) placing land in the legal hands of their citizen children. The Supreme Court declared such laws constitutional in 1923, and California’s law remained on the books until 1956, although court cases had invalidated the 1920 and 1913 Alien Land Laws in Oyama v, California (1948) and Fuji Sei v. State of California (1952).Excerpt from: Odo, F. (ed.) (2002). The columbia documentary history of the Asian American experience . New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Sign-on Letter to Honor Fred Korematsu Demand Justice has prepared an open letter to Senators Mazie Hirono and Tammy Duckworth and Representatives Mark Takano and Jill Tokuda , in support of following legislation to recognize Fred Korematsu ’s legacy as a civil rights hero: Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act , which would prohibit detention or imprisonment based solely on an actual or perceived protected characteristic of an individual. Recognizing the importance of establishing a national "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution," which will help to ensure that Fred Korematsu's legacy is remembered and honored, and that the lessons of the internment are not forgotten. Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act, which will honor Fred Korematsu for his decades-long fight for justice, and will serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting civil liberties for all Americans. According to the Smithsonian Magazine , on Memorial Day 1942, Fred Korematsu was walking down a street in San Leandro, California, with his girlfriend when police arrested him on suspicion that he was Japanese. On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans. In all, more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were detained and forcefully removed from their homes without charges or due process for years. The lawsuit brought by Fred Korematsu, an American citizen of Japanese descent, fought the implementation of that order, challenging the mass violation of civil liberties on the basis of race. Korematsu stood against these unfounded and racist actions. At the time, our institutions — our democracy — failed him. The Supreme Court, intended as a bulwark against Executive power run amok, upheld Korematsu’s detention in Korematsu v. United States in 1944, with a 6-3 majority. However, the dissent by Justice Frank Murphy spoke the truth that the United States, grudgingly and slowly, would come to recognize through executive, judicial, and legislative action. Justice Murphy declared the order to detain Japanese Americans the “legalization of racism.” The imprisonment of Americans of Japanese ancestry, and its legal sanction, is now recognized as a grave injustice and a violation of civil liberties. Its basis was rank racism and xenophobia combined with undue deference to the Executive branch, not facts. While the racist basis of the internment decision was discovered in the early 1980s, leading to Korematsu’s conviction being overturned after 40 years, the decision remains a dangerous precedent used to justify discrimination against other communities. Sign on to the Demand Justice open letter by noon Friday, January 27, 2023: https://bit.ly/3JgDq3o . If there are questions, please contact Hajar Hammado, policy advisor, Demand Progress Action, at hajar@demandprogress.org .Read about the Fred Korematsu story at Fred T. Korematsu Institute: Fred Korematsu's Story 2017/01/30 Smithsonian Magazine: Fred Korematsu Fought Against Japanese Internment in the Supreme Court… and Lost Subscribe to The APA Justice Newsletter Complete this simple form at https://bit.ly/2FJunJM to subscribe. Please share it with those who wish to be informed and join the fight. View past newsletters here: https://bit.ly/APAJ_Newsletters . Back View PDF January 26, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #3 July 6 Meeting Summary; ICE Directive On Student Visas; Racism In The Military #3 July 6 Meeting Summary; ICE Directive On Student Visas; Racism In The Military Back View PDF July 16, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter