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On Saturday, Nov. 7, the AABANY Trial Re-enactment Team, led by Hon. Denny Chin and Kathy Hirata Chin, took to the stage at the NAPABA National Convention to perform “Vietnamese Fishermen v. KKK.” Set in the aftermath of the Fall of the Saigon, when Vietnamese immigrants arrived in the Gulf Coast and became fishermen, the case recounts their experience as targets of terrorizing tactics from the Ku Klux Klan designed to drive them out. The Vietnamese fishermen fought back with a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction against these actions.

The AABANY Trial Re-enactment Team played to a capacity crowd that was fully engaged from start to finish. The cast included no less than seven Past Presidents of AABANY: Hon. Denny Chin, Andy Hahn, Vincent Chang, Yang Chen, Robert Leung, Jean Lee and Clara Ohr.

During the post-performance discussion, one of the audience members stated that he was a young boy in New Orleans during the time of the events being re-enacted, and he appreciated learning about the case. He also shared that over the past three decades, progress has been made to improve relations between Asian Americans in the local fishing industry with the general community of fishermen in the Gulf Coast.

The Vietnamese Fishermen re-enactment is the ninth case presented by the AABANY Trial Re-enactment Team. Thanks to Judge Chin and Kathy Chin for leading us in yet another successful and impactful trial re-enactment. Stayed tuned for information about the New York premiere. 

In the meantime, save the date for the re-enactment of last year’s “Justice Denied: Wards Cove v. Atonio” at the New York City Bar Association on Dec. 7. Free for AABANY members. To register go to http://bit.ly/wardscove120715.

Full cast:

  • Janicelynn J. Asamoto
  • Vincent T. Chang
  • Yang Chen
  • Theodore K. Cheng
  • Francis H. Chin
  • Andrew T. Hahn, Sr.
  • Kathy Hirata Chin
  • Jean Lee
  • Lauren U.Y. Lee
  • Robert Leung
  • Hon. Kiyo A. Matsumoto
  • Concepcion A. Montoya
  • Clara J. Ohr
  • Vinoo Varghese
  • Jessica C. Wong
  • Michael Yap

The slideshow presentation featuring historical photographs is courtesy of David Weinberg of Jury Group. Thank you!

(Thanks to AABANY Program Associate Simone Nguyen for photos from the rehearsal and performance.)

(Source: http://bit.ly/)
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The People Vs. Moses – The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center | New York City

The People Vs. Moses – The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center | New York City

The Metropolitan Black Bar Association Law and Religion Committee presents “A Trial of Biblical Proportions: The People vs. Moses”

Date: Sunday, November 15, 2015
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Temple Emanu-El, One East 65th Street, New York

Join the Metropolitan Black Bar Association Law and Religion Committee for a unique event that brings together biblical scholarship and courtroom drama as we explore Moses’ guilt or innocence on the charge of murder.

We all know the story of Moses leading the Israelites from slavery to freedom, but long before becoming God’s messenger, Moses killed an Egyptian taskmaster who was beating a Hebrew slave. The trial begins with a text study. You will then enter the “courtroom” where Dan Abrams and Alan Dershowitz will serve, respectively, as prosecutor and defense attorney. The trial will be presided over by The Honorable Judge Alison J. Nathan.

This program is sponsored and organized by the Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center with a special 50% discount for Metropolitan Black Bar Association members.

Advance Registration required at: www.emanuelskirballnyc.org/events/the-people-vs-moses/

General admission: $35.00

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White House Initiative on AAPIs Launches Public Awareness Campaign Against Bullying

The White House Initiative on AAPIs has launched a public awareness campaign against bullying, called Act To Change. The campaign aims to increase awareness of bullying – including in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community – and empower communities with information and tools to help prevent and end bullying.

The new campaign website, ActToChange.org, includes video and music empowerment playlists and an organizing toolkit, and encourages visitors to “Take the Pledge” to join the #ActToChange movement and stand up against bullying. As one out of three AAPIs does not speak English fluently, resources are available on the site in Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

Please join us in the #ActToChange movement! If you have a moment today, please check out ActToChange.org, Take the Pledge, and share on social media and with your networks. 

CLICK HERE to download a campaign amplification packet to help guide the way.

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PRESS RELEASE: National Coalition of Bar Associations of Color Urge Supreme Court to Support Diversity in Admission Programs

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For Immediate Release
Nov. 4, 2015

For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster: 202-775-9555; [email protected]

National Coalition of Bar Associations of Color Urge Supreme Court to Support Diversity in Admission Programs

File Joint Brief with U.S. Supreme Court in Fisher v. University of Texas

WASHINGTON — The Coalition of Bar Associations of Color (CBAC)–the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), the National Bar Association (NBA) and the National Native American Bar Association (NNABA) filed a joint amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. The Court will review the standard used by University of Texas at Austin in developing their race-conscious admissions policy following a 2013 decision by the Court which affirmed the principle that diversity in higher education is a compelling national interest. With oral arguments scheduled for Dec. 9, the four organizations recognized the significance of all four communities of color standing together in support of race-conscious admission policies in order to promote diversity in the legal profession. The brief discusses the unique perspectives of the communities each bar association represents, and highlights the importance of ensuring access to institutions of higher education, in order to preserve a diverse pipeline for our multicultural society and ultimately advance CBAC’s shared commitment to diversity in the legal profession. The brief can be found here: http://bit.ly/fisher2cbac

“The National Bar Association proudly stands with our CBAC partners to once again argue that now is not the time to turn back the clock on our efforts for diversity in the U.S.,” NBA President Benjamin L. Crump said. “We have taken significant strides forward but we know that there is much work to be done in order to achieve a diverse and inclusive society. The Court, as before, should uphold the admirable and critical efforts institutions of higher education in their continuing mission to reflect society and its diversity. The court should not jeopardize the progress made and sought by law schools and the legal community to simply reflect the rich diversity that makes this nation great.”

“The Hispanic National Bar Association is proud to join our partner bar associations of color to reaffirm the decades of Supreme Court precedent deeming collegiate diversity a compelling national interest,” said HNBA President Robert T. Maldonado. “Despite efforts that have been made to improve equal access and opportunity in colleges and law schools of our nation, the simple fact is that we still do not have a level playing field, and there is much left for us to do. College admissions programs that take race into account, among a number of other factors, fit the parameters the Court has laid out in previous decisions, and work to create a diverse and inclusive student body that is beneficial to everyone. It is essential for college campuses to reflect the diversity of our nation to prepare our students for success in the real world.”

“The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association supports efforts to overcome barriers to equal opportunity. We are proud to join our colleagues in the Coalition of Bar Associations of Color encouraging the Court to recognize the benefits students receive when immersed in diverse environments, and to uphold the University of Texas’s attempt to create opportunities for diverse populations,” said NAPABA President George C. Chen. “We recognize that Asian Pacific Americans, like other groups, have endured cases of discrimination and lack of opportunities which continue to impact us today. The low numbers of minority groups in the legal profession, government, and corporate leadership underscore the need to remove barriers to higher education and increase diversity. Courtrooms, law firms, and law schools must be filled with people of different backgrounds so that we can better understand and respect the diversity of the American public.”

“The National Native American Bar Association joins our CBAC partners in expressing the importance of creating a pipeline for students of color in higher education,” shared NNABA President Linda Benally. “The Supreme Court has previously affirmed the compelling interest of colleges in encouraging diversity in the student body, which should not be removed. Race-conscious admissions programs, like the one designed by the University of Texas, open doors for students of color by ensuring a richer and intellectually diverse classroom experience for all students.”

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Press Release: NAPABA Selects Five Affiliates as Recipients of Its New Affiliate Grant Program

For Immediate Release
Nov. 2, 2015                    

For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
[email protected], 202-775-9555

WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) will present five affiliates with grants as part of its new Affiliate Grant Program (AGP). NAPABA recognizes the importance of its state and local affiliates and its national associates as a support network for Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, APA communities, and those interested in APA legal issues. The NAPABA AGP was established to support affiliates and associates to carry out activities to further their missions and goals. The program offers the opportunity for organizations to receive funding – up to $3,000 annually – for projects related to member development and pro bono activities.

Eligible projects include: educational workshops; community outreach; legal service projects; professional educational seminars; and activities that involve advocating for the interests of APA lawyers, the legal profession, and APA communities. Grants are distributed based upon the capacity of the projects to benefit the state or local affiliate, the national associate, or the community.

“The Affiliate Grant Program was conceived as a way to enable affiliates to directly impact their local APA communities on a micro-level,” said NAPABA President George C. Chen. “NAPABA is proud to support our state and local affiliates and our national associates in their efforts to make their communities a better place. Our affiliates and associates have supported NAPABA for many years, and we are pleased to be able to return the support through this new Affiliate Grant Program.”

The five affiliates receiving AGP grants are:

  • Free Legal Clinics — South Asian Bar Association of Washington (SABA-WA)
    The program will offer free legal clinics to the South Asian community within the Pacific Northwest on a quarterly basis at a local recreation center.
  • Citizenship Workshop — Asian Pacific American Bar Association of South Florida (APABA-SFLA)
    APABA-SFLA will hold a free legal clinic to assist individuals in the APA community with their U.S. citizenship applications and fee waivers, with APABA-SFLA members and volunteer attorneys assisting individuals at any stage of the application process.
  • Judicial Pipeline Project — Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles (APABA-LA)
    APABA-LA will identify potential APA judicial candidates for the state and federal bench, assist and advise these candidates in the application and vetting process (including establishing a formal mentorship program between current APA judges and interested judicial candidates), and cultivate relationships with the Governor’s office and others to help facilitate the appointment of APAs to the bench. This formal pipeline project is the first of its kind organized by APABA-LA.
  • Legal Seminar — Korean American Bar Association of Washington (KABA-WA)
    The legal seminar will provide Korean foreign nationals and Korean Americans with foundational information about the American legal system. This seminar will raise the collective legal awareness of Washington’s large Korean American community while also helping to prevent common mistakes and avoidable legal problems.
  • Solo Practice Incubator Program — Orange County Korean American Bar Association (OC-KABA)
    The OC-KABA Incubator Program’s goal is to mentor and aid attorneys looking to build their own solo practice by giving them hands-on experience through OC-KABA’s pro bono clinics and training sessions. The program will focus on providing resources specifically targeted to the Korean American community with free legal aid and lower-cost legal advice.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at202-775-9555 or [email protected].

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of approximately 50,000 attorneys and approximately 75 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government.

NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of color in the legal profession.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrates Diwali, the Indian “Festival of Lights”

The Multicultural Audience Development Initiative’s (MADI) Advisory Committee cordially invites you to celebrate Diwali, the Indian “Festival of Lights.” This event is FREE with Museum admission. No RSVP required.

Event Details:

Date: Sunday, November 15, 2015

Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Time: Noon – 5:00 PM

Guests can enjoy an interactive children’s Indian dance workshop, lantern making, and Storytime from noon – 2:00 pm, before members of the East-West School of Dance perform the Story of Diwali in The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium at 2:30 pm. Doors to the Auditorium will open at 2:00 pm. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

For more information about this event and to read the press release, CLICK HERE.

AABANY thanks MADI for sharing this event with us!

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2015 NAPABA Convention: Exclusive Book Signing

Exclusive Book Signing | Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1:45 pm

Join nationally renowned racial justice advocate and moderator of the Saturday Luncheon Plenary, Deepa Iyer, for an exclusive signing of her book “We Too Sing America: South Asian, Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Immigrants Shape Our Multiracial Future” after the Saturday Luncheon Plenary. Limited copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Saturday Luncheon Plenary—The Changing American Racial Landscape Post 9/11
Join legal scholars and community activists as they explore the changing American racial landscape and the intersections of public discourse, public policy, and civil rights laws in light of heightened racial anxiety and xenophobia in the decade and a half since 9/11. Speakers will focus on the post 9/11 environment and anti-immigrant sentiment, and present legal and community-based solutions.

  • Deepa Iyer (moderator), Senior Fellow, The Center for Social Inclusion
  • Nusrat Choudhury (panelist), Staff Attorney, ACLU
  • Grande Lum (panelist), Director of the Community Relations Services, U.S. Department of Justice
  • Peggy Nagae (panelist), Owner, Peggy Nagae Consulting
  • Navdeep Singh (panelist), Policy Director, NAPABA

The 2015 NAPABA Convention will feature a rich and diverse array of over 65 CLE sessions, 3 plenary sessions, and our 27th Anniversary Gala. Registration will re-open onsite in New Orleans beginning on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Download the NAPABA Convention mobile app and map out your detailed schedule in advance! Search "NAPABA” in your Google or Apple stores.

The other plenaries include:

Friday Luncheon Plenary — The Voting Rights Act 50 Years Later: A Call to Action
Given that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, we invite you to join noted civil rights scholars and community activists as we celebrate this milestone while also recognizing the continued challenges that prevent diverse communities from full and equal access to the political process.

  • Karen Narasaki (moderator), Commissioner, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
  • Dale Ho (panelist), Director, Voting Rights Project, ACLU
  • Natasha Korgaonkar (panelist), Assistant Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
  • Terry Ao Minnis (panelist), Director, Census and Voting Programs, Asian Americans Advancing Justice
  • Nina Perales (panelist), Vice President, Litigation, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
  • Jerry Vattamala (panelist), Director, Democracy Program, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund

Saturday Breakfast Plenary — Women in Public Service
Join us for an inspiring discussion with two pioneering Asian Pacific American (APA) women as they share their paths to leadership in public service. They will reflect on their insights and experiences to inspire and encourage the next generation of women lawyers and all APAs in the legal profession.

  • Ivan K. Fong (moderator), Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs and General Counsel, 3M Company
  • Michelle K. Lee (panelist), Director, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Jenny Yang (panelist), Chair, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

27th Anniversary Gala
Featuring a conversation with the Honorable Mazie K. Hirono, U.S. Senator, Hawaii, facilitated by the Honorable David Louie, Former Attorney General, Hawaii.

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A.G. SCHNEIDERMAN ANNOUNCES HOTLINE FOR VOTERS TO ENSURE BALLOT ACCESS DURING STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTIONS

News from Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2015

New York City Press Office / 212-416-8060 Albany Press Office / 518-776-2427 [email protected] Twitter: AGSchneiderman

A.G. SCHNEIDERMAN ANNOUNCES HOTLINE FOR VOTERS TO ENSURE BALLOT ACCESS DURING STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTIONS

Attorney General Addresses Barriers To The Ballot Box By Offering Voters A Statewide Election Day Hotline

NEW YORK –Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman will operate a statewide Election Day Hotline during the general election this Tuesday, November 3rd. Voters encountering barriers to access at their polling sites can report those issues to the Attorney General’s Office by calling the hotline at 800-771-7755, or by emailing the office at [email protected].  The Hotline will be available from 6:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. on Election Day.

“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and every eligible voter must be able to participate meaningfully in our electoral process,“ said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will not tolerate any barriers that hinder eligible New Yorkers from casting an effective ballot during Tuesday’s election.”

Polls open at 6:00 A.M. and close at 9:00 P.M in all counties across the state.

The Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau has operated the statewide Election Day Hotline since November 2012.  In that time the Bureau has fielded hundreds of calls and worked with dozens of Boards of Elections across the state to address barriers at polling sites throughout New York state, including reports pertaining to polling site accessibility for voters with disabilities, language accessibility for non-English speaking voters, voter intimidation and other ballot access issues.

The Attorney General’s Election Day Hotline is being led by Assistant Attorney General Ajay Saini of the Civil Rights Bureau, which is led by Bureau Chief Kristen Clarke.  The Social Justice Division is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Alvin Bragg.

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