For Immediate Release

March 10, 2022 

Contact:
Kevin Hsia, Advancing Justice Chicago, khsia@advancingjustice-chicago.org
Ellie Kleiman, Hana Center, ekleiman@hanacenter.org
Felicia Jia, KAN-WIN, fjia@kanwin.org

March 16 will be the one-year anniversary of the murders of eight people, including six Asian women employees at spas in the metro Atlanta area. As the organization that led the rapid response efforts to directly support victims, survivors, and their families, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Atlanta is welcoming partner organizations and the public to join in a community remembrance day on Saturday, March 12 and observe Wednesday, March 16 as a sacred day for quiet reflection.  

In solidarity, Chicago will join Atlanta by organizing a local community remembrance day on March 12. Asian American community-based organizations are coming together to commemorate the anniversary of the Atlanta spa shootings by gathering at Horner Park (2741 W Montrose Ave) on Saturday, March 12th, at 2pm to remember the victims, honor their memories, and come together as a community. RSVP to the Facebook event here.

The program for the remembrance event will be led by Asian American youth affiliated with HANA Center, KAN-WIN, and Advancing Justice | Chicago. The event will include a youth spoken word performance, a Collective Youth Statement, spiritual offerings, and a musical performance. We are requesting that all attendees wear masks and socially distance. The event is being organized by Advancing Justice | Chicago, HANA Center, and KAN-WIN and is being co-sponsored by Apna Ghar, Chinese American Service League, Healing to Action, Japanese American Citizens League Chicago, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), and South Asian American Policy and Research Institute (SAAPRI). 

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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. 

HANA Center is a Chicago-area community-based organization working to meet the critical needs of Korean, Asian American, and multiethnic immigrant communities and build power toward systemic change. HANA Center has offices in Chicago and Prospect Heights, Illinois, and is a local affiliate of the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC). Learn more at  hanacenter.org.

KAN-WIN’S mission is to eradicate gender-based violence, including domestic violence and sexual assault, especially for women and children across Asian American communities and beyond through culturally competent services, community engagement, and advocacy. Learn more at www.kanwin.org.

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.