Sacramento Bee Photo/XAVIER MASCAREÑAS
“How has anti-Asian hate and violence affected you, your family, or your community?” The Sacramento Bee wants to hear from you. Share with your reactions and reflections on the recent attacks on the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
A FREE Online Workshop Presented by the Asian Pacific State Employee Association (APSEA) and the Association of California State Employees with Disabilities (ACSED) will be held Oct. 13 from 5:30pm to 7pm.
For more information, DOWNLOAD FLIER
By Alex Eng
On Sunday, August 8, 2020, the Sacramento Bee published an article by Bee reporter Ashley Wong in which Diego Leibman, a graduate of Whitney High School in Rocklin, raised the issue of injustices perpetrated against Chinese laborers on the Whitney Properties during the 1800s. CACS is supporting Leibman’s proposal to correct the alleged historical wrongdoings by naming a new Whitney High School building addition after a local Chinese American, and to augment the school curriculum to reflect the contributions of the Chinese in the development of California and American History. A public hearing with the Rocklin School Board on September 16, 2020 will determine whether the project will continue. You will be kept apprised of the project’s progress here.
Council Tidbits
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California reminded taxpayers of the July 15 filing and payment deadline and warned against an increase in tax and COVID-19 scams.
Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15. Taxpayers filing Form 1040 series returns must file Form 4868 by July 15 to obtain the automatic extension to Oct. 15.
“Although the extension provides additional time to file the tax return – it is not an extension to pay any taxes due,” said Kareem Carter, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in California. “For people facing hardships who cannot pay in full, including those affected by COVID-19, the IRS has several options available to help. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as soon as possible to explore these options and avoid accruing interest and penalties after the July 15 deadline.”
As the filing deadline approaches, taxpayers should beware of tax and COVID-19 related scams. “Criminals use the tax filing deadline as an opportunity to steal personal and financial information,” said U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott for the Eastern District of California. “Taxpayers should remain vigilant and know that the IRS will not initiate contact with them via phone, email or social media to request personal or financial information.”
In the last few months, the IRS Criminal Investigation division (CI) has continued to see a tremendous increase in a variety of Economic Impact Payment scams and other financial schemes. CI continues to work with its law enforcement partners to put a stop to these schemes and bring criminals to justice.
Taxpayers can report COVID-19 scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Unsolicited (phishing) emails that appear to be from the IRS should be forwarded to [email protected].
For the most up-to-date information about the tax filing deadline and IRS impersonation scams, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov.
To verify the identity of an IRS Special Agent please contact [email protected].
On Saturday, June 6, 2020, I joined a peaceful march in downtown Sacramento with the Asian Pacific Islander community to support the Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstrators. The API group was fortunate to carpool with Stephanie Nguyen (Asian Resources, Inc. and Elk Grove City Council) where ARI friends provided transportation from Target/Broadway to the State Capital to meet with Senator Richard Pan and friends. Yen Marshall (APAPA National Executive Director), Bobbie Singh, Chris Marzon and his son, Amy Tong and family, joined the API group. The march started near the Golden One Center and proceeded at 7th Street to Capitol Avenue, passing along the CA State Courts Building and State Capitol. The march ended at Cesar Chavez Plaza where people gathered near the stage to listen to powerful statements, inspirational speeches and songs.
During the march, we walked along with City Mayor Darrell Steinberg and City of Sacramento Police Chief, Daniel Hahn. Many young people and families of different ethnicities came to march to show their support with BLM. The march was hosted by many groups, including the NAACP, where Betty Williams, President, spoke on stage to encourage people to vote to make a change. Many carried signs stating “Black Lives Matter” and I carried a sign stating “Asians for Solidarity & BLM”. The morning was eventful and I did not see any disturbances while marching or standing near the stage. I felt there was unspoken anger in groups present. Definitely, those folks who felt strongly about the racial tension on police brutality did come to march and we heard their messages for a better society and equality. Since June 6th, other incidents related to racial tensions caused by alleged police brutality have sparked more demonstrations, some violent, throughout the US, in larger cities. We need to standup and support social justice and peaceful demonstrations to make change. Let your voice be heard and exercise your power on November 3rd – Go Vote and Participate in public forums/committees to initiate Change for a Better Society!
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Community leaders and federal, state and local law enforcement partners join together to condemn the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and to call for justice, unity and peace, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan, Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones, Sacramento Chief of Police Daniel Hahn, and many community leaders announced.
Peaceful protest is a time-honored tradition in our country that is protected by the First Amendment. The peaceful protests in Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, and around our country are addressing real and legitimate concerns about what happened to Mr. Floyd. Law enforcement supports the community’s right to peacefully protest and strives to protect this important right. But violence and destruction are not acceptable in our community nor in any other city in our country. It endangers our community, including those exercising their right to protest peacefully and those protecting that right.
“In this difficult time for our country, we stand together as one community to call for unity and peace, not division,” said U.S. Attorney Scott. “We stand together to call for justice, not violence and lawlessness. We call on our community to model peaceful protests like the one Chief Hahn and other community leaders joined in Sacramento on June 3.”
“Our mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Ragan. “The FBI respects the First Amendment right to peacefully protest and be heard. Our investigative focus is on those who sow seeds of violence and destruction. These acts interfere with the rights of protestors and harm the community.”
On June 1, U.S. Attorney Scott convened the U.S. Attorney’s Hate Crimes Task Force, including community leaders, the FBI, and local law enforcement, to hear the concerns of community leaders and to identify positive steps to take going forward. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, Sacramento Police Department, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement are committed to safeguarding the constitutionally protected right to peaceful protest and continuing to work together with our community leaders to promote justice, unity, and peace for all.
Joining the Chinese American Council of Sacramento in this statement are the following community groups:
Sacramento NAACP
President Betty Williams
Vallejo NAACP
President Jimmie Jackson
Madera NAACP
President Gloria Brown
Kings County, Hanford Unit, NAACP
Dr. Crystal Jackson
The 100 Black Men of Sacramento
President Richard Cornelius
MLK Celebration Committee
President Toni Greenwell
Organization of Chinese Americans Sacramento
President Jinky Dolar
Church of Scientology of Sacramento
President Mike Klagenberg
Sacramento Afghan Community
President Abdul Karim Yusufzai
West Sacramento Gurdwara
Public Relations Officer Darshan Mundy
Racial Healing Project
President Jan Merrill
Interfaith Council of Sacramento
President Edrine Ddungu
Public Relations Officer Akram Keval
Interfaith Council of Elk Grove
President Dr. Richard Shankar
Islamic Center of Vallejo
Secretary Najim Khan
Sikh Community of Fresno
Ike Grewal
Japanese American Citizens League
President Janice Luszczak
International Faith Based Coalition
Bishop Ron Allen
Sacramento Regional Coalition for Tolerance
President Susie Wong
Gethsemane Lutheran Church of Sacramento
Reverend Jason Bense
Twin Rivers Unified School District
Trustee Ramona Landeros
Greater Solomon Temple Community Church
Pastor Bishop Ron Allen
Jewish Federation of Sacramento CEO Willie Recht
President Deborah Gonzalez
Jewish Community Relations Council
Chair Bruce Pomer
Benito Juarez Association of North Sacramento
Founder Ramona Landaros
Mi Familia Vota
Calif. State Director Samuel Molina
La Raza Lawyers Foundation
President Michael Terhorst
Sacramento Valley Family Federation for World Peace
Pastor Charles de Watteville
Leonard M. Friedman Bar Association
President Misha Igra
North State Relief
Secretary Joshua Cook
Interfaith Explorers
President Rachel Lyman and Reverend Dave Lyman
Yeshua Helping Hands, Inc.
Pastor Elizabeth Mass
Shasta County Citizens Advocating Respect
Chair Susan Morris-Wilson
Center for Interfaith Studies in America
CEO Jon Fish
Lutheran Church of our Redeemer
Reverend Jason Bense
California Council of Churches
Policy Advocate Libby Sholes
Westminster Presbyterian Church of Sacramento
Pastor Wes Nordman
Kutchi Cultural Association
Akram Keval and Aslam Ahmed
Reprinted from Summer/June 2020 Currents
By Alex Eng
Historically the month of May has been designated legislatively as a period to acknowledge Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) – their cultures and accomplishments.
Instead we are faced with another wave of hate incidents and hate crimes. According to one survey taken by an Asian American organization, over 1000 have taken place since March. And those are only the ones reported. On the east coast an older Asian woman was verbally assailed and knocked down by a group of assailants; a suspect in central California was arrested for vandalizing an Asians car. Closer to home here in Sacramento a woman screamed, “thanks for the f—–g virus!” and spitting at the teller in a bank.
Verbal and physical abuse is nothing new to us. Since the late 1800s AAPI have been the victims of discrimination and hate. From the 23 hanged in Rock Springs, Wyoming to the 17 killed in southern California to the thousands driven out of their homes and business through arson, intimidation and starvation throughout California (“Driven Out” –Jean Feltzer). Despite our successes and contributions, hate crimes have continued until now.
Why the sudden upsurge? I place the blame squarely on the president of the United States. His rhetoric and attitude toward people of color, have incited and inflamed the fires of hate and prejudice like never before. He continues to blame China for the increase of the covid-19 pandemic and deaths in the United States and too many believe this diversionary tactic.
As recent as May 11, 2020 during a press briefing at a White House briefing, Meijang Chiang, a reporter asked the president, “Why do you see testing as a global competition?” His response was, “Go ask China!” A response that did not answer the question and was clearly racial. When Ms. Chiang then asked, “why are you saying that to me?” Trump mumbled something and abruptly ended the briefing by walking away. This incident was not lost on the media. Commentators and analysts have been very aware of what’s going on and are calling attention to the racial affront. Hate starts from the top; and will continue as long as nothing changes and there are no consequences for irresponsible speech or actions.
What can we do to protect our communities and loved ones? Be vigilant and aware of our surroundings; maintain a safe distance around you. If anything occurs, I strongly advise reporting any and all hate crime/incidents to local law enforcement. Try to give as much detail as you can remember, noting date, time, participants, etc. Even incidents may indicate a pattern of escalating behavior. Ultimately we can keep informed and be involved in the political process.
I applaud McGregor Scott and his staff of the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Eastern District for making hate crimes against AAPIs their highest priority. His outreach to our community brings hope but they do need our collective help in reaching our constituents and other AAPI organizations. His office is in partnership with local enforcement to combat hate.
Feel free to contact Sean Vassar of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for information or to report hate incidents/crimes. His contact information: sean,[email protected]; or call 916-554-2706. Go to www.justice.gov/edu for information.
Be safe and be well…. Alex Eng
ASIAN AMERICANS is a 5-hour documentary that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on history. As America becomes more diverse, and more divided while facing unimaginable challenges, how do we move forward together? Told through intimate personal stories, the series will cast a new lens on U.S. history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans play.
The film premieres on-air on PBS KVIE and online at kvie.org/video on May 11 and 12 at 8PM.
KVIE will have a free online preview screening of Asian Americans, followed by a panel discussion with special guests, on Wednesday, May 6 at 6PM.
CACS Council Members Douglas Hsia, Honey Lum and Joyce Eng volunteered and participated in the Stockton Boulevard Partnership Food Giveaway on Tuesday, April 28th. Twenty pounds of rice, brocolli, carrots, spam, oranges, as well as information on Census 2020 were provided to low income families that day.
CACS Council members were part of the Census 2020 Team in assembling the swag bags that were given to over 350 low income families throughout the Sacramento Region. The other API organizations that volunteered included: Asian Resources, Inc, Sacramento Indochina Friendship Association, Iu Mien, Hmong Innovative Politics, and Greater Vietnamese Valley Chamber of Commerce.
There’s been a surge in harassment toward Asian Americans in recent weeks: According to Stop AAPI Hate, an organization that’s been tracking self-reported incidents, more than 1,100 physical and verbal attacks against Asian Americans have been documented since late March.
The high number of reports, which have been submitted over just two weeks, is especially striking since people across the country have predominantly been sheltering in place. The incidents — logged through the Stop AAPI Hate website, which launched on March 19 — are wide-ranging.