APANO is the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon. We are a statewide, grassroots organization, uniting Asians and Pacific Islanders to achieve social justice. Using our collective strengths, we seek to advance equity through empowering, organizing and advocating with our communities. Asian Pacific Islanders make up a growing segment of our state’s population at 5.5%; we are among the fastest growing racial group, from families that have lived here for many generations to newly arrived immigrants. We seek to address the disparities that exists in our communities, while also pushing back against the model minority myth. From listening to members’ stories and experiences, we know that many struggle to make ends meet, and have challenges in their workplace whether that’s due to language and cultural barriers. Our members want a solid and secure future for themselves and families; that is why APANO is involved in Fair Shot--we believe in providing an opportunity for our communities that are most vulnerable and marginalized.
This past year, APANO supported Fair Shot as an active organizational partner. One of the issues that specifically resonated with our members was working towards statewide Paid Sick Days. We brought members with direct experience working in low-wage work to provide testimony on how this bill would better the lives of workers. We know that some groups are less likely to have paid sick time such as people of color, low-wage earners, and single parents. In April, we organized a lobby day in Salem where 60 community members across Oregon met with their elected representatives to share their stories on the importance of paid sick days, and other issues on the Fair Shot agenda. We see economic justice as directly connected to racial justice. We are proud to stand with Fair Shot and advance policies that will support all our families.
APANO members lobbying at the Oregon State Capitol.