You are Invited: AAJA-LA present a virtual Town Hall on the rising bias and harassment against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Distinguished panelists from government, education, health care, journalism, and special guests will discuss the growing problem and how to counter it.

Register Here: https://aajalavirtualtownhall.eventbrite.com

Panelists include:

George Takei is a social justice activist, social media superstar, Grammy-nominated recording artist, New York Times bestselling author, and pioneering actor whose career has spanned six decades.  He has used his success as a platform to fight for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and marriage equality. 

Tzi Ma (pronounced “TAI MA”) has blazed new trails for the representation of Asian Americans in Hollywood. Celebrated for his uncanny versatility, his body of work encompasses virtually every genre across film, television and theater.

California State Assemblyman David Chiu represents eastern San Francisco in the 17th Assembly District. He is the current Chair of the Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, which recently co-sponsored the Stop AAPI Hate Reporting Center, and the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.

Russell Jeung is a professor and chair of the Asian American Studies Dept. at San Francisco State University. He recently launched a website, Stop AAPI Hate, that tracks reports of harassment, bias and assault against Asian Americans since the COVID-19 outbreak began. 

Terry S. Gock, is the director of the Asian Pacific Family Center (APFC) in Los Angeles.  The center offers culturally competent outpatient mental health services, substance abuse, child abuse, gang/violence and HIV/AIDS preventive interventions, as well as bicultural parenting and family enhancement programs, for the Asian immigrant populations in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County.  

Ariel Tan is a graduate nurse based in Philadelphia who is one of many Asian American health professionals on the frontlines battling both COVID-19 and racist attacks against them since the pandemic began. She recently spoke out in People magazine about those dual threats facing Asian American health workers. 

Dion Lim is an Emmy Award-winning TV news anchor and reporter at ABC7/KGO-TV in San Francisco and author of Make Your Moment: The Savvy Woman’s Communication Playbook to Getting The Success You Want (McGraw-Hill) based on her experiences as the first Asian American woman to be at the helm of a weekday newscast in three major markets. 

MODERATOR: 

David Ono is the long time evening anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News.  You’ll find him at the helm of the top rated 4pm and 7pm newscasts, as well as the number one rated show in all of Southern California, Eyewitness News at 6pm.

An intrepid journalist and filmmaker, David has traveled the world, covering some of the biggest stories of our day.   He’s received 24 Emmy awards and 8 Edward R Murrows.