Alfred Twu Uncategorized

October Newsletter

API Caucus Meeting at the November Executive Board   The California Democratic Party’s Fall 2021 Executive Board Meeting will be online from November 15-21. Registration is currently open and closes at 5pm on Nov. 3. We will be announcing the exact date and time and agenda of the API Caucus meeting as soon as it is confirmed.
Celebrating Diwali Join California Democrats on Nov. 3 for a celebration at https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/421689/
Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats (PALAD) presents: Inaugural Larry Itliong Legacy Awards on October 30
This will be an in-person event in Granada Hills, on the evening of Saturday, October 30. For details, please visit the PALAD website. 
Let’s Help Democrats Win in Virginia – One more AAPI Phonebank this Saturday!  On November 2, 2021, voters in Virginia will be electing a Governor, state legislators, and other state officials.
There is one more AAPI phonebank this Saturday, 1-3pm Eastern Time (10-noon Pacific) to make calls for Terry McAuliffe, Hala Ayala, and Mark Herring. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/virginiaturnoutproject/event/417511/ 
Participate in State and Local Redistricting Efforts  The redistricting process for State Assembly, State Senate, and Congress is wrapping up in the next few months, with the first draft maps scheduled for release in November.
Updated visualizations released on October 27 are now available at https://www.wedrawthelinesca.org/10_27-29_21_handouts. You can provide feedback using the form at https://airtable.com/shrQDD2ta2emnSzzO.
There are many other ways to give comment, include written comment or calling into a hearing.
Local redistricting for city council districts is also in progress in many cities, check your city website on how to participate.
Alfred Twu News

July 2021 Newsletter

Stop the Republican Recall! Join the CDP API Caucus on Saturday, July 17 at 4pm for the virtual event Launching Asians & Pacific Islanders for Newsom
In just over a month, ballots for the September 14 recall election will be mailed out to voters. Learn how you can get involved in the campaign to Stop the Republican Recall. RSVP for the Saturday, July 17 kickoff event at bit.ly/APIS4NEWSOM

We are thrilled to be joined by Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Controller & California Democratic Party Vice Chair Betty Yee, and California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks. Co-sponsors for the event include: Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic Club, Muslim and Friends Democratic Club of Alameda County, and the Pacific Islander Club of San Mateo County.
Follow APIs for Newsom on social media! Twitter: @APIsforNewsom Facebook: APIsForNewsom Instagram: @apisfornewsom
Save the Date: California Democratic Party Executive Board Meeting August 25-29, 2021 (Virtual) The API Caucus, other caucuses, and standing committees will be meeting. Details and information on how to register to attend will be announced soon.
Give Input in the 2021 Redistricting Process
The California Citizens Redistricting Commission is currently taking input on how State Assembly, State Senate, and Congressional districts should be drawn. Participate at https://www.wedrawthelinesca.org/ This year, there is an interactive map where you can draw on a map to show where your community lives.
API Caucus Board Members Appointed to Standing Committees
The California Democratic Party has announced its 2021-2023 Standing Committee Appointments. Fully 15% of all appointees are Asian or Pacific Islander, and include the following API Caucus Board members:
Shawn Kumagai – Lead Co-Chair of Credentials Committee
Vanndearlyn Vong – Credentials Committee
Alfred Twu – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Olivia Lee – Co-Chair of Rules Committee
Harris Mojadedi – Rules Committee
Reflections on Pride Month
With the conclusion of Pride Month, here are a few reflections from LGBTQ+ board members of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus:

“For many Asian Americans, Southeast Asians, South Asians and Pacific Islanders, coming out can be a difficult process because of cultural traditions in addition to LGBTQ+ AAPIs being identified as minorities within a minority. I challenge all of us to continue our fight for our immigrant communities, trans rights and anti-Asian hate. Let this month be filled with triumph as we celebrate the next generation of leaders like Tony Hoang as the next Executive Director at Equality California and other jubilant LGBTQ+ leaders in the great State of California!”
Adam Ma, Statewide Vice Chair

“Both LGBTQ and Asian Pacific Islander are diverse identities. We have made great progress working together, but hidden among the success, there is still much work to do, for example, making sure that refugees and transgender Californians – both groups that still face higher poverty rates and discrimination – get the same opportunities and rights. I urge everyone to use disaggregated data – detailed statistics that look at each ethnic group or gender or sexual identity individually – to best understand and represent everyone.” 
Alfred Twu, Statewide Communications Secretary

“Pride month is a time to celebrate the diversity of our LGBTQ+ community and to recognize the tremendous progress we have made towards equality. It is also a time to reflect on the meaningful work we still have before us. As an openly gay elected official, I am committed to ensuring we have LGBTQ+ API representation within our Democratic Party and within our elected offices. Representation matters! Only by having LGBTQ+ API people in decision-making positions can we ensure that our community’s needs and perspectives are taken into account. Happy Pride Month!”
Hon. Shawn Kumagai, Statewide Treasurer

“As a queer identifying Muslim and South Asian man, pride month means so much to me. Pride month for me is a time to celebrate the beauty and richness of our LGBTQ+ community in all the shapes and forms we come in.  During this pride month, I’m thankful of the California Democratic Party API Caucus, which honors and uplifts the diversity of our API community.  As we continue the fight for equity and justice, let us remember the words of Audre Lord: “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” We must continue to uplift the voices and stories of queer and trans people of color, to embrace the many ways of being, and fight for our collective liberation.”
Harris Mojadedi, Northern California Chair

“As the LGBTQ+ rights movement has become increasingly exclusive along lines of race and class, we must remind ourselves that the roots of Pride were in protest for equal rights for ALL. The work is far from over– this year marks a record for anti-trans & LGBTQ+ legislation, attacking the basic rights of trans and queer folks across the nation. This Pride, I am grateful to be working alongside API LGBTQ+ leaders that are committed to building an inclusive movement that addresses the intersections of our community.”
Zahra Hajee, Northern California Outreach and Local Clubs Chair
Upcoming Democratic Club Events
Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic Club’s Annual “Dinner with a Dem” will be on Monday, July 26, 6-8pm. Details coming soon.

Alfred Twu Uncategorized

Please join us in celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a special conversation with Congressman Andy Kim on Saturday, May 22, 2-3pm!

This event is presented proudly by the Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats (PALAD), California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, San Diego County Democratic Party, Los Angeles County Democratic Party, AAPI Democratic Club San Diego, California Young Democrats API Caucus, and the Korean American Democratic Committee (KADC)

RSVP at https://forms.gle/4knEjt7EJWPGXBwc7

Alfred Twu Uncategorized

Celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander (API) Caucus is proud to join communities across the nation in celebrating API Heritage Month. This time of year brings an opportunity to reflect on the diversity and resilience of our API communities in the United States. However, in the wake of increased xenophobic hate crimes and senseless violence against our community members, we grieve and renew our commitment to fighting for equity and justice for our most marginalized. 

Asian and Pacific Islander communities have a rich and complex history in the United States. Throughout American history, our communities have made vital contributions to the foundation of what our country is today. We have laid railroad tracks and worked the fields, have started businesses and made great advancements in science, technology, and the arts, have engaged in civic leadership and public service, and have been on the frontlines serving our communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being otherized and marginalized, we are woven into the fabric of the American story and continue to make history as a strong and vibrant community. 

This past year has shed a painful light on the anti-Asian racism and hate that continues to pervade our communities. These attacks on API community members are not new, but have been exacerbated due to xenophobic rhetoric that has arisen during COVID-19. We are devastated by the lives lost and harmed by violence towards our community. And we stand in strong solidarity with Black and Brown communities that have also been the targets of brutality and hate. 

It is this spirit of unity we carry in our hearts through API Heritage Month. We are immensely grateful for the solidarity that communities across the nation have shown to stop API hate, and we have witnessed the power we build in rising together. As we celebrate the role that the API community has played in the movement for justice, let us recommit ourselves in our fight towards a better California for all. 

In Solidarity,

California Democratic Party 

Asian Pacific Islander Caucus