합수통신

New Yorkers Declare: No Racist Rezonings!

Our Response to the U.S. Capitol Riots

The MinKwon Center strongly condemns the violence at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 and any attempts to disrupt our nation’s democratic processes. Along with individuals incited by former President Trump, members of several well-known White supremacist groups, including the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, were identified at the Capitol riot. These firmly anti-immigrant groups call for the need to “protect” America’s racial demographics, often targeting immigrants (particularly immigrants of color) and promoting nativist and White separatist sentiments and policies.

President Joe Biden’s win was not only legitimate, with the former-Vice President receiving the majority of both the popular and electoral votes, but it was made possible in part by the Asian American vote. Asian Americans have been largely ignored by the leadership of both major parties in past years, but they are becoming the country’s fastest growing population of eligible voters, quickly amassing more influence not only in Democratic strongholds like New York, but Republican strongholds like Georgia.

Citizenship for All: 100 Days Campaign

President Joe Biden has promised, both during his campaign and in recent interviews, that he will send a pathway to citizenship for over 11 million undocumented people to Congress and place a moratorium on deportations in his first 100 days in office. In coalition with NAKASEC National, HANA Center (IL), Korean Resource Center (CA), and Woori Center (PA), we launched our 100 Days Campaign to ensure that the Biden-Harris administration and Congress deliver on their promises for this legislated pathway to citizenship, regardless of age, country of origin, or criminal background.

Our strategy is threefold: Storytelling, Phonedogging, and Mobilizing to Washington D.C. We will share one immigrant’s story per week for the first 100 days for a total of 14 powerful stories, specifically uplifting those who are left out of mainstream narratives and are traditionally excluded first from legislation. We aim to make at least 11,000 calls to the White House and Congress every day during Biden's first 100 days, maintaining our demands for Citizenship for All and an end to deportations. Organizers from MinKwon and our partners will have a physical presence in Washington D.C. to create pressure and provide a firm basis for rapid response. They're hosting outdoor, socially-distanced rallies, vigils, and other events outside of the White House and Congress.

We want you to get involved with us! Sign up for phonedogging sessions to your elected officials. Reach out to Ying Yu Situ if you're interested in sharing immigrant story. Attend our events if you live in the DMV area, or send PPE to our organizers on-the-ground.

We'll Miss You, Seonae Byeon!

Our Lead Housing Organizer, Seonae Byeon, has transitioned out of the MinKwon Center as of the New Year. For the past two years, Seonae has played a vital role in our campaigns for housing and tenants' rights. In 2019, she organized for Universal Rent Control in the NY State Legislature by hosting days of action in Albany and local rallies in Flushing with the statewide Housing Justice for All coalition.

In 2020, she tirelessly organized against the Special Flushing Waterfront District through her involvement with two groups: Flushing Anti-Displacement Alliance (FADA) and Flushing for Equitable Development and Urban Planning (FED UP). She has also reestablished and expanded relationships with our tenant base and hosted Know Your Rights workshops with our Housing Attorneys and other legal aid organizations. We are so grateful for the amazing work she has done with MinKwon and we bid her a bittersweet farewell, wishing her luck in her future endeavors.

Announcements and Updates