APA JusticeA group of volunteers got together to provide a platform and connect elected officials, organizations and individuals who are concerned about and would like to act on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian American community.
We believe that there are responsibilities and obligations for Asian American and Pacific Islander elected officials and community leaders to voice and address concerns; raise public awareness and participation; hold the government accountable; and seek proper transparency and oversight to prevent future profiling and scapegoating. We serve to facilitate, inform, and advocate:
|
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out-- Martin Niemöller (1892 – 1984)
|
|
Press Conferences
|
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life. CAPAC is non-partisan and bi-cameral.
CAPAC was established on May 16, 1994. Congressman Norman Y. Mineta, one of the founders of CAPAC, became its first Chair. CAPAC has actively and consistently raised questions and concerns in press conferences, Congressional hearings, inquired and called for independent investigations, written letters and statements, and promoted legislative actions in support of Sherry Chen, Xiaoxing Xi, and the continuing battle against racial profiling of Asian Americans. |
|
Top Issues
|
Forum/Dialogue
|
Watch List keeps an eye on individual and group victims, selected legislative bills and actions, federal policies and practices, and media reports and bias that may enable racial profiling and adversely impact the Asian American community.
Victims and Heroes
|
Congress
|
Federal Government
|
Media Bias
|
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)
|
Growing out of the Watergate scandal when federal resources were used to spy on domestic political and activist groups, The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was enacted in 1978. As its title suggests, the law was created to “provide judicial and congressional oversight of the government’s covert surveillance activities of foreign entities and individuals in the U.S., while maintaining the secrecy needed to protect national security.”
Soon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, the George W. Bush Administration began a series of questionable secret surveillance practices, including warrantless domestic wiretapping. Major amendments to FISA were made to legitimize and empower some of these secret operations in 2008. No person of Chinese origin was known to be part of the 9/11 or other terrorist attacks. Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act has always been claimed to be a vital tool to combat terrorism. However, soon after Section 702 became law in 2008, the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigations declared that economic espionage is a major security threat to the U.S. and started publicity campaigns with China as the major culprit. Subsequently, an unknown number of Chinese Americans, especially scientists, have been subject to secret surveillance by the U.S. government for at least the past decade. The FISA Amendments Act was due for sunset at the end of 2017. A coalition of organizations put forth an effort for reforms of the law and created the APA FISA Watch website, which inspired the creation of this APA Justice website. FISA was reauthorized to become Public Law No: 115-118. Its next expiration date is December 31, 2023. |
|
End National Security Scapegoating
"As community members and organizations, we believe it is imperative to end the profiling of Asian Americans as national security threats, and we are committed to working towards a society free of racial discrimination and profiling against any people." Website: http://endnationalsecurityscapegoating.org/ Founding organizations: Americans Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus Chinese for Affirmative Action Chinese Progressive Association Resources: Know Your Rights: Stop Unfair Treatment of Chinese American Academics and Scientists Know Your Rights When Traveling Abroad |
Participating Organizations
See a full list of Organizations that have participated in past activities and are continuing to build coalitions on an issue-by-issue basis
                          |
Why would anyone come to help you when you are in trouble if you do not help others when you are in good times?"