FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Justine Ventura Mejia
Programs Manager
Phone: (213)269-4639
Email: justine@causeusa.org
Los Angeles, CA – The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) will come together with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) and the Los Angeles Urban League for the “Confronting Racism: A Pandemic Within a Pandemic” Livestream hosted by the Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 11:00 AM-12:00 PM.
The murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and COVID-19 have both exposed a myriad of issues from criminal justice to healthcare with a common theme of racism and inequity. Los Angeles must move forward together as the whole nation fights the pandemics of racism and COVID-19. This coalition will lift the voices of their communities by sharing critical insights on minority communities, issues that matter now, and ideas for a better future.
A link to a video of the complete program can be viewed HERE.
“One of the most gratifying things that I have seen is that the protest by large has been led by young people across different ethnic groups, across different racial groups,” stated CAUSE Board Chair Charlie Woo. “We should invest in the younger generation to be a part of the dialogue.”
Woo also pointed out that every community must confront the threat of discrimination and bigotry, citing the recent challenges faced by Asian Americans as the Covid-19 pandemic spread to the U.S. earlier this year.
“In addition to worrying about the personal safety of our families, we are suffering through unprecedented anti-Asian discrimination due to the false belief that the Asian Pacific American community is responsible for spreading a foreign virus,” Woo stated. “The lesson for all of us is that we must stand together against any and all types of racial or ethnic hatred. This is the only way for all of our communities to succeed.”
In February of this year, CAUSE, HOPE, and Los Angeles Urban League formed an ongoing partnership to increase community understanding and connection to create change. This panel is one step in an ongoing public discussion about opportunities for these communities to work together.
About CAUSE
Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.
Since its founding 1993, CAUSE has led efforts to drive APA civic engagement, from facilitating in-language Get Out The Vote workshops in the Greater Los Angeles Area to hosting the first-ever APA-facing gubernatorial debate in California history in 2018. CAUSE plans to continue efforts in 2020 to mobilize the community by providing the knowledge, access, and network to inspire APAs of all ages to voice their vote.
For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
# # #