| Immigrant
Groups Protest Bush Policies
From Sing Tao Daily June
24, 2003 President George W. Bush held fundraising events in New York City on
June 23 to raise $5 million for his re-election campaign. Yet, as his supporters
and the president were entertaining each other in a midtown hotel, dozens of civil
rights groups and immigrant organizations were protesting outside. The protesters
deemed that the Bush administration policies are hurting working families and
immigrants such as the Chinese Americans. The New York Immigration Coalition called
on New Yorkers to write reflecting New York lifes reality check
to the president. On the reality check, it wrote that Bushs
tax cuts and anti-immigrant policies in the aftermath of September 11 have caused
many working families to lose jobs and to be caught in economic difficulties.
The federal governments anti-terrorist operations target immigrants, making
this country unsafe for them. On the afternoon of June 23, the New York Immigration
Coalition held a press conference in front of the City Hall. The organization
criticized Bushs tax cuts for the rich as irresponsible and said that Bush
should provide long-term investments for working families and unemployed individuals,
help people get through the current economic downturn and provide more employment
opportunities and career training to the Chinatown community. Mae Lee, executive
director of Chinese Progressive Association, indicated that while states and cities
are making huge cuts in education, health and other programs, President Bush is
still giving tax cuts to wealthy individuals. This shows that he does not understand
the reality of life for New Yorkers or the reality of community rebuilding since
September 11 and the economic recession. If the tax cut is for stimulating
consumer ability, then what about our Chinatown economy? said Mae Lee. According
to her, 60 percent of Chinatown garment workers and 30 percent of the restaurant
workers still do not have enough work. We ask Bush to do real investment
in our community. Experts say that the economy depends on common people, so
government should invest in the common people of the community. Since
September 11, Chinatowns garment, restaurant, jewelry and other industries
together have lost about $5 billion, yet federal officials who are in charge of
the rebuilding efforts ignore these problems. Chinatown unemployment is severe,
and many workers plan to learn English to change their careers. However, English
classes suitable for their level are limited, and the government has not yet provided
them proper English classes for career training. Mae Lee said that the level
of some relevant employment training classes is not appropriate for the residents
of this neighborhood. This is causing many people to have to study English as
a second language before they can get into those employment training classes. . According
to Mae Lee, the number of students applying for English classes has increased
sharply, and some students have to wait for about six months to get to attend
the classes. Besides insufficient employment training opportunities, aid provided
by The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is not sufficient. FEMA initially
limited the eligibility to areas south of 14th street. The area was later enlarged
to include all Manhattan, yet due to the lack of advertisement, many eligible
applicants didnt know they could apply. This has caused many people unemployed
because of the September 11 unable to pay their rents and facing the possibility
of losing their homes. Margie McHugh, director of the New York Immigration Coalition,
said that most New York immigrants under Bush administration policy are facing
economic difficulties, and their civil rights have also been infringed. New
York Citys organizations of Islamic Americans, Arabic Americans, and South
Asian American also protested. They see Bushs anti-terrorist policy of secret
arrest, long detention, and racial discrimination as threatening human rights.
Translated from Chinese by Michael Huang About
thirty Chinese Americans Attended Bushs Fundraising Dinner From
Sing Tao Daily President Bush held re-election fundraising dinner in Sheraton
New York on June 23rd. Although it was as expensive as $2,000 per ticket, the
big hotel was still crowed with supporters of about 3000. Among these supporters
were thirty to forty Chinese Americans from the field of politics and businesses. This
was the first of fundraising events President Bush has had in New York City. Each
person had to pay as much as $2,000 for the ticket, and this fee has not yet included
the foods. Nevertheless, about 3000 supporters eagerly attended the event to meet
the president. Chinese Americans who attended the fundraising dinner included
Bing Min Zu, a senior Asian American republican from California; Meilin Tan, vice
chairperson of Queens County Republican Party Executive Committee; Song Hua Fu,
chairperson of Zhan Jiang Association; Pei Wang and Gong Jun Wu, chairpersons
of Asian American Republican Headquarter; and Cai Jing Chang, principal of a kindergarten
school. For Meilin Tan and Song Hua Fu, who were able to hand shake with President
Bush because they were arranged to stand on the first row, felt very excited.
Meilin Tan said: my ticket can get all the signatures of President Bush,
Governor Pataki, former Mayor Rudy Guilian is commendable. She will mobilize
supporters in her congress district for President Bushs reelection campaign
next year. About this, Bush expressed thanked and praised her. In his speech
during the dinner, Bush said that if he get reelected, he will continue his policy
in fighting terrorists through national defense and diplomacy and in promoting
world peace. On the domestic level, he will support tax cuts and increase
the employment rate. He hoped that his supporters will stand fast to ones
own positionat home to be good parents, on the job to be responsible workers
, in education to be dedicated for the next generations. If everyone
does according to ability in position, the country will be on the right track,
and the world will become better. Pei Wong, a political activist in the Chinese
American Communities, indicated that Bush has paid attention to Asian Americans
after his election. He said that Bush not only has nominated Elaine Chao to serve
in his cabinet, but has also provided funding for the Asian American communities.
Although Bush previously was hostile to China, he soon changed that attitude.
Bush currently is adopting a friendly and prudent policy toward China. As a
senior republican, Bing Min Zu expressed hope that New York Asian Americans can
unite together on next years presidential campaign. He wish through voting
Asian American economic and civil rights strength will advance to another step,
securing Asian Americans status in the mainstream society. Gong Jun Wu
said that in next years presidential election he hopes he can get together
traditional Asian American communities, business people, and other professionals
to establish an Asian American campaign headquarter. According to him, this will
show the united strength of Asian American political participation. For Cai
Jing Chang, he said that he has been impressed by President Bushs educational
reform No Child Left Behind. As an educator, this policy fully shows
him the essence and spirit of education. He hope Chinese Americans can support
Bush for reelection.
Translated from Chinese by Michael Huang Back
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