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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2006

For More Information, Contact:
Sarah Mason (916) 651-4011

MULTIRACIAL COALITION LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO RECOGNIZE THE CHANGING FACE OF RACE AND DIVERSITY IN CALIFORNIA


WHAT:
A broad coalition comprised of MAVIN Foundation, the Association of MultiEthnic Americans (AMEA), the Multiethnic Education Program, Swirl, Inc, iPride, Asian Americans for Civil Rights & Equality, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and the Chicano Consortium, will hold a press conference to discuss their support of SB 1615, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). 

SB 1615, The Ethnic Heritage Respect and Recognition Act, addresses the changing face of race and diversity in the nation by making California the first state to give multiracial individuals the right to identify with “one or more” racial or ethnic backgrounds on forms that ask for this information.  This large and rapidly growing demographic has long been ignored despite the unique set of challenges that multiracial people face.  The measure would for the first time allow California agencies to understand and address these needs by ensuring that information about multiracial Californians is collected and publicly reported. 

WHEN:
Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 12:30 PM


WHERE:
State Capitol, Room 1190 – Governor’s Press Room
             
SPEAKERS:

  • State Senator Joe Simitian
  • Attorney General Bill Lockyer
  • Alfredo Padilla, Education Project Manager, MAVIN Foundation
  • Asmara Pelupessy, Project Coordinator, Multiethnic Education Program

Other attendees will include: Tarah Fleming, Program Manager and Diversity Specialist, Multiethnic Education Program; Megan Emiko Scott, Bay Area Chapter Leader, Swirl, Inc; Adriane E. Gamble, Bay Area Chapter Leader, Swirl, Inc; Eric Wong, Project Coordinator, Level Playing Field Institute; Jungmiwha Bullock, President, Association of MultiEthnic Americans

HOW:
Media can also listen in by phone:
Dial-In Telephone Number:  (877) 322-9648
Participant access code:  398223

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