On October 6th, 2018, SAAPRI collaborated with the Indo-American Center (IAC), Hamdard Center, and Chicago Desi Youth Rising to host “The Future of South Asians in the U.S.” Participants met with several local organizations at a resource fair who work…
The State of South Asian American Influence & Power in Illinois: Fall Fundraiser
On September 29th, 2018, SAAPRI hosted a fall fundraiser titled “The State of South Asian American Influence & Power in Illinois.” Our panelists, Ram Villivalam, Dilara Sayeed, and Hardik Bhatt, moderated by K. Sujata, engaged us on ways we can…
Statement on the 2018 World Hindu Congress
From September 7th through September 9th, 2018, the second annual World Hindu Congress (WHC) convened in Chicagoland. WHC 2018 states its purpose as a global platform for Hindus to connect and impact the common good. However, there have been troubling…
Ahimsa: The End of Violence at Shedd Park
On July 13th, 2018, SAAPRI and the Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Chicago Park District, conducted its second event in a series of Night Out in the Park events titled “Ahimsa: The End of Violence.”…
Statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 – signed into law on October 3th, 1965 and effective on June 30th, 1968 – was a watershed piece of immigration legislation that has had tremendous impact on the country and especially the…
2018 Statement on Trump Administration’s Immigration Policy
OUR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES AT RISK: BORDER POLICY, MUSLIM BAN, AND A BROKEN SYSTEM The Trump administration’s attack on immigrants and families has continued in devastating and cruel ways. In April 2018, the administration implemented its “zero-tolerance policy” for migrants crossing…
Ahimsa: The End of Violence at Abbott Park
On June 15th, 2018, SAAPRI and the Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Chicago Park District, conducted the first in a series of Night Out in the Park events titled “Ahimsa: The End of Violence.” The…
2018 NCSO Annual Convening and Lobby Days & Asian American Action Day Rally
In May 2018, SAAPRI attended the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations’ (NCSO) Annual Convening and Lobby Days led by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT). SAAPRI’s Executive Director, Dhara Puvar, and SAAPRI Fellow, Anil Methipara, joined representatives of over…
Statement on Department of Commerce’s addition of citizenship status question on 2020 Census
ATTACK ON THE 2020 CENSUS On March 27th, 2018, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that a question asking for citizenship status will be added to the 2020 Census. This change was in response to a request made by Attorney General Jeff Sessions…
Talk It Out: #MeToo – Desi Round Table on the Women’s Movement
On March 18th, 2018, SAAPRI was proud to co-host Talk It Out: #MeToo, a Desi round table discussion focused on normalizing conversations around sexual harassment and gender bias in our community. At this event, SAAPRI shared the latest demographic data…