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Who’s Who in Civil Rights and Community Activism in Asian American History

Program date: Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Who’s Who in Civil Rights and Community Activism in Asian American History

In celebration of national Asian Pacific Heritage Month and with reference to the new book, Asian American Workers Rising – APALA’s Struggle to Transform the Labor Movement (2021), we heard Washington State senator, Bob Hasegawa and retired regional director of the Inland Boatmen’s labor union, Rich Gurtiza speak about the efforts they made 30 years ago as leaders bringing change to Asian and Pacific Islander workers in the area.  As key figures to know about in local Asian American history, and in Washington history, this facilitated panel discussion helped educators understand how their work brought the focus back to Asian and Pacific Islander workers in Washington, ultimately highlighting the broader struggle for democracy and justice for all.  The panel was followed by Q&A.

Date and Time

Tuesday, May 24, 2022, 4:30-6:30 pm, online

Panelists

Bob Hasegawa Washington state senator, former Teamsters Local 174 secretary-treasurer, APALA founding executive board member
Rich Gurtiza  Inland Boatmen’s Union Region 37 regional director (retired), APALA founding executive board member and former national secretary
Tracy Lai Seattle Central College full-time tenured Historian, American Federation of Teachers – Washington, vice president for human rights, APALA national executive board member (current) and former national secretary, Seattle APALA chapter vice president

Program Benefits