Chicago Asian Americans Rally in Washington for Immigration Rally

From the Asian American Institute:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact:
Saturday, March 20, 2010	Sung Yeon Choi-Morrow
	Community Organizer
	Asian American Institute
	Phone: 630. 615. 9551
	E-mail:sungyeon@aaichicago.org Web: www.aaichicago.org

CHICAGO ASIAN AMERICANS DESCEND UPON WASHINGTON FOR
MARCH FOR AMERICA RALLY TOMORROW

CHICAGO, IL -The Asian American Institute (AAI) has sent 49 local people to Washington, D.C., to gather for tomorrow's March for America rally for comprehensive immigration reform. The group left Chicago by bus on Saturday night, and will arrive in Washington on Sunday morning, where they will join an anticipated crowd of 100,000 supporters of immigration reform.

Almost 2/3 of immigrants from Asia came to the U.S. through family immigration. But those from Asian countries have to endure some of the worst immigration backlogs in the world. "Every day is an eternity when you long for family - and some in our community wait 22 years to be reunited with loved ones," said Tuyet Le, executive director for AAI, who will be one of the speakers at the rally. The March for America rally is held to show elected officials how many people are affected by the immigration system, and demand that they prioritize comprehensive immigration reform. In addition, community members from across the nation will be sharing their own personal stories with the broken immigration system.

Several attendees from AAI's group have experienced the broken immigration system first-hand, or have experienced how it separated their families. Liuan Chen of Wheaton, Illinois is rallying in DC to bring her family back together. Her stepfather, Mr. Huang, left the United States voluntarily in June after being detained by the Department of Homeland Security, facing deportation unable to get documentation. Chen's mother still faces deportation after her permanent residency application was dropped, because she divorced her previous husband, who was her visa sponsor. However, her mother remains here legally, having been granted a temporary stay to care for her children, ages 9 and 11, who are citizens. "They are separated by an ocean and a system, when all they are trying to do is make a living," Chen said.

In addition to AAI's group, more than 100 Asian Americans from the Chicagoland area will attend the March for America. Other local organizations sending participants by bus include: Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Korean American Resource and Cultural Center, and Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment.

Several rally-goers from the local area will use social networking to boost awareness of March for America, and to share their personal experience from this symbolic journey to Washington. Find post updates on Facebook and tweets on Twitter.

Follow the group on Twitter from now until Sunday as it marches through Washington, then to the rally held on the National Mall beginning at 2 p.m. EST.

Available for Media Interviews:
Tuyet Le, Executive Director of AAI, 773-456-3589
Liuan Chen, 409-223-8606

Links on the Web:

March For America

UIC's Filipinos in Alliance host 7th annual BATTLE OF THE BAMBOO

Let's get ready to Rrrrumble!

This Saturday night (Feb. 20) @ the UIC Forum, Filipinos in Alliance at the Univ. of Illinois at Chicago will host its 7th annual Battle of the Bamboo. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. The event is completely free!

You will not want to miss this year's event, which is welcoming a record-number of participants -- some 250 dancers from colleges and high schools in Chicago, including 1 out-of-state cultural group from St. Louis University.

Tonight, I chatted with Mark Ezpeleta, FIA Vice President of External, and this year's Battle of the Bamboo coordinator. Mark tells me that all groups have been practicing since last year, so competition is expected to be fierce.

The defending champions are Philippine Student Association at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. UIUC and Loyola University's cultural dance group have been known to take the Bamboo title a few times each in the last six years.

In a few hours hopefully....you'll find a quick teaser video we made with Mark! Check it all out here and stay tuned.

Shout outs to Voltaire Roxas for producing the quick video, and Mark Ezpeleta for the great interview.

So don't miss Battle of the Bamboo. Saturday night. UIC Forum.

~ Rowie V / The Filipina Chicagoan