October 3, 2017-Monument of Landmark Chinese American Civil Rights Case in New Mexico

 

For Immediate Release

Sept. 26, 2017

www.bernco.gov Contact: Larry Gallegos

lagallegos@bernco.gov

O. 505.468.1273

C. 505.228-6668


BernCo Announces Asian American Monument Public Art Sculpture
Finalists’ Presentations

Bernalillo County – The Asian American Monument Committee is preparing for a monument that will be located on the west side of the Second Judicial District Courthouse at 400 Lomas Blvd NW.

Two artists were selected from a nationwide call for artists for an Asian American Monument in honor of the Landmark ruling in the civil rights case, Territory v Yee Shun. (1882).

The artists: Shan Shan Sheng and Carl Cheng will be presenting their final designs on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at the Second Judicial District Courthouse, 400 Lomas Blvd NW, in the 4th Floor Atrium.

The public is invited to view the presentations. Cell phones, cameras, laptops, etc. are not allowed in the courthouse. Please leave those items in your vehicles.

1:30-2:15 p.m. Carl Cheng

2:30-3:15 p.m. Shan Shan Sheng

One finalist will be selected and awarded the commission.

This monument also honors the citizens and the legal system of New Mexico which recognizes that “justice and liberty for all” is a principle for all ages and people.

The sculpture should reflect the tenacity of the human spirit and speak to all people.

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About Bernalillo County

Bernalillo County is 1,160 square miles and is New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 674,000 residents. Bernalillo County government provides a wide range of public services to residents who live in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos and Tijeras and the 111,000 residents who live outside the village and city limits in the unincorporated areas of the county.  Bernalillo County employs approximately 2,500 people and has an annual operating budget and capital investments of more than $590 million. Elected officials include five county commissioners, assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff and treasurer.                                  

Larry Gallegos
Communication Services Specialist
Communication Services
One Civic Plaza NW, 7th Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Email: lagallegos@bernco.gov
O: (505) 468-1273 C: (505) 228-6668
www.bernco.gov

Please join us for this historical project – a monument which started to  commemorate a landmark Chinese Civil Rights case in NM.  This case represents our forefathers resisting discrimination and racism which they faced when they came to America.  Our forefathers fought back by using the Constitution and legal system to protect their rights.  By doing this, Chinese Americans helped  define and create the legal landscape in US – the rights we as Americans have as US citizens:  Wong Kim Ark v. US (1898), Yick Wo v Hopkins (1886), repeal of the 1920 NM Alien Land Law, 2011-12 Congressional Expression of Regret to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act and many others.

Fraternally,

Siu G. Wong

President, CACA – ABQ Lodge