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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.”

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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

“Fifty years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the historic Civil Rights Act that transformed America, opening the door to securing justice, equality, and opportunity for our communities.

“As we commemorate the legacy of the Civil Rights Act, we must not forget the men and women who toiled at the crossroads of history decades ago and paved the way for landmark civil rights advancements to make sure that these reforms become a reality.

“In the face of discrimination and injustice, they turned adversity into opportunity. They inspired generations of activists to stand up for civil rights. Their fight solidified America as a symbol of freedom and equality at home and abroad. They showed the world that America’s diversity is our great strength that is found nowhere else in the world.

“Today, fifty years later, we must continue to build on this foundation of progress in our resilient democracy. Our fight against bigotry and discrimination is not done. Let us continue to work together in furthering the legacy of the civil rights movement until the day when we achieve equality and justice for all.”

“On behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, we are proud to join all Americans in celebrating the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May and embracing the diversity of our communities that is found only in America.

“As the fastest growing immigrant population in the United States, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has been a critical component in weaving the fabric of modern America for more than a century and a half. The rich and complex history the Asian American and Pacific Islander community is the story of America.

“Even today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue to break barriers. As home to the largest concentration of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States, California has been at the forefront of achieving many historic breakthroughs in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

“The strength of this community lies in its unique and vibrant diversity. As we continue our achievements and progress, we must embrace our legacy, cherish our diversity, and continue to fight together as we work to strengthen our nation. To that end, we must stand together and work hard together to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform so those who yearn to achieve the American Dream have an opportunity to make it a reality.

“Together, we can continue to strengthen the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and our nation. And together, we can continue making history.”

California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on the 70th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act repeal:

“Today, December 17, 2013, the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus commemorates the 70th anniversary of the passage of the Magnuson Act, also known as the Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act of 1943. It was a historic step toward ending decades of legalized discrimination against Chinese Americans under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the first anti-immigrant legislation that targeted a specific ethnic group.

“We applaud the leadership of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Judy Chu and the hard work of many U.S. Senators, Members of Congress, and community organizations and leaders in passing S. Res. 201 in 2011 and H. Res. 683 in 2012, expressing regret for the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act and reaffirming America’s unwavering commitment for equality and justice for all people.

“Nevertheless, even as we make progress on the legal front, anti-Asian American sentiment and racial insensitivity still exists today. Just this year, a political committee in Los Angeles distributed a mail piece to voters, labeling a Korean American City Council candidate as ‘The Other Guy’ in a pose reminiscent of dictators, with color scheme clearly created to invoke xenophobic fear of communism. In October, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired a racially insensitive segment, ‘Kids Table,’ during which one of the kids suggested that the U.S. should ‘kill everyone in China’ to solve its debt issues.

“As we continue to fight for civil rights and civil liberties for all Americans, we must work to make sure that this type of discrimination does not repeat in our communities – not now, not ever.”

Dear Fellow Democrats:

Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda has brought devastating damages to the people of the Philippines.

The Filipino American Democratic Caucus of the California Democratic Party (FADC-CDP) and the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus (CDP API Caucus) urge you to lend a helping hand and take action in assisting with disaster relief efforts.

During the California Democratic Party Executive Board Meeting this weekend, both Caucuses will be collecting donations toward this effort, in supporting the Philippine Aid Network during our respective Caucus Meetings on Saturday, November 23. Please click here to see updated CDP E-Board Agenda for details on Caucus Meeting schedules or get an updated agenda on-site.

Additionally, we hope you can join us at the Philippine Aid Network Benefit Concert following our Caucus Meetings on Saturday, November 23, 2013, 6 PM – 9 PM, at the City View at Metreon, Yerba Buena Gardens, 135 Fourth Street in San Francisco. For more information, please see below or visit www.philippineaidnetwork.com. You can click here to download a flyer/letter.

If you will not be at the CDP E-Board Meeting this weekend, please see the information below on how to help.

Thank you,

Clark Lee
Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
California Democratic Party

Melissa Ramoso
Chair, Filipino American Democratic Caucus
California Democratic Party

This week, Asian Journal ran a story on California GOP’s brand-neweffort to reach the Asian American community – so new, they actually generated news stories because it’s previously unheard of.

While the out-of-touch Republicans finally realized that they are out-of-touch with California’s Asian Pacific Islander Americans, I am proud to say that standing up for the API community is nothing new for our Party. It is our Party.

There’s a reason why nearly all of the API elected officials in higher offices are Democrats. There’s a reason why API Democrats outnumber API Republicans in registration in California. That’s because the Democratic Party has always been the Party of diversity at the forefront of fighting for the API community.

Desperate Republicans can try showy gimmicks to generate stories in the news from time to time, but they’re no match the Democratic Party’s decades of advocacy for and grassroots activism in this community.

This Saturday, let’s do what we do best and continue our tradition of activism: join us for our Statewide Mobilization Day to help elect API candidates to local offices!

We need your help in Northern California to re-elect David Lim to the San Mateo City Council. In Southern California, we need your help to elect Melissa Ramoso to the Artesia City Council. Please see below or click here for more information. You can also help us spread the word on Facebook by clicking here to visit our Facebook page.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday – and bring a friend!

California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus State Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on the 50th Anniversary of March on Washington:

“Fifty years ago, a young man who dared to dream and dared to act stood with a quarter-million people in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Together, they fought for that Dream and challenged the status quo in the fight to further justice, equality, and opportunity for all.

“Today, as we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech and the March on Washington, we must not forget those men and women who marched at the crossroads of history and paved the way for historic civil rights advancements to make sure that this Dream becomes a reality. They turned adversity into opportunity. They inspired generations of activists to stand up for civil rights. Their fight solidified America as a symbol of freedom and equality at home and abroad.

“Fifty years later, as we continue to build upon this foundation of progress in our resilient democracy, let us embrace the legacy of that day in Washington when people from all walks of life marched together as one nation, indivisible. Let us continue fighting for the Dream until we achieve equality, liberty, and justice for all.”

California Democrats have two important special elections coming up on Tuesday, July 23. Help us keep the two-thirds majority in the State Legislature and call voters today for Leticia Perez in Senate District 16 and Freddie Rodriguez in Assembly District 52!

You can help get them elected by start calling voters today!

Leticia Perez for State Senate – SD 16

Click Here to Call or go to www.cadem.org/perez

 Freddie Rodriguez for State Assembly – AD 52

Click Here to Call or go to www.cadem.org/rodriguez

When you log in to call, under organization, be sure to select “CADem – Caucus Asian Pacific Islander” and start calling.Posted in Latest News | Comments Offon Help Keep the Two-Thirds Democratic Majority in the State Legislature: Make Calls for Leticia Perez for Senate and Freddie Rodriguez for Assembly Today!

Statement of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus on the Anti-Asian Independent Expenditure Mail Piece Against Los Angeles City Council Candidate John Choi

Posted on May 11, 2013 by clarklee

LOS ANGELES – California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on the anti-Asian and xenophobic independent expenditure mail piece against Los Angeles City Council candidate John Choi in Council District 13’s May 21st runoff election:

“The California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus strongly condemns the appalling attack mail piece against Los Angeles City Council candidate John Choi released by the group ‘The Best Successor to Eric Garcetti – Committee to Support Mitch O’Farrell for City Council District 13 in 2013.’

“The mail piece features a bright red background and bright yellow words as headlines, one reading ‘Not From Our Community.’ It also features prominently centered photo of Council candidate John Choi, a Korean American, labeling him as ‘The Other Guy,’ in a pose reminiscent of dictators. The imagery is clearly created to invoke xenophobic fear of communism and falsely portray Choi as a communist.

“The use of images and color schemes that invoke racist, xenophobic, and discriminatory images and fear to rile up voter sentiment is unwarranted and despicable.

“Anti-Asian sentiments in America have had devastating consequences in U.S. history, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Japanese American internment during World War II, and the senseless murder of Detroit autoworker Vincent Chin during the U.S. auto crisis more than 30 years ago. We do not need another inflammatory ad such as this mailer against John Choi to perpetuate xenophobia and racism against Asian Americans.

“The unfortunate truth is: this is not the first time that a candidate running for public office or a political campaign has invoked such despicable and offensive scare tactic. Just last year, U.S. Senatorial candidate Pete Hoekstra in Michigan released an ad featuring an Asian woman with a bicycle on a pathway in rice paddies, speaking English with an accent, proclaiming, ‘Thank you, Michigan Senator Debbie Spenditnow. Debbie spends so much American money… Your economy get very weak. Ours get very good. We take your jobs.’ Additionally, in 2011, Congressional candidate Mark Amodei of Nevada released an ad featuring a fictional Chinese newscast depicting the Chinese army marching through Washington with a Chinese flag flying over the U.S. Capitol.

“We urge the voters to reject these discriminatory behaviors to make sure that this type of campaign tactics does not repeat again – not now, not ever.

“The California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus requests that candidate Mitch O’Farrell join the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus in condemning this mail piece.

“Most importantly, we demand ‘The Best Successor to Eric Garcetti – Committee to Support Mitch O’Farrell for City Council District 13 in 2013’ to immediately cease using such type of anti-Asian negative campaigning and issue an apology to the people of Council District 13 and the Asian American community.”