About NAACLA

In 2021, a tidal wave of anti-Asian hate crimes threatened to completely overwhelm decades of hard-fought progress in civil rights and social justice. Law enforcement seemed paralyzed, and the public was largely apathetic to reports of widespread violence and harassment of their Asian American neighbors, colleagues, and co-workers.

Nationally and locally, organizations and coalitions like Stop AAPI Hate mobilized to drive systemic change at the legislative and policy levels, and were doing the vital work of raising public awareness to combat perniciously stereotypical narratives about Asian Americans.

Meanwhile, individuals, families, and communities were being physically, emotionally, and psychologically harmed every day through direct violent attacks, harassment, and abuses of their civil and human rights. 

Thanks to organizations like National Asian American Civil Liberties and Anti-Defamation (formerly Asian American Civil Liberties and Anti-Defamation) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), some victims were able to find immediate support and advocacy for their cases, but most fell through the cracks of bureaucracy, confusion, and despair.

In the midst of this tumult, a small group of attorneys, activists, educators, and business and community leaders saw a need to work at both the micro and macro levels to advocate for broader legal and social change, and to provide direct support to individuals and communities targeted by anti-Asian hate. What began as a grassroots Los Angeles-based effort working out of a humble satellite space in Los Angeles, NAACLA is growing into an unstoppable network of volunteers, experts, and partner organizations, one that is nimble and responsive to the needs of anti-Asian hate victims, and strategically engaged in the long-term fight for social change.

What We Do | Our Services

We offer trusted legal guidance and support in reporting crimes and seeking justice, strengthening community resilience and empowerment.

     1) Legal Advice and Support for Victims of Anti-Asian Hate and Harassment.
 
     2) Our volunteers and lawyers accompany individuals to ensure rights are
         respected during police reporting.

     3) We connect victims with experienced attorneys offering personalized legal
         counsel tailored to your civil rights needs.
 
     4) We provide courtroom assistance to help communities navigate legal
         challenges confidently.





Street Actions and Media Campaigns



     We organize in-person peaceful protests, press conferences, and other public
events such as the annual Atlanta Spa Shooting Memorial event, to demand
justice, raise awareness, and disrupt harmful anti-Asian narratives.
 




Advocacy Issues


      Our team of legal experts and policy advocates are working on the following three
major issues that have direct impact on the civil and human rights of the Asian
American community:


1) Qualified Immunity

2) TAHO 3.0 (Landlord misconducts)

3) Policy Change: False Police Report (Felony)


Contact



Email us at FoundingMember@NAACLA.org