***Media Advisory, July 18 at 2:30 PM ET***
TODAY: Asian American Community and Major Civil Rights Organizations Head to Tallahassee to Protest Florida’s Discriminatory New Housing Law

 

CONTACT: Dr. Jim Moyer, Press Secretary jimmoyer1956@gmail.com

                        Attorney Echo King, President echokinglaw@yahoo.com

 

WHAT:

On July 18, several major civil rights organizations, members of the Asian American community, and Florida leaders are coming together to voice their opposition to SB 264, a law banning many Chinese immigrants from buying a home in large swaths of Florida. This demonstration will consist of a multiracial, multi-state coalition of concerned citizens, some of whom will be traveling in “freedom buses” to Tallahassee the morning of the hearing to support the civil rights of all US citizens and residents.

This rally will take place outside of the U.S. District Court of Northern Florida during the argument Shen v. Simpson, a lawsuit challenging this discriminatory law. The judge will consider the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction to immediately block the law and declare it unconstitutional. A press conference with the legal team and community leaders will follow.

The rally is supported by many major organizations with diverse backgrounds including Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA), Yick Wo Institution, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), Asian Pacific American Justice (APA Justice), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), Committee of 100 (C100), Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), National Iranian American Council (NIAC), Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), Stop AAPI Hate, United Chinese Americans (UCA), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition (TMAC), Latino Justice, NAACP, and NAACP Tallahassee.

WHO:

The press conference will feature:

·        Opening remarks by Florida organizers Echo King (President of Florida Asian American Justice Alliance) and Jenny Liu (President of The Yick Wo Institution);

·        Keynote address by Florida State Rep. Anna Eskamani, a second generation Iranian immigrant;

·        Remarks by the legal team, Ashley Gorski (ACLU), Bethany Li (AALDEF), and Clay Zhu (DeHeng Law Offices)  

·        Closing remarks by Haipei Shue (President of United Chinese Americans, UCA).

WHEN:

Arguments begin at 1:30pm on Tuesday, July 18. Press conference immediately to follow (~2:30 p.m. ET)

WHERE:

Outside of Joseph Woodrow Hatchett U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building

111 N. Adams St.

Tallahassee, Florida

Court information: https://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/tallahassee

More case details: https://www.aclu.org/cases/shen-v-simpson