| | Our Voices Our Future: Join Us October 18! |
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MinKwon's 34th Annual Gala: Our Voices, Our Future is less than three weeks away! This year's Standing Up For Justice Award honorees will be the Korean American Sanctuary Church Network and the Deutsche Bank Community Development Finance Group. We strongly encourage you to attend and invite your family, friends and loved ones!
October 18, 2018
Dae Dong Manor
150-24 Northern Boulevard
Flushing, NY 11354
6:30 - 8:30 PM |
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 | | MinKwon and members of APA VOICE held a press conference inside Queens Library in Flushing, Sept. 25, 2018. |
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Register to Vote and Make Your Voices Heard |
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On Tuesday Sept. 25, MinKwon Center and 19 other community-based organizations that comprise APA VOICE (Asian Pacific Americans Voting & Organizing to Increase Civic Engagement) held a press conference inside the Queens Library in Flushing, urging Asian Americans to vote during the midterm general elections as part of #NationalVoterRegistrationDay. If you aren't already registered to vote, we strongly encourage you to register by Friday, October 12 and to vote on Tuesday, November 6. Check out the Voter Registration Search to see if you're registered, and if you're not registered to vote, check out this page for more information. “Asian Americans make up 15% of the City’s population and is the fastest growing ethnic and racial group in the state,” said John Park, MinKwon's Executive Director. “Far too often, our voices are dismissed and our community is not given the priority it deserves. Our voices are our future, and it is essential that Asian Americans, immigrants, and other marginalized communities register to vote and exercise our power this November.” Thank you to everyone who spoke at the press conference: Asian Americans for Equality, Crystal Feng, Project Manager
Chhaya Community Development Corporation, Jagpreet Singh, Lead Organizer
Homecrest Community Services, Inc., Karen Zhou, Executive Director
Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, John Choe, Executive Director
United Chinese Association of Brooklyn, Carrie Mai (speaker), Cathy Ho, Tony Chan (President) NY State Assembly Member Ron Kim
Queens Library at Flushing, Yang Zeng, Director |
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 | | New York Immigration Coalition organized a protest and direct action in response to Public Charge, Sept. 24, 2018. Fourteen activists were arrested for blocking traffic. |
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MinKwon Rejects Trump's Latest Anti-Immigrant Proposal |
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On Saturday Sept. 22, the Department of Homeland Security proposed a new rule that would expand the definition of a "Public Charge" to include non-cash benefits such as food stamps, medicaid, and Section 8 housing. The proposed rule is not final, but it is yet another example of the Trump Administration's efforts to demonize and punish immigrant families. MinKwon Center joins with other immigrant rights organizations and their members in condemning this proposed change as yet another attack on our nation's immigrants. The Trump Administration is forcing immigrant families to choose between their livelihoods in the U.S. or feeding and housing their families. MinKwon rejects this cruel and false choice. Immigrants provide positive, lasting contributions to our society and are critical in preventing and relieving poverty in the U.S. We are concerned how the new rule may leave lasting consequences for all Americans receiving public benefits and preventing immigrants from accessing benefits that they deserve.
On Monday Sept. 24, our partners at the New York Immigration Coalition organized an emergency protest and direct action in response to these proposed changes. Hundreds of community members joined the protest, and fourteen brave activists were arrested for blocking traffic on Delancey St. We urge our members to keep themselves informed and to join the mounting resistance against these anti-immigrant attacks. |
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| Fall Naturalization Clinic a Success! |
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On Saturday Sept. 22, our Social Services team organized our naturalization clinic for the Fall! Throughout the day, we provided free assistance for twelve community members applying for US. citizenship, with many applications finalized and ready for submission. We thank everyone who attended and volunteered. If you or a family member missed the clinic but would like free assistance with naturalization or other immigrant statuses, send us an email or call us at 718-460-5600. We provide dedicated assistance for our community members every weekday by appointment. |
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Hosting Candidate Forums For NY Primary Elections |
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| MinKwon continued our nonpartisan Civic Participation efforts for New York's state primary elections September 13. On Thursday Aug. 23, MinKwon hosted a candidate forum for State Senate District 11, inviting Democratic primary candidates Tony Avella and John Liu, and Republican primary candidates Simon Minching and Vickie Paladino to speak to the Flushing community. On Thursday Sept. 6, APA VOICE hosted a candidate forum for State Assembly District 39, inviting Democratic primary candidates Ari Espinal and Catalina Cruz to speak to the Jackson Heights and Elmhurst communities. |
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