Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) and San Francisco Chinatown partners present “Born in the USA: Wong Kim Ark and the Fight for Citizenship” — a weeklong series of events to honor the 127th Anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case US v. Wong Kim Ark, which affirmed birthright citizenship for all born on United States soil.
As immigrants come under attack, including an executive order undermining birthright citizenship, we remain steadfast in our fight to defend and uphold this fundamental right.
From March 24-28, 2025, we will host events to raise awareness, mobilize the community, and stand up for the rights of all immigrants and their families. You can learn about our events below:
Schedule of Events
Book Talk with Bianca Mabute-Louie
March 24, 2025
12:00-1:00PM
Online
Join us for a virtual book talk hosted by the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum with Bianca Mabute-Louie, author of Unassimilable. In this powerful and deeply personal book, Mabute-Louie explores the complexities of Asian American identity, anti-Blackness, and the myths of assimilation. Through history, personal narrative, and sharp analysis, Unassimilable challenges readers to rethink race, belonging, and solidarity in America.
Community Symposium on Wong Kim Ark’s Legacy and the Struggle for Citizenship
March 24, 2025 4:00-6:00 PMChinese Culture Center of San Francisco
Be part of a powerful community symposium on Wong Kim Ark and the fight for citizenship. This gathering will bring together legal scholars, historians, advocates, and community members for a compelling series of panel discussions on birthright citizenship, Wong Kim Ark’s enduring legacy, and the ongoing struggle for justice. Special guest Norman Wong, the great-grandson of Wong Kim Ark, will join us for this occasion, followed by a reception.
Live interpretation in Mandarin and Cantonese available.
Chinatown History & Art Tour
March 27, 2025 10:30 AM – 12:00 PMChinese Culture Center of San Francisco
In celebration of the 127th anniversary of Wong Kim Ark’s landmark case, the Chinese Culture Center (CCC) invites you to a special, intimate edition of our Chinatown History & Art Tour (C.H.A.T.). This small-group experience explores Chinatown’s vibrant history, art, and activism, highlighting the legacy of Wong Kim Ark, a son of San Francisco’s Chinatown whose 1898 Supreme Court victory affirmed birthright citizenship in the United States.
Birthright Citizenship Resolution & Wong Kim Ark Dedication
March 28, 2025 2:00 PMIntersection of Grant & Sacramento in SF Chinatown
Join us in San Francisco’s Chinatown, at the birthplace of Wong Kim Ark, to honor his legacy and the fight for birthright citizenship. This special event will feature a plaque rendering of Wong Kim Ark celebrating his enduring impact on birthright citizenship and the ongoing efforts to protect this fundamental right. Led by local activists, we’ll reflect on resolutions at the local and state levels and reaffirm our collective commitment to justice for all.
SF Public Library: North Beach Book Display
March 24-28, 2025 Visit during library hours, times vary. North Beach Library, 850 Columbus Ave, San Francisco
The San Francisco Public Library North Beach campus will host a book display highlighting Asian American and Pacific Islander authors and titles, inspired by themes of migration, community, and resilience.
What You Can Do To Protect Birthright Citizenship
Our history is tied to the legacy of Wong Kim Ark and birthright citizenship, and it will take ongoing advocacy to protect this fundamental right. Here are four ways you can stay involved in the work ahead:
- Invite a friend to attend an event as part of our weeklong series commemorating Wong Kim Ark.
- Take action and oppose Trump’s executive order banning birthright citizenship.
- Learn about Wong Kim Ark and Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship.
- Sign up to join Stop AAPI Hate’s Many Roots, One Home campaign to fight back against Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda.
Partners
Born in the USA: Wong Kim Ark and the Fight for Citizenship” is led by Chinese for Affirmative Action and made possible by our partners including the Chinatown Media & Arts Collaborative, Perkins Coie LLP, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco, Chinese Culture Center, Chinese Historical Society of America, Chinatown Community Development Center, Community Tenants Association, Asian Law Caucus, Asian American Bar Association, API Legal Outreach, and API Civil Rights Network.
Contact our team at advocacy@caasf.org for more information to join the movement to protect birthright citizenship.
