They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.
Mexican Proverb
This year, 2015, marks 40 years since the first Southeast Asian refugees began being resettled in the US after more than two decades of US wars in the region. As we reflect on our displacement 40 years ago, we reckon with continuing displacement today in the form of US deportation. To end the cycle of displacement in our generation, we have to start from the beginning and ask ourselves: Where did we come from? And why are we here in the first place?
To start answering these questions, we released VIDEO 1: Our History, Our Survival on November 21st to begin our SEAFN Campaign Series following the release of our SEAFN Campaign Launch Video on October 24th. This series will engage community to organize and take action in our campaign to end deportation and displacement, and reunite families. The stories, struggles, and visions of our community will build a grounded and deeper narrative of the Southeast Asian experience. The videos will be released on the third Saturday of every month till April 2016.
SEAFN CAMPAIGN SERIES
- Saturday October 24th – CAMPAIGN LAUNCH VIDEO
- Saturday November 21st – VIDEO 1: Our History, Our Survival
- Saturday December 19th – VIDEO 2: Our Resettlement
- Saturday January 16th – VIDEO 3: Deportation
- Saturday February 20th – VIDEO 4: Deportee Community
- Saturday March 19th – VIDEO 5: Our Fight
- Saturday April 16th – VIDEO 6: Our Future
VIDEO 1: CALL TO ACTION!
We call on our family, friends, & allies to sign on to this SEAFN CAMPAIGN SOLIDARITY LETTER, & let us know how you can commit to supporting this movement to end deportation & displacement, & reunite families. SIGN TODAY!
SEAFN CAMPAIGN IN NBC NEWS!
Forty Years After Resettlement, Thousands of Southeast Asian Refugees Face Deportation, Justine Calma NBC News
“How many times in one lifetime can you be displaced?” ~Mia-lia Boua Kiernan, 1Love
See below the link to VIDEO 1: Our History, Our Survival and feel free to use this Info Sheet if you organize a viewing with family, friends or colleagues.
