"What we saw... was not a protest, it was an attempted coup"

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America



U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth Speaks Out Against Trump Demonstrators
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth spoke out against President Donald Trump and the demonstrators that forced their way into the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday: "What we saw today was not a protest, it was an attempted coup. I refuse to let anyone intent on instigating chaos or inciting violence deter me from carrying out my Constitutional duties. Congress must continue its work certifying the results of the election and turn the page on this shameful chapter in our history. It is the only way to inch closer to healing our nation."

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After 5 hours I’ve been rescued from my hiding place. Now i can show you my DIY barricade and gas masks. Protestors were right outside the door chanting ‘USA USA’ it was scary but i am ok! Thanks all for your prayers. pic.twitter.com/OX3rfM35zH

— Grace Meng (@Grace4NY) January 6, 2021

Rep. Grace Meng Shows Where She Hid Amid Violent US Capitol Protests
As the U.S. Capitol was stormed by a mob of pro-Trump protesters, New York congresswoman Grace Meng took cover for hours in a room that was barricaded shut with office chairs while rioters stormed outside. "After 5 hours I've been rescued from my hiding place. Now i can show you my DIY barricade and gas masks," wrote Rep. Meng. "Protestors were right outside the door chanting 'USA USA' it was scary but i am ok! Thanks all for your prayers."

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I can't contain my rage at Donald Trump and Republicans who invited, incited, and fueled this terror. Our country and our democracy will have to recover from these deep wounds—and it won't be easy.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and thoughts for our safety and for America.

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) January 6, 2021

'I was closing my eyes and praying'
As pro-Trump mobs stormed the United States Capitol on Wednesday, forcing the building into a lockdown, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal crouched behind a railing in the House gallery, seeking shelter from a scene that more closely resembled a terrorist attack than a peaceful transfer of power.

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Now is the time for @VP @Mike_Pence to start the 25th Amendment process. https://t.co/GQ0NXhyAK9

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 6, 2021

Rep. Ted Lieu calls for Trump's immediate removal from office
When Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building, California Rep. Ted Lieu tweeted that he was evacuated from the building, and called the events a coup attempt. He is calling for the immediate removal of the president. "This assault on our nation's Capitol is a coup attempt and all those involved should be prosecuted as such," he wrote. "Also, for those Dems saying we shouldn't impeach @realDonaldTrump again? You are wrong."

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Rising number of Democrats call for Trump impeachment
Rep. Judy Chu joined calls for impeachment, telling Politico that Trump's "actions qualify for treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors. I really question, actually, President Trump's mental state," Chu said. "If I were a member of the Cabinet, I would invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him."

Watch Judy Chu and a squad of AAPIs reppin' at the DNC

Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus take the stage in support of Hillary Clinton.



On Wednesday, if you were watching the proceedings at the Democratic National Convention, you may have seen a squad of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders take the stage, repping the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and talking about their support for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of CAPAC, recalled that there was a time, not too long ago, that seeing an Asian face in the U.S. Capitol was a rare sight. But there are now a record number of API members of Congress.

"We have gone from being marginalized to becoming the margin of victory in key swing states and districts all across our nation," Chu said. "America needs a president who will fight for us. Someone who rejects the hateful rhetoric too often used to divide us and believes that America's diversity is our greatest strength. That is why we've got to elect Hillary Clinton as our next President of the United States."

Chu highlighted how CAPAC's membership includes Rep. Doris Matsui and Rep. Mike Honda, who both spent part of their childhoods incarcerated in internment camps as Japanese Americans -- a dark chapter of our country's history that Donald Trump doesn't seem to have any problem with. The congresswoman also paid tribute to the late congressman Mark Takai, who died last week after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Is the government racially profiling Chinese American scientists?

Sherry Chen and Xiaoxing Xi were both falsely accused of espionage.



This week, congressional leaders held a press conference calling on the Department of Justice to investigate the recent cases against Chinese American scientists who were wrongfully suspected of economic espionage.

Backed by California Democrats, Chinese American scientists arrested on espionage charges demand answers

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-33), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), and Rep. Michael Honda (CA-17) were joined by Sherry Chen, a U.S. citizen and employee of the National Weather Service in Ohio, as well as Dr. Xiaoxing Xi, a U.S. citizen and Interim Chair of the Physics Department at Temple University.

Call Rep. Judy Chu: stand with the many, not the few

Cross-posted from 18 Million Rising


One of our greatest victories is under attack.

Last month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) used their legal regulatory power to pass rules to ensure the internet is fair, open, equal, and accessible for all. After a long fight where over four million people--maybe even you!--submitted comments to the FCC, Chairman Wheeler decided to stand on the right side of history and regulate the internet so service providers can’t decide what you can post, read, and watch online. For Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, an open internet means a fair chance to be heard and the opportunity to thrive.

Now, Republican-controlled Congress is trying to do the dirty work for the big telecoms after they lost at the FCC. On March 25, a key hearing will be happening in the House Judiciary Committee. It’s important that our allies in Congress on Team Internet stand firm in support of the FCC’s Title II rules. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) is on the Judiciary Committee and is the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, which makes her a leading voice for our communities in Congress. We’re calling on her to stand firm as a champion for the internet and for our communities.

Sign 18 Million Rising's petition here.

CAPAC Statement on Riots in Ferguson

"My heart is with the people of Ferguson, and the family of Michael Brown."

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, a grand jury in St. Louis County, Missouri decided not to indict the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, leading to riots and violence in Missouri and around the country. Michael Brown was unarmed at the time of the shooting.

CAPAC Chair Judy Chu (CA-27) and CAPAC Chair Emeritus Mike Honda (CA-17) released the following statements:

CAPAC Twitter Town Hall: Demystifying the ACA, September 25

Got questions about how the Affordable Care Act will affect you?



The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, will host a Twitter Town Hall on Wednesday, September 25 from 3:00-4:00 PM EST on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Got questions about how the Affordable Care Act will affect you? The Twitter conversation will include remarks from Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressman Mike Honda and Congressman Bobby Scott. Join in on the conversation by using the hashtag #AAPI_ACA.

Here are some more details about the Twitter Town Hall:

CAPAC Twitter Town Hall on Immigration Reform, July 12

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) invites you to participate in a Twitter Town Hall on comprehensive immigration reform, happening this Friday, July 12th from 2:00-2:30 pm. You're encouraged to join in the conversation by using the hashtag #AskCAPAC.

Participants will include, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Congressman Mike Honda, Congressman Mark Takano, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth and more. Here are some more details on the Town Hall