The Vision of the Coalition for Asian Justice is to achieve racial justice for all Asians residing in the U.S. by standing in solidarity with all marginalized groups to eradicate structural racism and oppression and to enact concrete changes towards justice through education, local activism, support networks, and advocacy.
The Coalition for Asian Justice was formed by a group of like-minded individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds who were appalled by the despicable attacks on Asians living in the U.S. that have multiplied in the past decade and were determined to take action to protect Asians and promote awareness of their contributions to communities in Monterey County. Monterey County has experienced numerous instances of mistreatment of Asians, ranging from the destruction of the Chinese village at Point Alones in Pacific Grove in 1906 and eviction of its residents, the internment of Japanese families and the loss of their property in the 1940s, and restrictive house deeds prohibiting occupation by ‘Asiatics’ that still exist on paper to this day. Many Asian members of our community, including those coming from East, Southeast and South Asia, have been subjected to verbal attacks and slurs, despite the fact that they are playing a critical role in the service sector, healthcare, education, regional economic development and local civic contributions. The first event sponsored by CAJ was a rally against Asian hate on April 24, 2021 at Monterey City Hall. Subsequently, CAJ has collaborated with the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in organizing the 2022 Walk of Remembrance, an annual event that honors the residents of the Point Alones village which existed from 1853 to 1906 and spotlighting the cultural appropriation of the Feast of Lanterns. With the support of a wide range of local residents, Asian, Black and Caucasian alike, CAJ also enlightened the Pacific Grove City Council that the faux Chinese pageant featured in the Feast of Lanterns was deeply offensive to Chinese, bringing this to an end. CAJ was also a vocal advocate before the Pacific Grove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force in the drafting of a public apology by the City of Pacific Grove apology to Chinese village community and descendants for systemic discrimination, acts of fundamental injustice, violence and cruelty; seeking forgiveness and committing to the rectification and redress of past policies and actions. CAJ seeks to play a role in expanding cooperation among the various Asian organizations as well as in solidarity with other social-justice affinity groups in Monterey County, thus enabling all groups to leverage their resources and increase public awareness of the powerful role of Asians in the communities across Monterey County, stimulate harmonious relations, develop educational materials that can be utilized in schools and organize public celebrations of diverse Asian cultures. |