In this issue you’ll find:
- Action Alert to protect hardworking immigrant families
- Organizing 101: Korean American Seniors Learn the Ropes
- Campaign for an American Dream Fundraiser in Los Angeles
- KA Voice
- Fighting Hateful Speech in the Media
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Action Alert!
National Call-in Action to Protect Hardworking Immigrant Families
View online:
Right now, legislators are considering a bill that would restrict access to the critical Child Tax Credit – a credit designed to keep hardworking low-income families from falling into poverty. Rather than ask millionaires to pay their fair share, Congress is putting the burden on families who can least afford it in order to fund the payroll tax extension.
The proposal requires the use of a Social Security Number in order to receive the Child Tax Credit. Taxpaying immigrants who use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) would no longer be eligible. If passed, these families could lose an average of $1,800 of much-needed tax credits, forcing parents to cut back on essential care for their children. JOIN US this Wednesday and Thursday (2/1 & 2/2) for national call-in actions! Make calls to Members of Congress to protect hardworking immigrant families! Dial (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and members of the tax package conference. Suggested Script:
Let’s work together to keep our legislators accountable and ensure that no changes are made to the Child Tax Credit eligibility. On Twitter? RT! Tweet: @SenatorReid @NancyPelosi Reject changes to Child Tax Credit & protect low-income immigrant familiesbit.ly/CTCaction #InvestInKids #nakasec If you have any questions, please contact Joyce Yin at jyin@nakasec.org or 202-299-9540. |
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Organizing 101
Korean American Seniors Learning the Ropes
Members of the Community Health Promoters (CHP), Korean Resource Center’s senior organizing group, are getting trained on California’s “tax the wealthy” discussions – an issue they have been involved with for the past two years. On Friday, January 27, CHP members participated in a training covering two ballot initiatives that would change the tax rates for high income earners and bring much needed revenue to the state. Approximately 20 seniors learned basic organizing skills and practiced how to talk about the initiatives to the public and developed tactics to educate and mobilize others in their community, such as petition drives.
This training is part of a larger effort between NAKASEC and KRC to ensure that our seniors are educated and equipped with the skills to fight against continued budget cuts and attacks on their SSI, Medi-CAL and Medicare benefits. Over the last couple of months, they have been learning how to tell effective stories that link their struggle for economic security to much-needed changes in policy. In early spring, members will learn how link their issues with the power of the vote. |
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Campaign for an American DREAM
KRC Holds Wine Tasting Fundraiser
On March 10, the Campaign for an American DREAM (CAD) will begin its 3,000-mile trek across the country to converse with middle America on the DREAM Act and immigration reform. Starting at the Golden Gate Bridge, the walkers will culminate their campaign in November with their arrival in Washington D.C. KRC, KRCC and NAKASEC are in solidarity with this campaign and the passionate students who will devote eight months walking across America to keep the drumbeat alive on the DREAM Act. On January 27, KRC held a wine tasting fundraiser for the campaign, which was attended by 40 people. Special thanks to those who showed support, donated and helped spread the word!
Do you want to get involved? Contact Jani Kim, Immigrant Rights Program Coordinator at the Korean Resource Center for more information (323-937-3718 | jani@krcla.org) Other things you can do:
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KA Voice Momentum Builds in Chicago Gearing up for the 2012 elections, KRCC is looking to increase political representation of Korean Americans in Illinois. Working with community leaders, KRCC formed KA VOICE – KA Voter Organizing Initiative & Community Empowerment. With an initial goal of creating a database of 5,000 Korean American voters in Illinois, members of KA Voice plan to register, educate and turnout voters and build a more informed and engaged electorate. KA VOICE is organizing a Korean American Voters’ Day on March 3 at an early voting site in Glenview and plan to turn out 200 voters.
People are excited! During the last planning meeting on January 30, more than 70 people were in attendance. Facebook participation is growing as well! Are you in the Chicago area and want to get involved? Contact Sik Son at 773-588- 9158 | sohnsik@chicagokrcc.org. |
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Fighting Hateful Speech in the Media Meet NAKASEC & New Organizing Project You probably never heard of the talk show called “John & Ken Show” on KFI-640 radio, but they have been on air for over a decade and have over 1.1 million listeners in Los Angeles every week. On their January 5 broadcast, the talk show hosts made inflammatory remarks against the Korean American community, implying that Korean Americans who own or work for painting businesses trick their customers and do shoddy work because Korean Americans are naturally all dishonest. John & Ken make a living off of making hateful remarks like this and have been targeting the Latino, African American and Asian American communities.
In response, NAKASEC, KRC and KRCC organized a press conference on January 17 in Los Angeles with representatives from other immigrant rights and Korean American organizations to condemn racist talk in the media. Two days later, 30 community members and advocates took part in an action outside of KFI radio. The Korean American Bar Association has also sent a letter demanding an apology from KFI AM640. Consumers, Korean Americans, immigrants, working families and Californians will not tolerate hateful speech in the media. Click here to join the national movement to take John & Ken off the air! |
