Asian American Leaders to hold Chicago Mayoral Candidates Forum
on Tuesday, February 8^th
First-ever effort combines city-wide event with city-wide voter turnout
What: Since late 2010, ten Asian-American organizations have been working together in an unprecedented collaboration to impact the most exciting Mayoral race that Chicago has seen in a generation. Working together as the Pan Asian Voter Empowerment campaign (or PAVE), these organizations - stretching from West Ridge to Uptown to Chinatown - have scheduled a Mayoral Candidates Forum for February 8^th. In addition to the Mayoral Candidates Forum, they are also working together on targeted non-partisan voter turnout throughout Chicago.

When: Tuesday, February 8 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM)
Where: St. Augustine College, 1345 W. Argyle Street (1.5 blocks west of Broadway) in Chicago (free parking is available at St. Augustine College)

Who:
·         Over 750 Asian-American leaders from all over Chicago - from West Ridge to Chinatown
·         As of this writing, Mayoral Candidates Carol Moseley Braun, Miguel del Valle and Patricia Watkins have all confirmed their attendance.  Invitees Gery Chico and Rahm Emanuel have not yet confirmed.
·         Sponsors of the Asian-American Mayor Forum include Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment; Cambodian Association of Illinois; Chinese American Service League; Chinese Mutual Aid Association; Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community; Korean American Community Services; Korean American Resource & Cultural Center; Indo-American Center; Muslim Women Resource Center; and Vietnamese Association of Illinois.
           
Why:    There are over 139,000 Asian-Americans living in Chicago, yet their issues are often overlooked in  city-wide policy and political conversations.  Especially in the middle of a heated Mayoral race, the Asian-American community has organized itself to forward its agenda and make certain that the incoming Mayor will respond to those issues.  The February 22^nd Mayoral election may be decided by just a few thousands, hundreds or even dozens of votes.  Asian-American voters will be part of that margin of victory and candidates must listen to their voices and respond.
Background:  PAVE is a collaboration of the organizational sponsors of the Mayoral Candidates Forum and is organized by the Asian American Institute (AAI).  AAI was established in 1992 as a pan-Asian, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.  Asian American Institute's mission is to empower the Asian Pacific American community through advocacy, by utilizing research, education and coalition building. Our motto is to "educate, advocate, and empower."
Media Visuals: 
·         Hundreds of Afghani, Bangladeshi, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Korean, Pakistani, Vietnamese and other Asian-American leaders attending.
·        Simultaneous translation into Cambodian, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Contact: Sung Yeon Choi Morrow

office 773-271-0899 x 223

cellphone 630-615-9551,
sungyeon@aaichicago.org