Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago

09/10/2021

In the lead up to #September11, Asian American leaders came together to share reflections from the past 20 years. Among them: the need to create "a culture of abundance that assumes there is enough freedom, enough humanity for all of us.

We recommit ourselves to building solidarity with AMEMSA communities. We condemn the policies that have targeted and harmed communities on the basis of their faith, race, national origin.

Read our September 11 solidarity statement https://9-11solidaritystatement.carrd.co/

In the lead up to #September11, Asian American leaders came together to share reflections from the past 20 years. Among them: the need to create "a culture of abundance that assumes there is enough freedom, enough humanity for all of us.

We recommit ourselves to building solidarity with AMEMSA communities. We condemn the policies that have targeted and harmed communities on the basis of their faith, race, national origin.

Read our September 11 solidarity statement https://9-11solidaritystatement.carrd.co/

09/07/2021

September Bystander Intervention Trainings kicks off! Learn & practice five strategies (5Ds) for intervention & prioritize your safety as a proactive witness to Anti-Asian harassment. You can be the difference. Join us: https://advancingjustice-chicago.org/antihate #StopAAPIHate #StopAsianHateCrimes

September Bystander Intervention Trainings kicks off! Learn & practice five strategies (5Ds) for intervention & prioritize your safety as a proactive witness to Anti-Asian harassment. You can be the difference. Join us: https://advancingjustice-chicago.org/antihate #StopAAPIHate #StopAsianHateCrimes

09/03/2021

Save the date! Join us for a redistricting hearing at the Indo-American Center on September 14th, 6-7:30pm. Come learn about what redistricting is and share your ideas on how to make your city a more equitable city to live!

09/02/2021

Our voices in action! A moment in the march for #Citizenship4All on Tuesday. Seong-Ah Cho, our Chicago Organizing Manager, leads us in a chant as the group moves down Balbo Dr.

Take less than 30 seconds to text 'citizenship4all' to 52886 to demand that congress fights for all 11 million undocumented people in the U.S. You can also send an email to Senator Durbin to push for the broadest pathway to citizenship possible: https://p2a.co/0S6EvKi #WeCantWait

09/02/2021

The Numbers Are There To Create A Majority Asian Ward In Chicago — But Will Mapmakers Listen?

“Asian Americans represent 7% of Chicago, but they currently represent 0% of seats in the city council.” Justin Sia, the democracy, voting rights and redistricting counsel at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago, said a ward map that better represents the interests of Asian residents is long overdue. via WBEZ

There are about 35,000 Asian Americans in greater Chinatown. Advocates say that’s more than enough for a majority in a single Chicago ward.

09/01/2021

From the eye in the sky - we fight for 11 million people without status and an end to deportations. #Citizenship4All

Citizenship for who? #CITIZENSHIP4ALL! TAKE ACTION and call Senator Durbin today: https://p2a.co/2r8hfm3

MORE:
Last night ICIRR members gathered in Grant Park to call for ALL 11 million people without status, then marched through downtown Chicago to demand a pathway to citizenship for all and an end to deportations.

AS OF NOW, funding for a pathway to citizenship is included in the proposed budget, and we need Senator Durbin to use his leadership to ensure that a pathway to citizenship is maintained AND that the pathway includes as many people as possible!

TAKE ACTION TODAY: Call Senator Dick Durbin and ask him to ensure that a pathway to citizenship includes as many people as possible!

LINK: https://p2a.co/2r8hfm3
TOMA ACCIÓN en español: https://p2a.co/u4xlcbq

09/01/2021

What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now! Powerful moments marching with our partner orgs yesterday. More photos to come!

TAKE ACTION: call Senator Dick Durbin at 312-778-5476 & ask him to fight for the best pathway to citizenship. https://t.co/BHkj9Prmxc #Citizenship4All #WeCantWait

08/31/2021

Asian American History Law Aims ‘To Continue To Tell Those Stories And Keep Them Alive’

"Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago led a coalition of dozens of groups lobbying for [TEAACH]... Executive Director Grace Pai says she wants to see a diversity of cultures and ethnicities represented, including refugee stories. And said she wants to see that the information is not monolithic, focused only on East Asia."

We also agree with and thank bill sponsor Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz who said, "Teaching of history and contributions of Asian Americans can dispel harmful stereotypes."

via NPR Illinois 91.9 UIS

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a new law this summer that mandates — starting with the 2022-2023 school year — all public elementary and high schools be required to offer a unit of study on Asian American history in the state, Midwest and country.

08/30/2021

Refugee Action Network's Press Conference

HAPPENING NOW! Watch live on Refugee Action Network: https://fb.watch/7IHa1izHPa/ #IllinoisForAfghans #AfghansWelcome #RefugeesWelcome #RANPresser

08/30/2021

Today! Press conference calling for protection and support of vulnerable Afghans:

TOMORROW (Monday) -- Please join ICIRR and members of the Refugee Action Network for a press conference on Afghanistan TOMORROW, August 30 at 10:00 a.m.

Hear from members of the Refugee Action Network along with Senator Dick Durbin, Representative Jan Schakowsky, and Congresswoman Marie Newman about how we’re working together to ensure Afghans coming to the U.S. have the support they need to thrive!

#RANPresser #IllinoisForAfghans #AfghansWelcome #RefugeesWelcome

08/27/2021

We wrapped up our first ever hybrid summer KINETIC leadership program full of learning, action, and growth! To celebrate, students put together a picnic!

Over the course of the summer, KINETIC built up their trust as a cohort by sharing personal histories of migration with each other and contextualizing their own experiences within this country's immigrant history. We deconstructed the "American Dream," and dug deep into our own stories to understand what made us into who we are today, and to gain a shared understanding of why each of us is committed to the work of challenging structural oppression. For some, this was their first time participating in direct actions and mutual aid projects. We couldn't be more proud of our KINETIC youth!

We wrapped up our first ever hybrid summer KINETIC leadership program full of learning, action, and growth! To celebrate, students put together a picnic!

Over the course of the summer, KINETIC built up their trust as a cohort by sharing personal histories of migration with each other and contextualizing their own experiences within this country's immigrant history. We deconstructed the "American Dream," and dug deep into our own stories to understand what made us into who we are today, and to gain a shared understanding of why each of us is committed to the work of challenging structural oppression. For some, this was their first time participating in direct actions and mutual aid projects. We couldn't be more proud of our KINETIC youth!

08/27/2021

Malik Alim Family Legacy Fund, organized by Rafi Alim

Malik Alim was a beloved organizer with the Chicago Community Bond Fund. Consider supporting Malik's family and memory - this fund will support his celebration of life and ongoing legacy.

On August 20, 2021, we experienced the devastating loss of our fearless Malik. His physical b… Rafi Alim needs your support for Malik Alim Family Legacy Fund

08/26/2021

Call Sen. Durbin to urge him to fight for the best pathway to citizenship possible

📢 TAKE ACTION TODAY: Take 30 seconds to call Senator Dick Durbin to urge him to fight for the best pathway to citizenship possible! https://p2a.co/2R8HFM3 📢

BACKGROUND: Both the House and the Senate voted to approve a resolution instructing congress to allocate $105 billion toward a new pathway to citizenship for millions of people who currently do not have access to naturalize, marking the first chance at a new pathway to citizenship in over 35 years. This is a result of the fierce advocacy of the immigrant rights movement over the years.

Now the important work of writing the legislation begins! The details are critically important as a few sentences could mean the difference between deportation and citizenship for millions.

Our Senator, Dick Durbin holds a leadership role in the Senate and is part of a small group of legislators responsible for writing the legislation. Please take 30 seconds to call the Senator's office and ask him to write an immigration bill that includes as many people as possible and doesn't criminalize by punishing them twice based on where they were born. The language will be written in the next few weeks, so your input is needed now!

#WeAreHome #Citizenship4All #ForwardTogether #WeCantWait

I just called Senator Durbin to ask him to fight hard to include as many people as possible in a pathway to citizenship. You can do the same too! Click here:

08/25/2021

Yesterday, City of Chicago Office of Inspector General released a report on #ShotSpotter where they concluded, "CPD responses to ShotSpotter alerts can seldom be shown to lead to investigatory stops which might have investigative value and rarely produce evidence of a gun-related crime." Read the report here: http://bit.ly/CPDShotSpotter

This is an important independent audit which confirms what the coalition has been saying - that surveillance doesn't keep us safe.
Every ShotSpotter alert puts Black and brown residents at risk of a dangerous encounter with police. Every ShotSpotter alert causes police to believe they are entering a life-threatening location and to treat everyone in the area as an armed threat while doing nothing to effectively prevent or address gun violence. Chicago cannot and should not continue to invest $10 million per year into this faulty, dangerous, and racist technology.

Sign the petition: bit.ly/stopshotspotter-petition

#stopshotspotter #cancelthecontract

Yesterday, City of Chicago Office of Inspector General released a report on #ShotSpotter where they concluded, "CPD responses to ShotSpotter alerts can seldom be shown to lead to investigatory stops which might have investigative value and rarely produce evidence of a gun-related crime." Read the report here: http://bit.ly/CPDShotSpotter

This is an important independent audit which confirms what the coalition has been saying - that surveillance doesn't keep us safe.
Every ShotSpotter alert puts Black and brown residents at risk of a dangerous encounter with police. Every ShotSpotter alert causes police to believe they are entering a life-threatening location and to treat everyone in the area as an armed threat while doing nothing to effectively prevent or address gun violence. Chicago cannot and should not continue to invest $10 million per year into this faulty, dangerous, and racist technology.

Sign the petition: bit.ly/stopshotspotter-petition

#stopshotspotter #cancelthecontract

08/24/2021

We are deeply saddened to share the news that Malik Alim has passed away. As a member of the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice, we worked with Malik on the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act. He was an integral part of that victory and his presence will be profoundly missed. We send our deepest condolences to Malik's children, partner, family, and the many people who loved and cared about him.

Chicago Community Bond Fund is heartbroken to share that Malik Alim passed away this weekend.

Malik joined CCBF's staff in December 2019 and quickly became a champion for the movement to end to money bond in Illinois. He worked as CCBF’s Advocate and represented the organization in many campaigns, such as the Budget for Black Lives. Malik’s previous role at CCBF was Campaign Coordinator for the Coalition to End Money Bond, in which he played an instrumental role in the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act.

Today, you can join the #LetUsBreathe Collective in honoring Malik’s life at the Breathing Room Gardens and Farm at 1434 W. 51st Street, from 2pm to 4pm. More information about Malik’s memorial and other community gatherings will be shared as soon as it is available.

CCBF’s community holds Malik’s children, partner, and family in our hearts and prayers. May his memory be a blessing to us all.

08/23/2021

Last Friday, leaders with Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago and Indo-American Center connected with constituents of Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi to call on him to publicly commit to fight for citizenship for as many as possible through budget reconciliation NOW! Many constituents we talked to shared their disappointment that their Congressman had not yet answered our Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights' demands to be the strong public champion we need right now. MILLIONS of people have waited for more than 35 years for a real chance at expanding citizenship—we have waited long enough 🔥

📢 If you're a constituent of Congressman Krishnamoorthi, call his office at (847) 413-1959 or (202) 225-3711 and ask him to publicly commit NOW! #Citizenship4All #WECANTWAIT

Last Friday, leaders with Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago and Indo-American Center connected with constituents of Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi to call on him to publicly commit to fight for citizenship for as many as possible through budget reconciliation NOW! Many constituents we talked to shared their disappointment that their Congressman had not yet answered our Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights' demands to be the strong public champion we need right now. MILLIONS of people have waited for more than 35 years for a real chance at expanding citizenship—we have waited long enough 🔥

📢 If you're a constituent of Congressman Krishnamoorthi, call his office at (847) 413-1959 or (202) 225-3711 and ask him to publicly commit NOW! #Citizenship4All #WECANTWAIT

08/23/2021

Illinois Becomes First State to Mandate Teaching Asian American History in K-12

On #TEAACH: Illinois becoming the first state to teach #asianamericanhistory is an opportunity to rewrite and remake how we teach US history from a framework of #socialjustice and robust understanding of diversity. Read on Truthout via UIC Global Asian Studies Program UIC College of Liberal Arts and Sciences UIC News

The TEAACH Act is an opportunity to remake how we teach U.S. history from a framework of social justice and diversity.

08/18/2021

Demand ICE to prioritize a fair process for people in detention to be released, not transferred. TAKE ACTION: bit.ly/FreeThemAllPulaski

Demand ICE to prioritize a fair process for people in detention to be released, not transferred. TAKE ACTION: bit.ly/FreeThemAllPulaski

08/18/2021

PRESS CONFERENCE: ICIRR leaders joined by Congressman García to demand a pathway to citizenship NOW

ICYMI: Today's Press Conference with Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights members & Congressman Chuy García demand a pathway to citizenship NOW. #Citizenship4All #WeAreHome

08/18/2021

Our Development and Communications team is rounding out - please join us in welcoming George Chen and Kevin Hsia. Fun fact: they started on the same day!

George Chen (Zhi Qiao) is the Grant Writer at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago. He was previously the Development Manager at SkyART, a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to changing lives through providing free, safe, creative spaces for young people. George enjoys working with nonprofits and helps them foster connections with other individuals, organizations, and opportunities to advance their missions. He also volunteers as a Council Member at the Museum of Contemporary Photography since 2019. George received his education at Columbia College Chicago with two Master’s degrees in Photography and Arts Management.

Kevin Hsia is the Communications Specialist at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago where he combines advocacy and relationship-building with marketing and communications. He earned a MA in PR and Advertising from DePaul University in Chicago and established his career in nonprofit, technology, and startup environments. As a Taiwanese American born and raised in Illinois, he is enthusiastic about community engagement and empowerment. Through his passion in music, radio, and the arts, Kevin is keen on supporting equity and diversity in Chicago. He hosts a monthly radio show every third Sunday called Sunday Record Club on Lumpen Radio 105.5FM and is a resident DJ in the city.