WE Blog @ AABANY

March 24, 2020March 25, 2020

AG James Launches Hotline to Combat Coronavirus Hate Crimes and Xenophobic Rhetoric

Individuals Who Have Experienced Hate Crimes and Bias-Based Incidents Are Encouraged to Call the Ongoing Hotline at 1-800-771-7755, or Email Civil.Rights@ag.ny.gov

NEW YORK – Attorney General Letitia James [on March 23, 2020] announced the launch of a hotline for New Yorkers to report hate crimes and bias-based incidents. The hotline, which will continue indefinitely, comes in the wake of rising reports of harassment and assaults, as well as rhetoric against Asian Americans amidst the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“As we face an unprecedented and uncertain time for New York, the United States, and the world, we must reiterate the fact that this pandemic does not give anyone an excuse to be racist, xenophobic, or biased,” said Attorney General James. “No one should live in fear for their life because of who they are, what they look like, or where they come from. I encourage all victims of discriminatory actions stemming from this pandemic to contact my office. We will continue to work with local law enforcement to combat hate in all its insidious forms.”

In the last week alone, there have been numerous reports in New York of Asian Americans being harassed or physically assaulted as a result of this pandemic. The last several weeks have also seen a rise in anti-Asian rhetoric through the use of terms such as ‘Chinese virus,’ creating a stigma around Asian communities. This comes on the heels of a record number of hate crimes over the past several months in New York, demonstrating the urgent need for action. The Attorney General’s Office, in its commitment to combating these heinous acts, implores everyone, from everyday New Yorkers, to individuals at the highest levels of government, to stand united against hate, now more than ever.

“During this public health crisis, people are fighting for their lives – fighting to keep their families safe. Yet these incessant, irresponsible, and atrocious naming of COVID-19 as the ‘Chinese virus’ or ‘Wuhan virus’ is endangering the lives of Asian Americans. I thank Attorney General James for setting up this necessary hotline for New Yorkers to report coronavirus-related hate crimes or biased-based incidents,” said U.S. Representative Grace Meng. “I have repeatedly called on public officials – from the President to the top Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives – to abstain from using derogatory language that demonizes Asian Americans. This must stop. Public officials – and the media – must speak truth to power and refrain from dabbling in misinformation or conspiracy theories. I’m urging all New Yorkers to come together, call virus the coronavirus, and report to the hotline those who would use this uncertain time to make racist, xenophobic or biased attacks.”

“Long scapegoated and cast as ‘yellow peril,’ Asian Americans are besieged on two fronts by the COVID-19 contagion, with outbreaks of ignorance and bigotry sometimes inflicting more harm than the virus itself,” said State Senator John Liu. “More and more hateful incidents are occurring, ranging from distasteful gestures to obnoxious name-calling to outright violence against Asian-Americans — and despicably condoned by the president himself. The battle against the coronavirus has actually brought out the best among New Yorkers but it is necessary to remind some not to let fear of the unknown devolve into irrational and inexcusable hate, and we thank beloved Attorney General Tish James for leading the charge on this front as well.”

“Currently our community is dealing with COVID-19, a global pandemic — but our community is also facing another virus: extreme anti-Asian xenophobia,” said State Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou. “While we battle this crisis, it has become abundantly clear that the coronavirus does not discriminate based on race. Yet, people are using COVID-19 as an excuse to perpetuate racism and xenophobia throughout New York and the entire country. There have been so many reports of Asian Americans being attacked because they were just riding the subway or wearing a face mask. The attacks are hateful, and go out of their way to blame our community. It is important that we stand together and remain educated on the growing emergency. Together we must stop the spread of the unfounded harmful stereotypes and hateful words that people are using to demonize our Asian American community through thoughtful and reasonable discussions. Thank you to the Attorney General for setting up a hotline to address and to better support our community through this devastating time of unfounded xenophobia and hate crimes against our community.”

Although local law enforcement is responsible for criminally prosecuting these perpetrators, the Attorney General’s Office is taking on this issue in other ways, including connecting victims and impacted communities to available resources, launching civil investigations, and supporting local law enforcement, among other steps.

The Attorney General urges those experiencing hate crimes and bias incidences to report them by emailing the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau at civil.rights@ag.ny.gov, or calling 1-800-771-7755.

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020

NAPABA Denounces Use of Racist Language to Describe Coronavirus

Please read below a statement released by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association on March 18, 2020:

Using the terms ‘Chinese virus’ and ‘Wuhan virus’ to describe the coronavirus and COVID-19 is inaccurate and unacceptable. This disease does not discriminate. We cannot allow racism to rise as we come together to take on this challenge. NAPABA calls on the President and other leaders to stop using this harmful and xenophobic language.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognized using such terms creates harmful stigma against ethnic and minority groups, further endangering public health. Discriminatory language distracts from the problem before us, and only perpetuates unfounded misinformation.

The stereotypes associated with this language have led to a rise in anti-Asian bias and racist attacks related to the coronavirus. NAPABA spoke out against this bias and joined a coalition of over 260 organizations, including our member bar associations, calling for leaders to focus on unity and denouncing anti-Asian attacks, xenophobia, and racist language.

We ask you to do your part to combat racism and promote unity in response to this challenge. Know the facts and encourages others to do the same by referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020

Strategic Lessons from within China for Responding to COVID-19

Committee of 100’s teleconference series: Strategic Lessons from within China for Responding to COVID-19

About this Event

Committee of 100 (C100) is launching a teleconference series, Strategic Lessons from within China for Responding to COVID-19. The series will feature business executives and education leaders with experiences on the ground in China responding to the coronavirus, offering timely and actionable advice to American job creators and educators.

With each passing day, American job creators are concerned about how the outbreak will impact not only their bottom line, but the livelihoods of their employees. Meanwhile, schools and universities are closing to protect their students, faculty, and staff. Americans are feeling fearful and uncertain, and would benefit greatly from hearing from leaders within China who have struggled with and navigated similar complexities.

The series begins with discussions featuring C100 members David Ho moderated by Richard Lui, Wednesday, 3/25 at 2pm ET. Richard was was the MC for AABANY’s Annual Dinner for many years. The second session will feature Dr. Anning Chen, CEO of Ford China on March 30 at 9pm Eastern Time. The sessions will be moderated.

For more detail on this series, read more here.

March 20, 2020

NAPABA Cancellations & Postponements: Lobby Day Canceled I Call for Programs Deadline Extended

Please see below an important message from NAPABA:

As we continue to monitor the situation regarding the coronavirus, we at NAPABA have had to make changes to our association calendar. One of these changes was a tough decision; the other was simple.

Lobby Day

Reluctantly, NAPABA is canceling Lobby Day, originally scheduled for May 18-19.

Out of concern for your safety, the safety of your families, and all whom you may come in contact with, we are following the advice of the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) to suspend all events that may attract 50 or more people scheduled for the next eight weeks. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

We are working with the Thompson Hotel to cancel reservations for those who have already secured lodging.

As current events demonstrate, advocacy on behalf of our communities remains as important as ever. NAPABA continues to work with Congress, the Administration, our partner organizations, and our affiliated bar associations to address our immediate challenges and maintain the relationships we will need to continue to represent our communities. We encourage you to continue to speak out, contact your elected officials and local leaders, and continue to work with your local bars in partnership with NAPABA to make a difference for our communities.

NAPABA Convention Call for Programs

A second calendar adjustment involves our deadline for the 2020 NAPABA Convention Call for Programs. The deadline has been extended to April 20 at 5 p.m. ET to provide you more time to submit your proposal.

We understand that the current situation may impact your ability to secure speakers for your program ideas as people’s schedules change. We want to reassure you that the CLE Committee will take the current events into consideration upon reviewing the submissions and will not count the lack of “confirmed” speakers against your submission.

We still encourage you to include those who have expressed interest in speaking on your program as “confirmed” speakers, but we understand that their availability may change.

We look forward to receiving your program submissions by Monday, April 20!

Please be safe and stay healthy!

Call for Programs Quicklinks:

March 17, 2020

From NAPABA: Prepare for the 2020 Census

Census Day is April 1

This month, households across the country will receive letters inviting them to fill out their 2020 Census forms online. Are you ready to fill yours out? Are you ready for the questions you may get as a lawyer about the Census?

Everyone should be counted in the Census, regardless of language ability, immigration status, age, income or identity. Unfortunately, in some communities there is misinformation, confusion, and fear about participating. And others, like the AAPI community, are historically undercounted.

If our communities don’t fill out the Census, they lose out on electoral power and representation, funding, resources and access to services in their language. As lawyers and community leaders, we are in a position to dispel myths and help our communities get counted.

In light of concerns about the coronavirus, Census officials are encouraging individuals to fill out the form online or by mail. For more information about the Census and the Coronavirus, please visit CountUsIn2020.org.

Four Things You Can Do to Help:

Watch and share the Census Bureau’s videos, in English and over sixty other languages, on how to fill out the Census online.

Share the in-language Census resources in your community and with your clients.

Share the AAPI in-language “About the Census” videos on social media.

Learn what lawyers and bar associations can do to protect the public.

NAPABA, the South Asian Bar Association of North American and Asian Americans Advancing Justice developed resources for AAPI lawyers about the upcoming Census. Find more materials, including in-language resources and videos, at napaba.org/census and CountUsIn2020.org.

Together we can ensure our communities are counted!

Questions about the Census? You can contact NAPABA two ways:

Call the census language hotline, for answers to questions in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali/Bangla. Call 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM Eastern Time at 844-2020-API or 844-202-0274.
Go to https://www.countusin2020.org/hotline

March 16, 2020March 16, 2020

From the Chief Administrative Judge: Procedures to Reduce Courthouse Traffic

On March 13, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks issued a memorandum about procedures necessitated by the current coronavirus pandemic. The memorandum announced changes to civil court proceedings to reduce courthouse traffic, in line with recent actions from Governor Cuomo restricting large gatherings as a way to combat the spread of coronavirus. Effective this Monday, March 16, civil jury trials in which opening statements have not yet been made will be postponed until further notice, and civil jury trials that have already commenced will continue to conclusion.

The Unified Court System is constructing policy around prioritizing the health and safety of both their employees but also the general public, with a “goal of minimizing courthouse appearances, maximizing adjournments and stipulations on consent, and directing remote appearances through Skype or telephone.”

Other important matters that are highlighted in the Memorandum state that the New York City Housing Court will decline to issue eviction warrants if the parties do not appear in court and that all non-essential UCS travel is prohibited until further notice.

March 16, 2020

Call For Programs 2020 NAPABA Convention

The Deadline Has Been Extended!

New Deadline: 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23

The coronavirus has disrupted normal business practices for many of us. We at NAPABA recognize that our members have been pulled in many different directions to adjust to changes in work environments.

With that in mind, we’re extending our deadline for the 2020 NAPABA Convention Call for Programs to March 23 at 5 p.m. ET to give you more time to submit.

Quicklinks:

Submit Now

March 16, 2020March 16, 2020

AABANY Signs onto NCAPA Letters to Congressional Leadership Urging Them to Denounce Racism and Xenophobia Arising from COVID-19

On March 11, 2020, the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) sent two letters to House and Senate leadership, urging them to call for unity and publicly denounce the increase in racist attacks and discrimination against the Asian American community, in the wake of rising concerns over the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

AABANY is proud to be among the signatories for these letters. While we recognize the growing public health and economic threat the virus poses, we believe our leadership needs to be grounded in truth and committed to taking on racism and xenophobia directly.

The letter to House leadership can be viewed here: https://www.aabany.org/resource/resmgr/pdfs/2020/NCAPA_Letter_to_House_Leader.pdf

The letter to Senate leadership can be viewed here: https://www.aabany.org/resource/resmgr/pdfs/2020/NCAPA_Letter_to_Senate_Leade.pdf

March 9, 2020

AABANY Presents “How to Network” Panel at Cardozo School of Law

On Wednesday, March 3rd, AABANY’s Student Outreach committee collaborated with Cardozo Law School’s Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) to host a panel on “How to Network.” The panelists included Margaret Ling, Senior Counsel at Big Apple Abstract Corp., Tiffany Ma, Partner at Young & Ma LLP, and Jeff Ikejiri, Vice President of Legal and Business Services at UnitedLex. The moderator was Aakruti Vakharia, Associate at Garwin Gerstein & Fisher LLP and Co-Chair of the Student Outreach Committee.

Tiffany Ma spoke about her journey from a mid-tier law school to her lateral move to Morrison & Foerster, advising Cardozo law students to take advantage of their location in New York to build their networks and make themselves more competitive. She believes that “the best marketing is sincerity” and she shared her personal technique of establishing three points of commonality with new connections to help others remember her when she follows up with them afterwards.

Margaret Ling also shared a tip to have different business cards—company, personal, school, etc.—so that students can present the best side of themselves in different contexts. Margaret emphasized the importance of doing one’s homework and being aware of social cultural etiquette, always staying as humble as possible throughout the process.

Jeff Ikejiri advised students to think of networking as making friends. He told the story of how he got his current job through someone he met in line for refreshments during a break at a convention years ago. He encouraged students to be similarly outgoing and open to making new connections as well as being proactive in following up with potential connections.

Cardozo law students of all years came to hear insights and tips from the experienced practitioners. Those in attendance found the discussion thoughtful and engaging.

Thanks to Cardozo’s APALSA for co-hosting the event and providing food for the attendees. We hope to host many similar events in the future as AABANY continues to extend its outreach to students in law schools across New York.

To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, go to https://www.aabany.org/page/121