What a year 2023 has been for our community! CASL has seen so much change and excitement in the past few months that made May, AANHPI Heritage Month, a month filled with plenty to celebrate. Here is a recap of key moments for CASL during AANHPI Heritage Month…
#1: Our Anti-Hate Action Center’s “No Home For Hate” Campaign Kicked Off
We launched ReportHateMidwest.org just in time for AANHPI Heritage Month. The webpage provides information and resources about hate crimes and incidents and directs people on how to report them. Our hope is that this will make our community members, especially those at higher risk of experiencing hate crimes and incidents, feel more at ease during their commute on public transportation, where it isn’t uncommon for acts of hatred to frequently occur.
Help support the Anti-Hate Action Center’s #NoHomeForHate campaign by following our Anti-Hate Action Center social media accounts and liking/sharing our content:
Anti-Hate Action Center Facebook
Anti-Hate Action Center Instagram
Anti-Hate Action Center Twitter
Anti-Hate Action Center LinkedIn
If you use Chicago public transit, keep an eye out for the Anti-Hate Action Center’s ongoing CTA campaign:
#2: CASL’s 45th Anniversary Spring Social Was a Success
THANK YOU to all who joined us May 3 at the 2023 Spring Social: A Celebration of Community and Cuisine! We’re especially thankful for our venue sponsor, Zhou B. Art Center, and internationally renowned artists, the Zhou Brothers, for welcoming hundreds of guests into their space, in support of CASL’s vital programming. Emmy award-winning anchor Judy Hsu, co-chair of CASL Advisory Board and long-time CASL supporter returned as our emcee. Restaurants and featured cuisine included: Dongpo Impression, The Adelitas Mexican Restaurant, Mira Sushi, Te Cake, Xurro, Iced Chicago, Northern Taste, CASL’s Culinary Training Program.
#3: Hosted the First Chinatown Cleanup with Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
It was a beautiful Friday morning on May 5, when community members far and wide gathered in Chinatown Square for CASL’s first major community cleanup event. Our recently elected 11th Ward Alderwoman Nicole Lee helped pass out coffee and breakfast sandwiches from McDonalds, who we were delighted to have sponsor the event, along with University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). We were so impressed with the turnout, which included families, high school field trip groups, and other people passing by the registration booth in Chinatown Square: 100+ people registered to help! In less than two hours, we counted at least 15 garbage bags turned in by volunteers. Next year will be an even bigger success. Thanks so much to everyone who helped out!
#4: CASL Went to the capital in Springfield, Illinois, for Asian American Advocacy Day
It was a beautiful Friday morning on May 5, when community members far and wide gathered in Chinatown Square for CASL’s first major community cleanup event. Our recently elected 11th Ward Alderwoman Nicole Lee helped pass out coffee and breakfast sandwiches from McDonalds, who we were delighted to have sponsor the event, along with University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). We were so impressed with the turnout, which included families, high school field trip groups, and other people passing by the registration booth in Chinatown Square: 100+ people registered to help! In less than two hours, we counted at least 15 garbage bags turned in by volunteers. Next year will be an even bigger success. Thanks so much to everyone who helped out!
#5: Hosted our First Annual Executive Luncheon
Thanks to the generous support of R. M. Chin & Associates, we hosted our very first annual executive luncheon event for our board and other exclusive guests at the Union League Club on May 18. Special thanks to our presenters and speakers noted below. We enjoyed the chance to connect in-person during AANHPI Heritage Month!
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- Judy Wang, Anchor/Reporter, WGN-TV Chicago
- Eileen Chin, President, RM Chin & Associates
- Unmi Song, President, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
- Carl Jones Jr., VP of External and Government Affairs, Comcast
- Maria Castro, Regional External Affairs Manager, Comcast
- Bonnie Fong, Board of Directors Chair, CASL
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#6: Anti-Doxing Bill Heads to Governor Pritzker’s Desk
In February, Illinois State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-17) introduced anti-doxing legislation to the Illinois General Assembly. The Civil Liability for Doxing Act (House Bill 2954), spearhead by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), aims to fill gaps in Illinois Laws that make legal recourse possible for victims of doxing: when bad actors publish people’s personally identifiable information online with the intent to cause harm. CASL supports this bill with other anti-hate organizations, including the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV), Access Living, Ascend Justice, and Chicago Urban League, to name a few.
We’re excited to share that during AANHPI Heritage Month, HB 2954 officially passed in both the Illinois House and Senate and is headed to Governor Pritzker’s desk for his signature. This is a major win for all organizations focused on addressing hate crimes through anti-hate efforts.
Questions about CASL’s policy advocacy efforts? Contact Dr. Felicitas Yari Aquegho, Director of Public Policy and Research at CASL: Felicitas_Yari@CASLservice.org
#7: May 10 is Officially “AANHPI Mental Health Day”
This year, it finally became official in Illinois: The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) and CASL secured a proclamation from Governor Pritzker’s Office declaring May 10 as Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day. This will make for an even more exciting AANHPI Heritage Month celebration in 2024!
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