#327 C100 Conference; California Events; Xiaofeng Wang; AAJC; Harvard Says No; Litigations+

In This Issue #327

·        2025/04/25-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala

·        Fireside Chat and Advocacy Day in California

·        Update from Advancing Justice | AAJC

·        More on the Case of Professor Xiaofeng Wang

·        Harvard Rejects Trump Administration Demands

·        Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions

·        News and Activities for the Communities

2025/04/25-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala

The Committee of 100 (C100) is a national nonprofit composed of prominent Chinese Americans committed to ensuring equal citizenship, broad inclusion in American society, and constructive U.S.-China relations. Through education, policy research, legal advocacy, and leadership development, C100 works to elevate the voices and experiences of Chinese Americans and the wider AAPI community.Cindy Tsai 蔡欣玲, Interim President of C100, provided an update on C100 and its upcoming activities during the APA Justice monthly meeting on April 7, 2025.C100 is currently focused on education and civil rights, particularly through its national initiative to track and advance the teaching of AANHPI history in K–12 schools and its Legal Defense and Education Fund, which supports those facing discrimination based on heritage. C100 is also actively monitoring state-level legislation, including discriminatory property restrictions based on national origin. In partnership with APA Justice, it has hosted a three-part series on alien land laws, with the final session set for the C100 Annual Conference and Gala in Los Angeles on April 25–26, 2025.

The two-day conference will feature over 20 panels exploring AAPI identity, civil rights, U.S.-China relations, and cultural representation. A major theme is the power of storytelling, arts, and media to shape public perception and foster cross-cultural understanding. Notable sessions include a Hollywood panel moderated by filmmaker Adele Lim, featuring actors Sherry Cola, Harry Shum Jr., and others, and a conversation on K-pop’s global impact with SM Entertainment founder Soo-man LEE. Academy President Janet Yang 杨燕子 will host a segment with ​Samantha Quan, producer of Anora (this year’s Oscar-winning Best Picture), Shannon Lee 李香凝, daughter of martial arts legend Bruce Lee 李小龙, and Izaac Wang, lead actor in Didi (弟弟). A panel featuring UC Irvine Law Professor Robert Chang, Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu 吳元之, and legendary Texas House Representative Martha Wong 黃美華 will address the resurgence of alien land laws and grassroots responses across the country and what we can do in our respective home states.

Other panels will explore the national security–civil rights intersection, including travel risks for scholars with Chinese passports or green cards, and the broader implications of recent investigations like that of Indiana University Professor Xiaofeng Wang 王晓峰. A separate discussion between Queens College President Frank Wu 吳華揚 and UCLA Vice Chancellor Roger Wakimoto will underscore the importance of AAPI representation in academic leadership—an idea shaped with input from Dr. Les Wong, former president of San Francisco State University and Northern Michigan University. The conference will also spotlight multiracial and multiethnic AAPI identity, with a dedicated panel and workshop on exploring personal heritage and belonging. For more information, contact Cindy Tsai at president@committee100.org and register for the conference here: https://bit.ly/4icDSOQA summary of the April 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting is being prepared at this time.

Fireside Chat and Advocacy Day in California

1. San Francisco: "Beyond the China Initiative: Civil Rights, National Security, and the Future of AAPI Communities"

On April 30, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm PT, the Committee of 100, Council of Korean Americans, Japanese American Citizens League, Stand wih Asian Americans, and The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) will host a fireside conversation on "Beyond the China Initiative: Civil Rights, National Security, and the Future of AAPI Communities."  The event will be held at the TAAF office at 150 Post Street - Mela Lounge, San Francisco, CA 94108.The featured speaker is Professor Franklin Tao 陶丰, one of the first scientists charged - and fully exonerated after a prolonged legal battle - under the DOJ's now-defunct China Initiative.  Professor Tao will be joined by his wife, Hong Peng, and his attorney, Peter Zeidenberg, offering a rare and personal perspective on the human cost of misdirected national security policies.Moderated by Charles Jung, President of the San Francisco Bar Association, the program will also examine the broader consequences of the Initiative with policy expert and civil rights advocate, Gisela Perez Kusakawa — from its impact on civil rights to lessons learned and ongoing concerns facing immigrant and Asian American communities in the United States. Register for the event: https://bit.ly/3EsqdEH.  Read Professor Tao's story: https://bit.ly/4i0WZLw

2. Sacramento: California AANHPI Coalition Advocacy Day

WHAT: California AANHPI Coalition Advocacy DayWHEN: April 28, 2025, 10:00 am PT/1:00 pm ETWHERE: Stanley Mosk Library Steps – 914 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814HOST: APAPA and coalition of 75+ AAPI organizationsDESCRIPTION: The event features AANHPI legislators, coalition leaders, and bill authors for a Rally & Press Conference.  It represents the largest statewide AANHPI advocacy mobilization since the Stop Asian Hate movement. It will kick off AAPI Heritage Month not with celebration, but with an urgent call for collective action.  Since returning to office, President Trump has moved to eliminate birthright citizenship, roll back work visas, expand deportations, dismantle language access, and target Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. His administration is also slashing Medicaid and funding for culturally competent nonprofits and safety-net services for millions of AANHPI families. California’s AANHPI communities are taking action and calling for bold state leadership in the face of these attacks.CONTACT: media@apapa.org

Update from Advancing Justice | AAJC

During the APA Justice monthly meeting on April 7, 2025, Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC highlighted three key developments:

1.      AAJC applauded the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia’s decision temporarily blocking the Trump administration’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act and is collaborating with partners on next steps.

2.      In response to visa revocations, arrests, and disappearances of migrants and international students across the U.S., AAJC is preparing a joint statement with its network to support those targeted for political reasons, to be shared once finalized after the meeting.

3.      Joanna detailed ongoing opposition to alien land laws, particularly Texas HB 17, commending local partners who mobilized testimony and rallies. Over 100 people provided testimony.  AAJC provided legal analysis and messaging support throughout the process and will continue to provide rapid response support. In Michigan, AAJC prepared advocacy materials as lawmakers considered similar legislation. At the federal level, AAJC is monitoring the possibility of a new legislative push dubbed “China Week 2.0” and are preparing a sign-on letter in response.

More on the Case of Professor Xiaofeng Wang 

During the State of Play Town Hall hosted by the Asian American Scholar Forum on April 14, 2025, Nianli Ma, wife of Professor Xiaofeng Wang 王晓峰, expressed deep distress over how their family, including her husband, a tenured professor, was treated by Indiana University (IU) on March 28, 2025. Despite dedicating over two decades to the institution, they were not given an explanation or due process. The family feels betrayed and devastated, especially after contributing to the country for so long. Nianli describes the emotional toll this has taken, including weight loss, sleeplessness, and constant worry. Despite the hardship, they are grateful for the support from the community and various organizations. They are determined to fight not only for themselves but also for the broader research community and seek public support to cover legal fees and continue their battle for justice.A GoFundMe has been set up by their son, Luke Wang, at https://bit.ly/3E70Vfm.  AASF is leading a coalition of concerned organizations and individuals in an open letter to IU Provost Rahul Shrivastav requesting reinstatement of Professor Wang. 

According to the South China Morning Post, Carl Weinberg, a professor at IU’s College of Arts and Sciences, tenured faculty members in the US were entitled to due process when facing termination.  When Weinberg and other faculty members pressed the university for answers, they were told to direct their questions to the FBI.  “This is outrageous,” he said. “I was glad to hear Xiaofeng’s wife Nianli Ma, who was also fired with no reason given, to say that they are fighting this injustice.”On April 12, 2025, the Federation of Asian Professor Associations (FAPA) issued a public statement regarding the case of Professor Wang, condemning his termination by IU and raising serious concerns about the erosion of due process, threats to academic freedom, and the ongoing pattern of racial profiling targeting Chinese American scientists.  FAPA also sent an open letter to IU President Pamela Whitten.On March 31, 2025, the Executive Committee of the Bloomington chapter of the American Association of University Professors (IUB-AAUP) sent an open letter to IU Provost Rahul Shrivastav, expressing serious concern over the abrupt termination of tenured Professor Wang, asserting that IU failed to follow required due process under Policy ACA-52.  Emphasizing the importance of due process in safeguarding academic freedom and shared governance, the committee urges the university to revoke the termination and follow established procedures.

Read the story of Professor Wang: https://bit.ly/42tbPVR

Harvard Rejects Trump Administration Demands

According to AP News, CNN, Harvard Gazette, New York Times, Reuters, and multiple media reports, on April 14, 2025, Harvard University strongly rejected demands from the Trump administration that threaten $9 billion in research funding, calling them unlawful and a violation of academic freedom and constitutional rights. The decision is believed to be the most overt defiance by a university since President Trump began pressuring higher education to conform to his political priorities.Within hours of Harvard taking its stand, the Trump administration announced it was freezing $2.3 billion in federal funding to the school and threatened Harvard’s tax-exempt status.“The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Harvard President Alan Garber wrote in a message to the community. He added: “No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.”“This is what Joe McCarthy was trying to do magnified ten- or 100-fold,” said Lawrence H. Summers, a former Harvard president, adding that “it runs directly against the university’s role in a free society.”

On April 11, 2025, the Harvard faculty chapter of the American Association of University Professors, along with the national organization, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its demanded policy changes while reviewing nearly $9 billion in federal funding.  The lawsuit, American Association of University Professors - Harvard Faculty Chapter v. United States Department Of Justice (1:25-cv-10910), was filed in conjunction with a request from the professors for an immediate temporary restraining order to block the Trump administration from cutting off Harvard University’s federal funding.  

Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions

As of April 15, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 195 (4 closed cases). 

Among the latest developments, law firms fight back against Trump executive orders.The Trump administration has targeted law firms and lawyers perceived as adversaries with executive orders (EO) and actions that have included canceling government contracts, revoking security clearances, and initiating investigations into firms' diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Some of these firms have responded by filing lawsuits.  On April 11, 2025, Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP and Eimer Stahl LLP, on behalf of more than 800 law firms from across the country, filed amicus briefs in support of Jenner & Block LLP and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP in addition to their previous brief in support of Perkins Coie LLP. 

·        Susman Godgrey LLP v. Executive Office of The President (1:25-cv-01107) @District of Columbia. The law firm Susman Godgrey sued the President over President Trump's EO on April 9.  On April 15, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan issued a temporary restraining order, blocking key provisions of the executive order.

·        Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale AND Dorr LLP v. Executive Office of The President (1:25-cv-00917) @District of Columbia.  The law firm WilmerHale sued the Executive Office of the President and several government agencies over President Trump’s March 27 EO. On March 27, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon granted the law firm’s request to temporarily block several sections of the EO.

·        Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice (1:25-cv-00916) @District of Columbia.  The law firm Jenner & Block sued the Department of Justice and other government agencies over President Trump’s March 25 EO.  On March 25,  U.S. District Judge John Bates granted the law firm’s request to temporarily block several sections of the EO.

·        Perkins Coie LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice (1:25-cv-00716) @District of Columbia.  The law firm Perkins Coie sued the Department of Justice and other government agencies over President Trump’s March 6, 2025 EO. On March 12, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell granted Perkins Coie’s request to temporarily block several sections of the EO.

News and Activities for the Communities

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

2025/04/22 Scholars Not Spies: Fighting for International Academic Workers’ Rights in an Era of Rising US-China Conflict2025/04/24-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2025/04/24 CHINA Town Hall: The First 100 Days: President Trump's China Policy2025/04/24 Federal Employees: Know your Legal Rights2025/04/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/28 California AANHPI Advocacy Day2025/04/30 Beyond the China Initiative: Civil Rights, National Security, and the Future of AAPI Communities2025/05/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/05/06 Asian American Careers - How to Build Your Personal Network, including Through Strategic Allies2025/05/11 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 

2. 2024/04/24 Federal Employees: Know Your Legal Rights

WHAT: Federal Employees: Know your Legal RightsWHEN: April 24, 2025, 4:30 - 5:30 pm pm ETWHERE: WebinarHOSTS: JCRC of Greater Washington and the Jewish Federation of Greater WashingtonModerator: Ron Halber, Chief Executive Officer, JCRC Speakers:

·  Robert Shriver, Managing Director, Civil Service Strong and Good Government Initiatives at Democracy Forward; Former Acting Director, U.S. Office of Personnel Management

·  Michelle Bercovici, Partner, Alden Law Group

DESCRIPTION: Federal layoffs and agency funding changes are impacting many across the Greater Washington area — some directly through job loss, others through ripple effects on schools, camps, and Jewish communal life.  Join the webinar about the legal rights of terminated federal employees.  It is part of part of JCRC community's efforts to support those directly or indirectly impacted by government employee layoffs, agency reorganizations and/or budget cuts.

REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4jtSSYQ

3. 1990 Institute is Hiring and Starts 2025 College Essay Contest

The 1990 Institute, is seeking a dynamic, motivated individual to become our new Director of Fundraising and Donor Relations to lead fundraising efforts and identify and cultivate donor relationships. Read the job description on the 1990 Institute website, and send a resume and cover letter to hiring@1990institute.org.

The 1990 Institute also announced the opening of the 2025 Essay Contest, which is organized by China Focus, an online publication at UC San Diego and jointly hosted by the 1990 Institute, the Fudan-UC Center on Contemporary China, The Carter Center, and the 21st Century China Center at UC San Diego's School of Global Policy and Strategy. ​​ You may submit your essay in either Chinese or English. The contest offers two topics and awards two prizes of $1,000 and four runner-up prizes of $ 500 each.  Read more and apply here: https://bit.ly/4idtQMz.  Deadline is May 1, 2025, 11:59 PM PT. 

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APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community.  For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org. We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org.