Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago, counts accomplishments, asks for support

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The Chicago Chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice announced it celebrated a successful school year of Asian American history brought to K-12 students thanks to resources established through the IL TEAACH Act.

“We facilitated workshops to bring strategies for learning how to address anti-Asian American hate, build allyship, and learn about Asian American history and current issues within our community to over 500 participants,” the organization said in a June 14, 2023 press release.

It said AAAJ-Chicago has also renewed the successful #doughsomething campaign and partnered with more than 25 restaurants, small businesses, and food and beverage establishments in support of its mission to achieve racial equity through collective advocacy and organizing.

Activities in June, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, culminated with Advancing Justice | Chicago and the Pan-Asian Voter Empowerment (PAVE) coalition’s biggest action of the year, the 10th Asian American Action (AAA) Day.

Some 300 community members headed to Springfield, IL in-person to rally and speak with elected officials about the unique needs of Asian Americans in Illinois that would improve these communities. This year, PAVE demanded Language Equity and Access Act, Faith Behind Bars, Faith by Plate, Driver’s Licenses for All, to Prevent Unfair Medical Debt, and Health Care Cultural Competency, the press release said.

Shortly after AAA Day, A Just Chi members successfully helped push the Chicago city council to approve nearly $51 million in funding to support the nearly 10,000 newly arrived migrants, AAAJ-Chicago said.

“With a new City Council and a new administration in power, it’s an exciting time for Chicago. Advancing Justice | Chicago is ready to use this opportunity to show our city that Asian Americans are flexing our power and organizing for our communities!” the organization declared. 

The AAAJ-Chicago plans to kick off a big campaign soon to fight for language justice in the City of Chicago, to ensure immigrant communities have access to essential city services by providing translation and interpretation, it said.

For continuing its activism, AAAJ-Chicago urged communities to donate so that it could continue the momentum.