For Immediate Release
July 13, 2021
Media Contacts
Niketa Kumar, niketak@advancingjustice-alc.org, 610-659-2544
Liza Ameen, lameen@advancingjustice-la.org, (213) 977-7500 x258
Advancing Justice-CA Applauds FY 21-22 Budget Investments in Community Safety, Equitable Education, and Tenant Protections
California Budget Includes Landmark $150 Million to Fund Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities’ Health and Safety
SACRAMENTO – Asian Americans Advancing Justice – California (Advancing Justice – CA) celebrated passage of budget trailer bills signed by Governor Newsom on Monday and Tuesday, including investments that advance community-centered solutions for long-term safety and dignity for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Advancing Justice – CA is a joint partnership of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles.
The FY 21-22 state budget bills signed this week include:
$110 million for community-based organizations who provide survivor and victim services and violence prevention;
$10 million to support restorative justice programs at K-12 schools; and
$10 million to improve the disaggregation of data collection and promote data equity and accuracy in understanding and funding AAPI communities, among other investments.
“For the first time, California has prioritized investments in AAPI safety and equity in its statewide budget, including historic funds for community-centered solutions, restorative justice, and culturally competent mental health services,” said Angela Chan, policy director and senior staff attorney at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus. “We’re grateful for the thoughtful and vigilant work by the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, and our many community partners to fund AAPI communities in ways that address the root causes of violence and racism and grow California’s commitment to restorative justice and policies that uplift our shared values of safety, equity, and justice.”
“The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is an important part of California’s past, present and future. We are heartened to see state leadership invest in its well-being and it is coming at a crucial time as our communities are coming together to build safer, more inclusive, and equitable neighborhoods. We look forward to working with leaders, community partners and members to make sure these dollars reach our most vulnerable. As we have for decades, we will continue to uplift and advocate for the much-needed representation and inclusion of the AAPI community in California and all its institutions,” said Nikki Dominguez, Policy Director, at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles.
More than 150 organizations serving California’s AAPI communities organized this year to urge legislators and the governor to adopt the API Equity Budget, which includes many of the investments signed this week. In the past few weeks, California legislators and Governor Newsom have also signed budget bills that support Advancing Justice-CA priorities, including more than $547 million to ensure all California high school students have access to the course requirements to attend one of the state’s public universities and $5.2 billion in rent relief for low-income tenants and small landlords.
About Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus (ALC)
ALC was founded in 1972 as the nation’s first legal and civil rights Asian American organization. Recognizing that social, economic, political and racial inequalities continue to exist in the United States, ALC is committed to the pursuit of equality and justice for all sectors of our society, with a specific focus directed toward addressing the needs of low-income, immigrant and underserved Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. www.advancingjustice-alc.org
About Advancing Justice-Los Angeles
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (Advancing Justice – LA) is one of the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organizations for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). Advancing Justice – LA serves more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year. Through direct services, impact litigation, and policy advocacy, Advancing Justice – LA focuses on the most vulnerable members of AANHPI communities while building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice. Advancing Justice – LA is based in downtown Los Angeles with additional offices in Orange County and Sacramento. www.advancingjustice-la.org