News

APABA Statement on the Nomination of Jennifer Sung to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Contact:  Arnold Lee, arnoldlee.apaba@gmail.com

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA - Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) President Arnold Lee issued the following statement on President Joe Biden's nomination of Jennifer Sung to the U.S. Court of Appeals:

"On behalf of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County, we applaud President Joe Biden for nominating Oregon Employment Relations Board Member Jennifer Sung to serve as Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

"Ms. Sung possesses a wealth of legal experience in public service and private practice. Her nomination to the federal judiciary demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration's ongoing prioritized commitment in diversifying the federal bench that reflects America today. APABA congratulates Ms. Sung on her well-deserved nomination and looks forward to her leadership in public service at the federal level."

Click here to view the White House statement on the President's judicial nominees announced this week.

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APABA Statement on the White House Initiative and the Presidential Advisory Commission on AANHPI

Contact:  Arnold Lee, arnoldlee.apaba@gmail.com

Los Angeles, CA - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) released the following statement on the White House Initiative and Presidential Advisory Commission on AANHPI. 

"The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) applauds President Biden's continued commitment to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities in establishing the White House Initiative on AANHPIs and establishing a renewed Presidential Advisory Commission on AANHPIs by executive order today, putting in place a pivotal effort to coordinate a comprehensive approach across the federal government to advance inclusion, justice, and equity for the AANHPI communities.

APABA congratulates the appointment of Krystal Ka'ai as the Executive Director of the Initiative and the Commission. Ka'ai, the longtime Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Executive Director, will bring extensive experience of advocating for the AANHPI communities to the important role.

Today's executive order closes a historic AANHPI Heritage Month at a critical juncture for the AANHPI community as our neighborhoods across the nation continue working against hate, discrimination, and bigotry directed toward AANHPIs. APABA will continue its partnership alongside them in promoting justice for the AANHPI communities."

APABA Statement on the Signing of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act

Contact:  Arnold Lee, arnoldlee.apaba@gmail.com

Los Angeles, CA - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) released the following statement on the President's signing of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act:

"APABA applauds President Joe Biden for signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law, a major step toward combating the ongoing racism, bigotry, and discrimination against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. APABA thanks the leadership of key Senators, Representatives, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus who steered the effort in introducing and passing the legislation.

"The legislation, now law, requires the U.S. Department of Justice to expand public education on hate crime awareness, provide in-language guidance, and dedicate personnel to expedite pandemic hate crime review. It provides grant funding for state-level anti-hate crime programs. It also incorporates the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act on hate crime data tracking.

"As we recover from an era of deep divide in our nation, the overwhelming bipartisan support of this pivotal legislation speaks to one thing: we are united against hate. As the President said, 'Hate can be given no safe harbor in America.' APABA looks forward to seeing the law in action in the continuing efforts to heal the nation."

APABA Celebrates Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Contact:  Arnold Lee, arnoldlee.apaba@gmail.com

Los Angeles, CA - This month, we celebrate the rich history and achievements of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). The AANHPI community embodies the vibrant diversity that is the strength of America. Its myriad contributions and successes are integral to the development of our nation and are deeply rooted in American history. This year, we celebrate historic firsts: the election of California’s Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States, the first person of South Asian descent to hold the office; and the historic appointment of Rob Bonta as California Attorney General, the first person of Filipino descent to hold the office.

Yet, as we celebrate these successes and achievements, the AANHPI community continues to face significant challenges rooted in anti-Asian sentiment, from the Chinese Exclusion Act, to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, to the murder of Detroit autoworker Vincent Chin over 35 years ago, to the increase in violence against Sikh Americans following 9/11, to the current appalling rise in hate crimes and incidents against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in California and across the nation.

APABA commends President Joe Biden's signing of the Memorandum condemning and combating racism against AAPIs in the United States and his commitment in establishing a taskforce to tackle COVID-related xenophobia in his Address to a Joint Session of Congress as major first steps in addressing this issue. We urge President Biden and our leaders to continue to work swiftly to fight discrimination against the AAPI community and further promote inclusion and equity in our communities.

As we commemorate the AANHPI Heritage Month, APABA will continue to advance justice and equity for all.

APABA Applauds the United States Senate for Passing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act 

CONTACT: Arnold Lee, arnoldlee.apaba@gmail.com

Los Angeles, CA - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County ("APABA") joins President Biden in applauding the United States Senate and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus for passing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. As President Biden said, "Acts of hate against Asian Americans are wrong, un-American, and must stop."  

APABA urges the United States House of Representatives to swiftly pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act for President Biden's signature.

APABA Congratulates Assemblymember Rob Bonta on His Confirmation as California Attorney General

CONTACT: Arnold Lee, arnoldlee.apaba@gmail.com

Los Angeles, CA- The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County ("APABA") celebrates the California Legislature's historic confirmation of Assemblymember Rob Bonta as Attorney General, the first Filipino American to serve in this position. APABA is honored to have supported Mr. Bonta in the appointment process.

APABA applauds Governor Gavin Newsom for his appointment of Mr. Bonta, an advocate of sensible criminal justice reform, whose experience and perspective will be invaluable in leading the Department of Justice. APABA looks forward to Attorney General Bonta’s continued leadership in protecting the most vulnerable and underserved communities, serving as a voice for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and standing up for all Californians.

APABA Statement on the Verdict of Derek Chauvin's Trial in Minneapolis

CONTACT: Arnold Lee, arnoldlee.apaba@gmail.com

Los Angeles, CA - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) released the following statement on the verdict of Derek Chauvin's trial in Minneapolis:

Today, a Minneapolis state jury held Derek Chauvin accountable for the death of George Floyd on all counts. Accountability is a quintessential component of equal justice under law that has not always been delivered. While the verdict today cannot bring Mr. Floyd back, as President Biden said, "This can be a giant step forward in the march toward justice in America." APABA stands with the Black community and the family of Mr. Floyd as we move toward healing and commonsense reforms to ensure justice for all.

APABA Statement on the Mass Shooting in Indianapolis

CONTACT: Arnold Lee, arnoldlee.apaba@gmail.com

Los Angeles, CA - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County ("APABA") is deeply saddened by the senseless acts of violence in recent weeks, including the most recent shooting that has taken the lives of eight victims, four of which are from the Sikh community, in Indianapolis. 

From the myriad cases targeting Sikh Americans since 9/11, to the Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin in 2012, this latest attack reminds us of the painful history the Sikh community faced as targets of xenophobic violence.

Although the details are still forthcoming, APABA calls on authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.  APABA expresses its heartfelt condolences to the friends, families, and the communities of the victims in this latest attack.