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This Sunday, July 19, multiple anti-LGBTQ Chinese American churches are marching against marriage equality in LA’s San Gabriel Valley. In a statement to the largest Chinese-language newspaper in the US, they condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision on marriage equality and declared “homosexuality a harm to public health.”

In response, API Equality-LA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, and many community groups will be holding a rally against this march. The California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus (CDP API Caucus) is proud to be a part of this rapid response effort.

Join us to show that Asian Americans celebrate LGBTQ equality and oppose the prejudice, fear, and misinformation that fuels homophobia in the API community.

Let us remind them that the right to marry is a fundamental right under the US Constitution; marriage equality is a remarkable victory in our continuing Civil Rights struggle. The High Court has made it clear that any attempt to promulgate discrimination runs afoul of our Constitution.

Rally for Marriage Equality Against Homophobic March on Sunday in San Gabriel Valley!

Co-Sponsors (In Formation)
APAIT
California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC)
OCA-Greater Los Angeles
Pasadena Pride Center
San Gabriel Valley Pride
VROC-Viet Rainbow of Orange County

Sunday, July 19, 2015 – 2:30 PM
The Del Mar Park and Ride
1753 S. Del Mar Ave.
San Gabriel, CA 91778

Contact: Tracy Zhao / tracy@apiequalityla.org

Click here for event information on Facebook

Del Mar Park and Ride is a free parking lot located at the intersection of Del Mar and Norwood Ave with 128 spaces. If parking is full, there is ample street parking in the neighborhood. There are other commercial lots in the area; however, park there at your own risk.

We hope to see you there!

There are important California Democratic Party hearings coming up and your input is critical to help shape the Democratic Party in the Golden State.

DNC Delegate Selection Hearings
The California Delegate Selection Plan for the 2016 National Convention is available online. You can make suggestions to the Delegate Selection Plan.

CADEM Platform Hearings
Every other year, the CADEM Platform is revised. The Platform reflects the diversity of our Party and represents the core Democratic values that we cherish.

Below is the information for the 2016 California DNC Delegate Selection Hearings and the 2016 CADEM Platform Hearings in both Southern California and Northern California. If you cannot attend them in-person, you can also submit testimonies online.

Southern California

Note: Southern California Regional Hearings will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2015, at the Pacific Community Center in Glendale.

2016 California DNC Delegate Selection Hearing
Saturday, July 18, 2015
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Pacific Community Center, Sycamore Room B
505 S. Pacific Ave.
Glendale, CA 91204
Click here to visit the 2016 National Convention webpage for more information or to submit testimony online
– – –
2016 CADEM Platform Hearing
Saturday, July 18, 2015
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Pacific Community Center, Sycamore Room B
505 S. Pacific Ave.
Glendale, CA 91204
Click here to visit the CADEM Platform Committee webpage for more information or to submit testimony online

– – –

Northern California

Note: Northern California Regional Hearings will be held at the 2015 CADEM Summer/Fall Executive Board Meeting on the weekend of August 14-16, 2015 in Burlingame.

2016 CADEM Platform Hearing
Friday, August 14, 2015
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Hyatt Regency SFO
1333 Old Bayshore Hwy
Burlingame, CA 94010
Click here to visit the CADEM Platform Committee webpage for more information or to submit testimony online
– – –
2016 California DNC Delegate Selection Hearing
(Delegate Selection Affirmative Action Committee Meeting)
Friday, August 14, 2015
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Hyatt Regency SFO
1333 Old Bayshore Hwy
Burlingame, CA 94010
Click here to visit the 2016 National Convention webpage for more information or to submit testimony onlinePosted in Latest News | Comments Off

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court showed us that it sure does care.

As Justice Elena Kagan quoted in a recent opinion, “[I]n this world, with great power there must also come — great responsibility,” the U.S. Supreme Court has gone three-for-three this week in wielding its great power on landmark decisions that upheld equality and justice for all.

Marriage Equality

Just this morning, the Supreme Court declared the right to marry as a fundamental right in Obergefell v. Hodges, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage throughout the nation, making marriage equality a reality.

This is a remarkable victory in our continuing Civil Rights struggle, from the historic Loving v. Virginia decision declaring ban on interracial marriage unconstitutional to today’s decision, the High Court has made it clear that any attempt to promulgate discrimination runs afoul of our Constitution.

Affordable Care Act

This week, the Supreme Court has once again upheld the Affordable Care Act in its latest decision on ACA, King v. Burwell.

Despite the numerous frivolous attempts by the Republicans to dismantle a health care system that is actually working, both legislatively and through litigation, the Court’s decision once again shows that health care is a right for all Americans, not just the privileged few.

As President Obama said, “The Affordable Care Act is here to stay.”

Fair Housing Act

The Supreme Court also ruled that housing discrimination does not need to be intentional; housing discrimination claims could be based on disparate impact on minorities. The Court preserves the landmark 1968 Fair Housing Act in the holding of Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs v. The Inclusive Communities Project, Inc.

In the majority opinion, Justice Kennedy wrote, “The court acknowledges the Fair Housing Act’s continuing role in moving the nation toward a more integrated society.”

These decisions are major victories in moving our nation one more step toward a more perfect Union.

Can you believe this?

Just as the Republicans patted themselves on the back for electing a diverse freshman class to the State Legislature last November, they went right back to their Good-Ol’-Pal-selves by openly mocking one of their own: GOP AAPI freshman Assembly Member Ling-Ling Chang (AD 55).

On the Assembly Floor, no less.

And it’s all captured on the official State Assembly video. Here are the highlights:

After Asm. Chang presented her bill during a recent Assembly Floor Session, GOP Asm. Donald Wagner (AD 68) “commended” Asm. Chang for her “gumption” in introducing a bill on her own.

Then came GOP Asm. Eric Linder (AD 60), who asked, “Ling-Ling, did you forget your bling-bling?”

All the while, Asm. Chang stood there and took the jabs. She even dismissed the episode in a Facebook post, saying, “It’s all in fun.”

Evidently, the California Republicans’ embrace for diversity was short-lived, as the GOP legislators took no time in reverting back to their business-as-usual mode, with apparent lack of respect and sensitivity, even for one of their own.

I don’t know about you, but while I don’t mind the Republicans keep shooting themselves in the foot, this type of disturbing insensitivity has no place in the State Legislature or anywhere in the Golden State.

– Clark
Clark Lee
State Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
California Democratic Party

LOS ANGELES – California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus State Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on the historic election of David Ryu to the Los Angeles City Council in the May 19, 2015 Los Angeles General Election:

“On behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, I congratulate Council Member-Elect David Ryu on his historic electoral victory for the Los Angeles City Council in District 4, becoming the first Korean American ever and only the second Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) to be elected to the Los Angeles City Council.

“David’s story is the quintessential American immigrant success story. A first generation American, he has been working hard in standing up for consumers and expanding community-based health services in Los Angeles. As Council Member, he will fight for Angelenos to expand city services, preserve our open spaces, and promote economic growth. We look forward to working with him to move Los Angeles forward.”

Congratulations to the newly elected California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus officers for the 2015-2017 term!

Caucus officers for the 2015-2017 term!

State Chair – Clark Lee
State Secretary – Panney Wei
State Treasurer – Maritessa Bravo Ares
Northern Chair – Aref Aziz
Northern Vice Chair – Hon. James Chang
Northern Secretary – Hon. Rishi Kumar
Northern Outreach Chair – Deepa Sharma
Southern Chair – Melissa Ramoso
Southern Vice Chair – Hon. Mike Fong
Southern Secretary – Michael Cheng
Southern Outreach Chair – Adam Ma

Join the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus (CDP API Caucus) at the 2015 California Democrats State Convention in Anaheim!

2015 California Democrats State Convention
Friday, May 15, 2015 – Sunday, May 17, 2015
Anaheim Convention Center & Hilton Anaheim
800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim & 777 W. Convention Way, Anaheim
Click here to visit the official California Democratic Party Convention website.

Caucus Meeting at the Convention

The CDP API Caucus Meeting at the Convention will be held on Friday, May 15, 2015, from 7:30 PM to 9:15 PM at the Anaheim Convention Center, Room 207D. Please check the California Democratic Party Convention listing for updates.

Click here to download the CDP API Caucus Meeting Agenda with Awards Program, Caucus Election, and Reception information.

2015 Trailblazer Awards

The 2015 Trailblazer Awards will be presented during the Caucus Meeting, honoring U.S. Secretary of Commerce & U.S. Secretary of Transportation (ret.) Norman Y. Mineta, State Controller Betty Yee, and AFL-CIO National Vice President/Screen Actors Guild Interim President Sumi Sevilla Haru (In Memoriam).

2015 Inaugural Rising Star Awards

The Inaugural Rising Star Awards will be presented during the Caucus Meeting, honoring Ms. Alissa Ko and Hon. Jamison Power.

If you would like to join the CDP API Caucus or to renew your Caucus membership prior to the Convention, please click here to visit the Caucus Membership page.

Karaoke Night at the Convention

CDP Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
Board of Equalization Member Fiona Ma
CDP Vice Chair Eric C. Bauman
Los Angeles County Democratic Party
Congress Member Mike Honda
State Treasurer John Chiang
Assembly Member Rob Bonta
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee
CDP LGBT Caucus
CYD Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
Ash Kalra for Assembly

invite you to

Karaoke Night at the Convention!

Saturday, May 16, 2015
10:00 PM to 12:00 AM

Hilton Anaheim Hotel – Avalon Ballroom (First Floor)
777 W. Convention Way, Anaheim

Click here to download Karaoke Night at the Convention invite

If you have questions, please email us at cademparty.apicaucus@gmail.com.

California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus State Chair Clark Lee and California Democratic Party Filipino American Caucus Chair Melissa Ramoso released the following statement on the passing of Sumi Haru:

“The Asian Pacific Islander American and the Filipino American community will sorely miss Sumi Haru, a trailblazer in the Democratic Party and the Labor Movement who had always been a fierce fighter for equal opportunity, civil rights, and diversity in entertainment. She was a role model who actively encouraged and inspired many young people to become politically engaged.

“Sumi’s work extends several decades in the entertainment industry, labor advocacy, and Democratic activism. As a labor leader, she was a longtime SAG-AFTRA leader who served as SAG’s Interim President and became the first woman of color to hold the position. She was the first Asian American to serve on the AFL-CIO’s national executive council as AFL-CIO National Vice President. In the Democratic Party, she was Southern Chair of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus and the Chair of the California Democratic Party Filipino American Caucus.

“We will remember Sumi’s energy and smile that have touched the entertainment industry, the labor community, and the Democratic Party family alike. On behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus and the California Democratic Party Filipino American Democratic Caucus, we extend our utmost sympathy to the Haru family and friends.”

California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus State Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on President Obama’s executive action on immigration:

“The California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus proudly applauds President Obama’s historic decision to ensure fairness, justice, and family unity in fixing our broken immigration system.

“The President’s action is a giant leap forward to strengthen border security, protect families, and ensure that hardworking immigrants who qualify are brought out of the shadows without fear of deportation. This is a critical turning point in opening the door for comprehensive immigration reform.

“Today marks a victory for all Americans. We proudly stand with President Obama in making America stronger.”

The officers of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus released the following statement on the California Republicans’ attack on Asian Pacific Islander American women via AB 2336:

“As the rest of the nation celebrates the Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, California Republicans in the State Legislature are mounting a despicable attack on Asian Pacific Islander American women.

“The Republicans in the State Legislature, led by Assembly Member Shannon Grove, are attempting to restrict women’s right to choose and invade their privacy, specifically targeting Asian Pacific Islander American women. This attack will not only intrude and destroy a woman’s confidential relationship with her doctor, it will promote racial profiling against Asian Pacific Islander American women seeking to exercise their right to choose.

“On behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, we urge you to stand with us and denounce this blatant GOP attack against Asian Pacific Islander American women.

“Let’s work together to defeat this Republican attack on women. Let’s continue to protect women’s right to choose, safeguard women’s right to privacy, and preserve women’s confidential, unrestricted access to affordable, high quality, and culturally sensitive health care services.”

– – –

Below are some more information regarding this Republican attack and how you can help to fight it:

Fighting Back: Contact Your Legislator and the Assembly Health Committee Members Today & Help Spread the Word

NAPAWF Issue Brief: Race and Sex Selective Abortion Bans: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

NAPAWF Message: Oppose Sex Selection Bans on Women’s Right to ChoosePosted in Latest News | Comments Off