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人生一定要有的八個朋友: 推手(Builder)、 支柱(Champion)、 同好(Collaborator)、 夥伴(Companion)、 中介(Connector)、 開心果(Energizer)、 開路者(Mind Opener)、 導師(Navigator)。 chutze@bostonorange.com ******************* All rights of articles and photos on this website are reserved.
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LEADING ORGANIZATIONS
FROM DIVERSE COMMUNITIES UNITE AND CALL FOR ACTION TO END ANTI-ASIAN HATE
Coalition of Organizations to Have Ongoing Dialogue to Help Address Challenges
Affecting the AAPI Community
New York, NY (April 22, 2021) — In response to the historic
increases in anti-Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) hatred, violence, and
xenophobia, today leading organizations from diverse communities across the
United States are calling for action and change.
Like many Americans, the AAPI community has faced increased unemployment, food
and housing insecurity, shuttering of local small businesses, and safety risks
to frontline and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hate and
violence, fueled by fear and misinformation, have made an already difficult
period even harder. In the past year alone, more than 3,800 incidents of
violence and hatred have been reported against the AAPI community.
Today’s call for action is being organized by Committee of 100, a nonprofit
organization that works to ensure the full inclusion and participation of
Chinese Americans in all aspects of American life.
"We at the Committee of 100 are extremely saddened by the increased
attacks against Chinese Americans and the Asian American and Pacific Islander
community. Chinese Americans are Americans. Period. The violence and rhetoric
now targeting our communities across the U.S. is horrific, sad, and
unacceptable,” said Gary Locke, Chairman-Elect of Committee of 100. “For
centuries now, the Chinese American and AAPI community continue to be seen as
perpetual foreigners, strangers in our own homeland – America. We are extremely
thankful to all of the AAPI and non-AAPI organizations for standing with us as
we collectively work towards concrete actions that will address the roots of
the violence and xenophobia directed at the Asian American and Pacific Islander
community. Hate has no place in our society.”
The rise in anti-Asian hate and violence is horrific and unacceptable. Each day
another incident devastates America. In January, President Biden issued a
presidential memorandum condemning racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against
the 21 million AAPIs in the U.S. But we need action. United in the same spirit
and mission, the 1990 Institute, American Jewish Committee (AJC),
Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs
(APAPA), Committee of 100, Council of Korean Americans, NAACP, National
Asian/Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE),
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)
Educational Fund, National Urban League, and Partnership With Native Americans
are calling for concrete action. The organizations all share common concerns
and experiences around racism, violence, discrimination, and marginalization.
We, the undersigned organizations call for law enforcement, elected officials,
and government agencies to ensure a holistic response to the Anti-Asian hate
problem, and recognize the urgent need to consider and act upon the following
recommendations:
The undersigned organizations have also agreed
to meet on a quarterly basis to continue discussions via joint programs,
activities, and advocacy to combat anti-AAPI hate.
Calling for Action
“We call on everyone to join our vision for a positive environment for Asians
in America and for U.S. relations with China,” said Dan Chao, Chairman of the
Board, 1990 Institute. “The 1990 Institute provides information
that affects the lives of Asian Americans, and indeed all Americans, to provoke
thought on topical issues, including how the perceptions of China and the
contributions of Asian Americans affect all Americans. Education leads to
understanding and understanding leads to change. The 1990
Institute stands in solidarity with everyone standing up for our
country's unity and humanity.”
“The scourge of assaults on Asian Americans is horrific,” said David Harris,
CEO, American Jewish Committee (AJC). “As American Jews who
also have painfully experienced the fear and tragedy of hate, we join with our
partners in the Asian American community to call on leaders to take concrete
measures to address the violence. Silence is unacceptable. Unity in combating
hate is absolutely imperative.”
“There’s great strength in numbers, which is why it is so important for all
Americans to join together with the AAPI community in speaking out against this
scourge of hatred, and prejudice,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO
and National Director. “Today, we issue a challenge to our elected, law
enforcement, and civic leaders to do more. Only through coordinated action can
we prevent further acts of bias-motivated violence and hurtful scapegoating.”
“APAPA strongly supports Committee of 100’s initiative to form a coalition
across all communities in an effort to help address the challenges in the AAPI
community,” said Ken Fong, Chair, APAPA. “The United States is at
our greatest when we value every citizen regardless of race, ethnicity, gender,
age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. If we are to lead the world,
we must cherish people from all over the world!”
“As a proud American organization dedicated to the advancement and inclusion of
5 million Chinese Americans across all aspects of American life, Committee of
100 has spoken out against discrimination and racism for more than 30 years,”
said Zheng Yu Huang, President of Committee of 100. “This coalition across
communities showcases the strength and impact we together possess. We thank all
of the AAPI and non-AAPI organizations for joining with Committee of
100 to address racism, discrimination, and violence against the AAPI
community. Collectively, we can work to put these horrific incidents in the
past and move forward as one nation.”
“Racism, xenophobia, and discrimination impact all of our minority communities
and are issues we must band together to defeat. We are proud to stand with
our fellow national organizations representing AAPI, Black, Jewish,
Latinx, and other communities to fight for the protection and respect
of all Americans,” said Abraham Kim, Ph.D., Executive Director, Council
of Korean Americans. “In light of the horrific rise in hate
incidents and violence against the AAPI community, we challenge our
government officials, law enforcement agencies, business executives, and civic
leaders to act immediately, with courage and conviction, to ensure
the safety and security of this community.”
"We all have a responsibility to wake up each day and denounce hate in all
forms and all communities," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of
the NAACP. "As a human race, we do not exist in a vacuum and
we cannot allow our normalcy to be that of violent attacks. We are committed to
working together to push back against those that seek to harm."
“During these difficult times, anti-Asian racism and violence are further
damaging the small business community amidst this global pandemic. Now more
than ever, we all have to be united, speaking out and standing together,” said
Chiling Tong, Chief Executive Officer & President of the National
Asian/Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National
ACE). “We seek the support, allyship, and advocacy of other national
organizations and large corporations to take action by addressing all forms of
bias and racism that disproportionately and negatively impact our diverse
communities. AAPI small businesses are not able to operate safely and need
assistance now. National ACE calls on its partners to join in responding
to the ongoing violence against the AAPI small business community by helping to
educate employees, customers, and the public to intervene to halt these
deplorable acts. We are proud and are #AAPISTRONG.”
“After four years of policy and rhetoric that fanned the flames of bigotry and
inspired acts of violence against communities of color, the pandemic exposed
America’s racial fault lines and forced the nation to confront its legacy of
white supremacy,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National
Urban League. “The National Urban League stands in solidarity with our
Asian-American brothers and sisters and urges the nation to seize the
opportunity to create lasting change by emerging from this crisis a stronger
nation.”
“As our nation continues to reckon with the legacy and present-day
manifestations of systemic racism, we must work together to advance justice and
foster a society that promotes equality, opportunity, and freedom from racial
hate and violence,” stated Arturo Vargas, CEO, NALEO Educational Fund.
“The rise in violence and discrimination targeting the AAPI community that we
are witnessing are horrifying and antithetical to the ideals we espouse as a
nation that proclaims to value liberty, diversity, and inclusion. We must take
a stand against this kind of hatred and xenophobia and adopt common-sense standards
of anti-racism that promote equal justice and freedom from discrimination of
any kind.”
“PWNA respects and honors the diverse culture, history, and concerns of all
communities in America. As a Native American-serving organization, we know
firsthand how U.S. systems and policies have created social injustice and
disenfranchisement for those most vulnerable,” said Christina Kazhe, Chairman
of the Board, Partnership With Native Americans. “As a nation,
we’ve seen an overwhelming rise in hate crimes directed at Asian Americans
since the onset of COVID-19. PWNA denounces all forms of racism against all
populations who endure inequities on account of their race or ethnicity. We
commend all those who are speaking up and championing hope for a brighter future.”
Stay Connected & Engaged
Chinese Americans and the broader AAPI community have made tremendous
contributions to the fabric of American life for centuries. In February, the
Economist Intelligence Unit released a report, commissioned by Committee of 100
and sponsored in part by Citi Private Bank, that looked at 175-years of Chinese
American contributions. “From Foundations to Frontiers” can be downloaded for
free at https://bit.ly/chineseamericanstories.
Committee of 100 recently launched a bi-monthly newsletter called Combatting
AAPI Hate, with the goal to highlight what AAPI organizations across the
country are doing to combat the xenophobia, violence, and hate being cast upon
the AAPI community. By having all information in one location, it will allow
organizations to more effectively collaborate and plan their responses and
efforts and to receive better support and awareness. If you have news you want
to be considered for the next issue, email aapinewsletter@committee100.org and
sign up for free at bit.ly/combattingAAPIhate.
About Committee of 100
Committee of 100 is a non-profit U.S. leadership organization of prominent
Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, healthcare, and the arts
focused on public policy engagement, civic engagement, and philanthropy. For
over 30 years, Committee of 100 has served as a preeminent organization
committed to the dual missions of promoting the full participation of Chinese
Americans in all aspects of American life and constructive relations between
the United States and Greater China. Visit https://www.committee100.org/
or follow Committee of 100 on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook for more
information.
吳弭要求獨立調查,完全透明。(檔案照片) |
波士頓警察Patrick
Rose被控於1995年性侵12歲兒童的警察局內部調查報告長105頁,接任波士頓代市長後也宣佈參選市長職位的Kim
Janey,二天前以代市長身分處理此事,揚言為保護受害者身分,只公佈其中的13頁。
波士頓市長候選人吳弭(Michelle Wu)表示,波士頓市府今天公佈的14頁警察局內部調查報告,帶給人的疑問遠多於答案。波士頓必須以最大程度的承諾透明及改變,來因應這可派的信任破壞。吳弭說,”我們需要完全獨立的調查,我們也需要徹底翻轉那一次又一次被揭露的秘密文化”。
巴洛斯(John Barros)離職參選波士頓市長。(檔案照片) |
波士頓市長候選人,之前擔任波士頓市經濟發展長的巴洛斯(John
Barros)今(22)日表示,這案件讓人對波士頓警察局內系統性的是否負責任問題,有了更嚴重顧慮。他要求波士頓代市長就過去30年來被控性侵警員的內部調查件數,提出一份報告,而且這報告應該包括有多少警員被控告,有多少轉交檢控,有多少這些警員至今還在任職。
Andrea Campbell 也要求公佈完整內部調查。 (檔案照片) |
根據去年8月針對Rose警員的控訴,由於1995年事件之後,他繼續留任,逾是得以又性侵了5名兒童。
之前擔任波士頓巡警工會會長的Rose報稱無罪,他的律師也說他維持自己無辜的說法。
1995年時,檢察官放棄了褻瀆及毆打14歲以下兒童的控訴,據說是因為Rose向受害者施壓,撤銷控訴。這是年輕受虐者面對虐待者要求時,很常見的現象。但是內部事務調查,以及社會服務所做的調查,卻決定有虐待的證據。Rose在2018年退休了。
另一名市長候選人,波士頓市議員Andrea
Campbell呼籲波士頓代市長Kim Janey徵招美國檢察官辦公室來調查波士頓警察局是如何處理Rose案件的。她也催促公佈完整的內部調查報告,聲稱有很多問題還沒答案。
Andrea Campbell說,在Rose案件上,波士頓人應該享有透明化(的了解),不是在星期二,大家最期待的全國關注新聞,Derek
Chauvin謀殺George Floyd案的判刑公佈後20分,我們得到的,大幅度重新編輯,而且不完整的內部調查報告。她也認為波士頓市即將新成立的警察問責辦公室還在組成當中,不如美國檢察官辦公室有更強的挖掘真相實力。
Kim Janey正以代理身分執行波士頓市長職務,同時 競選成為正式市長。(檔案照片) |
Kim Janey表示,她已要求即將上任波士頓市新設警察責任及透明辦公室(OPAT)主任的Stephanie Everett調查這案件的後續流程,並在她5月3日上任後的45天內,提出審核,甚至可能改革警察局內部事務調查程序的計畫。
Kim Janey重申她對Everett有信心。她說”我知道她在領導這件事上會做得非常好”,波士頓市已經公佈了關於這案件能夠公佈的內容,有法律部門決定哪些需要保留。Janey強調,她會繼續保護性侵受害者的身分。
她說,”我們不會讓倖存者再受傷害”。”Everett的計畫會包括警察局的所有內部調查”。
(更新版)
Governor Baker Signs Executive Order to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions at State Facilities
Administration Also Meets Commitment to Spending $1 Billion Addressing Climate Change
FRAMINGHAM – As part of the Baker-Polito
Administration’s celebration of Earth Week in Massachusetts, Governor Charlie
Baker today joined state and local officials at the Massachusetts Emergency
Management Agency (MEMA) bunker to sign a new Executive Order building on the
Administration’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across state
facilities. The Order, Leading
by Example: Decarbonizing and Minimizing Environmental Impacts of State
Government, sets goals and requirements to accelerate the state’s
decarbonization efforts in state agencies and public institutions of higher
education, prioritizing electrification of buildings and transportation. The
Order builds on the Commonwealth’s national leadership on climate change,
including an announcement by Governor Baker that the Administration has met its
commitment to invest $1 billion in climate spending by 2022, surpassing that
benchmark in April 2021.
“Addressing climate change requires bold, urgent action, which is why I am proud that our Administration has achieved an ambitious goal of investing $1 billion in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, an accomplishment we will continue to build on through this Executive Order,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Leading by Example Executive Order will boost the state’s adoption of innovative clean energy strategies, and I’m grateful for the efforts of our state agencies and institutions to help us take on the challenge of climate change.”
“The Leading by Example Program empowers state government entities to continue leading and innovating on clean energy and energy efficiency,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This Executive Order will support these continued efforts, reduce emissions, and lead to cost savings for many of our public universities and buildings.”
The Executive Order reinforces Massachusetts as a leader in emissions reduction efforts through a variety of strategies. To reduce emissions and increase energy resilience, the Order underscores the need for significant energy efficiency measures across the state portfolio, as well as the deployment of renewable energy and energy storage at multiple facilities. Additionally, the Order:
Governor Baker was joined by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Patrick Woodcock, and Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) Commissioner Carol Gladstone. The MEMA bunker features a comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy project completed in 2020, overseen by DCAMM and partially funded by DOER’s Leading by Example Program.
“Thanks to the commitment of our public servants and state agencies, the Commonwealth continues to lead by example on clean energy and climate action, helping us to achieve our ambitious emissions reduction goals,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “The executive order signed by Governor Baker will make our state government more sustainable, resilient, and lead to environmental benefits in cities and towns throughout Massachusetts.”
“DOER is proud to support our state partners as they make meaningful transitions in heating their buildings, powering their vehicles, and other innovative clean energy strategies,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Patrick Woodcock. “Electrification of our buildings and transportation will be at the forefront of strategies to meet the executive order’s emissions targets and meet our greenhouse gas mitigation requirements.”
Through the Leading by Example Program, state entities have collectively reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 35% from a 2004 baseline, reduced heating oil use by 85%, eliminating more than 18 million gallons of fuel oil, and reduced energy use per square foot by 14%. Since 2015, state entities have installed 184 electric vehicle charging stations, deployed more than 20 MW of solar, created 42 new pollinator-friendly habitats, and completed 57 LEED Certified buildings, 35 of which achieved a Gold or Platinum rating.
“DCAMM is committed to supporting clean energy and climate initiatives throughout state government and this executive order helps the Commonwealth move toward achieving its long-term resiliency and sustainability goals,” said DCAMM Commissioner Carol Gladstone. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partner agencies to meet these emissions targets and address the impacts of climate change in communities across Massachusetts.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with DOER and DCAMM on this project to bring the solar canopy, new generators, and improvements in heating, ventilation, lighting, and other systems to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA),” said MEMA Director Samantha Phillips. “MEMA’s headquarters, home to the State Emergency Operations Center, is a critical infrastructure facility and these improvements will enhance operational capabilities, reduce energy and water usage, and save money.”
The MEMA bunker is the site of a comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy project, which includes a state-owned 275 kW parking lot solar canopy. The project will generate 376,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually and result in an estimated $100,000 in annual benefits to the site from electricity cost savings, Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program incentive payments, and demand charge savings. Over 20 years, the project is estimated to provide the site with roughly $2 million in total cost savings and generated revenue. The project received a $453,750 DOER Leading By Example grant, which reduced the construction cost by approximately 27%, reducing the project’s payback period by four years.
During this year’s Earth Week in Massachusetts, the Baker-Polito Administration is highlighting its commitment to supporting the Commonwealth’s Environmental Justice communities, and ensuring that all residents are protected from environmental pollution and can enjoy a clean and healthy environment. During Earth Week, the Administration is holding events throughout the Commonwealth spotlighting important initiatives, including the expansion of tree planting through the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, increasing access to healthy, nutritious food by supporting urban farms, and ensuring clean water by providing grant funding to local municipalities.
On March 26, 2021, Governor Baker signed comprehensive climate change legislation that includes nation-leading provisions related to Environmental Justice. Recognizing the significant impact of climate change on Environmental Justice communities overburdened by poor air quality and disproportionately high levels of pollution, the legislation statutorily defines Environmental Justice and environmental burdens, including climate change as an environmental burden. The legislation also expands Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review to require an Environmental Impact Report for all projects that impact air quality within one mile of an Environmental Justice Neighborhood, and requires the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a stakeholder process to develop a cumulative impact analysis as a condition of permitting certain projects. This change would, for the first time, require the agency to evaluate not just individual project impacts but also historic environmental pollution throughout the community through the permit process.
In December of 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration released two reports – the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Report and an interim 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP) – that detailed policies and strategies to reduce emissions and combat climate change, including an interim 2030 statewide emissions limit of 45% below 1990 levels. The roadmap outlined the need to enhance energy efficiency measures and decarbonize existing buildings, which would include most municipal and town buildings like schools, police departments, and water facilities
(Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)波士頓公立學校系統有700輛校巴,每天上路3100趟,佔了60%的波士頓市府柴油用量。波士頓市長候選人吳弭(Michelle
Wu)在地球日這天呼籲,波士頓市校巴2030年全面電動化。吳弭呼籲利用即將於2023年重新討論學校巴士合約的機會,
加強力度,推動2030年學校巴士電動化。(周菊子攝)
吳弭指出波士頓市約有2萬4000名學童搭乘校巴上學,有研究調查指這些柴油車經過地區的空氣汙染程度比鄰近地區高5到10倍,對學童的學習,發展及健康,造成了難以衡量的影響。
甚至還有證據認為,來自柴油的汙染,不但導致氣喘,其他呼吸性疾病,心臟病,癌症,更直接影響了兒童的英語及數學分數。
波士頓的黑人,拉丁裔及亞裔居民也不成比例的暴露於轎車,卡車,巴士等造成的顆粒物汙染。吳弭說她曾和學者,專家一起站在波士頓昆士中學臨時校舍的籃球場上,聆聽也見證波士頓居民,學童受高速公路所帶來空氣汙染的影響,染患氣喘病比例比其他地區高得多。吳弭和支持者呼籲校巴電動化。(周菊子攝)
吳弭表示她的這些呼籲,要求,都在爭取環境正義。在麻州有Beverly市已經開始車隊電動化,拜登(Biden)總統的基礎建設計畫也包括提供獎勵,補助波士頓等地方市鎮校巴電動化,建造汽車充電站這樣的背景下,波士頓市沒有理由不朝這個方向努力。
Mela Bush-Miles(前)指出她所居住社區民眾的壽命比其他地區短, 就是因為這些空氣汙染。(周菊子攝) |
2021年世界地球日的主題是”修復我們的地球(Restore our earth)”。吳弭今(22)天特地和ACE交通導向的發展主任Mela
Bush-Miles,波士頓日出(Sunrise Boston)的Micheal
Huguet,”為樹說話(Speak for the
Trees)”共同創辦人David Meshoulam等幾名環境保護支持者,聚集在華盛頓街2000號的波士頓公校巴士停泊站之一,闡述「波士頓新綠色政策」中改革波士頓公校的交通服務部分,呼籲波士頓市到2030年時讓學校巴士全面電動化。
Mela Bush-Miles指出,MBTA的巴士也用柴油,他們正在推動法案,尋求改變,也呼籲波士頓市執行早前已通過的”降低柴油排放廢氣條例”,好讓他們能夠呼吸。
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Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC Applauds Senate Passage of Legislation to Address Hate Crimes, including Surge of Hate Impacting Asian Communities
WASHINGTON, DC —
April 22, 2021 ― The Senate, in an overwhelmingly bipartisan
vote, passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which was amended to include the
Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and
Threats to Equality Act (Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act). The passage of this
bill brings together two complementary legislative proposals to address the
current rise in anti-Asian hate and tackles the broader infrastructural
improvements needed in hate crimes data collection, reporting, and connection
to support services.
This legislation includes critical provisions to expand language access and
allow for culturally competent and linguistically accessible public education
campaigns to reach communities targeted by hate with information regarding
reporting and support services. With the inclusion of the Jabara-Heyer NO
HATE Act, the legislation provides for more accurate data and improved response
to the hate crimes that are impacting Asian Americans and allied people of
color, religious minorities, immigrants, people with disabilities, and the
LGBTQ community.
Asian Americans Advancing
Justice - AAJC (Advancing Justice - AAJC) releases the following statement:
“Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC applauds the Senate for passing
this milestone legislation. The Asian American community has been facing two
pandemics - the spreading virus of hate and racism and the global
COVID-19 pandemic. It is past time for us to take action to address hate crimes
and better support communities impacted by hate. We thank Senator Hirono and
Representative Meng for their leadership in drafting this important bill.
We also thank Senator Blumenthal and Representative Beyer for their leadership
in the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act.
The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act provides the necessary language access
provisions to support the limited English proficient members of our community.
Language support and linguistically appropriate and culturally competent
education and outreach are vital for assisting Asian Americans who have been
impacted by hate in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investing in better quality data and reporting infrastructure are vital in
addressing racial equity for the long-term. We support efforts to confront and
uproot the systems of white supremacy that feed into the historic targeting,
over-policing, and criminalizing of communities of color in the United States.
Policies and practices that protect people of color, religious minorities,
immigrants, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community benefit us
all.
The historic passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act will provide much-needed
support for individuals and communities impacted by hate and discrimination.
Advancing Justice - AAJC has worked closely with congressional offices and a
broad coalition of civil rights partners to support this bill. We thank all of
our partners and the senators who supported this effort through the passage of
this historic bill.
We must seize this moment to come together and send the unequivocal message
that hate against Asian Americans or any community has no place in our society.
We now urge the House of Representatives to act swiftly to vote and approve
this legislation.”