Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, the leading legal and civil rights organization serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, hosted its 40th anniversary gala at a Thursday, Oct. 12 reception at the Vibana in downtown Los Angeles.
The event, themed “United in Action: 40Forward,” celebrated accomplishments and recognized trailblazers in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, a news release states.
Brandon Tsay, who is regarded as a community hero after disarming a mass shooter at his family’s Alhambra dance studio, received the 2023 Joseph Ileto Courage Award. Tsay has since received global attention, was honored by President Joe Biden, and received scholarships for his courage. He has since been vocal about ending anti-Asian hate and supporting mental health resources.
“I wasn’t planning to be any kind of a hero in January. It was almost a reflex reaction to protect the people inside my family’s ballroom,” Tsay said, reflecting on the day when just moments before entering the Alhambra dance studio the shooter had killed 11 at Monterey Park’s Star Ballroom Dance Studio. “I hope that more people will have that same reaction in the face of hate.”
The award was presented by actor and action star Daniel Wu, who called Tsay “a real-life hero.”
Kristenne Reidy — the daughter of Valentino Alvero, one of the victims in the Monterey Park shooting on Lunar New Year — presented the Ruby Hero Award to Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, for her leadership in the AAPI community spanning over 40 years. Chu is currently the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Philanthropists Walter Wang and Shirley Wang were also recognized with a Ruby Hero Award for their global philanthropic efforts supporting the community, presented by the Advancing Justice Southern California President Emeritus, Stewart Kwoh. The Wang’s foundation has raised $40 million towards fighting anti-Asian hate and drug abuse; while supporting education, medical relief and research.
“With some 90 staff who speak more than a dozen languages, AJSOCAL is uniquely positioned as the nation’s largest legal service and civil rights organization for Asian American Pacific Islanders to protect and fight for our communities in times of need,” said CEO Connie Chung Joe during the program. “We did that with the El Monte Thai garment workers, with the 1992 L.A. uprising (Saigu), during (the pandemic) with emergency Disaster Relief Assistance to immigrants, and earlier this year after the Monterey Park Lunar New Year shooting. We continue to do so today with the rise in anti-Asian hate.”
“Although our community may be vulnerable, we are not weak. And although we may be exploited, we are entitled to justice,” Joe said. “It is because of these two principles that AJSOCAL has existed for 40 years and we will continue to carry our fight into the future.”