Newsletter - #289 U.S. Heartland China Association Update and Event; Franklin Tao Speaks Out; Pandas; + #289 U.S. Heartland China Association Update and Event; Franklin Tao Speaks Out; Pandas; + In This Issue #289 · Update from US Heartland China Association · "China in the Heartland: Building a Balanced Approach" and the Case of Professor Franklin Tao · KSNT News: Professor Franklin Tao Speaks Out · Pandas are Here at the National Zoo in Washington DC · News and Activities for the Communities Update from US Heartland China Association Min Fan , Executive Director of the U.S. Heartland China Association, introduced USHCA to us at the February 2024 monthly meeting. Min Fan warmly invited meeting participants to join an upcoming hybrid event "China in the Heartland: Building a Balanced Approach" at the University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence, Kansas. Former KU Professor Franklin Tao and his wife Hong Peng plan to attend and engage in discussions. This event has been in planning for over a year. It involved collaboration with local Chinese American scholars and the National Committee for U.S.-China Relations to ensure a meaningful exchange on pertinent topics. The emphasis is on fostering local engagement and informed debate around broader issues affecting the community.Min underscored the importance of having discussions about U.S.-China relations not just in Washington, D.C., but also in the Heartland. The U.S. Heartland China Association, a bipartisan organization founded by late Senator Adlai Stevenson III of Illinois originally under the name of Midwest U.S. China Association and currently chaired by Former Governor of Missouri Bob Holden , aims to promote stable U.S.-China relations to protect and advance the interests of the Heartland community, such as export market for our agricultural producers, global competitiveness of our businesses, talent attraction in our universities, and the cultural heritage of Chinese Americans In the Heartland. During this past summer, USHCA organized an agricultural delegation to China, which included members from rural areas who had never visited the country before. One delegate from Kentucky returned with a renewed perspective, expressing to his local trade association members and elected officials that China was nothing like the all-negative portrayals in the media. This experience illustrated the potential benefits of people-to-people exchanges in fostering better relations and understanding between the two nations. ( From Heartland to Mainland, reflections and insights , webinar replay) The trip was 100% funded by US Agriculture stakeholders. Min, who is the first Chinese American executive director of the organization, highlighted the scrutiny faced by Chinese Americans in leadership roles within nonprofits focused on U.S.-China relations. She is one of very few Chinese Americans leading a non-profit organization on U.S.-China relations. USHCA also faced political backlash and accusations of undue influence after sending a bipartisan delegation of six Heartland mayors to China ( Press Release , Video recap ). Despite the challenges, the organization continues to work closely with the State Department and other agencies to promote sub-national diplomacy and collaborative efforts around pressing issues like climate change. Min highlighted an upcoming event in Memphis, which aims to engage local partners, NGOs, and academics in a Yangtze-Mississippi Regional Dialogue about climate resilience, low carbon agriculture, and green transportation. This initiative seeks to promote balanced discussions in the Heartland, inviting broader community involvement and partnerships. The goal is to engage diverse local stakeholders in more informed conversations about U.S.-China relations and the future of Chinese Americans in this region. In closing, Min expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share insights with the broader community and emphasized the importance of ensuring that diverse voices are heard in discussions that shape the future. She called for continued collaboration and support to facilitate these critical dialogues and foster understanding among all stakeholders involved.A summary of the October 7 monthly meeting, including Min's update, is posted at https://bit.ly/48wdg7D . Farm Policy News: New US-China Trade War Could Cost Farmers Billions According to Farm Policy News on October 17, 2024, United States corn and soybean farmers could lose billions of dollars in annual production value if the US-China trade war induced new tariffs on agriculture products. The study found that “U.S. soybean farmers (could) lose an average of $3.6 to $5.9 billion in annual production value” while “U.S. corn farmers (could) lose an average of $0.9 to $1.4 billion in annual production value” depending on how China would respond to increased U.S. tariffs. “This burden is not limited to the U.S. soybean and corn farmers who lose market share and production value. There is a ripple impact across the U.S., particularly in rural economies where farmers live, purchase inputs, utilize farm and personal services, and purchase household goods,” the study said. The total economic contribution of soybean and corn production could drop between $4.9 billion and $7.9 billion annually, with the most heavily affected sectors including manufacturing and mining of crop protection, fertilizer products, and energy products, as well as real estate and transportation.Read the Farm Policy News report: https://bit.ly/4eR0yT8 "China in the Heartland: Building a Balanced Approach" and the Case of Professor Franklin Tao On October 11, 2024, Professor Jack Zhang of the University of Kansas (KU) Department of Political Science, joined by Susan Thornton , Vice Chair of the U.S. Heartland China Association (USHCA), and a retired senior U.S. diplomat with decades of experience in Eurasia and East Asia, and Kyle Jaros , an associate professor at the University of Notre Dame, for a discussion on building a balanced approach for relations with China. The event was hosted by USHCA and the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at KU. Kyle Jaros began by discussing the surge in China-related legislation and other state-level policy actions, which increased to at least 110 or 115 between 2016 and 2023. Probably 25 to 30% of these proposals have been enacted into law. What started out as a handful of tangible concerns has morphed into something that is far more ominous in the minds of many. When asked about the China policies of the Trump and Biden administrations, Susan Thornton stated that one of the key challenges in U.S.-China negotiations is the political divide within the U.S. in Washington. It has often been politically advantageous for lawmakers to exaggerate or promote dramatic, threatening proposals to get attention. While the federal government generally takes a balanced approach in assessing the China threat, politicians have put a lot more emphasis on some aspects of the so-called China threat than are warranted. This overemphasis on the perceived threat from China could lead to unintended consequences, as highlighted by Jack Zhang. Many legislators, both at the national and subnational levels, may not realize that the bills they are drafting and voting on could have adverse effects. One major concern is the effort to revive the China initiative in Congress. The China Initiative was a Department of Justice program that tried to combat espionage and technology theft on university campuses and industry. There is a lot of evidence that the FBI racially profiled Chinese and Asian American researchers, damaged and ruined a lot of careers.During the Q&A session, Hong Peng reminded the audience that her husband, Franklin Tao was a KU professor who was wrongly prosecuted by the China Initiative . After five years of hard fighting by the Taos, the Tenth Circuit Court acquitted the last charge against Franklin on July 11 this year. Justice finally prevailed and Franklin was fully exonerated. The victory was bittersweet for the couple. This fight has cost Franklin nearly everything; the wrongful prosecution destroyed his career that he spent over 20 years building and spending almost 16 hours a day each day working in his lab. The total cost of his legal defense is over 2.3 million. They used up all their savings. They took money out of their retirement accounts, borrowed money from every single friend who could help, and they raised funds through GoFundMe. And currently, they still have over a million in debt.Hong Peng said “We can't choose where we were born and where we came from. But we really should not be scapegoated because of our country of origin. Twenty years ago, we came to the United States to pursue our American dream. We never imagined we would spend five years trapped in this nightmare.” Despite all this, Franklin Tao remained fully occupied, fully dedicated to his scientific work. He has published over 30 papers during those five years. And a few days ago, he had one of his papers accepted by Science . Unfortunately, even until today, he is still fighting to reinstate his faculty position. Hong wondered how the community could help a victim like Franklin to rebuild his career. Kyle Jaros commented that an idea very well worth considering: a kind of amnesty for anybody who was found in violation of minor academic regulations, for example, disclosure of foreign research relationships which was a widespread issue across academia.Compliance and information about compliance was something that academics were not being regularly informed of for a long period of time. And then suddenly there was a huge frame shift. And within a few years, universities very quickly started to ramp up attention to these rules, and then law enforcement got involved and decided to make criminal cases or even kind of national security cases out of what in many instances were very minor. Kyle Jaros hoped that Franklin Tao can make progress in restitution. Susan Thornton thanked Franklin Tao for seeing the whole process through to the end and the acquittal. It is important for our justice system, for our institutions, for our faith in our institutions, which she thinks is coming under a lot of fire in this country and around the world. "I think we owe you a debt of gratitude on that score. We've seen periods of overzealousness of this type in U.S. history before, and then we always must come back and reflect on our errors. More publicity, more shining a light, as you've done tonight by standing up and telling your story, is what we need for people to be aware of," she said. "I hope that this very difficult ordeal can somehow have some kind of silver lining or benefit both for you and your family because you deserve it, but also the contribution that you make to our institutional fabric."Watch the video: https://bit.ly/3UhjmT7 (1:19:06). Read the Franklin Tao story: https://bit.ly/3y8SBsm . Ken Lao contributed to this report. KSNT News: Professor Franklin Tao Speaks Out On October 20 2024, KSNT News Inside Kansas Politics featured former Kansas University Professor Franklin Tao , his wife Hong Peng , and Ron Barrett-Gonzalez , KSAAUP (Kansas Conference of American Association of University Professors) Committee A Co-Chair. The interview discussed Professor Tao's legal battle after being wrongfully accused of Chinese espionage under the Trump administration's China initiative. His conviction was overturned by a U.S. appeals court in July 2024. Tao shares his journey, including his academic background and the distressing circumstances surrounding his arrest. Professor Tao’s wife, Hong Peng, described the emotional toll the situation took on their family, highlighting the fear and desperation they faced. The couple endured significant financial damage. Her testimonies revealed the emotional toll the situation has taken on her family, with children experiencing significant distress.Professor Barrett-Gonzalez expressed deep concern over the university's handling of Professor Tao's case. He recalled the horror felt within the academic community when it was revealed that a specific ethnicity of researchers, particularly those of Asian descent, were being disproportionately targeted by the federal initiative. After Professor Tao was acquitted, Professors Barrett-Gonzalez and Rob Catlett, also KSAAUP Committee A Co-Chair, and other faculty members expected the KU administration to promptly reinstate him, recognizing the importance of justice and fairness in academia. However, to their disappointment, the administration opted not to take action, which Professor Barrett-Gonzalez argued is unfairly prolonging the distress for Professor Tao and his family. Professor Barrett-Gonzalez referenced similar cases where universities acted appropriately after faculty were acquitted. For example, Professor Anming Hu in Tennessee facing similar accusations was reinstated following a court ruling, as the university recognized the negative impact on its reputation. In contrast, Professor Barrett-Gonzalez criticized KU for failing to follow suit and reinstate Professor Tao. The discussions between Professors Barrett-Gonzelez and Catlett and university officials centered around what they considered clear violations of civil rights laws, particularly the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on nationality or ethnic origin. They highlighted how the 10th Circuit Court has recognized tenure as a property right, arguing that the university’s actions have violated Professor Tao's Fifth Amendment rights by not providing due process in his dismissal. Professor Barrett-Gonzalez asserted that this treatment reflects a broader ethical failure on the part of the university administration.In closing, Professor Tao underscored his continued dedication to research despite challenges, arguing that he has been wrongfully persecuted and calling for his immediate reinstatement to help restore the university's reputation. The segment concludes with a commitment to continue advocating for justice and fairness in the academic environment.Watch the KSNT News report: https://bit.ly/3YyWeSV (27:57). Professors Barrett-Gonzalez and Catlett spoke at the August 2024 APA Justice monthly meeting, a summary of which is posted here: https://bit.ly/3AHFSO1 Pandas are Here at the National Zoo in Washington DC According to Washington Post , CNN , and multiple media reports, two giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, both three years old, arrived at the National Zoo in Washington DC on October 15, 2024, after an absence of almost a year. They travelled on a specially chartered FedEx Boeing 777 cargo jet dubbed the “Panda Express.” They are here on a 10-year lease, and will make their public debut January 24, 2025, after a quarantine period. While born in Sichuan, Bao Li has deep familial roots in Washington. His mother, Bao Bao, was born a celebrity at the National Zoo in 2013 and returned to China four years later. His grandparents, Meixiang and Tian Tian, lived at the zoo for 23 years until their lease ended last year.“Panda Diplomacy” began with US President Richard Nixon ’s ice-breaking trip to Communist China during the Cold War. In June, the San Diego Zoo also received two giant pandas from China, which marked the first panda loans to the U.S. in two decades. On the same day Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived in Washington, On line livestream of "giant panda cam" from the San Diego Zoo was launched at https://bit.ly/4eRBVWu News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/10/24 Why Do Legislators Brawl? Lawmaking, Fist Fighting and Messaging in Taiwan 2024/10/25-27 Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the American Studies Network2024/10/26 Common Ground and Banquet2024/10/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/03 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 AAASE Inaugural Annual Summit2024/11/15 Yangtze-Mississippi Regional DialogueVisit 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. Summary of October 2024 Monthly Meeting Posted The October 2024 APA Justice monthly meeting summary has been posted at https://bit.ly/3BMUjB2 . We thank the following special speakers for their reports and updates: · Congresswoman Grace Meng gave her remarks that were covered in Newsletter #288 on October 21, 2024: https://bit.ly/4070ryi · Casey Lee , Policy Director of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), provided an update on CAPAC on behalf of Nisha Ramachandran, Executive Director of CAPAC. She thanked Congresswoman Grace Meng and her team for leading efforts to prevent the reinstatement of the China Initiative in the FY 2025 appropriations bill. CAPAC remains committed to ensuring the AAPI community's voice is heard in key legislative processes, including the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Casey highlighted a recently released video featuring firsthand accounts of the racial profiling and wrongful prosecutions caused by the China Initiative, encouraging its wide distribution to raise awareness. She also acknowledged the collaboration with advocacy groups like AASF, AAJC, and CAA, emphasizing their role in shaping ongoing legislative negotiations to protect the community. · Gisela Kusakawa , Executive Director of Asian American Forum (AASF), expressed gratitude to Congresswoman Grace Meng for her leadership in opposing the reinstatement of the China Initiative and supporting the Museum of Asian Pacific American History. She highlighted AASF's success in gathering over 1,000 participants for its award ceremony, celebrating Asian American scholars, and emphasized AASF’s role in policy efforts and the museum’s establishment. Gisela also thanked Casey Lee and CAPAC for educating the public during "China Week," where scholars shared personal stories of facing discrimination. She praised AASF’s advocacy in recognizing civil rights icons and connecting university faculty with policymakers, urging continued community engagement to ensure Asian American voices are heard in shaping national policy. Gisela also mentioned AASF's collaboration with the NIH on transparency efforts and reiterated the importance of the community's involvement in policy discussions. · Min Fan , Executive Director of the U.S. Heartland China Association (USHCA), gave a report that is covered by today's newsletter. · Texas State Representative Gene Wu gave a report that was covered in Newsletter #288 on October 21, 2024: https://bit.ly/4070ryi Read the October APA Justice monthly meeting summary: https://bit.ly/48wdg7D . Read previous monthly meeting summaries: https://bit.ly/3kxkqxP 3. China and World Institute at Johns Hopkins University is Hiring Johns Hopkins University is seeking a Managing Director, China & The World Institute to play a pivotal role in the launch and growth of the new China and the World Institute at School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). The mission of the Institute is to bring greater rigor and reason to public and policy discussions on China, spearheading efforts to generate new knowledge and strategic insights to “get China right.” Working closely with and reporting to the inaugural Faculty Director, the Managing Director leads the strategic development, management, and advancement of the Institute, playing a critical role in building a leading center for interdisciplinary research, education, and public engagement on China's role in the world. It is also hiring an Academic Program Manager. Read more about these opportunities at https://bit.ly/40kgtES 4. APA Justice Newsletter Web Page Moved to New Website As part of its continuing migration to a new website under construction, we have moved the Newsletter webpage to https://www.apajusticetaskforce.org/newsletters . Content of the existing website will remain, but it will no longer be updated. We value your feedback about the new web page. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF October 24, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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Newsletter - #126 Nikkei Asia Report; Yale Senate Resolution; New Chancellor/President; Norm Mineta; + #126 Nikkei Asia Report; Yale Senate Resolution; New Chancellor/President; Norm Mineta; + Back View PDF May 25, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #122 OSTP Hour; Senate Probes FBI; 4/4 Meeting; Sherry Chen Injustice; Video/Audio Reports #122 OSTP Hour; Senate Probes FBI; 4/4 Meeting; Sherry Chen Injustice; Video/Audio Reports Back View PDF March 31, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #339 7/7 Meeting; Supreme Court; NIH Grant Ruling; Vincent Chin; Perkins Coie Webinar; More #339 7/7 Meeting; Supreme Court; NIH Grant Ruling; Vincent Chin; Perkins Coie Webinar; More In This Issue #339 · 2025/07/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Orders on Birthright Citizenship · Judge Rebukes Trump Administration NIH Grant Terminations · Anti-Asian Hate: Why We Must Remember Vincent Chin · Perkins Coie Webinar: Strategies for Nonprofits · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/07/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates from: · Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) · Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) We are honored by and welcome the following distinguished speakers: · Lynn Pasquerella , President, American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) · Toby Smith , Senior Vice President for Government Relations & Public Policy, Association of American Universities (AAU) · Clay Zhu 朱可亮 , Founder and President, Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) · Paul Cheung 鄭文耀 , President, Committee of 100 · Tony Chan 陳繁昌 , Former President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (2018–2024) and Former President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2009–2018) 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 . Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Orders on Birthright Citizenship According to AP News , NPR , Washington Post and multiple media reports, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 on June 27, 2025, in favor of narrowing the use of nationwide injunctions, limiting lower courts’ ability to block federal policies for the entire country while litigation is pending. While the ruling does not address the constitutionality of President Donald Trump ’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants and foreign visitors, it does pause the order’s implementation for 30 days and returns pending lawsuits to lower courts to reassess the scope of relief.Justice Amy Coney Barrett , writing for the majority, argued that courts must limit relief to actual plaintiffs, not impose universal blocks. Dissenting Justice Sonia Sotomayor strongly opposed the decision, warning it would harm families and shield unlawful executive actions from scrutiny. The ruling allows nationwide class-action suits as an alternative and has already prompted new legal filings from civil rights groups seeking broad protections. While celebrated by Trump and Republican lawmakers as a check on judicial overreach, critics say the decision weakens protections against potentially unconstitutional policies and creates legal uncertainty for families and states.Within hours after the Supreme Court ruling, two class-action suits had been filed in Maryland and New Hampshire seeking to block Trump’s order, including an amended class action complaint and emergency motion for class-wide injunctive relief under Casa Inc. v. Trump (8:25-cv-00201) One of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs, William Powell , senior counsel at the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown Law, says his colleagues at CASA, Inc. and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project think that, with the class action approach "we will be able to get complete relief for everyone who would be covered by the executive order." The strategic shift required three court filings: one to add class allegations to the initial complaint; a second to move for class certification; and a third asking a district court in Maryland to issue "a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction asking for relief for that putative class," Powell said. According to a Washington Post opinion on June 28, the Supreme Court’s decision in CASA v. Trump will shift judicial power to check the executive from the roughly 700 district judges across the country to the nine justices of the Supreme Court in Washington. For example, district judges can guarantee birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants who file for relief in their district court (or potentially groups of immigrants who bring a class action). But a universal bar on enforcement of this and other presidential decrees will have to wait for the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is now the only court in the country that can block a presidential policy nationwide. However, if the president tries to implement an unconstitutional order and the district courts lack the tools to stop him, the Supreme Court can still swoop in on its time-sensitive emergency docket. Judge Rebukes Trump Administration NIH Grant Terminations As of June 26, 2025, the number of legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s executive actions has risen to 303, according to the Just Security Litigation Tracker (with 12 cases closed). One of the most significant recent developments centers on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' termination of hundreds of NIH research grants: American Public Health Association v. National Institutes of Health (1:25-cv-10787) In February 2025, HHS halted both ongoing and pending biomedical and behavioral research grants at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), following Trump’s Executive Orders 14151 and 14173, which barred federal funding from supporting “gender ideology” or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. NIH subsequently issued directives labeling entire categories of research—such as DEI, transgender health, vaccine hesitancy, and COVID-19—as no longer aligned with agency priorities. At least 678 research projects have reportedly been terminated.On April 2, a coalition of prominent health organizations and affected scientists filed suit under the Administrative Procedure Act, challenging the legality of these terminations and seeking an injunction. The plaintiffs include four researchers, the American Public Health Association (APHA), the United Auto Workers (UAW), and Ibis Reproductive Health—all alleging loss of funding or research suppression. According to Politico on June 16, U.S. District Judge William Young of Massachusetts issued a forceful ruling against the administration. Calling the NIH’s actions “illegal” and “palpably clear” discrimination, Judge Young ordered the immediate reinstatement of the terminated grants. He condemned the terminations as unconstitutional, stating they demonstrated racial and anti-LGBTQ bias and violated procedural norms. The administration’s defense—that the actions aligned with congressional priorities—was found to lack any evidentiary basis.This ruling marks a significant legal and symbolic blow to the administration’s sweeping efforts to dismantle federal support for DEI and LGBTQ+ initiatives under the banner of ideological reform. Appeals are expected. Anti-Asian Hate: Why We Must Remember Vincent Chin According to Detroit Free Press , Detroit PBS , Inquirer , Michigan Chronicle , Outlier Media , and other media reports, 43 years after the brutal killing of Vincent Chin 陳果仁 , a new sign was unveiled in Detroit: Vincent Chin Street. Under the hot June sun, a string quartet played Mozart, and the crowd — elders, youth, activists, public officials — gathered not only to honor the man, but to mark the legacy his death ignited.Chin, a 27-year-old Chinese American draftsman, was celebrating his bachelor party on June 19, 1982, when he was assaulted by two white autoworkers who blamed “people like him” for their economic hardships. It was a time when an Asian nation - Japan - was on the rise and blamed for threatening the American auto industry. Days later, on June 23, Chin died of head injuries from a baseball bat attack in a McDonald’s parking lot. The assailants, Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz , were sentenced to probation and a fine. No jail time.The injustice was not just in the courtroom. It echoed in how little American society at the time recognized Asian Americans as part of the civil rights conversation. Even progressive institutions — local chapters of the ACLU and the National Lawyers Guild — argued Asian Americans did not qualify for civil rights protections. “Those were the things people would say to us,” said Helen Zia, Founder of the Vincent Chin Institute. The battle to establish Chin’s citizenship status in order to pursue justice became symbolic of broader struggles for recognition.And yet, that moment in 1982 became a turning point. Chin’s death spurred the creation of the American Citizens for Justice (ACJ) and catalyzed the modern Asian American civil rights movement. It showed that hate — even when misdirected — had deadly consequences. And it taught a generation that justice does not arrive unless you demand it. The street naming this year, attended by many who led those early fights, is a testament to that generation’s perseverance. Attorney Roland Hwang , who helped cofound ACJ, reminded the crowd: “What happened to him… was seared in our minds. His last words were, ‘It’s not fair.’” Those words, he said, should still guide us today. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan reflected on the leniency of the original sentence. “We have to step up and stop [hate],” he said, linking the legacy of Chin’s killing to anti-Arab bias after 9/11 and to the rising violence and polarization seen today. “Most of all, we’ve got to remember. And that’s what you’ve done today.”But remembrance is not enough.According to new data from Stop AAPI Hate, more than 50% of Asian Americans today — especially those aged 18 to 29 — report experiencing racial animus. Many of these young people were not born when Chin died. Many have never heard his name. As Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang put it, “There are going to be people who see this sign and ask, ‘Who was Vincent Chin?’ And hopefully, that will spur learning and understanding.”That learning matters, especially in today’s political climate. The same scapegoating that helped justify Chin’s death in 1982 is reemerging in new forms. Now, it is not Japan but China that is framed as the threat — and proposals like Michigan’s recent House bill restricting land ownership by nationals of certain countries (including China) raise alarm about repeating history. “It’s discriminatory,” said civil rights groups and community advocates. State Senator Chang and others are working to embed ethnic studies into Michigan’s education system so that no one graduates asking “Vincent who?” — not just to preserve memory, but to prevent erasure. To see justice not as a one-time verdict, but a cultural habit that must be nurtured.Even the site of the unveiling — once the heart of Detroit’s Chinatown — tells a story. The Chinese Merchants Association building, where the ACJ first organized in 1982, was demolished in 2023 despite protests. Still, the effort to rebuild continues, with a $1 million appropriation and a vision of a revitalized Chinatown, not only as a cultural anchor but as a space of solidarity and healing.What is clear after 43 years is that Vincent Chin’s story is not just a tragedy. It is a mirror. Of where we were, where we still are, and where we need to go. Every June, as Juneteenth reminds the nation of delayed justice for Black Americans, Chin’s memory reminds Asian Americans that the struggle is shared — and ongoing.Vincent Chin's story calls us to vigilance, solidarity, and the courage to confront injustice in all forms. The next generation is watching. Justice is not a moment — it is a movement, and the work continues. Perkins Coie Webinar: Strategies for Nonprofits The law firm Perkins Coie launched The Compliance Collective webinar series in August 2024, hosting a monthly 60‑minute session—every third Thursday at 1 p.m. ET—covering emerging compliance issues with expert panels.The webinar on June 26, 2025, was titled " Essential Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders Navigating Government Inquiries ," specifically designed to empower nonprofit leaders with the latest insights and practical strategies for effectively responding to government investigations and inquiries. As nonprofits face increasing scrutiny from both executive agencies and legislative bodies, it is essential to be prepared for subpoenas, inquiries, and other actions.The webinar covered: · Unique risks facing non-profit organizations · Interacting with the government o Preparing for informal outreach and inquiries from law enforcement and regulators o Navigating government raids o Effective subpoena response · Best practices for developing policies & procedures to address these risks Sign up and receive Perkins Coie webinar invites and updates at https://bit.ly/44mtKgT On March 11, 2025, Perkins Coie sued the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other government agencies over President Trump’s March 6, 2025 executive order (EO) terminating government contracts, denying members of the firm access to federal employees, and suspending employees’ security clearances. On May 2, U.S. District Judge Beryl Alaine Howell of the District of Columbia held that the EO violates the law and is invalid and permanently enjoined the DOJ from implementing, enforcing, or using statements from the EO in any way. Judge Howell granted Perkins Coie’s motion for summary judgment and declaratory relief and denied the DOJ’s motion to dismiss. News and Activities for the Communities APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/06/28-30 2025 ICSA China Conference2025/07/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/07/09 8th Annual Congressional Reception2025/07/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/07/25-27 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony 2025/07/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/08/02-07 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings2025/08/04 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 June 30, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #109 Gang Chen Speaks Out; 01/30 Webinar; "We Are All Gang Chen;" End "China Initiative"+ #109 Gang Chen Speaks Out; 01/30 Webinar; "We Are All Gang Chen;" End "China Initiative"+ Back View PDF January 27, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #26 SupChina Video; Professor Ning Xi; UCA And APAPA On Newsweek; Chinese Student Visas #26 SupChina Video; Professor Ning Xi; UCA And APAPA On Newsweek; Chinese Student Visas Back View PDF November 6, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

2. Historical Re-Hash - Alien Land Law and SB147 2023 Texas Alien Land Bill SB147 Wednesday, March 1, 2023 20230301 Webinar2.jpg Previous Item Next Item

Newsletter - #363 Andy Phillips on Dr. Yanping Chen Case; US Science & Data at Crossrords; 10/3 Summary+ #363 Andy Phillips on Dr. Yanping Chen Case; US Science & Data at Crossrords; 10/3 Summary+ In This Issue #363 · Andy Phillips on The Privacy Case of Dr. Yanping Chen · Banning Collaboration, Fueling Brain Drain: U.S. Science at a Crossroads · U.S. Data at Risk · October 2025 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Summary Posted · News and Activities for the Communities Andy Phillips on The Privacy Case of Dr. Yanping Chen During the APA Justice monthly meeting on November 3, 2025, Andy Phillips , Managing & Founding Partner, Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP, presented an in-depth briefing on Dr. Yanping Chen 陈燕平 ’s Privacy Act case, which he has been litigating for several years. Dr. Chen emigrated to the U.S. from China and has a medical degree as a cardiologist. She worked as a scientist and supervisor for China’s astronaut program. She came to the U.S. to be a visiting scholar at George Washington University in Washington, DC, in the late 80s, became a permanent resident in 1993, and a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2001. In the 1990s, she founded the University of Management and Technology (UMT) in Arlington, Virginia, focusing on post-secondary and graduate studies for working adults. A fairly large number of UMT’s students are service members who seek degrees and receive assistance from the Department of Defense (DOD)’s Tuition Assistance Program, which UMT participates in along with many other schools. The program allows UMT to receive subsidized tuition payments for service members from the DOD. Dr. Chen became the subject of a years-long Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) investigation beginning around 2010 concerning statements she made on her immigration forms related to her work for China’s astronaut program. Despite FBI raids on her home and office and interviews with her family, the U.S. Attorney’s Office closed the case in 2016 with no charges filed. A year later, in 2017, Fox News and then reporter Catherine Herridge published a series of television and online reports accusing Dr. Chen of being a Chinese spy and suggesting that UMT was a front for gathering sensitive U.S. military information. These reports contained leaked FBI materials, including Dr. Chen’s immigration forms, family photographs, and references to internal interview memoranda—clear signs of an unauthorized disclosure of Dr. Chen’s private government records. In response, Dr. Chen filed a Privacy Act lawsuit in 2019 against several federal agencies, including the FBI, Department of Justice (DOJ), DOD, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), arguing that government officials had unlawfully leaked her protected records to the press. Andy explained that the Privacy Act of 1974 was enacted to safeguard personal information collected by government agencies and to prevent such records from being used for unauthorized purposes. Under the Privacy Act, a plaintiff must prove that a government official intentionally or willfully disclosed private information. However, identifying the individual responsible for the leak proved to be the central challenge in Dr. Chen’s case. After two years of exhaustive discovery—including depositions, document requests, and interrogatories—Dr. Chen’s legal team was unable to pinpoint the leaker within the government. At that stage, Andy and his firm joined the case in 2022 (Dr. Chen was represented by co-counsel WilmerHale who handled initial stages of the case and discovery against the government) to focus on the media law issues, particularly journalist privilege, which they frequently encounter in First Amendment defamation litigation. They issued a subpoena compelling Catherine Herridge to reveal her source for the leaked materials. Herridge, represented by counsel, moved to quash the subpoena, citing a qualified First Amendment privilege that allows reporters to protect the identities of confidential sources. The privilege is “qualified,” not absolute, meaning it can be overcome under certain circumstances—specifically if the requested information is central to the case and the plaintiff has exhausted all other means of obtaining it. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in Dr. Chen’s favor, finding that both conditions were met: the identity of the leaker was essential to proving her Privacy Act claim, and Dr. Chen had already undertaken substantial efforts to discover the information elsewhere. Herridge’s arguments that national security, journalistic freedom, or Dr. Chen’s alleged misconduct should weigh against disclosure were rejected. The court stated firmly that the law must be applied equally and that courts should not make value judgments based on who the plaintiff is or what allegations have been made in the media. When Herridge refused to comply with the court order during her September 2023 deposition, Andy sought a contempt ruling, which the court granted, imposing a fine of $800 per day for noncompliance. The fine was stayed pending appeal as the case moved to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which was argued around November 2024. In September 2025, the D.C. Circuit issued a unanimous 3-0 decision affirming the District Court’s ruling, rejecting Herridge’s call for a broader balancing test and upholding Dr. Chen’s right to pursue her Privacy Act claim. Andy emphasized the broader implications of the case, calling it a vital reaffirmation of the rule of law and government accountability. He explained that the case is not about restricting the press but about ensuring that government officials cannot weaponize confidential information to destroy reputations without consequence. “If this decision had gone the other way,” Andy said, “it would have sent the message that government agents could leak with impunity, as long as they laundered their misconduct through a journalist who would protect them.” He drew parallels between Dr. Chen’s case and the case of Dr. Wen Ho Lee 李文和 , where another Chinese American scientist was falsely accused of espionage based on leaked government information and media misrepresentation. Both cases, he noted, reflect how racial bias and national security fears can combine to harm innocent individuals. Andy praised the amicus brief filed in support of Dr. Chen, which traced a long history of anti-Asian discrimination in both media coverage and law enforcement, arguing that accountability and transparency are critical to restoring trust. Concluding his remarks, Andy said the D.C. Circuit’s decision “reaffirmed 50 years of precedent” in the nation’s capital and represents a strong affirmation that every citizen—regardless of ethnicity or background—is entitled to equal protection under the law. He expects Herridge to request en banc (before the full court) review or possibly appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but remains confident that the case has set an enduring precedent for privacy rights and justice in the face of abuse of power. A summary of the November 3 monthly meeting has been posted at https://bit.ly/49dbmuO . We thank these distinguished speakers for sharing their thoughts and updates: · Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) · Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) · Andy Phillips , Managing & Founding Partner, Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP · Jane Shim , Director, Stop Asian Hate Project, Asian American Legal and Education Fund · Paula Williams Madison , Chairman and CEO of Madison Media Management LLC and 88 Madison Media Works Inc.; Retired Executive, NBCUniversal · Brian Sun , Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP; Former Attorney representing Dr. Wen Ho Lee Banning Collaboration, Fueling Brain Drain: U.S. Science at a Crossroads Congress’s proposed SAFE Act would bar federal funding to U.S. researchers who have collaborated with individuals from “hostile” nations such as China—drawing warnings from leading universities and civil rights groups that it would stifle innovation and revive discrimination. At the same time, deep federal research cuts and political pressures are driving a growing “brain gain” for China, as U.S.-trained scientists relocate there amid expanding investment and opportunity. China’s research output rose 17% last year while U.S. output fell 10%, signaling a widening gap. Without renewed openness and funding, experts warn, the U.S. risks losing its global scientific leadership. 1. Science : Congressional Push to Restrict Research Ties According to Science on November 6, 2025, nearly 800 American scientists have signed a letter opposing a proposed research restriction in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) known as the Securing American Funding and Expertise from Adversarial Research Exploitation (SAFE) Act. Led by Stanford Professors Peter Michelson and Steven Kivelson , the letter warns that the measure—which would bar federal funding to U.S. researchers who collaborated within the past five years with individuals “affiliated with a hostile foreign entity” such as China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea—would weaken the very foundation of American innovation. “To maintain U.S. leadership in science and technology, we must preserve the thriving research ecosystem that laid the foundation for American competitiveness.” Major higher education groups, including the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), urged Congress to remove the provision, calling it overly broad and ill-defined. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) added that the SAFE Act “ignores, and in some cases contradicts, what is already in law.”Civil rights and Asian American advocacy organizations warn that the measure could echo the discriminatory effects of the defunct China Initiative, chilling legitimate academic exchange and disproportionately harming scientists of Chinese descent. During the APA Justice monthly meeting on November 3, Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director of the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), outlined four major concerns raised in AASF’s October 17 letter to the House Armed Services Committee: · Five-Year Lookback – AASF warns this could lead to retroactive punishment for past research activities that were legal or even encouraged, urging fairness and a reasonable transition period for agencies, universities, and individuals. · Co-Authorship Barriers – The provision could effectively bar co-authorship within the timeline provided, restricting international research collaboration and openness, undermining U.S. competitiveness. · Overly Broad Definitions – Vague terms like “affiliation” could include almost any international engagement, making compliance impractical and potentially harmful to innovation and education. Both international students and American-born students benefit from international programs and collaborations. · Disparate Impact on Asian Americans – Broad, ambiguous rules risk biased application and enforcement that could disproportionately harm Asian American scientists, especially those of Chinese descent. 2. WP : China’s “Brain Gain” Accelerates While Washington tightens its guardrails and budget, Beijing is expanding its global reach in science and technology. A Washington Post investigation finds that China is reaping a “brain gain” as hundreds of U.S.-trained researchers—many of them Chinese American—relocate to China or take joint appointments.In the first half of 2025 alone, about 50 tenure-track scholars of Chinese descent left U.S. universities for China, adding to more than 850 departures since 2011. More than 70 percent of these scientists work in STEM fields, particularly engineering and life sciences. Those who have recently moved include a senior biologist from the National Institutes of Health, a Harvard statistician, and a clean-energy expert from the U.S. Department of Energy. Their decisions reflect both “push” and “pull” factors—the deteriorating climate for research in the U.S. and Beijing’s aggressive efforts to attract world-class talent.Trump’s policies have deepened that push. His administration has slashed billions from science budgets, canceled research grants, and imposed visa restrictions that hinder international collaboration. The revived scrutiny of researchers with ties to China—echoing the discredited “China Initiative”—has also made many Chinese American scientists feel unwelcome in the U.S. “We hope Trump is president for life, because it’s the best thing to happen to Chinese science,” one Chinese researcher half-joked to a visiting Harvard immunologist.China, meanwhile, is offering generous incentives. The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) is channeling much of its $8 billion annual budget into talent programs, while cities and universities compete to lure foreign scientists with high salaries, lab funding, housing, and child care support. A new “K visa” aims to make it easier for young foreign STEM researchers to work in China. Westlake University and Tsinghua University’s Shenzhen International Graduate School have recruited leading U.S. academics, including Nobel-caliber scholars and rising stars.China’s total R&D spending—$917 billion in 2023—has nearly matched that of the United States, signaling a narrowing gap in global research leadership. As the two superpowers compete for scientific talent, individual researchers increasingly face painful trade-offs between opportunity and freedom. The result, experts warn, is a shifting global scientific order—one where U.S. skepticism toward science, combined with China’s strategic investment, may erode America’s long-held dominance in research and innovation. 3. Nature : U.S. Losing Ground as China’s Lead Expands Rapidly China’s dominance in global research is accelerating sharply, while U.S. scientific leadership is eroding at an alarming pace, according to the Nature Index 2025 Research Leaders report . The data show China expanding its lead in high-quality scientific output: its total research “Share” reached 32,122 in 2024, compared with 22,083 for the United States. That gap, which emerged only in 2023 when China first overtook the U.S., has now quadrupled in just one year. China’s adjusted Share grew 17.4%, while the U.S. fell 10.1%, marking its steepest decline in decades. Losses were sharpest in chemistry (−11.6%) and physical sciences (−10.6%), though the U.S. retains a narrow advantage in health and biological research. Other Western countries, including Canada, France, and the U.K., also saw declines of 9% or more.Experts describe the shift as structural, not cyclical. With a population four times larger than America’s, China now produces nearly twice as many STEM PhD graduates—projected 77,000 in 2025, compared with 40,000 in the U.S.—and employs more researchers than both the U.S. and the European Union combined. Although the report’s data predate Donald Trump’s January 2025 inauguration, analysts warn that his administration’s deep cuts to federal research budgets could further accelerate U.S. decline. “The United States has clearly crossed a threshold into actively abdicating our position as a global leader,” said Joanne Carney of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). AAAS CEO Sudip Parikh added, “If these cuts stand, the U.S. will no longer be in the global race for R&D leadership.” As U.S. collaboration with foreign partners wanes, China is strengthening ties across Asia. South Korea, Singapore, and others have posted double-digit gains, particularly in green technology and advanced materials, signaling a regional surge in scientific capacity. While some private U.S. funders have stepped in, experts warn they cannot offset federal pullbacks. “We are going through a national crisis,” said Caroline Wagner of Ohio State University. “It’s more than a malaise.” She added that research funding cuts, DEI crackdowns, and visa denials for foreign scholars “send a signal to global talent to look for opportunities elsewhere.” U.S. Data at Risk On November 3, 2025, the "Practical Significance" podcast of the American Statistical Association featured Nancy Potok , former chief statistician of the United States and CEO of NAPx Consulting, and Connie Citro , Senior Scholar at the National Academies’ Committee on National Statistics. The discussion focuses on the state of federal statistics, challenges faced by federal statistical agencies, and efforts to modernize the federal statistical system.Both guests expressed concerns about U.S. statistical systems at a crossroads with staff losses, hiring freeze, difficulty recruiting skilled professionals, and declining budgets under the current environment. Nancy Potok highlighted the need for modernization to stay relevant in a rapidly changing data environment, including addressing competition from other data sources and maintaining public trust. Connie Citro emphasized the labor-intensive nature of statistical agencies, the need for modernization, and the challenges of data sharing and blending data sets.Dr. Ji-Hyun Lee , Professor of Biostatistics at University of Florida, serves as 2025 ASA President. The Cato Institute’s October 8, 2025, discussion “ A Conversation with Former BLS Commissioners William Beach and Erica Groshen ” explored the challenges and importance of maintaining trust, accuracy, and modernization within the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).The conversation featured · Erica Groshen . Former Commissioner of Labor Statistics (2013-2017); and Senior Economics Advisor, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University · William Beach . Former Commissioner of Labor Statistics (2019-2023); Executive Director, Fiscal Lab on Capitol Hill; and Senior Fellow in Economics, Economic Policy Innovation Center · Norbert Michel . Vice President and Director, Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, Cato Institute Both former commissioners emphasized that the agency’s credibility hinges on its ability to produce data that is both reliable and timely. As Groshen put it, “They want two things: accurate … and they want it to be timely,” highlighting the constant balance between speed and precision in official labor reporting. Beach and Groshen explained that revisions to monthly job numbers, often criticized by the public, stem largely from the late submission of firm data rather than from methodological flaws. “The first revision of the preliminary number is mostly driven by late-reporting firms,” Beach clarified, underscoring that revisions are a feature of transparency, not evidence of manipulation. They also warned that political interference—even the perception of it—can undermine the BLS’s mission. “Trust is mission-critical for a statistical agency. You might as well not produce statistics if they’re not trusted,” Groshen said.The speakers voiced deep concern about staffing shortages and systemic neglect within the BLS, noting the agency is operating with 20 percent fewer staff and one-third of its top leadership positions vacant. Yet they also saw a potential opening for reform. “This administration is not worried about disruption,” Beach observed, suggesting that current upheavals could create “an opportunity … for really modernizing the statistical system.” The discussion closed on a cautious note: without adequate investment and protection from political pressure, the nation’s core economic data—essential for markets, policy, and public trust—faces growing fragility. October 2025 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Summary Posted Summary for the October 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting has been posted at https://bit.ly/43W4qyC . We thank these distinguished speakers for sharing their insightful remarks and updates: · Judith Teruya, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus · Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) · Mike German , Retired Fellow, Liberty & National Security, Brennan Center for Justice · Margaret Lewis , Professor, Seton Hall University School of Law · Pat Eddington , Senior Fellow, Homeland Security and Civil Liberties, Cato Institute The October meeting brought together congressional, advocacy, academic, and policy leaders to discuss ongoing efforts to defend civil rights, research integrity, and democratic governance affecting Asian American and allied communities.Past monthly meeting summaries are posted at: https://www.apajusticetaskforce.org/library-newsletters-summaries News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/11/14 Film Screening and Discussion: Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story2025/11/25 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Elaine Chao 2025/12/01 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing - Estate of Jane Wu v Northwestern University2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/12/08 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heros: Alice Young Visit 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 November 11, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng has introduced legislation to ensure that students across the U.S. learn about the contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans. October 5, 2020 U.S. Rep. Grace Meng announced the Teaching Asian Pacific American History Act on October 5, 2020 to ensure that students across the U.S. learn about the influence and contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans. Read more 2020/10/05 Rep. Grace Meng: Meng Introduced Legislation to Promote The Teaching of Asian Pacific American History in Schools 2020/10/06 Queens Daily Eagle: Meng introduces bill to ensure students learn about Asian American history U.S. Rep. Grace Meng has introduced legislation to ensure that students across the U.S. learn about the contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans. Previous Next Teaching Asian Pacific American History Act Introduced

"We encourage all who have witnessed or experienced micro-aggressions, bullying, harassment, hate speech, or violence to help us document. The more information we have, the better we can respond and prevent further incidents from occurring." Report Hate Incidents Stop AAPI Hate < > On July 10, 2020, retired Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick published an opinion Racism affects our nation's soldiers in CNN. He wrote about the racial bias he's faced as an African American in the US Army and highlights the story of Pvt. Danny Chen (陈宇晖), a Chinese American soldier who committed suicide in 2011 after enduring racially motivated hazing. "With images of statues being torn down bombarding our screens, it's hard not to feel, as a minority myself, that America is failing to address the real problem of racism. As I grapple with the wider challenges that racism presents for our country, its national security and myself personally, I continue to be haunted by my memories of a young US Army enlisted soldier named Danny Chen," Bostick wrote. "He was the only child of first-generation Chinese Americans in New York City. He wanted to join the Army, but he needed parental permission as a 17-year-old. His parents disapproved. Chen had high test scores and received a full scholarship to attend college. In January 2011, at 18 years old, while still in college and against his mother's wishes, he enlisted in the Army as an infantryman." "By October 2011, at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, Pvt. Danny Chen lay dead at 19, not by the hand of an expected US combat foe, but by an enemy even more insidious -- the ugly and irrational idea that one American is better than another based on the color of their skin." Danny Chen Harry Lew (廖梓源) was born in 1990 in Santa Clara, California. He enlisted in the Marines in 2009. In his second year, he was sent to Afghanistan in 2011 in his first combat deployment. On April 3, 2011, Lew was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head. He had been on guard duty. His death was investigated by the Marines and determined to be suicide after being hazed by his fellow Marines. Harry Lew was a nephew of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Judy Chu. Harry Lew Raheel Siddiqui was a 20-year-old Marine Corps recruit. He was born and raised near Detroit, Michaigan, as the oldest child and the only boy from a family who emigrated from Pakistan in the 1990s. In March 2016, he left for boot camp on Parris Island, S.C. Two weeks later, he was dead. Authorities on Parris Island say Raheel Siddiqui leaped over a third-story barracks railing, killing himself. But allegations soon arose that he’d been hit and hazed by a drill instructor, and was slapped, perhaps repeatedly, just before his death. Despite that, a South Carolina coroner deemed it a suicide — an act his family insists that Raheel, as a faithful Muslim and a doting son, was morally and constitutionally incapable of making. A year later, the New York Times Magazine published a comprehensive report on the death of Raheel Siddiqui. Raheel Siddiqui The stories of Danny Chen, Harry Lew, and Raheel Siddiqui Bruce Yamashita is a third-generation Japanese American lawyer who was born in Hawaii. He joined the Marines in February 1989 because he was attracted to the Corps elite force and believed that joining the Marines would validate his own status as a U.S. citizen. However, he was not only challenged by the brutality of the boot camp itself, he was also attacked with ethnic taunts by the training officers. On April 7, 10 weeks after his enrollment, Yamashita was kicked out of the Marine Corp "because of the color of his skin." On top of that, he was insulted by the commanding officer and the rest of the staff in the headquarters. Yamashita fought the racial prejudice and discrimination. He challenged the Marine Corps’ decision and won his case. He was commissioned as a captain in the United States Marine Corps on 18 March 1994. Yamashita wrote a book titled "Fighting Tradition " about his struggle to fight and expose the racial discrimination against Asian Americans and other minorities within various levels of the Corps. A documentary titled A Most Unlikely Hero was made in 2003 about his battle against racism in the Marine Corps. Fighting Tradition: A Marine's Journey to Justice

Newsletter - #85 UTK's Catch-22; New Studies on EEA Released; SFCAUSE; Anti-Asian Hate/Racial Profiling #85 UTK's Catch-22; New Studies on EEA Released; SFCAUSE; Anti-Asian Hate/Racial Profiling Back View PDF September 23, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter