Statement for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

May is recognized in the United States as Asian/Pacific American Heritage month to pay tribute to the generations of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental to its future success.  As noted in the federal law designating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed to the development of the arts, sciences, government, military, commerce, and education in the United States.  We in the Harvard Law School Association of Los Angeles recognize and celebrate the innumerable, widespread, and meaningful contributions of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles and Southern California generally.

 

This May, we must sadly also confront and condemn the rise of harassment and hate crimes against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.  These deplorable acts, wrongfully targeting Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in connection with the pandemic, are the products of xenophobia and ignorance.  We in the Harvard Law School Association of Los Angeles embrace and welcome Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, and we stand united against instances of intimidation, bigotry, and violence directed at Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders.  As Harvard University President Larry Bacow observed, “We welcome and embrace individuals from every background because it makes us a better community, a stronger community.  An attack on any group is an attack on all of us—and on everything we represent as an institution.”  President Bacow’s full statement on “Standing Together” is located at the following link: https://www.harvard.edu/president/news/2021/standing-together/.

 

We hope that members of the legal community generally in Los Angeles will join us in celebrating the extraordinary contributions of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders and work to ensure that all members of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community are safe and welcomed throughout Southern California.


Sincerely, 

Byron G. Stier, Co-President

Jillian London,  Marketing Chair

Sherry William, Co-President

Monica Mange Johnson, Mentorship Co-Chair

Angela Sousa, Vice President

David Thomas, Liaison Co-Chair

Kelly Shapiro, Diversity and Communications Co-Chair

Amber Holley Melius, Liaison Co-Chair

Sabra Gandhi Sellers, Co-Secretary

Taylor Parks, Social Networking Co-Chair

Marina Shvarts, Co-Secretary 

Jason Harrow, Technology Co-Chair

Pantea Yashar, past President, HLSA of LA

Steven Papkin, Speaker Co-Chair

Zachary Elsea, Social Networking Co-Chair