“Dollar-A-Person” Campaign Update
Since the “Dollar-A-Person” national immigration reform AD Campaign kicked off in July, NAKASEC and its affiliates have been actively fundraising in communities and garnering support for comprehensive immigration reform. The campaign seeks to send a clear message to lawmakers that America needs immigration reform that is fair and humane by placing prominent ads in the Washington Post and other major newspapers. The ads will also demonstrate broad public support for the bipartisan McCain-Kennedy bill known as the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005, which is an important first step toward fixing the immigration system.
As of Sept. 12, NAKASEC and its affiliates have raised over $61,000 for the AD Campaign. Currently, 20 diverse immigrant rights, labor and faith-based organizations from across the country are initiating the campaign. In addition, over 130 local and national organizations and businesses have made contributions and endorsed the campaign.
Final copies of the ad will also be delivered to members of Congress and to President Bush. For more information please go to www.nakasecactionfund.org.
AD Campaign Highlights
> An integral part of the fundraising efforts are the “Dollar-A-Person” drives held in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York at local Korean markets and community gatherings. In all three cities, DREAM Act youth have been instrumental in the success of the drives and raised over $12,000. During the drives, community members expressed their support for the campaign and shared personal stories of how the immigration system adversely impacted their lives.
> In Chicago, Korean American Resource and Cultural Center (KRCC) has been receiving large amounts of mail-in donations from Korean Americans living outside of the Chicagoland area. Many individuals are wishing KRCC success in their campaign efforts.
> In Los Angeles, youth organized the “DreamFesta” fundraising dance to mark the third year of the student legalization movement. The event, held on Aug. 26, featured Korean American hip-hop artists and drew over 100 people. Special thanks goes to the Central American Resource Center for the donation of their space.
> In New York, YKASEC’s 2nd Generation Committee held a Rooftop Happy Hour fundraiser in support of the AD Campaign on Aug. 25. New Yorkers enjoyed a night of socializing while supporting an important effort to pass immigration reform. More than 150 individuals attended the fundraiser and contributed over $2,000.
Building Political Power
On Sept. 8, YKASEC announced the results of a detailed analysis of Korean American voters in Manhattan and Staten Island. The findings showed that the number of Korean American voters increased dramatically, primarily due to participation in the 2004 presidential election. YKASEC plans to complete an analysis of Korean American voters in all boroughs of New York City in time for the November elections.
KRCC youth and volunteers began the New Americans Democracy Project’s summer training program on Aug. 12. This program will nurture and train leaders from diverse immigrant communities. Participants will learn valuable skills such as communication, voter outreach, campaign field planning and electoral analysis. This is a joint effort between the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.
