WASHINGTON – On May 18, 2026, two armed individuals attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque in San Diego County, California. They killed three people (Amin Abdullah, 51, Nader Awad, 57, and Mansour Kaziha, 78), and the perpetrators were later found dead nearby. Local and federal law enforcement described the shooting as a hate crime.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), the South Asian Bar Association of San Diego (SABA-SD), the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego (PALSD), the Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego (FALSD), and the Korean American Bar Association of San Diego (KABA-SD) mourn the loss of life and unequivocally condemn this act of hate. We stand with the Muslim community and with the families of the victims.
Who we are, and how and where we choose to worship, are part of the tapestry of American life. A refuge for peace and prayer must never be transformed into a place of violence by perpetrators of hate. As we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we not only acknowledge the richness and diversity of our AANHPI communities, but we also emphasize that hate—whether in the form of Islamophobia, anti-Asian hate, or any other form of bigotry—has no place in our society. We remain committed to eradicating hate in all its forms, including by urging governments at every level to fully support and strengthen hate prevention efforts.
On April 30, 2026, AABANY had the privilege of participating in the second Asian American & Pacific Islander Summit. The event was hosted in the U.S. Capitol by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and brought together AAPI organizations, advocates, and community leaders from across New York for three panels covering immigration enforcement and community response, civic engagement and the Voting Rights Act, as well as grants and resources for small business owners.
AABANY was represented by Rachel Lee, Board Director and Co-Chair of the Issues Committee, and Prof. Elaine Chiu, past Chair and current member of the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. They were joined by a roster of elected officials that included Congresswoman Grace Meng and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Tammy Duckworth, Charles E. Schumer, Andy Kim, and Mazie Hirono.
Rachel Lee served as a panelist on the immigration enforcement panel. Drawing on AABANY’s experience collaborating with community members and organizations, Rachel stated, “Representing AABANY on the immigration panel was a valuable reminder of how critical community-facing work is. When audience members raised practical questions about daily best practices, my on-the-ground training and outreach experiences helped me address their needs. This reinforces the importance of know-your-rights education that is ongoing, audience-specific, and grounded in the realities of our communities, as well as the unique role that bar associations like AABANY have in connecting legal resources to the communities we serve.”
While the Summit’s primary focus this year was not on hate crimes, Senator Gillibrand highlighted her ongoing legislative efforts to combat anti-Asian hate and violence. In 2023, Senator Gillibrand introduced the Hate Crimes Commission Act (S.2030 / H.R.4172). This Act established an independent, 12-member federal commission tasked with examining the recent rise in hate-based incidents and developing comprehensive strategies to combat them. Senator Gillibrand has also co-sponsored the Disarm Hate Act (S.2776 / H.R.6258)which prohibits individuals convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes from purchasing or possessing firearms.
At the Summit, political strategist Trip Yang encouraged AAPI organizations to create their own content (such as polls, fact sheets, community newsletters) to better mobilize and represent AAPI voters, who are increasingly identifying as politically independent.
The AAPI Summit continues to be a valuable opportunity for AABANY to connect with advocates, elected officials, and community members working toward the same goals. Prof. Elaine Chiu noted, “This summit is a valuable opportunity to showcase AABANY and its unique ways of supporting our communities and to hear from other organizations how we can help.” Rachel and Elaine reported back that two other possible action items AABANY can consider are expanding Know Your Rights Workshops to reach a wider range of audiences and playing a bigger role in pro bono options to address the skyrocketing cost of immigration legal services. As the issues facing our community grow more urgent, events like this remind us of the immediate actions that we need to take to tackle the issues at hand.
AABANY thanks Senator Gillibrand for organizing the AAPI Summit and for including AABANY. Thanks also to Prof. Chiu and Rachel for representing AABANY at this important convening of leaders from across New York and the United States.
The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)’s Prosecutors Committee, together with its Judiciary Committee, celebrated the 17th Anniversary of the Prosecutors Committee on March 5, 2026, at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Lower Manhattan. The evening honored Pamela K. Chen, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her exemplary service to the Federal judiciary and her longstanding dedication to justice.
Judge Chen was nominated to the Federal bench in January 2013 by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in March 2013. Since her appointment to the bench, Judge Chen has presided over a wide array of civil and criminal cases, including a civil lawsuit challenging New York’s ban on the possession of nunchuks.
Judge Chen began her legal career at the law firm of Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C. In 1991, she joined the Special Litigation Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where she litigated matters relating to conditions of confinement for individuals in state and local institutions, as well as cases involving the enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act of 1994.
In 1998, Judge Chen moved to New York City and joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, where she worked until March 2013, except for a brief period in 2008, when she served as Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement in the New York State Division of Human Rights. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Judge Chen investigated and prosecuted cases involving terrorism, gang violence, drug trafficking, human trafficking, official misconduct, and civil rights crimes. She also served as the Chief of the Criminal Civil Rights Section and oversaw the development of the Office’s anti-human trafficking program, which resulted in the investigation and prosecution of hundreds of traffickers and the identification, rescue, and restoration of hundreds of survivors of trafficking. In 2015, Judge Chen and then-Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch were honored by Sanctuary for Families for the anti-human trafficking work done by the U.S. Attorney’s Office under Attorney General Lynch’s leadership as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Judge Chen has also served for nearly ten years on the Board of the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program where she mentors the next generation of legal professionals.
The evening began in the courthouse’s Ceremonial Courtroom, where approximately 150 attendees from across the legal community gathered. The event brought together a wide range of members from our shared communities, including state and Federal judges and prosecutors, government attorneys, private practitioners, law students, law clerks, professors, community advocates, and supporters of AABANY.
The formal program commenced at approximately 6:15 p.m., with opening remarks from the evening’s Masters of Ceremonies, Teri Chung, Major Case Assistant District Attorney at the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, and Eun Bi Kim, Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Distinguished heads of the Federal judiciary offered warm greetings and reflections on Judge Chen’s career, including Hon. Laura Taylor Swain, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and Hon. Margo K. Brodie, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Following Chief Judges Swain and Brodie, additional remarks were delivered by Benjamin Hsing, President of AABANY; Hon Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Hon Bridget G. Brennan, Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York; Joseph P. Alexis, Chief of the Trial Division at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office; and Karl Metzner, Associate United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. During the program, each speaker highlighted the breadth and significance of Judge Chen’s judicial and prosecutorial careers. Their words were a tribute to her leadership and dedication to public service.
After the array of accolades was given from many who have worked with Judge Chen, she was formally introduced by Hon. Ann Donnelly, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, who described Judge Chen as the embodiment of a trailblazer.
In her acceptance remarks, Judge Chen delivered a thoughtful and compelling reflection of her career and the importance of representation in public service within the legal profession. Citing data on Asian American participation in public service roles, she observed that “by the end of 2022, approximately 7.5% of Asian American lawyers entered government service directly from law school,” while noting similarly modest percentages entering law school and prosecutorial offices. She posed a critical question: “Why does it matter that Asian Americans are not fully represented in public service?”
Judge Chen explained that the answer lies not only in numbers, but in perception and belonging. She remarked that in this country, there remains an undercurrent that views Asian Americans as perpetual foreigners. Such perceptions have, at times, surfaced most painfully during moments of national hardship, including the COVID-19 pandemic, when anti-Asian sentiment manifested in acts of violence.
Emphasizing the importance of visibility in public roles, Judge Chen reflected on the symbolic power of serving as a prosecutor: “When you stand up in court and say, ‘I represent the People of New York’ or ‘I represent the United States of America,’ you are affirming, every day, that Asian Americans are part of this nation—not outsiders to it.” Judge Chen emphasized how greater participation in public service, specifically institutions of justice, helps achieve equity for all, and simultaneously challenges stereotypes and reinforces the fundamental truth of belonging.
These themes of representation and belonging were echoed in the broader program. Before its conclusion, AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen introduced a trailer for Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate, an AABANY documentary highlighting the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents during the pandemic and the community’s response. The trailer highlighted the importance of continued vigilance and advocacy against anti-Asian violence and hate crimes and described the ongoing work of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. Yang Chen further expressed gratitude for the role played by members of the Task Force in producing the documentary. In particular, Yang called up St. John’s University School of Law Professor Elaine Chiu, past Chair of the Task Force, and James Lin, retired veteran prosecutor of the Manhattan and Brooklyn DA’s Offices, as well as Daphne Mei, Program Manager for the Task Force, for their contributions to AABANY’s work combatting anti-Asian violence and hate.
The program concluded with closing remarks from Kin Ng before guests proceeded to a networking reception in suite 850. The reception featured an array of delicious food including a variety of kimbap, samosas and dumplings, and provided an opportunity for attendees to connect and celebrate Judge Chen and the continued impact of the Prosecutors Committee within the legal community.
A Second Circuit Judge who attended the event described it as “warm, informative, and fun,” a sentiment that captured the spirit of collegiality and shared purpose that defined the celebration.
AABANY thanks Prosecutors Committee Co-Chairs Grace Vee, Appeals Division Civil Litigation Unit Chief and Associate General Counsel at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and Kin Ng, Bureau Chief at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, as well as Judiciary Committee Co-Chairs David Mou, founding attorney of Mou Legal PLLC, and Mark Son, Vice President of the Central Investigations Function at Deutsche Bank, for their leadership in organizing this memorable evening. AABANY also thanks the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for graciously hosting the celebration at the SDNY courthouse. To view photos from the event, click here.
On March 2, 2026, AABANY’s Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee and Prosecutors Committee hosted a book reading and discussion featuring Strangers in the Land, the critically acclaimed 2025 book by Michael Luo, Executive Editor at The New Yorker. The event was moderated by the Honorable Marilyn Go (Ret.), the first Asian American woman to serve as a federal judge in the United States, and was hosted by Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP.
During the event, Luo shared stories from his book, tracing various aspects of Chinese and Chinese-American history from the Gold Rush era to the rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. One story described an early Chinese immigrant who came to America after attending a missionary school in China, where the head of the school invited students to accompany him back to the United States. The individual later faced the harsh effects of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred Chinese immigrants from naturalization, and his citizenship was revoked. Despite these barriers, he managed to reenter the United States and even attempted to volunteer for the Union Army during the Civil War, though he was turned away.
Reflecting on the broader themes of the book, Luo noted, “This question of who gets to be an American is one that is going on right now – who belongs in America. I don’t know what it would take for this representation to reach that tipping point.”
During the audience Q&A, attendees raised questions about the absence of Asian American history in mainstream education and discussed how recent anti-Asian hate and geopolitical tensions continue to shape perceptions of Asian Americans today, focusing on how the People’s Republic of China is an increasingly powerful country and enemy to the United States. Luo shared similar concerns, highlighting how the history recounted in his book was during a period of weakness for China and that the historical developments are likely to impact the law dealing with the social issues raised by the audience.
We thank Michael Luo for sharing his work and insights, and the Honorable Marilyn Go (Ret.) for moderating the discussion. Please visit AABANY’s website for more upcoming events like this one, such as AABANY’s first book club meeting on March 19, 2026. To learn more about the Solo & Small Firms Practice Committee click here. To learn more about the Prosecutors Committee, click here.
On February 25, 2026, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), together with the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA), and the Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York (FALA NY), joined the Philippine Consulate General in New York for a screening of Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate. The documentary, produced by AABANY and AALFNY, shares the experiences of individuals and families affected by anti-Asian violence in New York and highlights the legal and community responses that followed.
Philippine Consul General Senen Mangalile opened the evening by emphasizing the importance of confronting hate through unity and truth, thanking AABANY and AALFNY for documenting the community’s experiences. As he reflected on the documentary’s purpose, he reminded attendees that hate cannot be fought with more hate, but by showing that it has no basis or merit.
The film featured deeply personal stories from Justin Go, father of Michelle Go; Sungkon Lee, father of Christina Yuna Lee; and Noel Quintana, a survivor of a violent subway slashing to his face. Their accounts highlighted the lasting impact of anti-Asian violence, the challenges victims face in seeking recognition and support, and the critical role of pro bono legal advocacy.
Following the screening, a panel discussion moderated by AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen featured Noel Quintana, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Commissioner Glenn D. Magpantay, and Groombridge Wu Co-Founder and Partner Jennifer H. Wu. Panelists reflected on the ongoing presence of anti-Asian hate, the cultural barriers that sometimes prevent victims from speaking out, and the complexities of representing victims navigating trauma, media attention, and systemic barriers.
Throughout the discussion, speakers emphasized the importance of solidarity and coalition-building with other communities confronting hate and discrimination. The evening concluded with closing remarks from AALFNY President Sylvia Chin, who highlighted AALFNY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, scholarship programs, and AABANY’s ongoing pro bono initiatives supporting the community.
The program ended with a reception where attendees continued reflecting on the documentary’s message and the ongoing work needed to combat anti-Asian hate.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Co-Sponsors who supported the screening:
We thank the nearly 100 attendees who came, representing different facets of the New York community, despite the difficult travel conditions presented by the snowstorm.
If anyone is interested in hosting their own screening of this documentary, contact Daphne Mei, Program Manager of the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, at daphne.mei@aabany.org.
Jennifer Wu, Founding Partner at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, stands as a trailblazing figure in the legal profession. Her leadership style of empathy, advocacy, and innovation has redefined what it means to be a transformative leader in law. Throughout her career, Jennifer has achieved remarkable milestones while staying determined in her commitment to justice.
Her expanding list of accolades reflects a relentless pursuit of equality and excellence. From her work fighting for the rights of marginalized communities to her pioneering efforts in intellectual property litigation, Jennifer’s influence goes far beyond her legal achievements. She has become a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for colleagues, mentees, and the communities she serves, proving that true leadership is about lifting others as you rise.
Jennifer’s dedication to her craft and her community is reflected in the diverse and prestigious awards she has received over the past year:
Jennifer’s growing list of awards is more than a reflection of her professional excellence; it is a testament to her dedication to justice and her ability to bridge communities through understanding and action.
Jennifer Wu’s journey as an advocate stems from her childhood experiences as the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants. From a young age, she took on the responsibility of helping her family navigate cultural and language barriers. “As an immigrant kid, you always have that,” she reflected. “Your mom needs you to ask for directions to a grocery store… or get on the phone to explain health insurance because their English was not as good.” These formative experiences shaped her lifelong dedication to helping others. This foundation of service became the cornerstone of her legal career and advocacy efforts.
This commitment to helping others informs Jennifer’s approach to her advocacy and legal career. Whether assisting families affected by anti-Asian violence or guiding immigrant clients through challenges, she treats each case as personally as if it involved her own family, “That is fundamentally just helping people as if they’re your own family.” For Jennifer, true success is measured by the lives she improves, not by the accolades she receives. Her dedication to treating clients with care and respect truly highlights her belief that advocacy is rooted in genuine human connection.
Jennifer’s leadership style is collaborative and empowering. She emphasizes creating an environment where others can grow and excel. “I don’t like to micromanage,” she said. “I want people to think for themselves and learn from their mistakes. That’s how you create leaders who can step up and take charge.” As a founding partner of her firm, Jennifer takes this mindset into every aspect of her work. “I walk into every room with the mindset of an owner,” she said. Her leadership philosophy demonstrates how empowering others and taking ownership can inspire teams.
One of the most touching examples of Jennifer’s advocacy is her work with Eva Zhao, the widow of Zhiwen Yan, a Queens delivery worker who was tragically murdered while on the job. After her husband’s death, Eva faced immense fear of deportation and struggled to support herself and her young children. Jennifer stepped in to offer both legal and practical assistance. Jennifer shared,“We’ve been helping her try to get her U visa.” A U Visa helps victims of serious crimes who have been hurt and are helping the police or authorities with their investigations. For Eva Zhao, whose husband Zhiwen Yan was tragically killed, this visa could protect her from deportation and provide her family with safety and stability. “The act of actually helping is the reward,” Jennifer emphasized. “The awards are just tokens; the relationships are what truly matter.”
Jennifer’s leadership attitude and authenticity were also evident at a recent event hosted by AABANY’s Women’s Committee on Monday, December 16, 2024, titled “Building Your Own House: Balthazar Breakfast with Jennifer Wu.” Held at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, the breakfast was an intimate gathering that allowed participants to hear Jennifer reflect on her journey. Moderated by Aileen Huang and Ananya Pillutla, associates at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, Jennifer discussed her career path, including her decision to create her own firm: a “house” where equity and inclusion thrive, with a partnership that is 50% women. To learn more about Jennifer’s recent breakfast event, click here.
Jennifer continues to redefine what it means to serve with integrity and exemplifies the power of using one’s platform for good. Her journey serves as an inspiration, proving that change begins when we lead with purpose and compassion.
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) on her election as Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) for the 119th Session of Congress and Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) as she assumes the role of Chair Emerita.
“NAPABA extends its heartfelt congratulations to CAPAC Chair-Elect Grace Meng,” said Thy Bui, President of NAPABA. “Chair-Elect Meng has paved a path to public service for so many as the first Asian American elected to Congress from New York. We look forward to her tenure and continuing our close partnership with CAPAC under her leadership.”
“Chair Judy Chu’s leadership, both within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community and for our Nation, is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “From fighting against anti-Asian hate and racial profiling in all their forms to standing up for immigrant communities and families, our community has immensely benefited from Chair Chu’s zealous and unrelentless advocacy.”
“Chair Chu’s contributions to our community and our country extends well beyond her steadfast leadership of CAPAC for the past 14 years,” continued Executive Director Purandare. “We are incredibly humbled to call Chair Chu a friend of NAPABA. We honor her service and extend our deepest gratitude.”
NAPABA congratulates the newly elected leadership of CAPAC: First Vice Chair-Elect Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Second Vice Chair-Elect Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Whip-Elect Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06), and Freshman Representative Rep.-elect Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10).
Finally, NAPABA congratulates all newly elected and reelected AANHPI members of the 119th Congress, who are a part of the record number of AANHPI candidates from both parties who ran for state and federal offices throughout the United States and its territories. They are: Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI), Sen. Andy Kim (NJ), Rep.-elect Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06), Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Rep. Vince Fong (CA-20), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17), Rep. Young Kim (CA-40), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthy (IL-08), Delegate-Elect Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Northern Mariana Islands), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36), Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-07), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Rep.-elect Dave Min (CA-47), Congressman James Moylan (Guam), Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen (American Samoa), Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rep.-elect Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Rep.-elect Derek Tran (CA-45), Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02).
AABANY members pose in front of the U.S. Capitol at NAPABA Lobby Day 2024.
On May 22, 2024, AABANY members met with the staff of New York Senate and Congressional representatives in Washinton, D.C. at this year’s NAPABA Lobby Day. Each year, members of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) travel from across the United States to Washington D.C. and advocate on critical issues facing the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community.
NAPABA and local bar association members discussed a number of issues with Congressional offices including legislation to address Anti-Asian Hate, Civil Rights, Immigration, and to support the confirmation of AANHPI judicial and executive nominees.
Wen Xue discusses alien land laws with Rebecca Lee, Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Grace Meng.
Wen Xue, Associate at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, discussed state bills barring Chinese nationals from owning real property and a federal bill to preempt those laws. She shared, “Lobby Day is a great opportunity to meet and connect with people. I enjoyed the opportunity to see my fellow NAPABA colleagues in action, hear their words, and be inspired.”
Sandy Chiu, intellectual property attorney at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, stated, “Lobby Day continues to inspire and reengage me in the civic process, reminding me of our power as a collective NAPABA voice in shaping policy.”
Michelle Lee, Counsel for Stand with Asian Americans which advocates against workplace discrimination, discussed legislation to ensure AANHPI history is taught as part of American history. She stated, “As a first-time attendee of Lobby Day, I experienced a sense of empowerment and relevance as we advocated on behalf of our AANHPI community directly with our Senators’ and Representatives’ offices. Every lawyer should take advantage of this privilege especially when NAPABA makes the experience so seamless and collaborative.”
Nandar Win Kerr, Human Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Consultant and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Professional Development Committee, stated, “For the past three years, I have participated in NAPABA Lobby Day, transitioning from grassroots activism to high-level policy advocacy, a journey that seemed intimidating at first…. Engaging in NAPABA Lobby Day has enriched my sense of community and empowered me to contribute to collective advocacy efforts. Together, we strive to foster a peaceful, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable democratic society where everyone feels they belong.”
Rachel Lee discusses civil rights legislation with Bre Sonnier-Thompson, Legislative Correspondent for New York Senator Chuck Schumer.
Rachel Lee, Associate at A&O Shearman, stated, “Lobby Day 2024 was another incredibly rewarding experience. Marching through the hallways of the House and Senate buildings with a team of like-minded AANHPI attorneys was a reminder that our democratic process requires hard work and advocacy and gave me hope that as a team we can serve as a voice on issues important to our often-forgotten community. Whether it’s an important election year or not, with or without prior lobbying experience, I strongly encourage our members to take part in this amazing program.”
NAPABA is the largest AANHPI grassroots membership association, representing the interests of over 80,000 lawyers, judges, law students and other legal professionals around the country. Approximately 90 local bar associations are affiliated with NAPABA.
Anna Mercado Clark, Partner at Phillips Lytle LLP, currently serves as President of NAPABA. She stated, “Lobby Day is the premier advocacy event for NAPABA and one of the most visible ways that we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We are proud to have gathered 150 members for a Congressional reception and 50 meetings with legislators from both sides of the aisle. It is so powerful to see so many AANHPIs roaming the halls of Congress. It sends the message that we are here, we matter, and we will not tire of pursuing issues of importance to our communities. Thank you, AABANY, for joining NAPABA and all you are doing to advocate for our communities and strengthen democracy. This work is more important now than ever.”
NAPABA President Anna Mercado Clark and Nandar Win Kerr attending the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Congressional Reception.Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA), Senator Mazie Hirono (HI), and Director of Domestic Policy Counsel Neera Tanden speak at the AANHPI Congressional Reception.
NAPABA Lobby Day coincides with the annual Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Congressional Reception. Several AANHPI congressional and administration officials spoke including Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA), Senator Mazie Hirono (HI), and White House Director of the Domestic Policy Counsel Neera Tanden.
Thanks to all the AABANY members who participated in Lobby Day this year, especially Vishal Chander, Issues Committee Co-Chair and Board Director, who submitted this report.
Have you registered for NAPABA’s 2024 Lobby Day, May 21-22, in Washington, DC? If not, we’ve extended the deadline for you to register.
This is our chance to advocate for issues that impact the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community with leaders on Capitol Hill. This year, we’ll be focusing on the following priority issue areas:
Anti-Asian Hate
Support legislation to preempt discriminatory alien land laws.
Support legislation to teach AANHPI history in K-12 education.
Support mental health resources in our community.
Oppose anti-Asian rhetoric.
Civil Rights
Support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Support the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Support funding for legal services and public defenders.
Immigration
Support the right to counsel for individuals navigating the immigration system.
Protect the rights of asylum seekers.
Judicial and Executive Nominations
Don’t delay. Make sure your voice is heard and register by May 1!
On April 1, 2024, AsAm News published an article by Ti-Hua Chang reporting on the retirement of Margaret Fung, co-founder of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). After serving as Executive Director of AALDEF for most of the fifty years she’s been with the organization, she is now retiring from her position in October.
AALDEF, based in New York, is a national organization known for spearheading advocacy efforts in support AAPI workers’ rights, voting rights, and anti-Asian hate initiatives, among others. Margaret Fung, who pioneered many such civil rights activities, has been praised by community leaders, especially in Chinatown, for her continuous fight to improve the lives of the working people and immigrant communities. After hearing about her retirement, many wondered what the future of AALDEF will look like without her prominent contributions.
Executive Director of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) Yang Chen stated, “AALDEF is the NAACP of the Asian American community and has done a lot of great work in the last 50 years. Now that Margaret is stepping down, the big question is: will they be able to perpetuate that, continue that.”
Whatever the future holds for AALDEF in the years to come, Margaret’s legacy as an AAPI civil rights advocate and trailblazer in the male-dominated legal field will continue to live on. AABANY honors Margaret for all that she has accomplished in a storied career.
