Press Release
Immediate Release:
December 9, 2013
Contact:
Emily Kessel, NAKASEC, eakessel@nakasec.org
NAKASEC Updates on Fast for Families
A national media teleconference is held to inform the Korean American community
[Washington, DC] –On the 28th day of the “Fast for Families,” DJ Yoon, NAKASEC executive director, Wan-mo Kang, NAKASEC Board Chair, and Krystal Ka’ai, Executive Director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) participated in a teleconference call updating the Korean American media about the “Fast for Families” campaign.
Krystal Ka’ai commended DJ Yoon, along with other core and solidarity fasters for their dedication to the Asian American community and immigrant families.
Six days after completing his 22-day fast, DJ expressed his enthusiasm for the magnitude of attention and support generated by “Fast for Families” and reminded the community that the campaign does not end at the tent in DC. He said: “The close of the Congressional calendar cannot stop the surge of activism ignited by the dedication of the fasters. I am certain that the momentum surrounding the Fast for Families will continue to spread across the country well into 2014.”
Wan-mo Kang and fellow board member, Nanwon Kim, drove from New Jersey to fast in solidarity. He said: “I have always felt that deeds speak louder than words. So with this small fast, I hope to reaffirm my commitment to social justice. Many people were feeling frustrated and losing hope. But I arrived in Washington, DC and I saw that this fast is revitalizing the immigrant rights movement, reaching the hearts of elected officials, and bringing international attention to our cause. There are 230,000 undocumented Korean Americans and 1.7 million Korean Americans — small in number, but when we are united, we can make an impact. We need to fully participate in civil society and continue to push for justice.”
Hee Joo Yoon, Executive Director of the Korean Resource Center (KRC) in Los Angeles said: “During the Fast for Families, KRC held a solidarity fast and vigil on December 3rd and led a five day fast in Orange County from November 18th to the 22nd. During this time, visitors from the community – children, seniors, hardworking parents — signed prayer and petition letters for immigration reform. KRC plans to take the momentum from the Fast for Families campaign and continue to organize the community for social justice.”
Sik Son, Executive Director of the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center (KRCC) in Chicago facilitated the teleconference and said: “KRCC organized solidarity fasts with immigration reform organizations and the Korean American community in Chicago and participated in a Google Hangout with community members at the Fast for Families tent. KRCC will also send community members to support the DC fasters.”
For more information about the campaign, please visit: nakasec.org and standwithfamilies.org. Follow NAKASEC on facebook and twitter.
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The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) was founded in 1994 by local community centers to project a progressive voice and promote the full participation of Korean Americans on major social justice issues. NAKASEC maintains offices in Annandale, Virginia and Los Angeles, California. NAKASEC has affiliates in Chicago (Korean American Resource & Cultural Center) and Los Angeles (Korean Resource Center).
