October 23, 2009

Contact: Grace Chang

Laura Rodriguez

FIRST NATIONAL ASIAN

AMERICAN CIVIL

RIGHTS CONFERENCE

IN LOS ANGELES

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Tom Perez to

serve as keynote and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio

Villaraigosa to make welcome remarks at the inaugural

Advancing Justice Conference

WHAT: The 2009 Advancing Justice Conference: “Asian American and Pacific Islanders Building New Foundations     for Civil Rights” is an inaugural national civil rights and social   justice conference that drew 400 + of community and         government leaders and legal professionals from across the    country. The Conference will be the largest gathering of       advocates  and community leaders from the Asian American         and Pacific Islander community to share, network, mentor and address the major policy issues facing our nation today. For             a full conference agenda and registration information,                 please visit: www.AdvancingJustice.org.

WHO: The Advancing Justice Conference is a joint project of    Asian American Institute (Chicago), Asian American         Justice Center (Washington, DC), Asian Law Caucus             (San Francisco) and the Asian Pacific American Legal       Center of Southern California (Los Angeles).

WHEN: October 29-30, 2009

WHERE: The Center at Cathedral Plaza
555 W. Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2707

BACKGROUND: The Asian American and Pacific Islander communities           are at the forefront in the fight for justice, protesting against hate crimes                 and racial profiling, as well as the lack of health insurance and the long       immigration backlogs. The four hosting organizations have worked on these        issues for years in their own neighborhoods and cities; but now, have the      opportunity to come together at a national level to dialogue about these issues.

Future Dates: 2nd Annual Advancing Justice Conference 2010 will                     be in Washington, D.C. 3rd Annual Advancing Justice Conference will be in            San Francisco, CA. 4th Annual Advancing Justice Conference will be in          Chicago, Illinois. Please check their website for future updates www.AdvancingJustice.org.

8:00-9:00

Registration and Breakfast

9:00-10:30

Workshop Session 3

Accessing Quality Health Care: The Challenges for Immigrant Communities

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in K-12 Public Education

Foundation Fundraising in Tough Times

Unity is Power: Building Our Community Organizing Skills

When Hate Hits Home: Actions and Steps for Effective Hate Crimes Prevention

·

10:45-12:15

Workshop Session 4

Asian American and Pacific Islander Civil Rights History: What Does it Mean for 21st Century Youth?

Expanding the Circle of Leadership: Increasing Asian American and Pacific Islander Participation in Influential Boards and Commissions

National Security and Civil Rights

Organizing Low-Wage Workers and Fighting for Justice

·

12:30-2:00

Lunch Keynote

The Honorable Thomas E. Perez: Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice

·

2:15-3:45

Workshop Session 5

Capacity Building for Small Organizations

Census 2010: How to Make Your Community Count

Civil Rights at the Intersections of Gender Identity, Sexuality, Immigration, and Race

Housing and Community Development

Service and Leadership: Expanding Opportunities in Social Justice