Join us on Friday, October 21, 2022, for the first-ever APAICS Community Conversation from 1:00 - 3:00 pm PT in Orange County, California. During the event we will facilitate a community-level dialogue between legislators, policymakers, activists, and community members centered on recent legislation and current events impacting the Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA & NH/PI) communities.

 

AA & NH/PIs are the fastest growing racial group in the United States and Orange County exemplifies this statement. Nationwide, Asian American voters comprise 4 percent of the electorate. But in Orange County, we represent a quarter of the voting population. We are also running for elected office. As we head toward the midterm elections, we have more Asian Americans running for Congress in Orange County than ever before. 

 

Although AA & NH/PIs are a growing population and political force in Orange County, incidents of anti-Asian crimes continue to rise. Hate activity in Orange County increased by 35% in 2020 – the largest annual increase in at least a decade – with 112 reported hate crimes and 263 hate incidents documented. Yet these statistics only scratch the surface as many hate incidents against AA & NH/PIs go unreported.

 

At the same time, Orange County residents are emerging back to some level of normalcy from the pandemic, and the American Rescue Plan is infusing funds to support entrepreneurial innovation and workforce development. In September, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration awarded $3M in grant funds to support and diversify the regional economy. Matched by local funds, the initiative is expected to create 468 jobs, retain 108 jobs, and generate an additional $3.9M in private investment. With the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Orange County will realize more grants to stimulate the economy.

 

How do we make our communities safer and advance social justice? How do we ensure funding initiatives improve the lives of AA & NH/Pis in Orange County? How do we prioritize these conversations? Join APAICS Community Conversations and Asian American Members of Congress in a discussion addressing these issues and identifying solutions.

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Location will be provided to those who RSVP.

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Speakers

• Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27)

• Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-6)

• Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41)

• Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45)

• California State Treasurer Fiona Ma

• California State Senator Dave Min 

• California State Assemblyman Mike Fong

• City of Irvine Councilmember Tammy Kim

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Agenda

• 1:00 PM Understanding the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

• 1:45 PM Break

• 2:15 PM  Anti-Asian Hate and Advancing Social Justice