National and Local Political Leaders from Asian and Black Communities Unite
Join Los Angeles Community Organizations
Bottom Row L – R: US Congressmember Rep. Andy Kim, CA State Senator Dave Min, Korean American Federation of LA President James An, LA City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, Overseas Koreans Foundation Chairman Sung Gon Kim
(Photo By Chelsea Lauren, Shutterstock)
Photo Link Available HERE (pswd: uprising)
On Stage Video Presentation Link HERE
Los Angeles, CA. (May 6, 2022) Asian and Black civil rights leaders from coast to coast gathered together on Friday, April 29, 2022 to present an outdoor, free public event in Koreatown to mark the 30th Anniversary of the LA Uprising honoring and remembering the Los Angeles civil unrest of 1992. The afternoon was organized by a coalition of LA-based community and faith organizations: Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL), Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA) First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME), Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC) and the Korean American Coalition (KAC).
Representatives from across the country came together in solidarity to help remember and honor the moment Los Angeles experienced during the 1992 LA Uprising, also known as “Saigu” in Korean, which means 4-29, the date the unrest began. Seen here together on the stage included: Asian Americans Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California CEO Connie Chung Joe, Koreatown Youth and Community Center Director of External Affairs Steve Kang, Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung, Chief Cecil Rhambo, Buena Park Mayor Sunny Park, CA Attorney General Rob Bonta, LA City Attorney Mike Feuer, LA City Councilmember John Lee, Korean American Coalition Executive Director Eunice Song, Irvine Councilmember Tammy Kim, LA Urban League President & CEO Michael Lawson, US Congressmember Marilyn Strickland, US Congressmember Jimmy Gomez, US Congressmember Karen Bass, LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Consul General of the Republic of Korea Youngwan Kim, US Congressmember Rep. Andy Kim, CA State Senator Dave Min, Korean American Federation of LA President James An, LA City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, Overseas Koreans Foundation Chairman Sung Gon Kim.
This commemorative event, LA UPRISING | SAIGU PEACE GATHERING brought together Black and Asian recording artists, cultural performers and spiritual speakers for an afternoon of healing and reflection.
The free, outdoor event presented an incredible group of musicians that included:
- Dok2: Fans of the international South Korean star jammed in Liberty Park to celebrate the rare Los Angeles appearance of this major artist.
- Junoflo x G2 x Ted Park: Popular Korean American rappers combined for a rare set specifically crafted for the occasion and performed a fantastic set getting visitors dancing in the park.
- RÜDE CÅT: Who treated the audience to a dynamic sonic experience pushing a “rise-up”.
- Justin Park: a Korean-American singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, Justin kept the crowd moving with R&B music and pop tunes!
- Know-Madik Known for his air-tight flows and image-rich lyrics, Know-Madik debuted his brand new single that he launched that day on Spotify.
- LaDiamondBlue: a Singer-songwriter from South Central LA who delivered an engaging musical set.
- Hwarang Youth Foundation Drummers: Delivered an inspiring drum act highlighting Korean culture.
- First AME Church Mass Choir: Provided a healing and energetic gospel performance.
- Seasun Theater Group: Sharing a powerful singing performance.
Co-Emcees were:
- Yoonj Kim: MTV correspondent and writer. She is a former on-air talent and producer for the TPL Disrupt documentary series on Participant Media’s Pivot.
- Melvin Roberts: Co-anchor of Your Morning on Spectrum News 1 and host of the Emmy nominated and LA Press Club winning series The SoCal Scene.
- Alexandra Reid: American singer, songwriter, rapper, and model. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group BP Rania, becoming the first African-American idol in the South Korean music industry.
Cultural Performers and Spiritual Speakers included:
- Hwarang Youth Foundation Drummers: A student-led volunteer service organization with chapters in LA and across the world with a focus on community beautification programs.
- First AME Church Mass Choir (gospel choir and spiritual invocation): The oldest church founded by African Americans in Los Angeles, dating to 1872. The invocation was lead by Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, Senior Minister.
- Hyepin Im: President and Founder of Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE).
Media Contact:
Evolutionary Media Group
Jennifer Gross | Oona Oglesby
Jennifer@emgpr.com | Oona@emgpr.com
Thank you to organizers!
