Media Contacts:
Jonathan Paik jonathan [at] krcla.org Orange County Director
Jungwoo Kim jungwoo [at] krcla.org / Membership Development Manager
Asian Americans Call for Immediate Release and Safe Return of Separated Children: Caravan from Los Angeles and Orange Counties Head to US-Mexico Border
[San Diego, California] On Friday, June 22, 2018 the Korean Resource Center mobilized 60 Asian Americans from Los Angeles Koreatown and various Orange County cities to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego. The contingent joined the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, CHIRLA, alongside other partner organizations for a rally and press conference to denounce the Trump administration’s cruel separation and detention of families seeking refuge in the United States. This event kicks off a weekend of demonstrations occurring in the region as outrage spreads.
KRC Orange County Director Jonathan Paik said: “All Americans of good conscience must unequivocally oppose the Trump Administration’s inhumane treatment of families seeking asylum at the border. The Zero Tolerance Policy has essentially sanctioned the American government’s abuse of young children and the Executive Order signed on Wednesday does nothing to fix the problems created by this administration. This is a humanitarian crisis and we demand the immediate release and reunification of children separated from their families.”
Jungwoo Kim, Membership Development Manager added: “As soon as people around me heard about what the White House has been doing to children fleeing violence, we all signed up to go. In two days we filled this bus. We’re headed to the border. As Korean Americans, Asian Americans, immigrants, and as Dreamers, we won’t stay silent. We won’t be complicit. When those elected to lead our country decide to introduce bad laws and policies, we have to speak out.”
The Korean Resource Center (KRC) was established in 1983 to empower low-income, immigrant, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and people of color communities through a holistic approach. KRC is a lead organization of the “Citizenship for All” campaign, which seeks to achieve a pathway to citizenship for all non-citizens from undocumented immigrants to intercountry adoptees. More information is available at www.godreamriders.org and www.krcla.org.
Available for Interviews:
Jonathan Paik, KRC Orange County Director
Jungwoo Kim, DACAmented youth leader
Other DACAmented youth leaders
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