“Shelter in Power” Podcast: Bay Area AAPIs organize against COVID & xenophobia


Andrew Fan and Sydney Fang explore how Bay Area-based Asian American organizations have been nimble and responsive to the emergent needs of vulnerable Asian Americans during this time through mutual aid and policy advocacy strategies that promote solidarity against forms of white supremacist violence, including worker exploitation and evictions.

Photo c/o Hyejin Shim, organizer for Stand With Nan-Hui

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Episode Notes

Shelter in Power 2020-May-12 Tuesday

The COVID-19 public health crisis has revealed and exacerbated massive vulnerabilities and inequalities in the United States. In the absence of federal leadership, local communities across the country are developing their own responses and fighting back against xenophobia and racist violence. How do communities build power for the post-pandemic future?

Guests:
• Alvina Wong, Organizing and Campaigns Director at Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)
• Ken Wang, Policy and Compliance Counsel at Chinese Progressive Association (CPA)

Resources and Background Reading:

• Relief Resources
o Relief funds for undocumented workers in California: A list updated weekly by Legal Aid at Work
o COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Immigrants: Financial, medical, food, legal, mutual aid resources, including nationwide and state-specific resources
• “Unmasking Yellow Peril” zine by 18 Million Rising and the Asian and Asian American Institute at University of Connecticut

Ways to support:
1) Subscribe to COVID19 news updates from APEN for Bay Area, California, National, and International news and resources. https://apen4ej.org/covid-news/

2) Consider sharing your check and donate to the mutual aid funds to support Nan-Hui Jo, APEN, and CPA.
Support Nan-Hui’s Survival #SurvivedAndPunished

CPA COVID-19 Emergency Stabilization Fund

APEN COVID-19 Emergency Community Stabilization Fund