southasiannetwork

As the ten year anniversary of September 11th approaches, there will be many stories in the mainstream media, covering broader memories of the national tragedy, mourning the loss, and evaluating where the U.S. is today.  SAN wants you to keep in mind the impact of 9/11 on the South Asian American community in Southern California.

In the past decade, South Asian, Arab, Muslim, and Sikh community members continue to be the targets of xenophobia and racism reminiscent of the days and months immediately after 9/11. Community members experienced increased levels of hate crimes, bullying, and surveillance.  Some stories include a young Sikh man denied the opportunity to walk with his high school graduating class because of his turban; a woman denied employment because of her hijab; and a local leader with 800 pages of FBI surveillance documents on him for no other reason than he is Muslim.

SAN’s August 20^th community hearing sought to share these and other stories with South Asian American community members, the larger Southern California community, as well as federal, state, and local policymakers.  With over 150 attendees, the hearing offered space for dialogue and solutions to address the issues raised. Here are some ways the voices of our community were heard:

* Listen to KCRW’s Which Way LA: Ten Years after 9/11, Do Muslims, South Asians Still Feel the Heat? with Manjusha and Shakeel talking about the last ten years and iWatch

* Listen to KPFK’s Uprising, “South Asian Americans Continue to Face Racism, Intimidation, Ten Years After 9/11”with Manjusha reflecting on key moments and the hearing

* Listen to KPFK’s Flip the Script, “August 29^th: Report Back from SAN’s Community Hearing” with Tamia sharing about the importance of the hearing

* Read Hindustan Times, “Post-9/11 Polices Created an Atmosphere of Fear for South Asians”

* Read India West’s “SAN Hosts Workshop on 10-Year Anniversary of 9/11”

* Read India Journal’s “SAN Hosts Discussion on 9/11 Aftermath”

* Read India Express’ “Post-9/11, US policies created atmosphere of fear for South Asians,”

* Read Bill of Rights Defense Committee’s “Ten Years After 9/11: The South Asian American Perspective”

* APALC’s “Ten Year’s After 9/11” film screening and Panel discussion with Manjusha Kulkarni tonight

* Fox 11’s “Midday LA” with Manjusha Kulkarni, Shaleel Syed and Steve Rhode

* Colorlines “Today’s Love: South Asian Americans Share the Impact of 9/11″

http://pakistanlink.org/Community/2011/Feb11/04/02.HTM

Los Angeles , CA : The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) Jan 27 announced that a federal jury awarded $1.7 million to the family of a 21-year-old autistic Muslim man for his fatal shooting by a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer in 2008.

CAIR-LA Staff Attorney Ameena M. Qazi, with attorney Olu Orange, Mann and Cook Law Offices and the Disability Rights Legal Center filed a lawsuit in 2009 on behalf of the family of the victim, Mohammad Usman Chaudhry. The suit was filed against former LAPD officer Joseph Cruz and the LAPD for claims including wrongful death and excessive use of force, and against Los Angeles County for the failure to notify the Chaudhry family of their son’s death for three weeks. Tenets of the Islamic faith require burying a body within three days of death.

Last week, the jury found that the officer used excessive force, acted with malice, and that the City of Los Angeles was liable as the officer’s employer. Damages were awarded on Wednesday.

In March 2008, Chaudhry was shot three times in the torso by Cruz after Chaudhry was discovered lying on the ground of an apartment complex in Hollywood. Cruz was later fired for giving inaccurate accounts about a detainee who fled from his custody, and had previously been caught striking a man in his custody in the head.

Qazi met with LAPD representatives some months after the shooting, and followed up closely with them and the Office of the Inspector General during the course of the internal investigation. The investigation found no fault in the actions of Cruz and his partner.

The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California and Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace had joined the suit as plaintiffs.

“This is a victory for the Chaudhry family who lost an innocent young son to police brutality and whose rights were callously discarded,” Qazi said. “But the road to full justice on this case has just begun.”

The South Asian Network (SAN), a grassroots, community-based organization, in a press release stated it supported the Chaudhry family since their son was killed.  In partnership with the family, SAN “ has educated the South Asian American community about this tragic killing …

SAN, the Chaudhry family and other civil rights and anti-police brutality groups organized a vigil on June 21, 2008, in Hollywood where Mr. Chaudhry was fatally shot.  The purpose of this vigil was to empower witnesses and to unite diverse communities to come together and take action against police violence.

“Chaudhry family attorney Orange commented, “This case revealed many of the LAPD’s disturbing practices to prevent disclosure of the truth about instances of officer misconduct. Through the support of community organizations like SAN, the lawyers on this case were able to reach community members who were willing to stand for justice and help the family fight to reveal the truth.”

While Koreatown is home to a diverse 70% working poor, 70% immigrant communities seeking affordable housing, safety and healthy lives, the L.A. Times covered the recent development in naming 4 blocks of Koreatown as “Little Bangladesh.” Check out our new E.D. Manju Kulkarni’s quote.

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(Artesia, CA) On Saturday, July 10th, 2010, about forty community members including youth and elders gathered on the streets of Pioneer Blvd. to seek months of back pay for workers at several businesses.

Many South Asian community members shop on Pioneer Blvd. and depend upon the over forty restaurants and grocery stores for food and supplies. People come to Pioneer Blvd. for miles to feel a sense of home and belonging to the South Asian community.

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From Liberty Hill’s Blog! This week, Hamid Khan, one of Liberty Hill’s 2010 Grassroots Leaders To Watch, emailed me and included an off-the-cuff riff about why the City has to address L.A.’s sweatshop-on-wheels problem this year. I thought it was compelling:

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Twenty Years of Community, Justice, and Transformation

(Artesia, CA) On April 10^th, 2010, one hundred and fifty South Asian Network (SAN) community members, staff, board members, and community partners gathered throughout the evening to commemorate years of services, support, and justice for the South Asian community.

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Artesia’s Pioneer Boulevard bustles with sari stores, jewelry boutiques and Indian restaurants that cater to the thousands of South Asian immigrants who have settled into the neighborhood.

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