By Shirley N Lew
AsAmNews New York Correspondent
The profiling of Chinese Americans accused of providing sensitive information to China will be a major part of of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) annual convention.
With over a hundred chapters, the 43 year old civil rights organization is expecting hundreds to attend the convention later this month.
Co-Chair, Virginia Lou Ng said, “I’ve been wanting to bring the convention to New Jersey for the longest time.”
Hear how Ng explains this year’s convention.
The convention begins July 21 and ends with a gala on July 23. It will honor and recognize the following distinguished Asian Americans on their achievement and service: US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Judge Denny Chin, University of Minnesota Professor Erika Lee, US Congresswoman Grace Meng and NJ Commissioner to the Board of Public Utilities, Upendra Chivukula,.
One important issue that will be discussed in this year’s convention is the concern of innocent Chinese Americans being targeted.
According to Ng, the alarming thought of Chinese Americans being profiled in illegal activity will be a major topic of discussion. Last year, there was the charge of wire fraud against Temple University’s Professor Xi Xiaoxing and in 2014, Sherry Chen, a hydrologist at the National Weather Service was charged with espionage. Charges subsequently were dropped in both cases.
The discussion, Lifting the Veil on National Security Profiling in Justice, will educate the public on the current state of both cases, working with other groups on to how to respond publicly and organize to support victims. However, most importantly the discussion will create awareness of an important issue for Chinese Americans and to dispel the notion that they are engaged in illegal activity.
The convention’s theme Forging Ahead is highlighting the new, positive direction that OCA is headed and the organization’s ongoing community advocacy work.”
There will also be workshops, panel discussions, professional training, free youth leadership programs and a film festival at this year’s annual convention
If you are interested in attending the OCA ‘s national convention, register here.
OCA is a national association with hundreds of chapters across the US. Visit OCA’s website to learn more or to become a member.