Pennsylvania
Does Philadelphia City Hall endorse racial profiling by advocating for a Market Street casino - AGAIN?
This is from Helen Gym's blog by permission of the author
In posts too many to name, I’ve shared concerns many of us in the Asian community have about the gambling industry’s penchant for racial profiling. Sometimes, though, it’s refreshing when the industry just speaks for itself:
U.S. Justice Department Settles with Philadelphia School District on Harassment of Asian Americans
On Dec. 15th, the Justice Department announced a settlement agreement with the School District of Philadelphia. The settlement resolves complaints, made by the Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, of racial harassment of Asian students at South Philadelphia High School. The Justice Department found that Asian American Students were persistently harassed (see original story).
South Philly High Violence Anniversary Rally Commemorates Progress and Work Undone
Student activists and supporters organized an anniversary rally to commemorate the South Philadelphia High attacks and response this past Friday. The rally was held at the high school's front gates.
Asian Students and School System Still At Odds as DOJ Supports Student Claims of Harassment
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a letter at the end of August to Philadelphia School District supporting Asian American claims of systemic racial injustice at South Philadelphia High School. They found merit in the claims of Asian students who said they were abused at South Philadelphia High School. The DOJ advised school officials to settle the matter.
South Philly High 6 Months Later: What Still Needs Work
by Helen Gym
Asian Student Advocates Welcome Resignation of South Philly High School Principal
La Greta Brown, the principal of South Philadelphia High School resigned Thursday. The high school was the site of widespread violence against Asian American students and the subject of a federal civil rights lawsuit, most notably in December, when primarily African American students attacks dozens of Asian students at the school.
The School District's South Philly High story unravels
by Helen Gym
Back to Square One after School Investigation in South Philadelphia High School Attacks
AAU Takes Anti-Casino Fight to Harrisburg
Asian Americans United and the Philadelphia Anti-Casino Coalition took their battle to Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania. They organized busloads of people to attend a state Gaming Control Board hearing around the proposed Foxwoods Casino in Philadelphia. At the hearing, AAU and Coalition members were allowed to speak, but the Board still kept the project alive. However it continues to fine the developers for delays and threaten the project’s gambling license. The Board has also asked for more documentation around finances from developers.
AALDEF Press Release: Federal Civil Rights Complaint against Philadelphia Schools
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) today filed a complaint for civil rights violations with the U.S. Department of Justice charging the School District of Philadelphia and South Philadelphia High School (SPHS) with discrimination against Asian students on the basis of race and national origin in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
