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APAPA Supports the 1882 ProjectThe 1882 Project is a nonpartisan, grassroots effort focused on educating policymakers and the public about the Chinese Exclusion Laws and the impact such legislation had on our history. The 1882 Project aims to work with Congress to pass resolutions expressing regret for the implementation of the Chinese Exclusion Laws and to raise national awareness.
Read more at:
http://www.1882project.org/
Public Meeting: Appology 1882 The 1882 Project: A nonpartisan, grassroots effort to address the Chinese Exclusion LawsExcerpt from the 1882 Project website: What are the Chinese Exclusion Laws? The Chinese Exclusion Laws involved legislation Congress passed between 1870 and 1904 that explicitly discriminated against persons of Chinese descent based on race. In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which imposed a ten-year moratorium on Chinese labor immigration, which was later expanded to apply to all persons of Chinese descent. Congress revisited the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1884, 1888, 1892, 1902, and 1904, each time imposing increasingly severe restrictions on immigration and naturalization. Although the Chinese Exclusion Laws were repealed in 1943 as a war measure after China became a World War II ally of the United States, Congress has never expressly acknowledged that the laws singling out and ostracizing Chinese persons violated fundamental civil rights. What significance and impact did the Chinese Exclusion Laws have? The six decades of anti-Chinese legislation contradicted the Declaration of Independence’s basic founding principle that all persons are created equal, and the guarantees of the 14th and 15th amendments. The Congressional debates accompanying the laws condoned anti-Chinese attitudes by frequently portraying Chinese immigrants as “aliens, not to be trusted with political rights” and not able to assimilate in America. By directly targeting persons of Chinese descent for physical and political exclusion, the laws legitimized the political alienation and persecution of Chinese laborers and settlers. In California alone, there were over 200 “roundups” to physically expel Chinese persons. The laws affected the ability of Chinese persons to pursue life in America without fear, and impaired the establishment of Chinese family life in America. What is the 1882 Project? The 1882 Project is a nonpartisan, grassroots effort focused on educating lawmakers and the public the Chinese Exclusion Laws and the impact such legislation had on our history. The 1882 Project aims to work with Congress to pass resolutions expressing regret for the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Laws, and to increase national awareness of the laws. Several national civil rights organizations spearhead the 1882 Project: the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, the Committee of 100, the National Council of Chinese Americans, and OCA. What Congressional resolutions do we want? We want Congress to formally acknowledge and express regret at the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Laws. Through the resolutions, Congress can reaffirm its commitment to protect the civil rights of all people in the United States. We do not seek any monetary reparations because it is impossible to identify all the individuals harmed and to quantify the harm meaningfully. We hope to get the House and Senate to each pass a resolution during the 112bthb Congress (2011-2012). We are asking this Congress to pass the resolutions because only a sitting Congress has the power to acknowledge history and to make amends. Congress needs to act now, before the last living generation subject to the Chinese Exclusion laws leave us. How can you help? Congress will only act if it hears from concerned citizens who urge it to prioritize and pass the resolutions on the Chinese Exclusion Laws. Contact your Members of Congress to let them know how important the resolutions are to you. Educate others about the 1882 Project and encourage them to contact their Members of Congress. You can also donate to the 1882 Project to help us fund our advocacy and education efforts. The following photos are from 1882 Project Workshops held by APAPA (more photos are in the APAPA Gallery):      |
URGENT! 1882 Project Foundation petition needs 100,000 signatures by April 20th!Congress has formally expressed regret for the passage of the Chinese Exclusion laws in the late 19th Century. The 1882 Project Foundation (recently established by several national organizations for the 1882 Project) would like the President to issue a statement or proclamation in May to reinforce the idea of America being built by immigrants from all countries. http://www.1882project.org// 1882 Project Celebration at the US CapitolBy Michael Lin
The House and Senate Resolutions finally put the Chinese Exclusion Laws behind
us. You are cordially invited to join us in celebrating the passage of
House Resolution 683, along with Senate Resolution 201, which finally
acknowledged the injustice of Chinese Exclusion Laws, first enacted in 1882.
We hope you can join us to celebrate this historic occasion. If you
replied and did not receive acknowledgment, please RSVP again by September 12 to
make sure that you are on the list. Look forward to seeing you.
Location: U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Room HVC 201 (entrance on First
St., NE at E Capital St., SE)
Nearest metro stops are Capitol South and Union Station
Time: Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm RSVP: By September 12, 2012 to Vivian Yao at yaopeiwin@yahoo.com
The 1882 Project Steering Committee, consists of House and Senate Supporters Recognized by APAPAThe Asian Pacific Islander American community deeply appreciates the following members of Congress who supported the resolutions (Senate Resolution 201 and House Resolutions 282 and 683) that express regret for the passage of discriminatory laws against the Chinese in America, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. We are grateful for their standing firm on America’s founding principles. We believe that not only Chinese Americans, but all Americans owe them a debt of gratitude for their contribution to our country. Senate Resolution 201Title: A resolution expressing the regret of the Senate for the passage of discriminatory laws against the Chinese in America, including the Chinese Exclusion Act. Sponsor: Senator Brown, Scott P. [MA] (introduced 5/26/2011)
Co-sponsors (10) House Resolution 282Title: Expressing the regret of the House of Representatives for the passage of discriminatory laws against the Chinese in the United States, including the Chinese Exclusion Act. Sponsor: Representative Chu, Judy [CA-32] (introduced 5/26/2011)
Co-sponsors (48) House Resolution 683Title: Expressing the regret of the House of Representatives for the passage of laws that adversely affected the Chinese in the United States, including the Chinese Exclusion Act. Sponsor: Representative Chu, Judy [CA-32] (introduced 6/8/2012)
Co-sponsors (20)
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