Leading Asian Civil Rights Groups Join Forces

WASHINGTON, -- Four leading Asian American civil rights organizations announced during their annual conference that they are formally affiliating under a new name, Asian American Center for Advancing Justice.  

The announcement coincides with the second annual Advancing Justice Conference, a three-day event focusing on issues of special interest to the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The four affiliating organizations—the Asian American Institute (AAI), Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), Asian Law Caucus (ALC) and Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC)—jointly host the conference, which has brought together hundreds of participants from across the country

"This represents a tremendous opportunity not only for the Asian Law Caucus and our sister organizations, but for the larger Asian American community," said Titi Liu, executive director of ALC, the nation's oldest Asian American civil rights organization. "Through Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, we will have a larger platform from which to speak about issues that affect our community."

Asian American Center for Advancing Justice will address many of the issues that are currently the focus of headlines across the country, including immigration, LGBT, civil rights and worker's rights.  

"We are very excited to be part of this partnership of equals at a time when Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a greater presence—both in numbers and in prominence—than ever before," said Stewart Kwoh, president and executive director of APALC, the nation's largest organization addressing the civil rights and legal services of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The four groups will adopt their shared identity in stages over the coming years, explained AAI Executive Director Tuyet Le. "By affiliating gradually, we will maintain our identity and presence in our local communities.  AAI is the leading pan-Asian organization in the Midwest, and we will continue to speak to local issues. Asian American Center for Advancing Justice gives us a voice to speak to national ones as well."

Each organization will continue to be based in its home city:  AAJC in Washington, D.C., APALC in Los Angeles, AAI in Chicagoand ALC in San Francisco. AAJC will continue to serve as the lead on federal policy as well as other areas in which it has expertise. However, all member organizations do some work at the national level. On a given issue or area, any one of the member organizations may be the national lead for Asian American Center for Advancing Justice.

"As independent organizations coordinating around a set of shared vision and values, we will work to promote a fair and equitable society for all; strengthen civil and human rights; and empower the Asian American, Pacific Islander and other marginalized communities," said Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of AAJC, one of the premier national Asian American civil and human rights organizations.  "In formalizing relationships that have existed for many years, we are expanding our reach and effectiveness and speaking with one unified and powerful voice."

For more information on Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, please visit www.advancingjustice.org.

SOURCE Asian American Center for Advancing Justice