The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a briefing on March 24, 2023, on the federal government’s response to anti-Asian racism in the United States. The Commission’s investigation seeks to examine the federal government’s role in documenting, prosecuting, and preventing hate crimes against persons of Asian descent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The investigation will also include background and historical perspectives of Asian immigration in the U.S.; anti-Asian immigration laws and changes to immigration laws for persons of Asian descent; and misperceptions and stereotypes of Asian immigrants and Asian Americans.
At this public briefing, Commissioners will hear from subject matter experts such as government officials, academics, policy experts, law enforcement professionals advocates, and impacted persons. The Commission will accept written materials from the public for consideration as we prepare our report; submit to antiasianhatecrimes@usccr.gov no later than April 24, 2023.
AGENDA
Live-streamed: https://www.youtube.com/user/USCCR/videos
I. Introductory Remarks: 1:00-1:05 pm
II. Panel 1: Research and Policy Experts: 1:05-2:15 pm
• Dr. Russell Jeung, Professor, Asian American Studies, San Francisco State
University; Co-Founder, Stop AAPI Hate
• Charles Lehman, Fellow, Manhattan Institute
• Jo Ann Yoo, Executive Director, Asian American Federation (AAF)
• Diane Yap, Founding Member, Friends of Lowell Foundation; Board Member,
The Lowell Alumni Association
• John Yang, President & Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice
– AAJC
• Dr. Brian Levin, Professor, California State University – San Bernardino;
Director, Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism (CSHE); Commissioner,
California Commission on the State of Hate
III. Break: 2:15-2:25 pm
IV. Panel 2: Community Stakeholders and Advocates: 2:25-3:35 pm
• Cynthia Choi, Co-Executive Director, Chinese for Affirmative Action
• Dr. Wenyuan Wu, Executive Director, Californians for Equal Rights Foundation
• Aryani Ong, Director, Anti-Hate & Belonging Program, The Asian American
Foundation (TAAF)
• Jennifer Wu, Partner, Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP
• Lee Cheng, Co-Founder, The Asian American Legal Foundation
• Manjusha Kulkarni, Executive Director, AAPI Equity Alliance
V. Break: 3:35-3:45 pm
VI. Panel 3: Law Enforcement & Federal Officials: 3:45-4:55 pm
• Eric Dreiband, Former Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division,
Department of Justice; Partner, Jones Day
• Devon Westhill, Former Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR) at USDA;
President and General Counsel, The Center for Equal Opportunity
• Detective Orlando Martinez, Hate Crimes Coordinator, Los Angeles Police
Department
• William Scott, Police Chief, San Francisco Police Department
VII. Closing Remarks: 4:55-5:00 pm
VIII. Adjourn Meeting
**Public Comments will be written testimony only