Judge rules in favor of Harvard in admissions lawsuit

Federal judge rules Harvard can consider race in its admissions process in pursuit of a diverse class.



From NPR: A judge has ruled in favor of Harvard University in a high-profile court case centered on whether the school's admissions process forces Asian Americans to clear a higher bar to get in.

Federal District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs issued her decision Tuesday, saying "the Court finds no persuasive documentary evidence of any racial animus or conscious prejudice against Asian Americans."

In the decision, Burroughs said that while Harvard's admissions program is "not perfect," "ensuring diversity at Harvard relies, in part, on race conscious admissions."

More here: Federal Judge Upholds Harvard's Race-Conscious Admissions Process

Asian American police officers say they were 'routinely' subjected to slurs, stereotypes

Lawsuit claims San Gabriel police maintained a "racially hostile" work environment.



From the San Gabriel Valley Tribune: A group of current and former Asian American officers of the San Gabriel Police Department claim they were routinely harassed and discriminated against -- both by other officers using slurs and stereotypes and by the department’s leadership, who they say passed them up for promotion after complaining about the alleged abuses, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.

The lawsuit claims San Gabriel police maintained a "racially hostile" work environment in which they were demeaned "on a nearly daily basis," including other officers using "mock Asian accents" when speaking to them, as well as comments on their physical appearance and stereotypes about Asian culture.

More here: 5 San Gabriel police officers say they were ‘routinely’ subjected to Asian-Americans slurs, stereotypes

ICE is targeting Cambodian Americans in the largest raid ever

Civil rights advocates file nationwide class action lawsuit on behalf of 100+ refugees detained by ICE.


​Posda Tuot, cousin of Nak Kim "Rickie" Chhoeun, who was detained by ICE on October 20, 2017.
Cambodian refugees detained in recent raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have filed a nationwide class action lawsuit challenging their unlawful arrests. Since early October, ICE has rounded up over a hundred Cambodian refugees with deportation orders, making these the largest raids ever to target the Cambodian community. Nearly 2000 Cambodian refugees are at risk of being unlawfully arrested.

The complaint, filed last Friday by civil rights organizations Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, and Sidley Austin LLP, alleges the detentions are illegal, and argues that without that clear pathway to deportation, the detainees should be released.

The people detained in the raids arrived in the United States as refugee children fleeing the horrors of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Many of them were born in refugee camps and have never set foot in Cambodia. They made the United States their home and became lawful permanent residents.

In the U.S., Cambodian refugee families struggled with trauma and poverty in violence-ridden neighborhoods. Some refugees made mistakes in their youth, which led to criminal convictions and ultimately deportation orders. But because Cambodia has refused to accept them for deportation, ICE had to release Cambodian detainees instead of keeping them indefinitely and unconstitutionally detained.

Professor claims university forced him to teach stats because he's Asian

Seung-Whan Choi is suing the University of Illinois at Chicago.



A professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago is suing the school, claiming that he was discriminated against because he is from Korea. His lawsuit alleges, among other things, that he was forced to teach courses in statistics because he was told "Koreans are very good at mathematics and statistics."

Professor sues University of Illinois at Chicago for racial discrimination

Seung-Whan Choi, a professor in international relations, says that school administrators unfairly fired him in 2011, only to reinstate him and force him to teach statistics. He was also forced to teach a course in Korean politics, despite having no formal education in the field.

Choi, a Korean-born U.S. citizen, claims he experienced years of discrimination and retaliation due to his race and national origin. His lawsuit, filed last week in U.S. District Court in Chicago, alleges that he was ostracized and denied raises comparable to his peers in the department of political science.

Woman sues police for roughing her up in church parking lot

62-year-old Ok Jin Jun has filed a lawsuit against the LAPD, the city of Los Angeles and two police officers.



In Los Angeles, a 62-year-old woman has filed a lawsuit against police officers who she says roughed her up during an early morning encounter last month in a Koreatown church parking lot.

Woman, 62, Sues LAPD For Allegedly Roughing Her Up In Church Parking Lot

Ok Jin Jun is suing the Los Angeles Police Department, the city of Los Angeles and two police officers.

The altercation was captured on surveillance video. Footage shows an LAPD SUV following Mrs. Jun's car as she pulled into her church's parking lot for early morning prayer service on April 14. Mrs. Jun says the officers followed her after she honked her horn at them because they were blocking the church driveway.

But this was not a traffic stop, and Mrs. Jun was not being pulled over.

Chinese Daily News settles labor lawsuit for $7.8 million

Class action victory represents one of the largest wage justice settlements in Asian American history.



After more than a decade of hard-fought litigation, more than 200 past and present employees of China Daily News, one of the country's biggest Chinese language newspapers, obtained a $7.8 million settlement for multiple alleged labor violations.

The class action victory represents one of the largest wage justice settlements in Asian American history.

The suit alleged that Chinese Daily News, known in the Chinese community as World Journal, routinely subjected employees to unfair labor practices including violations of wage laws.

Workers said they were often forced to work 12-hour shifts six days a week without the required rest break. They were not paid overtime, nor were they allowed to report the actual number of hours they worked. The paper also denied workers proper holiday pay.

The original lawsuit stretches back to 2004, when three workers -- including a reporter and sales agent -- sued the Monterey Park-based newspaper over the alleged labor abuses. The suit was certified as a class action, eventually ballooning to more than 200 newspaper workers.

New York teacher fired for lesson about Central Park Five

Jeena Lee-Walker says administrators feared the lesson would incite "riots" and "rile up" black students.



In New York, a former teacher at an Upper West Side high school says she was fired for creating curriculum with lessons about the notorious Central Park Five case. According to a federal lawsuit, school administrators feared the lesson would incite "riots" and "rile up" black students. You've got to be kidding me.

NYC high school teacher claims she was fired for Central Park Five lessons that administrators feared would create 'riots'

Jeena Lee-Walker, who taught English at the High School for Arts, Imagination and Inquiry, says that administrators asked her to be more "balanced" in her approach to teaching about the racially-charged Central Park jogger case. She agreed to "soften" her approach, but after several tense exchanges with supervisors and a series of bad performance reviews, she was ultimately fired.

Family sues school over bullied teen's suicide

Lawsuit alleges officials ignored ongoing bullying that led to Emilie Olsen's suicide



The family of a 13-year-old Ohio Chinese American girl says she was continually assaulted, bullied and harassed online by white students before she took her own life, according to a new lawsuit.

Family of girl who killed herself sues school

The family of Emilie Olsen has filed a federal wrongful lawsuit against he Fairfield City School District, claiming that school officials knew about the constant bullying, but did not do enough to stop it.

"Emilie and her parents tried to end the bullying and repeatedly pleaded with certain defendants to help," according to the lawsuit. "Defendants failed to stop the bullying, and it continued."

Cop rapist was under investigation weeks before last attack

Civil suit claims Daniel Holtzclaw remained on active duty after investigation began.



According to a civil lawsuit filed against Oklahoma City, police officials were investigating serial rapist cop Daniel Holtzclaw six weeks before his final attack, but allowed him to remain on regular duty during the inquiry.

Police officials were investigating Daniel Holtzclaw before final attack, suit claims

On Thursday, a jury convicted Holtzclaw of 18 of 36 charges of rape and sexual assault. Holtzclaw was accused of assaulting 13 women, all black, between late 2013 and June 18, 2014. But according to legal documents, the sex crimes unit began investigating Holtzclaw well over a month before his final assault.

The timing would mean that Holtzclaw attacked half of the women he has been convicted of assaulting while he was under investigation for sexual assault.

Students file lawsuit alleging voter intimidation

Chinese American students accuse town supervisor of voter intimidation and group defamation.



In upstate New York, a group of Chinese Americans college students have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against a local town supervisor, alleging voter intimidation after he challenged their right to vote.

Chinese-American students sue Deerpark supervisor

Ten Chinese American students at Fei Tian College are suing Deerpark Town Supervisor Gary Spears, accusing him of voter intimidation, group defamation and violation of their civil rights after he challenged their new voter registrations in an apparent effort to suppress voter turnout.

In August, Spears challenged thirty new voter registrations by students at Fei Tian, which is located on the grounds of a local religious enclave, Dragon Springs Buddhist Inc.

Defense blames Indian grandfather in police brutality case

"When you come to the U.S. we expect you to follow our laws and speak our language."



This is some bullshit. Former Alabama police officer Eric Parker, accused of using excessive force after he was caught on camera throwing an Indian grandfather to the ground. is on trial again. The first trial ended in a hung jury last month. And this time, the defense appears determined to blame the victim.

Defense blames Indian grandfather at start of new trial, 'follow our laws and speak our language'

The altercation left 57-year-old Sureshbhai Patel partially paralyzed and hospitalized with a fused vertebrae. His apparent crime: going for a walk. (And being brown.) Parker can be seen in police dash cam video taking down Mr. Patel with a leg sweep, slamming him into the ground.

Officers responded to a call regarding a "suspicious person" in the neighborhood. That person turned out to be Mr. Patel, who was visiting from India and staying with his son's family. Patel, who does not speak English, was on an afternoon walk when he was stopped by police. Somehow, the situation rapidly escalated from "No English," to Mr. Patel getting his face slammed into the ground.

Kentucky prosecutor fired for derogatory remarks

Attorney's history of "inappropriate and unprofessional" behavior came to light after "greedy foreigners" remark.



Remember that Kentucky prosecutor who got in trouble for sending a racially inflammatory letter regarding the Asian American owners of a local martial arts school? It's official: he's been fired. Good riddance.

Controversial prosecutor Karl Price fired after incendiary comments

After a monthlong investigation, the Jefferson County Attorneys Office terminated local prosecutor Karl Price last week for his unprofessional behavior, as well as his deliberate refusal to take responsibility for his actions.

It all started in May when Price, while working a civil case in his private practice, sent a letter to the attorney representing the owners of Hwang's Martial Arts Academy, calling the Hwang family, among other things, "greedy foreigners." Later, Price doubled down and defended his comments, saying the Hwangs could be "illegal aliens" due to their "broken English." He was subsequently disciplined for his remarks.

Kentucky attorney suspended for derogatory comments

Karl Price's history of "disturbing" behavior comes to light after "greedy foreigners" remark.



Well. Not long after Kentucky lawyer Karl Price received a teeny slap on the wrist for making racist, derogatory remarks in a letter to an attorney representing Asian American business owners, calling them "greedy foreigners," a little digging into his past has revealed a checkered history of shitty, racist -- and publicly documented -- behavior. And it has come back to bite him in the ass.

Attorney Doubles Down on Racist, Offensive Comments

In light of new evidence brought to light by The Courier-Journal, the Jefferson County Attorney's Office has reportedly suspended Price without pay pending an investigation. The internet does not forget, Mr. Price!

Prosecutor "disciplined" for calling Asian American business owners "greedy foreigners"

Kentucky attorney gets a reprimand and sensitivity training for making derogatory comments.



In Kentucky, the Louisville prosecutor who made racially insensitive and derogatory comments about the Asian American owners of a martial arts school, calling them "greedy foreigners," has been reprimanded and ordered to attend sensitivity training by the Jefferson County Attorney's Office. Seriously, that's it?

Prosecutor punished for referring to Asian-American business owners as 'greedy foreigners'

Assistant County Attorney Karl Price, while working a civil case in his private practice, sent a letter to the attorney representing the owners of Hwang's Martial Arts Academy, calling the Hwang family, among other things, "greedy foreigners who simply did not understand simple contract relations." Price's client is in the middle of litigation with the Hwangs over a dispute about martial arts lessons.

Price's letter also said that the Hwangs, who are Korean American, were "relying on some ancient Asian principle" by refusing to agree on a settlement figure in the case.

"This is a case of greedy foreigners..."

Kentucky attorney's letter uses racist, inflammatory language regarding Asian American business owners.



In Kentucky, an assistant county attorney is under fire for sending a letter containing racially insensitive and inflammatory language to the lawyer representing the Asian American owners of a martial arts school.

County Attorney's office reviewing prosecutor's inflammatory letter

Karl Price, a prosecutor with the Jefferson County Attorney's Office, sent a letter -- through his private practice -- to the attorney representing Hwang's Martial Arts Academy, which operations three locations in Louisville. Price's client is in the middle of litigation with the Hwangs over a dispute about martial arts lessons.

The letter repeatedly refers to the Hwangs, who are Korean American, as "foreigners" and claims they are "relying on some ancient Asian principle" by refusing to agree on a settlement figure in the case.

Comic book artists sue Marvel over 'Iron Man' suit design

Ben and Ray Lai claim Marvel illegally copied elements of their comic book 'Radix.'



A pair of comic book artists have filed a federal lawsuit against Marvel Entertainment, alleging that the super-powered armored suit worn by Tony Stark in The Avengers and Iron Man movies copied their work.

Comic Book Artists Sue Marvel Over 'Iron Man' Body Armor

Brothers Ben and Ray Lai, the founders of Horizon Comics, filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Marvel saying the suit worn by Iron Man illegally copies elements of their work on the comic book Radix.

The lawsuit, filed last week in U.S. District Court in Boston, names as defendants a series of Marvel and Disney enterprises and also makes claims of unfair and deceptive business practices.

Alabama cop indicted for assault on elderly Indian man

Officer Eric Parker is accused of using "unreasonable force" on 57-year-old Sureshbhai Patel.



Last week in Alabama, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced that the police officer who threw a 57-year-old Indian man to the ground, severely injuring him, has been indicted on civil rights violations charges.

Madison Police officer indicted for civil rights violation

Officer Eric Parker of the Madison Police Department was fired and charged with third-degree assault for using excessive force on Sureshbhai Patel, who had been visiting his family from India. The incident left him partially paralyzed and hospitalized with a fused vertebrae.

Mr. Patel, who does not speak English, was on an afternoon walk when he was stopped by police responding to a call about a "suspicious person." Police video shows Parker yanking Patel's arm and slamming him into the ground. He suffered serious injuries requiring surgery and months of rehabilitation.

Korean restaurant ordered to pay $2.67 million in back wages

Kum Gang San failed to pay minimum wage and overtime and stole tips from workers.



In New York, a federal magistrate judge has awarded $2.67 million in damages to eleven workers claiming wage theft against Kum Gang San, a Korean restaurant with branches in Manhattan and Flushing.

Judge Tells Korean-Restaurant Owner in Queens to Pay $2.7 Million in Back Wages

Last Thursday, the court ruled that Kum Gang San, owner Ji Sung Yoo and two restaurant managers owed $2,672,657 in damages to the workers, who are Korean and Latino. The defendants failed to pay minimum wages and overtime pay and stole tips from the workers, in violation of federal and state labor laws.

The plaintiffs say the restaurant required them to work 10-12 hours a day without overtime pay, or even minimum pay, and routinely stole tips that were owed to wait staff. But the last straw was making the employees pick vegetables at the owner's farm outside the city. Oh hell no.

Filipino workers file labor lawsuit against popular bakery

Eleven guest workers are suing L'Amande French Bakery for exploitation, discrimination and trafficking.


(Los Angeles Times)
This week in Los Angeles, eleven immigrant workers filed a lawsuit against two popular bakeries, alleging that owners lured them from the Philippines promising high-paying jobs, only to exploit them.

Beverly Hills bakery workers say they were paid as little as $2 an hour

The lawsuit, filed by Advancing Justice - LA and Latham & Watkins LLP on behalf of eleven current and former employees of L'Amande French Bakery, alleges that the workers were fraudulently lured to the United States on E-2 guest worker visas and then subjected to exploitative working conditions including forced labor, severe wage theft, immigration-related retaliation, and national origin discrimination.

Victims' families file lawsuit over Isla Vista killings

Parents of slain roommates say Elliot Rodger's deadly rampage could have been prevented.



The families of the three UC Santa Barbara students who were killed in Elliot Rodger's deadly rampage in Isla Vista last year have filed a federal lawsuit against Santa Barbara County, the county Sheriff's Department and the apartment complex where Rodger lived, alleging all ignored warning signs that he was dangerous.

Families of Elliot Rodger's slain roommates sue sheriff's, apartment

Rodger killed six UC Santa Barbara students and injured 14 others before taking his own life on May 23, 2014.

The lawsuit was filed by the parents of David Wang and James Hong, who were Rodger's roommates, and the parents of George Chen, who was a friend of Wang and Hong. They three students were each ambushed in the apartment and stabbed repeatedly to death before Rodger went out on a shooting spree.

The lawsuit alleges a failure on several levels, by multiple agents, to recognize red flags that Roger was potentially unstable, violent and a possible danger to himself or others.