Actor James Kyson Lee, most famous for his role on NBC’s “Heroes” television show, will collaborate with San Francisco-based film director Henry J. Kim on an independent feature film that is thought to be the first joint film project between San Francisco and Seoul production companies.

Kim will direct a short prelude film, titled “No Rest for the Righteous,” starring Lee in San Francisco that will start shooting on Dec. 16. The short film will set up the untitled feature film.

Through the collaboration between South Korean and Asian American filmmakers and actors, Kim and Lee hope to spur more opportunities to showcase Korean American and Asian American films and artistic projects in South Korea and other Asian countries.

“The film and entertainment industries in Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo have been incredibly successful in influencing their American counterparts,” said Kim, who is also co-founder of Empty Kingdom, one of the leading media arts websites, “which is fantastic since it represents the pendulum swinging back after Asian creatives embraced, adapted and evolved American cinema.”

“Unfortunately, Asian American artists are largely overlooked in Asia, so No Rest for the Righteous and the following feature film represents an effort by James Kyson, me and many others to create more opportunities for Asian audiences to experience Asian American cinema.”

To kick off the filming of the short film, Kim and Lee will appear at a special event to raise funds for the project on Dec. 15, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Aato Restaurant, 1449 Lombard St., San Francisco. Empty Kingdom, Asian Business League of San Francisco (ABL-SF), Korean American Professional Society (KAPS), Keith Kamisugi, Louis Hong, Claire Chang, Suhi Koizumi, Min Lee, Dennis Kwon, Tae E. Kim, Amy Kang and Christine Chang are also on the event host committee.

Organizers are requesting a $20 donation at the door. Food will be available to order and bar will be no-host. To RSVP for the event, visit http://on.fb.me/sfseoul or http://sfseoul.eventbrite.com.

If you’d like to support the project with a donation, but can’t make the event, contribute on indiegogo.com.

From Senator Dan Akaka's Facebook photo album

The JACL today issued a press release on the Congressional Gold Medal ceremonies held this week for the veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion, and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) of the United States Army, who served valiantly during Word War II.

The veterans were honored on November 2 in Washington, D.C. as they were collectively presented with the Congressional Gold Medal. Over 300 veterans were in attendance to accept their replicas of the medal. The veterans, widows, next of kin of deceased veterans, family members, and friends attending the festivities numbered more than 2,500.

The 100th Infantry Battalion was comprised of servicemen from Hawai’i. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was largely made up of Japanese American young men (Nisei, or second generation citizens of the United States) who were incarcerated with their families in the camps in which over 110,000 people of Japanese descent were held after the beginning of World War II.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942, which paved the way for the camps to be established There were others in these units who were not interned because their homes were in various inland states. The MIS served primarily in the Pacific theater and were credited with shortening the war with their language expertise and service.

These brave and patriotic young men who faced severe racial discrimination and prejudice served willingly to defend their country, the United States of America. In spite of the challenges, the 442nd were exemplary and became the most highly decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of the United States military.

At the end of World War II, President Harry S. Truman stated of the Nisei soldiers, “You fought not only the enemy, but you fought prejudice and you won.”

The National Veterans Network (NVN) is a coalition of Japanese American veteran and civic organizations which came together in 2008. Their chairperson is Christine Sato-Yamazaki. The NVN was responsible for putting together the events in Washington, D.C. with the assistance of PSA, an event planning and project management company.

All the organizations which comprise the NVN were heavily involved in the planning and execution of the three days of festivities to honor the veterans and their families.

“The JACL was honored to be a participating organization in this historic occasion,” said Floyd Mori, National Executive Director of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and a member of the NVN steering committee.

“We revere the Japanese American veterans of the 442, 100th, and MIS who served courageously during World War II and to whom we owe a great deal. They made the world a better place for all Japanese Americans in subsequent years. We will be forever grateful for their sacrifice and dedication to life and liberty. They suffered untold ridicule, discrimination, bigotry, and hardship, but they triumphed. The veterans are most deserving of this long overdue honor.

“We are also grateful to the Japanese Americans who served in various others branches of the service. Thanks to the members of Congress, the United States Military, the NVN, the sponsors, and all others who made the Congressional Gold Medal events possible as well as to all the volunteers who assisted and all who attended to make this a memorable occasion.”

I received this email as a forward from Richard Wada, who received it from Harvey Dong, a recipient of the original email sent by author Steve Woo. I cannot authenticate the email and publish it here with that disclaimer. – Keith

Dear Mayor Jean Quan,

We first met you celebrating the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Asian America Political Association. As a former activist in the TWLF student protests and Asian American movement of the 1960s, you helped to inspire and renew our commitment to the social justice movement. As founding members of the AAPI Alumni Association, we celebrated the legacy of the TWLF movement together with you.

This excitement continued into your mayoral campaign, where many members of the Alumni Association and young activists supported you in your run for office. We had hoped that with your election to being Oakland’s mayor would come a different style of leadership and a new vision for our community.

Today our sentiment is much different. We’re disappointed and angered to have witnessed the recent course of events that turned Oakland into a war zone.

While both of us peacefully protested the corporate greed and intensely unequal distribution of wealth which plagues American society, multiple canisters of teargas exploded on us, along with rubber bullets and flashbangs being shot into the crowd, sending us reeling for cover. None of this much compares, however, to the life-threatening injuries endured by Iraq veteran Scott Olsen, who remains hospitalized in critical condition after being struck in the head.

Recalling the memories of the fight for Third World Liberation and the government-sponsored violence that you and your fellow comrades faced, it is almost unbelievable to have fallen victim to such militant repression in the city in which you lead. It is a sad day. We once believed you to be an ally to low-income, communities of color; to progressive politics; to real democracy. What happened?

The Occupy Oakland movement is growing, and your constituency will not stand for such police brutality. You need to renew our faith in you as an ally to the progressive community.

Our open question to you: will you allow Occupy Oakland protestors to continue their peaceful assembly/encampment and will you back down from the use of police brutality now and in the future?

Sincerely,

Susan Fang and Steve Woo

with endorsement from fellow alumni and Oakland residents:

Harvey Dong
Bea Dong
Victoria Wong
Liz Del Sol
Belvin Louie
Miriam Ching Louie
Matt Blesse
Hatty Lee
Keith Kojimoto
Manuel Delgado
Alex Tan
Leon Deleon
Emily Jieming Lee
Connie Huang
Kori Chen
Brian Lau
Pauline Sze
Nhi Tran

Schedule:
10 AM – Registration begins, Driving Range opens
11 AM – Lunch
12 PM – Round of Golf with a shotgun start
5:00 PM – Reception & Silent Auction
6:00 PM – Dinner & Awards

Registration ($195) includes green fees, cart, range balls, lunch, most beverages, dinner, and player gift.

Register at: http://2011onlokgolf.eventbrite.com.

This year’s tournament will once again support renovations to the roof garden at On Lok’s main facility in San Francisco. Gardening provides elders with ideal moderate exercise as well as being a proven therapy for those with dementia or who suffer from depression. Proceeds will help us purchase wheelchair accessible planter beds and plant trees that will limit chilly winds.

Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities available.

For more information, contact 415.292.8732 or events@onlok.org

On Lok is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1971 by a group of citizens concerned about the plight of elders and the lack of long term options in the community. Now, several decades later, On Lok serves seniors in the community through On Lok Lifeways, the 30th Street Senior Center, On Lok Intergenerational Program, and Housing. For 38 years, On Lok has helped the oldest members of our community maintain independence and dignity by providing nationally recognized medical care and social services. On Lok’s customized, community-based health care plan, known as On Lok Lifeways, integrates medical care, social services, home care and transportation into a complete program of care. Our model is designed so that even very frail elders can continue living in their own homes and communities while receiving the care and services they need to maintain health and independence. On Lok operates ten centers that serve nearly 1,050 frail seniors throughout San Francisco, southern Alameda County and most of Santa Clara County. More than 5,000 seniors are served annually at the 30th Street Senior Center.

BANANA 2 is a follow-up to the inaugural convening in Nov. 2009 co-hosted by Lac Su, author of I Love Yous Are For White People (HarperCollins, 2009) and Steve Nguyen, a television/film producer and head of the ChannelAPA.com’s Los Angeles division, who enlisted the help of a small group of bloggers and community activists to produce an event highlighting and amplifying the online voices of Asian Americans.

“We are excited to have a talented group of established and up-and-coming bloggers from the APIA community at this second annual gathering to share their voices, knowledge, endeavors and visions with others – bloggers and non-bloggers, APIAs and non-APIAs,” said Su. “All of the bloggers expected to attend have unique views of their own community, and will share their progression as an APIA blogger.”

The conference will provide an opportunity for bloggers and their readers to build a stronger community by beginning conversations and building relationships beyond the conference. Conference panels will include topics on using blogs and social media to create meaningful social change, working with businesses and corporations and defining the role of Asian American bloggers.

The first gathering featured bloggers from Angry Asian Man, Minority Militant, 8Asians, Neaato (Network of Entertaining Asian American Talent), Hyphen Magazine, Mochi Magazine, Channel APA, Bicoastal Bitchin’, AArising, Antisocial Ladder, Nikkei View, VisualizAsian, Kimchi Mamas, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress, DVAN (Diasporic Vietnamese American Network), bigWOWO, and Sepia Mutiny.

Conference admission is $20 per person. Participants will be able to register online at http://banana-2.com now until Feb. 25, 2011. A complete schedule of panels and presenters will be announced in late Jan. 2011.

A list of articles, posts, photos and video related to last year’s gathering is available at the end of Gil Asakawa’s blog post at http://goo.gl/CwKdu. You can connect with BANANA 2 at http://facebook.com/banana2.event and at http://twitter.com/Banana2_Event.

Download a color JPG of the event logo and the text of this post in PDF and TXT formats here: http://www.box.net/banana2. Bloggers and media interested in additional information can contact Keith Kamisugi at 323-982-8119 or at banana@keithpr.com.

If your organization would like to facilitate a workshop at the California Asian Pacific Islander Policy Summit on the morning or afternoon of May 2, 2011, please download and complete this form. Workshop proposals are due by January 20, 2011.

The goal for these workshop sessions is to advance our community’s political, social, and economic well-being by providing participants with an expanded skill-set and knowledge for effective advocacy and organizing. Priority will be given to workshops that equip participants with the knowledge to navigate effectively through local, state, and federal systems. We are looking for workshops that, as a whole, will:

• Equip participants with concrete and tangible skills that can be applied to their respective fields, such as making linkages between program implementation and policy advocacy.
• Reflect the diversity of the API community, including race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, language and geography.
• Highlight issues impacting the API community, including representation from a wide array of disciplines, fields, populations, and sectors.
• Facilitate linkages among diverse areas to strengthen common goals in public policy advocacy.
• Utilize innovative training methods, including audio-visual presentations, small group discussions, mock trainings, role playing, and other “hands-on” project formats.

If your organization would like to facilitate a workshop at the California Asian Pacific Islander Policy Summit on the morning or afternoon of May 2, 2011, please download and complete this form. Workshop proposals are due by January 20, 2011.

Please email or fax completed applications and materials to Andrew T. Medina at:
Fax: (916) 319-3628 Email: Andrew.Medina@asm.ca.gov

President’s Advisory Commissioner Dilawar Syed (in photo) will lead this gathering, the first in a series of economic summits to be conducted by the White House AAPI Initiative in order to raise awareness of the Administration’s efforts to encourage entrepreneurs and small businesses to drive economic growth.

The Summit is free of charge, but registration is required. Add yourself to the Facebook event.

Below is the initial descriptions of the panels and sessions.

Morning Panel: Ways in which Government is Working to Help You — Senior Obama Administration officials from the White House Economic Council, White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, U.S. Small Business Administration and Department of Treasury will discuss initiatives and resources for business owners, financiers, and budding entrepreneurs.

Luncheon Keynote Discussion: Successful Business – What It Takes — Administration leaders on innovation, data and technology will provide insights into federal efforts to support job growth and business development and improve the welfare of the nation. Featuring: Aneesh Chopra, Chief Technology Officer, Executive Office of the President; Todd Park, Chief Technology Officer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Ginger Lew, Senior Counselor, White House Economic Council and U.S. Small Business Administration.

Break Out Discussions and Panels on How to Grow Your Business

Workshop 1: Financing the Next American Start-up Company — Funding opportunities from Small Business Administration loan programs, featuring venture and private equity specialists and small business owners who have taken advantage of federal funding options.

Workshop 2: Government Contracting – Opportunities for Business — How to become a federal contractor and contracting opportunities locally and nationally, with an update on certification and rule changes that are increasing small business contracting opportunities.

Workshop 3: Exporting – Taking Your Business Global — Take your business global through exporting of goods and services. This workshop will introduce you to the federal government’s domestic assistance programs, trade promotion, and export finance agencies.

Workshop 4: Clean Tech and Healthcare IT – Industries on the Rise — Two industries that have demonstrated growth in recent years include Clean Tech and Healthcare IT. Learn more about opportunities in these growing fields and what the government is trying to do to support US-based development in these areas.

If you have questions about the summit, contact the White House AAPI Initiative at WhiteHouseAAPI@ed.gov.

The first Fred Korematsu Day will be celebrated on January 30, 2011 on Fred Korematsu’s birthday. The Korematsu Institute, launched last year by the Asian Law Caucus and in partnership with the Korematsu family, plans to roll out curriculum in K-12 schools that week and on all future Korematsu Days.

The bill, authored by Assemblymembers Warren T. Furutani (D – South Los Angeles County) and Marty Block (D – San Diego), is in honor of the late Fred Korematsu, a man who became a civil rights icon for defying the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.

“This is historic not only for Californians but for all Americans,” says Ling Woo Liu, Director of the Korematsu Institute. “Establishing Korematsu Day ensures that Fred Korematsu’s legacy will not be forgotten and future generations of Californians will learn about the importance of protecting civil liberties.”

Korematsu Day was spearheaded by former San Diego Superior Court Judge Lillian Lim and Susan Woo, who were dismayed by the general lack of knowledge of the Fred Korematsu story. These concerns were shared with others who agreed it was important to establish a a Fred Korematsu Day where schools would incorporate into their curriculum the history of the Japanese American incarceration. An ad hoc committee was then formed within the Southwest Center for Asian Pacific American Law, with the goal of establishing a Fred Korematsu Day.

“I would like to thank Governor Schwarzenegger for signing this significant piece of legislation, which promotes the protection of freedom and constitutional rights,” said Assemblymember Furutani. “Fred Korematsu was an ordinary man who did an extraordinary thing during a time when his constitutional rights were violated, and as a consequence, changed the course of history. The Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution will provide an important teaching moment for California and its students.”

“As a trailblazer of civil rights who stood against the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, Fred Korematsu’s legacy reminds us that we must use this dark period in our history as a teaching tool to educate future generations on the importance of preserving civil liberties for everyone,” said Assemblymember Block. “I thank the Governor for signing the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution into law because it further ensures that Fred’s legacy of bravery and sacrifice will be taught in classrooms and help us remain vigilant against the racism and stereotyping he fought to overcome.”

During World War II, Korematsu was a 23-year-old welder in San Leandro, California who defied military orders that ultimately led to the evacuation and incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans, including Korematsu and his family. The Korematsu family was held first in the Tanforan Race Track Assembly Center in San Bruno, Calif., and then incarcerated in the Topaz incarceration camp in Utah.

He took his challenge to the military orders to the U.S. Supreme Court, which, in 1944, upheld his conviction on the ground that the forced removal of Japanese Americans was justified by “military necessity.” That decision has been widely condemned as one of the darkest chapters in American legal history.

After four decades of having to live with a “disloyalty” conviction on his record that limited him from securing full-time work, Korematsu filed suit to reopen his case on proof that the government, when arguing his case during the war, had suppressed, altered, and destroyed material evidence that contradicted the government’s claim of military necessity. In 1983, the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California granted his petition for a writ of error coram nobis (a notice of error) and overturned his conviction.

“Fred Korematsu’s eventual court victory taught America about the fragility of civil rights especially during times of international tensions,” said attorney Dale Minami, a member of Korematsu’s legal team and Steering Committee of the Korematsu Institute. “It reinforced our belief that civil rights must be fought for and are not simply guaranteed by the courts or by any governmental institution.”

Korematsu went on to champion the cause of civil liberties, not only seeking redress for Japanese Americans who were wrongfully incarcerated, but also traveling the country to advocate for the civil rights of other victims of excessive government action, especially after 9/11. He passed away in 2005 at the age of 86.

“After my father’s conviction was overturned in 1983, his focus and mission was education,” said Karen Korematsu. “He believed it was important to teach about his struggle for justice and the Japanese American incarceration so that the mistakes of history would not be repeated in the future. The significance of this day will enable students of today and tomorrow to learn and discuss the lessons of American history relevant to the current discussions of the Constitution and our civil liberties.”

In a post-9/11 nation where national security policies are based on fear and prejudice, the Korematsu Institute is dedicated to advancing pan-ethnic civil rights through education, activism and leadership development.

SOURCE: Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education. PHOTO by Lia Chang.

“API Equality-LA and our partner, API Equality-Northern California, applaud the judge’s meticulous and carefully reasoned decision that Proposition 8 violates the basic constitutional rights of lesbian and gay couples,” said Doreena Wong, Co-Chair of API Equality-LA. “The judge’s conclusions add to the growing consensus in courts and legislatures across the country that no good reasons exist for continuing to exclude same-sex couples from marriage. Instead, the evidence and legal arguments showed that Proposition 8 harms loving gay and lesbian couple and their families, while helping no one,” added Heidi Li, API Equality-Northern California Steering Committee Member.

Judge Walker’s decision is important to Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in California, where the more than 66,000 APIs who identify as gay or lesbian comprise the largest community of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI) APIs in the United States, according to the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law.

“Victories like today’s decision inspire important conversations about the harms of discrimination and the need for equality under law for all people,” said Tawal Panyacosit, Director of API Equality-Northern California. “But, we cannot rest on our laurels. These critical dialogues must continue, as we must also speak to the many other ways LGBTQI APIs are harmed by injustice, like Shirley Tan and Jay Mercado, a same-sex Filipina couple who face continued threat of separation due to an unfair immigration system. We know from our years of work educating the API community about these issues that it is these discussions within our own communities that changes hearts and minds.”

Added Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Director of API Equality-LA, “All across the nation, APIs have played an integral role in advancing the right of same-sex couples to marry-as plaintiffs, judges and witnesses in legal cases and as elected and community leaders in the court of public opinion. APIs personally know the history and impact of marriage discrimination and today, we cheer Judge Walker’s decision as being on the right side of history, where discrimination is overcome by justice and fairness.”

API Equality-Northern California is a coalition of Asian Pacific Islander (API) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI) organizations and individuals serving Northern California.  API Equality-Northern California is dedicated to empowering community members, advancing civil rights protections, and promoting respect and understanding for cultural and community diversity.

API Equality-LA is a coalition of organizations and individuals who are committed to working in the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities in Greater Los Angeles for equal marriage rights and fair treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families through community education and advocacy.

SOURCE: API Equality-LA

The Asian Women’s Shelter (AWS) was founded in 1988 to provide immediate crisis services to domestic violence survivors and children, especially those who are immigrants and refugees. AWS connects these women and children to legal, medical, and long-term services, and has provided thousands of shelter bed nights to them. 100% of women and children improve their nutrition and health while residing at AWS. AWS is committed to every person’s right to live in a violence-free home. Please support and join us in creating a future free from violence.

The talented PULSE band started in SF Japantown over 25 years ago, and is still going strong playing Funk, R&B and Rock music. The band is a favorite at Bay Area community events and clubs, and is composed of some of the best-known Asian American musicians in the Bay Area. PULSE remains true to its goal of providing exciting music with veteran musicians Billy Shen on guitar, Carey Huang on keyboards, Derrick Tong on bass, Arthur Wong on drums, and vocalists Mel Banez, Eva Chew, and Cris Dumandan-Garcia. www.myspace.com/PulseSF

Colette Ikemi is Japantown’s legendary diva who has performed with bands Hiroshima and Pulse. She has a truly soulful and romantic style of singing. Colette is a local favorite jazz/R&B singer who continues to perform at many community events such as the Cherry Blossom Festivals and Nihonmachi Street Fairs. www.ColetteIkemi.com

An AWS former resident says it best, “Since the first day I moved to AWS my world has turned from darkness, paranoia, and fear into a better life. No longer do my children and I have to cry. Now the three of us have only smiles, music, and laughter. We have learned more about human rights, law, communal living, and language.  We have a second chance in life.”

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to buy tickets or sponsorships, please call June at 415-271-3290 or email June at AWSdance@yahoo.com.