AAPIs join national solidarity fast for immigration reform

Three core fasters break their fast on Day 22 of "Fast for Families"



This week, hundreds of Asian American and Pacific Islanders across the country are participating in "Fast for Families" to illustrate the united support of AAPI communities for a humane and inclusive immigration process, and to compel Congress to act on comprehensive immigration reform: 500+ AAPIs Join "Fast for Families"

The 24-hour fast is a show of solidarity for individual advocates who have fasted much longer for immigration reform. Three core "Fast for Families" fasters -- National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) Executive Director Dae Joong Yoon; Eliseo Medina of the Service Employees International Union and DREAMer and Mi Familia Vota's Cristian Avila - abstained from all food since November 12.

This morning in Washington DC -- Day 22 -- they broke their fast, passing it on to new fasters. That's DJ Yoon in the photo above, breaking his fast in a ceremony with bread given by Father Jacek Ozechowski.

Meanwhile, At least 180 advocates from 33 AAPI groups have committed to take part in 24-hour solidarity fasts over the next two weeks, including several of our friends at Advancing Justice-LA:

AAPI leaders fasting for immigration reform

Our communities want inclusive and humane immigration reform now.



Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders, including representatives from the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium, are currently engaged in a daily fast with immigrant rights, faith and labor leaders to send a message to elected officials: our communities want inclusive and humane immigration reform now. They're fasting right now, sitting in a tent in Washington DC.

Fast for Families: A Call for Immigration Reform and Leadership is intended to put pressure on congressional leaders and to get them to bring legislation that would improve our nation's broken immigration system to the House of Representatives floor.

One of the main fasters, NAKASEC Executive Director Dae Joong Yoon, is in his tenth day of the fast and has lost more than ten pounds in the last week. Here's a video of Dae Joong talking about why he's fasting for immigration reform: