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7.27.2011

white house webinar on taking action against bullying and harassment, july 28

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, is holding a webinar on how to file complaints for bullying and harassment in schools.

It's happening Thursday, July 28 at 3:00pm EST, and you can join in from anywhere. Here are some more details on the call and how to participate:

WHO: Akil Vohra, White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Mehgan Sidhu, U.S. Department of Justice
Kay Bhagat, U.S. Department of Education

WHEN: Thursday, July 28 at 3:00pm EST

DIAL IN: Toll Free: 888-324-8021 Toll number: 1-415-228-4847

PASSCODE: 8539598

TO JOIN ONLINE AND VIEW THE SLIDE PRESENTATION:
1. Go to https://educate.webex.com/educate/k2/j.php?ED=169117537&UID=1215746322&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the session password: welcome1
4. Click "Join Now".
5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

This call is not intended for press purposes and is off the record. For more information e-mail WhiteHouseAAPI@ed.gov
According to teachers surveyed for the National Education Association's Nationwide Study of Bullying in 2009, 19 percent perceived racial remarks as a bullying problem, while 6 percent believed religious remarks were an issue.

Meanwhile, in the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 17.5 percent of Asian American high school students and 20.4 percent of Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander high school students reported being bullied on school property.

Bullying is an increasingly pressing issue for AAPI youth, one with potentially dire consequences and requires urgent attention from community members and allies. I don't think you have to look any further than what went down at South Philadelphia High School to see how relevant this is.

For further information on the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, go to the WHIAAPI website here and the Facebook page here.