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APIMB Statement of Principles |
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BACKGROUND
The outcome of the 2004 US elections signified a green light to continued escalation of right wing forces - for the US to continue its policies of empire building, corporate exploitation, and inequality. At the same time, we also see an opportunity for increased activism and leadership in grassroots communities of color, who have been experiencing the impacts of these policies firsthand. It was in this context, that a small group of activists from Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco Bay Area got together on 11/13/04 to talk about ways that we can rebuild the Asian/API Movement as a force for social justice and social change. Since then, Asian/API activists have been developing communications, sharing analyses, and building a network of progressive API organizations and individuals who are united around the following principles. These principles are a set of working ideas that do not fully capture our views and beliefs.
PRINCIPLES
We are individuals involved in community, labor, student, gender identity, and environmental organizing in API communities and in collaborative efforts with others involved in similar issues. We believe Some of the beliefs and feelings that brought us together are:
- We are building an Asian/API Movement that stands for full equality, social justice, and social change.
- Recognizing there is class polarization, divisions between different racial/ethnic communities, and a broad spectrum of political ideas, we feel the absence of a strong progressive voice in the Asian/API Movement today, that can articulate an alternative vision and want to rebuild that voice, not in isolation but in close connection with youth, immigrants, working people and the community in a way that can set a social change tone for all of our communities.
- We believe that capitalist and imperialist system produces inequality, injustice, and exploitation that should be exposed and combated.
- We prioritize grassroots organizing and base-building among working class people, people of color, gender oppressed, and young people.
- We support international solidarity against global exploitation and for national self-determination. We support peace and equality among nations.
- We support the protection of the environment particularly the struggles led by communities of color to address environmental injustice in their communities and workplaces.
- We value more collective, collaborative and cooperative processes and structures as a framework for society.
- We believe it is important to develop a larger vision, and, in the long run, a more coordinated strategy, for movement building. |
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What is APIMB