Press Release

Press Release

Coalition Of Asian Pacific Americans for Fair Redistricting (CAPAFR)

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
September 7, 2001

CONTACT:
Kathay Feng
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
(213) 977-7500, ext. 212

CAPAFR Asserts That 2001 Redistricting Plans Must Represent Growing Asian Pacific Islander Communities

LOS ANGELES – Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans for Fair Redistricting (CAPAFR) has mounted a year long campaign to ensure that Asian Pacific Islander (API) communities are represented in the 2001 Redistricting process. The statewide coalition – with leaders from Sacramento, San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego – represents an unprecedented effort to unite these communities behind a common cause. CAPAFR aims to ensure that API communities are not divided by district lines and are placed into districts that share common interests.

Stated Stewart Kwoh, Executive Director of Asian Pacific American Legal Center, “We commend the Assembly on this fair proposal for the 49th, and urge the Assembly not to dilute our community's representation here. It includes Monterey Park, Alhambra, El Monte, Rosemead, San Gabriel, Temple City and part of Arcadia. This district will fairly represent both the Asian and Latino communities as well as the West San Gabriel Valley region as a whole. Latinos still represent 42% of the 49th's population, while Asian Pacific Islanders are 41%. The Latino voter registration is high, at 32.5%, as is the Asian Pacific Islander registration, at 28.33%.”

The Asian Pacific Islander population in the 49^th Assembly District has grown over 27% since 1990, more than any other racial or ethnic group. Unfortunately, there are political interests that would try to deny the aspirations of the Asian Pacific Islander community in this area. APALC and CAPAFR have been committed to ensuring that the balance represented by the Assembly’s proposal is the district that is ultimately adopted by the legislature. To see the map, visit: http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/newcomframeset.asp?committee=7

The proposed Assembly Districts would unite and make whole Chinatown and Pilipinotown in AD 45 (Jackie Goldberg), and Little Tokyo and most of Koreatown in 46 AD (Gil Cedillo).

CAPAFR and APALC will be organizing the community in a final important effort to ensure that the final plan voted on by the state legislature reflects the gains made for the API community in the 45^th, 46^th, and 49^th Assembly Districts. The Assembly is led by Speaker Robert Hertzberg, who will be in the final decision making group that will present a final map to the legislature for vote. Speaker Hertzberg’s telephone number is: (916) 391-2040. The community looks to his leadership to ensure our voting rights are respected.

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