Dear Members and Friends:

We would like to share with you an upcoming event at Asia Society.  On September 6th, there will be a special reception, screening, and discussion hosted of the new documentary Abacus: Small Enough to Jail—the latest from award-winning director Steve James that tells the story of one Chinese immigrant family’s fight for justice. Please see more details on the screening below. 

"Abacus" One Immigrant Family's Fight for Justice
(​Tickets: Asia Society's Members $10; Students/Seniors $12; Nonmembers $15)
​
Wednesday, September 6 - Reception at 5:30 pm; screening at 6:30 pm followed by a Q&A
A special reception and screening of critically-acclaimed documentary Abacus: Small Enough to Jail, which tells the incredible saga of the Sung family, owners of Abacus Federal Savings Bank in Chinatown, New York, who are forced to defend themselves and their bank’s legacy over the course of a five-year legal battle. Followed by a discussion with the film director Steve James and members of the Sung family.
​
Please RSVP to Rose Eng
at 718-740-3824 or TheCyberRose@yahoo.com

Rose Eng / Andrew Chang
Co-coordinator of the event

Dear Board,

It was an exciting and action packed debate. Many issues were often drowned out by personal attackes from both candidates. The forum was well organized by APA Voice and the conference room was almost filled to capacity.  Each candidate had it's own cheering group.

OCA-NY will be hosting a Dining Out event during Restaurant Week.  We like to get to know  our members and prospective members, as well as to enjoy fine food and conversation.

Please join us on Friday, August 18th at
Le Cirque (French cuisine)
151 East 58th Street (bet. Lexington & 3rd Aves.)
New York, N.Y. 10022
Prix-Fixe Menu: $42
Time: 6:15pm

Includes three course dinner with your choice of appetizer, main entree,and dessert. Beverage and gratuity not included.

Please RSVP by August 14th
   
Rose at 718-740-3824 or TheCyberRose@yahoo.com

New York, NY - OCA-NY Asian Pacific American Advocates is honored to once again co-presents the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) in New York City.

AAIFF is the first and longest running festival in the country devoted to films by and about Asians & Asian Americans. The annual fest takes place in NYC. Presented by Asian Cinevision, The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) showcases the best in independent Asian and Asian American cinema.

OCA-NY members enjoy a 25% discount. Tickets are available at AAIFF's official Web site.  Promo code: OCAaaiff40

Please see below a shortlist of our selection:

MIXED MATCH: http://aaiff.org/2017/films/mixed-match/

THE RECEPTIONIST: http://aaiff.org/2017/films/receptionist/

PROOF OF LOYALTY: http://aaiff.org/2017/films/proof-of-loyalty-kazuo-yamane-and-the-nisei-soldiers-of-hawaii/

SMALL TALK Centerpiece Film: http://aaiff.org/2017/films/small-talk/

LOVE LETTER TO NY SHORTS PROGRAM: http://aaiff.org/2017/shorts-programs/love-letters-to-new-york/

New York, NY - OCA-NY joins the Asians in Media: Past, Present, and Future panel discussion hosted by the Asian Business Resource Group at UPS's New York City headquarters June 27.

Panel Guest Speakers include Amy Chang, actress and model, Emmy Award winning TV series Master of None; Ramy K Inocencio, anchor and correspondent, Bloomberg LP; Stephen Lin, actor, Emmy Award winning TV series Master of None & Mr. Robot.

They stressed the importance of searching for self identify -- Asian Americans should try to "blend out" instead of "blend in."

New York, NY - OCA-NY members again compete in the annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York this year. OCA-NY Dragons started first group practice session on June 18.

Above are pictures with our BBQ sponsor UA3 organization practicing together. Captain of OCA-NY Dragons Chi Loek shared his years of experience in the race with new members.

According to the organizer, this year race is set for Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13 2017. ​We invite our friends and community partners to come, enjoy, and share the rich thousand year old history of Dragon Boat Festival with OCA-NY Dragons!

Special Thanks to Bruce Cost Ginger Ale Unfiltered for sponsoring OCA-NY Dragons with drinks for all of our practice sessions.

​Special Thanks to UA3 for sponsoring BBQ on August 12 and August 13

New York, NY - OCA-NY participated at the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association's Moving Towards Our 30th Anniversary Celebration Banquet June 16 at New York's Chinatown. We wish our long-time partner Paul Mak and all BCA staff all the best.

New York, NY – OCA New York - Asian Pacific American Advocates, hosted a free Immigration Forum in Sunset Park, Brooklyn Saturday, June 10, titled “What Immigrants Need to Know in This Time of Fear and Uncertainty.” Attendees were able to learn about latest immigration information from the District Attorney’s Office, among many immigrant representatives.
 
In order to address the major uptick in immigration arrests happening nationwide. New data released by ICE last week showed that since President Donald Trump signed an executive order on immigration enforcement, arrests are up by 40%.

Among the panelists are: Jose Interiano from Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Tiffany Wheatland-Disu from The New York Immigration Coalition, TJ Mills, Regional Immigration Attorney, Justice for Our Neighbors, and Eve Guillergan, OCA-NY Member and Immigration Attorney.
 
The forum took place at the Chinese Promise Baptist Church on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 2 to 4 p.m., 842 41st Street, Brooklyn NY 11232. Around 60 members of the immigrant community were in attendance. Simultaneous Chinese translation was provided.
 
Chi Loek, President of OCA-NY stated, “In recognizing that we're a country of immigrants, we contribute to the growth of the economy, diverse culture, religion, and strength of our community. In times of need, we need to embrace and support our newcomers because they will be our future, just as I came to America as an immigrant more than 48 years ago.”
 
Winnie Hu, OCA-NY Board Member, Event Organizer and Chair of Development Committee stated, "There are a lot of immigrants who get in trouble with the law who are feeling very uncertain and fearful of how this would affect their petition for family members to come to America or how this would affect their citizenship status. Many of these immigrants are living in fear of deportation and are under great stress mentally and emotionally under the new Trump administration. We hope that by providing this Immigration forum, people can become more educated to protect themselves and their families"

Link to the panel video:
https://vimeo.com/221310987/
(password: oca)

Sing Tao Daily

World Journal

The China Press