Washington, DC – This week, the Obama Administration finalized two new actions that support working people and families in America: expanding paid sick leave and advancing equal pay. The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) applauds these crucial steps towards economic justice and continues to support policies that address wealth inequality and benefit working people and their families.

“Most families today shouldn’t have to choose between caring for their loved ones and losing out on a day’s pay,” commented APALA National President Johanna Hester on the administration’s actions. The Department of Labor (DOL) rule requiring federal contractors’ employees to earn up to seven paid sick days will go into effect for new solicitations issued on or after January 1, 2017 and is cited to benefit 1.15 million people.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) also finalized its data collection rule, which would collect summary pay on gender, race, and ethnicity from businesses with 100 or more employees. “Far too long have women been paid less than their male counterparts. This data will be so powerful for our advocacy to push for equal pay for equal work,” added Hester.

Hester stated: “The administration is taking steps in the right direction, but we still have so much more work to do. It is absolutely crucial that the next administration keeps efforts like this going and that we rally for candidates who really understand and can get behind the needs of working people in America.”

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​Washington, DC – The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) rises in solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter and the Movement for Black Lives, following the recent shootings in Oklahoma and North Carolina.
 
On September 16, Terence Crutcher – unarmed – had his hands in the air but was fatally shot by police in Tulsa. On September 20, Keith Lamont Scott – a disabled man – was shot and killed by police while waiting for his son to be dropped off by a school bus in Charlotte. These losses have sparked outrage and protests in both Oklahoma and North Carolina this week.
 
According to Mapping Police Violence, police and law enforcement have killed 346 black people in 2015 and at least 214 black people this year alone. The deaths of Crutcher and Scott continue a pattern of police violence and demonstrate the deep-rooted hatred and racism on Black lives and people of color.
 
“No justice, no peace. Each Black life lost at the hands of police officers leaves behind family, friends, and a village of people who are demanding justice, accountability, and freedom for all Black people,” declared APALA National President Johanna Hester. “Alton Sterling. Philando Castile. Delrawn Small. Freddie Gray. Sandra Bland. Eric Garner. The list goes on. Our freedom, as an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, is intrinsically linked with the freedom of Black folks everywhere. Only through collective action and organizing can we all be free.”
 
“We are outraged. Black folks and people of color have every right to be angry at this disproportionate state-sanctioned targeting and mass criminalization of their bodies,” added APALA Executive Director Gregory A. Cendana. “Time and again, we see that their lives are not brought to justice, and we refuse to allow the deaths of Black people to become the norm. It’s so crucial that we organize and mobilize our communities to dismantle this system that too often targets people of color for simply being Black and brown.”
 
In August, APALA organized and joined over 100 AAPI and allied organizations on a Joint Statement for AAPI Solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter and the Movement for Black Lives. With our allies and co-conspirators, we continue to fight for justice of our Black kinfolk and all people of color and call our community to take action. Here’s how you can help:
 

• Sign this petition demanding that the officer who shot Terence Crutcher be indicted.
• Make a donation to support local organizing efforts in North Carolina with the Southern Vision Alliance and Durham Solidarity Center.  
• Take the #NotYourModelMinority pledge and stand on the side of freedom.

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​Las Vegas, NV – The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) and APALA’s sister organization, the Institute for Asian Pacific American Leadership & Advancement (IAPALA), are celebrating National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 to register, mobilize and educate eligible voters across the country. APALA Nevada is leading a coalition of partners in Nevada at Seafood City on this special day to engage eligible voters in this year’s elections.
 
APALA and IAPALA National President Johanna Hester stated: “With the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community as the fastest growing population in the United States, the electorate itself is growing as well. The decisions that our representatives make on important issues like immigration reform, voter ID laws, jobs and the economy, and criminal justice, do impact the lives of every person in the U.S. That’s why it’s crucial to have AAPI leaders and voices at the table.”
 
APALA Nevada Chapter Leader Gloria T. Caoile stated: “Every vote does count. When we take the time to talk to people about what they care about, we see that our community does care about the issues. We do have a voice and now is the time to show the power of the AAPI community here in Nevada and throughout the country.”
 
“We are so excited to be partnering with APALA this National Voter Registration Day. Our coordinated efforts between now and the election will undoubtedly shape the results both locally and nationally. So if you haven’t registered, make sure to do so by October 18th,” added Vida Lin, President and Founder of the Asian Community Development Council.
 
Mi Familia Vota State Director Jocelyn Sida said: “Our work with APALA has taken our civic engagement efforts to new heights. It’s great to work with other communities of color in finding common ground on important issues and also making our voices heard throughout the state.”
 
The Nevada coalition includes the APALA Nevada, American Vietnamese Community Center, APIAVote, Asian Community Development Council, Asian Community Resource Center, Battle Born, Chispa Nevada, For Nevada’s Future, iAmerica, Korean Association, Mi Familia Vota Nevada, OCA Las Vegas, Rising Asian Pacific Americans Coalition for Diversity, Seek Jesus First, SEIU, and Silver State Voices. Please join APALA Nevada and our diverse coalition on September 27th at 2:30pm at Seafood City (3890 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV)! For more information, please contact (702) 630-5200. Please also check out this PSA on the importance of the Filipino-American vote that will be aired on local television in Nevada and on Balitang America.
 

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