Dear Community,
This month, we are excited to announce our new program for the community: free digital literacy workshops! During the height of the COVID-19 lockdown, many community members only had the option of voicing their experiences to city council through Zoom, and many meetings since have moved to Zoom.
We recognized how important it is for community members to be fully equipped with the skills needed to safely navigate the internet, use email, participate in Zoom meetings, and build a LinkedIn profile to find employment as many jobs are transitioning to a hybrid (work from home/in office) model. This program is part of our efforts to empower working-class immigrant community members. Participants will be eligible to borrow phone, tablet, and laptop devices through our Technology Library as well!
Additionally, don’t forget to read our Op-Ed published at the Voice of OC! Our Executive Director, Tracy La, joined Reverend Walter Contreras from CLUE and Carlos Perea, Executive Director of the Harbor Institute, to share why it’s time for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to end all ICE transfers.
Mark Your Calendar & Get Involved
Sign Up for Our Digital Literacy Workshops
Our free Digital Literacy Workshops, which will equip community members with crucial digital skills to stay informed and find employment, start this month on July 10 in English!
Workshops will be offered in both English and Vietnamese and will cover computer and digital literacy basics, including how to use email and Zoom, browse the internet, privacy and security best practices, and more. Sign up today or send the registration form to someone you know who wants to learn how to safely and confidently use the internet! Register online or call (714) 589-5496!
Resources
A Resource for Vietnamese Americans for a Free Palestine
When we held our Community Listening Session: Vietnamese Americans for a Free Palestine in February, many community members expressed their desire to continue learning about Palestine, understand how and where to take action, and have conversations with family and friends about the occupation.
We compiled a resource that includes terms translated to Vietnamese, information about local Orange County connections and Vietnamese refugees in Israel, and a list of linked actions and ways to further engage with the Palestinian movement for liberation. We hope this resource serves as a starting point to continue to fight against the Zionist regime, which is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. Free Palestine.
Campaign & Program News
The Campaign to Expand the Right to Vote—Recap of Our Pack the Court Action
Last Friday, Santa Ana Families for Fair Elections (SAFFE) mobilized in support of the City of Santa Ana’s court hearing to defend the noncitizen voting ballot measure language. This language is currently being challenged by anti-immigrant attorney James Lacy. Lacy’s lawsuit is attempting to remove the ballot’s language which states that noncitizens are taxpayers and parents!
Judge Knill heard arguments from the City of Santa Ana and James Lacy’s attorney but did not issue a ruling. Another court date has been set for July 11th at 3:30pm, when she will decide whether to retain or amend the original ballot measure language that the City Council adopted. Join us to pack the court again on July 11th!
Mural Unveiling & End of Art Workshops
We’re so excited (and sad!) to have wrapped up our art workshop series with artist Tiffany Le! Shoutout to all the workshop participants for your hard work, camaraderie, and creativity.
ICE Out of California Convening
Last month, we co-hosted the ICE Out of California Convening in Santa Ana to strengthen the movement, build solidarity, and call on the OC Sheriff’s Department to end ICE transfers. We’re honored to build immigrant power and resilience with over 100 community members and dozens of incredible organizations from across the state.
Features
Politico: Push to let noncitizens vote in this California city hinges on 7 words
Politico covers the efforts of the Santa Ana Families for Fair Elections coalition and the anti-immigrant lawsuit that is attempting to remove language from the ballot measure, which states that noncitizens are taxpayers and parents.
Regardless of the ruling, Santa Ana voters will still be able to vote on this measure and determine if noncitizen residents can vote in city elections. Read the full article here.
Community Spotlight
Tiffany Le
Shoutout to Tiffany Le, also known as letealeaf, for partnering with us this Spring to host a series of art workshops for 15 young Asian Americans in Orange County! We have worked with Tiffany since 2018, when we collaborated on the design of the VietRISE logo. Tiffany is an amazing example of how artists can collaborate with organizers and advance the movement for youth empowerment and social justice.
Thank you, Tiffany, for being a wonderful teacher and for creating such an awesome mural that will be displayed this Fall at the VietRISE Little Saigon Community Festival: Rise for Justice.
View Tiffany’s website here: https://letealeaf.com/. Follow her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/letealeaf/.
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