On Saturday, June 23, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress (APAP), the national network of progressive Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and allies, presents “Vincent Chin 30: Standing Up Then and Now,” a nationwide Google Hangout with leading civil rights leaders from around the country to discuss hate crimes and bullying in the community.
The one-hour panel discussion, to be moderated by blogger Phil Yu from the website AngryAsianMan.com, will feature Rep. Judy Chu (D-El Monte), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Zahra Billoo, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), San Francisco Bay Area chapter; Tom Hayashi, executive director of OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans); and Mee Moua, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center in Washington, D.C.
The Google Hangout will be held from 11 a.m. to noon. Viewing parties have been organized in more 30 cities. In Los Angeles, the viewing party will be held at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, 111 N. Central Ave. (part of the Japanese American National Museum) in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Following the hangout, there will be a half-hour conversation with Stewart Kwoh, executive director of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), and L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. The event ends at 2 p.m.
“Learning about Vincent Chin’s murder, decades after the fact, forever changed my understanding of what it means to be Asian American,” said Yu. “Today, in light of recent headlines about youth bullying, the military hazing and subsequent death of Pvt. Danny Chen, the continuing effects of 9/11, and a rising tide of anxiety over China’s growing economic might, the case is more relevant than ever. This event will be a much-needed national dialogue on standing together against racism and discrimination.”
In June 1982, Vincent Chin was bludgeoned to death by two autoworkers in Detroit, just days before his wedding. His killers, one of whom was recently laid off, served no jail time, received only three years probation and a $3,000 fine. The verdict outraged Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country and launched a pan-Asian American movement.
Los Angeles co-sponsors include APALC, APAIT Health Center, Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center, Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance (APAWLA), Chinese American Museum, Korean Churches for Community Development, Korean Resource Center, and OCA-Greater Los Angeles.
Los Angeles community supporters include API-Equality-LA, Asian Pacific Policy Planning Council, KAYA-LA, Korean American Bar Association, Philippine American Bar Association, Pi Delta Psi, and the Taiwanese American Citizens League.
Media sponsors are 8Asians.com, Angry Asian Man, KoreAm, blacklava and widelantern.com.
For more information, go to www.apaforprogress.org/VC30 or email Curtis Chin at Curtis@apaforprogress.org.