We often complain about worsening public safety, strained community resources, and policies drifting further away from public opinion. But real change rarely comes from venting—it comes from political participation, policy engagement, and organized action.
AOCC will host a Youtube live event on Saturday, Feb 7, 3:00–5:00 PM (Pacific Time)—our first Prism Roundtable — South Surrey Chinese Community Against supportive/complex-care housing: Why Political Participation and Policy Advocacy Can Change a Community’s Future
This event will focus on a recent, inspiring real-life victory: In November 2025, the White Rock–South Surrey Chinese community, together with residents of multiple ethnic backgrounds, through large-scale mobilization, protests, public hearing participation, and voter pressure, successfully compelled Surrey City Council to unanimously reject (9:0) the provincial government's proposed “supportive/complex-care housing” project (widely feared to include drug consumption elements). This was not only a major win for community safety but also a landmark moment of organized political participation and advocacy by the Chinese community after years of underrepresentation.
We will share key lessons—from community mobilization to influencing decision-making—and discuss:
What policy consequences can result from long-term underrepresentation in politics?
Why do communities so often lose their voice on critical issues?
Is “speaking out without party affiliation is enough” really workable? Why can’t politics be avoided?
How ordinary people can create real impact within the system: door-knocking and outreach, voter mobilization, cross-ethnic coalition-building, and issue-based organizing.
Political participation is not just about “showing up”—it’s about shaping policy, and when the time is right, supporting and fielding community-backed representatives—speaking up, running, and winning at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels.
Format: YouTube live roundtable discussion + live Q&A interaction on YouTube
AOCC warmly invites everyone who cares about community safety and public policy to register, and we welcome active comments and questions during the livestream. The YouTube link will be emailed to all registered participants before the event begins.
We look forward to seeing you in the livestream!