For Immediate Release

December 15, 2021

We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of another member of the Asian American community, Suraj Mahadeva, who was a victim of gun violence in Palmer Square over the weekend. Suraj had his whole life ahead of him and we are heartbroken that his life was cut short. Suraj was an active member of queer, Filipinx, and South Asian communities across Chicago and the Midwest. He fought for racial and gender justice, including joining Advancing Justice | Chicago and other allies in direct actions for our collective liberation over the past 2 years. We are holding his family, friends, and loved ones in our hearts. Advancing Justice | Chicago will continue to work in solidarity with other communities of color toward long-term solutions to end gun violence.

Community members have organized a memorial, and all are welcome to attend. The memorial will be held at the Center on Halsted from 6:30-8:30pm tomorrow, Thursday December 16th.

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity. Learn more at advancingjustice-chicago.org. 

For Immediate Release

December 15, 2021

A livestream of the walkout and rally will be found on Facebook and Instagram. 

WHAT: A city-wide student walkout followed by a rally where HANA Center’s FYSH youth leadership council members and their peers will speak out to demand Senator Durbin deliver a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants this year. 

WHO: HANA Center, FYSH (Fighting Youth Shouting Out for Humanity), Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago, NAKASEC Action Fund

WHERE: Rally at Horner Memorial in Horner Park (Montrose & California Ave)

WHEN: Wednesday, December 15th 2021, rally begins at 11AM (student walkout to happen 10AM-11AM)

WHY: On November 19th 2021, the House passed the Build Back Better (BBB) Act with a temporary measure and without a pathway to citizenship. As BBB moves to the Senate, Senator Durbin, as Senate Majority Whip and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has the power and responsibility to take all steps to create the most favorable conditions for a pathway to citizenship in the Budget Reconciliation. Immigrant youth and their families have been working far too long for permanent solutions. Senator Durbin must use his leadership to fight for a pathway to citizenship for our communities so they can live their full lives. 

VISUALS/PROGRAMMING: Youth will walk out of their schools during class time and arrive at Horner Park at 11AM. Rally will feature impacted student speakers, pungmul (Korean traditional drumming), and holiday carols with remixed lyrics (including “All We Want from Durbin is Citizenship”). Participants will wear “Citizenship4All” Santa hats and hold signs and artwork created by youth, including cardboard cutouts of Senator Durbin & Senator Schumer dressed as the Grinch. 

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity. Learn more at advancingjustice-chicago.org. 

For Immediate Release

November 29, 2021
Contact:
Grace Pai, Executive Director
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago
gpai@advancingjustice-chicago.org

Grace Chan McKibben, Executive Director
Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC)
(773) 405-6770 | gracechan@cbcacchicago.org 

As City Council plans to vote on a final citywide map this week, Asian American leaders urge the Council to draw an Asian American majority ward and protect Asian American communities of interest in Albany Park and West Ridge. 

CHICAGO, IL — Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago and the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) will hold a press conference on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021 at 9:30am at City Hall to demand that City Council members include an Asian American majority ward in Greater Chinatown and preserve Asian American communities of interest in Albany Park and West Ridge. Leaders from across the Chicago Asian American community will be in attendance.

Data from the 2020 Census supports the creation of Chicago’s first Asian American majority ward in Greater Chinatown. The 2020 Census also documented the significance of the Asian American community in the Albany Park and West Ridge neighborhoods. 

In just the last week, the Black Caucus and Latino Caucus have publicly released maps that include an Asian American majority ward. We call on City Council to follow their lead by including an Asian American majority ward in the final citywide map.

WHAT: Press conference

WHO: Asian American leaders and community-based organizations

Speakers include:

• Justin Sia, Democracy, Voting Rights, and Redistricting Counsel at Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago
• C.W. Chan, Founder of the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community
• Paul Luu, Chief Executive Officer of the Chinese American Service League
• Youngwoon Han, Senior Organizing Manager at HANA Center
• Shobhana Verma, Executive Director of the South Asian American Policy & Research Institute
• Anne Shaw, Principal, Shaw Legal Services, Ltd. and Member, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community Redistricting Steering Committee

WHEN: Tuesday, November 30th, at 9:30am

WHERE: City Hall, 2nd floor, 121 North LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60602

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity. Learn more at advancingjustice-chicago.org. 

Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community empowers the Chinese American communities in Greater Chicago through civic education, issue advocacy, communication with policy makers, and community mobilization. Learn more at https://cbcacchicago.org/.