Vincent Who? at USSF Today

Join us today for

Vincent Who?
Wed, Jun 23, 2010
10:00 am | AFSCME Building, Detroit

A Documentary film directed by Tony Lam and Karin Wang, Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Producer Curtis Chin

Introduction by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, American Citizens for Justice former Executive Director and current Advisory Board Member

for more info http://organize.ussf2010.org/film-festival

Who Killed Vincent Chin? at USSF Today

Join us for
“Who Killed Vincent Chin?”
Best Documentary Feature, Academy Award Nominee(1987) and Detroit A/PIA Discussion with ACJ co-founder Roland Hwang and ACJ Board Member Prasanna Vengadam

Tuesday, June 22
11:00AM-1:00PM @ Cobo Hall W2-66

http://www.ussf2010.org/

Adventures in Multicultural Living: Remembering Vincent Chin 28 years later - AnnArbor.com

Posted: Jun 20, 2010 at 12:51 PM AnnArbor.com
by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

Before I came to Michigan for graduate school, the only thing I knew about Michigan was that it was where Vincent Chin was killed. My parents’ Japanese-American neighbors warned me to sell my father’s Toyota 4-Runner and buy a Ford Bronco. I asked about safety as much as I did about academics before I decided to come.

Saturday was the 28th anniversary of the baseball bat beating that caused the death of Vincent Chin. Unfortunately, with the recession and rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, the case is even more relevant than ever. (click on link for more)

Remembering Vincent Chin 28 years later - AnnArbor.com

New Website for Vincent Who?

An email from Tony Lam, Director of the Vincent Who? documentary film, about their new website at:
Vincent Who? - A Documentary Film About Vincent Chin

This week marks the 28th anniversary of the hate crime murder of Vincent Chin, a case that ignited the first Asian American civil rights movement and gave rise to a new "Asian American" identity and community.

In commemoration, we are launching a new website dedicated to Vincent Chin and his legacy to serve as an educational resource and information portal.

We are also releasing a Special Edition DVD of VINCENT WHO?, the 2009 documentary about Vincent Chin and the Asian American experience in political activism. See our new widescreen trailer and the remarkable cast of participants in the film.

We hope to contribute toward the day when the momentous, but mostly unknown story of Vincent Chin becomes a familiar one, not only among Asian Americans, but all Americans. Please join us in this effort by spreading the news. Thank you for your support! And join us on Facebook.

Sincerely yours,

Tony Lam
Director, VINCENT WHO?

MDCR - Statement Regarding the Potential Immigration Law Enforcement Act

Michigan Department of Civil Rights Statement Regarding the Potential Immigration Law Enforcement Act

Contact: Harold Core 517-241-3986
Agency: Civil Rights

June 18, 2010

MDCR Director Daniel Krichbaum today released this statement to be read at a meeting of the Michigan Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The meeting was called to discuss Michigan's proposed Immigration Law Enforcement Act.

MDCR - Statement Regarding the Potential Immigration Law Enforcement Act

"Good afternoon and greetings on behalf of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission and Department. It is my pleasure to listen to the speakers and share some thoughts on behalf of the Department and Commission.

While our Commission has not yet taken a position on this issue, we would like to share some general observations.

Michigan law enforcement agencies are facing budget cuts that already require them to creatively stretch limited resources to protect public safety. Now is not the time to ask local agencies to take on the additional federal responsibility of immigration enforcement. Furthermore, none of us want to deny our local police the tools they need to solve crimes. Why would we want to make witnesses who may have citizenship concerns (of their own or for their family) afraid to call or cooperate with police?

As a civil rights department, we are very concerned that laws like the one being discussed today amount to an open invitation for racial profiling. The decision to turn a routine law enforcement encounter into an immigration investigation is one that will be based solely on perception. But what exactly does an immigrant look like? Sound like?

Each of you, take a quick second to close your eyes and picture an immigrant. What characteristics do you think about when you picture an immigrant? What is their skin color? What language do they speak? Who would you suggest police ask to 'show me your papers'?

Then let me ask you this: are you picturing a Canadian? There are more than 150,000 European-born White Americans who are immigrants in Michigan. Yet it is Latino, Asian Pacific and Middle Eastern persons who will undoubtedly be the ones whose status is challenged.

Remember, it is not just non-citizens or the undocumented that will be challenged. Anyone perceived as being 'foreign' will face the possibility of being asked to prove his or her right to be here. American citizens and documented visitors will face this possibility not just once, or even just once a day, but every time they come into any contact with a law enforcement officer.

Michigan will take another costly hit to our reputation, and to our pocketbook. Arizona has already lost more than $90 million in tourism dollars since their legislation passed. There is no reason to believe Michigan will be different. Any organization comprised of diverse members will avoid holding events in Michigan because of the risk of their membership being harassed.

Similarly, a Michigan business might find the person they wish to hire is reluctant to move to Michigan knowing they face this possibility. Any employer with a diverse pool of employees will be less likely to relocate to Michigan for the same reason.

The jobs Michigan lost over the last decade were lost to other places, not because of immigrants. Increasing pressure on those who look like immigrants will not bring those jobs back. The future of our state depends on us finding ways to work together for the greater good.

Targeting 'perceived foreigners' will deeply strain law enforcement efforts to work with many of Michigan¡¦s residents, as well as our visitors. Legislative efforts like the one discussed today will hurt businesses and the state as a whole. At a time when we need to be working in unison, it will divide us. Divided we fail."

For more information on the Department of Civil Rights visit our website at: http://www.michigan.gov/mdcr.

MDCR - Statement Regarding the Potential Immigration Law Enforcement Act

More A/PIA Events at USSF

Also,

Vincent Who?
Wed, Jun 23, 2010
10:00 am | AFSCME Building, Detroit

A Documentary film directed by Tony Lam and Karin Wang, Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Producer Curtis Chin

Introduction by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, American Citizens for Justice former Executive Director and current Advisory Board Member

for more info http://organize.ussf2010.org/film-festival

A/PIA Events at the United States Social Forum

from Stephanie:

Asian Pacific Islander American (A/PIA) Events at the United States Social Forum
June 22-26, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan
It's not too late! Register or find more information at: www.ussf2010.org

-- CONNECT & COLLABORATE --

Beyond the workshops... here are a just a few of the highlighted events. Attached is the full compilation of events, workshops and more!

“Who Killed Vincent Chin?”
Best Documentary Feature, Academy Award Nominee
(1987) and Detroit A/PIA Discussion
Tuesday, June 22
11:00AM-1:00PM @ Cobo Hall W2-66

Detroit Asian Youth Project
It’s Our Moment: A/PIA Youth Unite!
Wednesday, June 23
10:00AM-12:00PM @ Cobo Hall DO-5A

Detroit Asian Youth Project
Detroit A/PIAs: Past and Present
Tour focusing on historical & contemporary A/PIA
communities in Detroit, featuring a revealing look at
the Bangladeshi & Hmong community,& memorial
visit to Vincent Chin & Lily Chan’s gravesites.
Wednesday, June 23
1:00-3:00PM
Detroit Asian Youth Project

API Movement Building Party!
For all A/PIA leaders, activists, organizers,
educators, etc. to get together at the USSF 2010.
Wednesday, June 23
8:00-10:00PM @ Oslo- 1456 Woodward Ave.
Asian Pacific Islander Movement Building

Grace’s 95th Birthday: “Next American
Revolution”-Come celebrate with Grace Boggs,
Danny Glover, Vincent Harding, artists & poets.
Thursday, June 24
8:00PM @ Cobo Hall
Boggs Center to Nurture Community Leadership

A/PIAs: People’s Movement Assembly
Friday, June 25
4:00-6:00PM @ Genesis Lutheran Church
(7200 Mack Avenue- corner of E. Grand)
Saturday, June 26
10:00AM-12:00PM @ Cobo Hall W2-66
If transportation needed, contact viv.void@gmail.com

"I Dream a Garden" Harvest Song/Dance
Revisioning of the Gerald Hairston Griot Memorial Garden:
Facilitated by Nobuko Miyamoto accompanied by
Genesis Lutheran Choir & Liturgical Dancers, GenesisHOPE
youth participants, community, and more
Friday, June 25
7:00PM-9:00PM @ Genesis Lutheran Church
7200 Mack Avenue- corner of E. Grand Blvd.

For more details an information: Join us on...
Facebook (APIs at the U.S. Social Forum Detroit)
Google groups (USSF2010apia)
http://ussf2010apia.wordpress.com