ACTIVISM, ALLYSHIP, and AWARENESS FOR AAPI ISSUES
Roxas Law has organized and sponsored several community rallies and solidarity gatherings, bringing awareness to the rise in anti-Asian hate and encouraging allyship from other minority communities. Specifically, Roxas Law was vital in spearheading, organizing, and/or sponsoring the following community events:
- “Solidarity Workout Rally” in Torrance, CA on July 11, 2020
- “Alliance Against Anti-Asian Hate” in Carson, CA on March 28, 2021
- “Stand Up, Stand Together” in Redondo Beach, CA on April 11, 2021
- “South Bay vs. Anti-Asian Hate” in Hermosa Beach, CA on May 1, 2021
- “Stand Together, Sweat Together” in Torrance, CA on May 23, 2021
- “Solidarity Walk” in Cerritos, CA on June 19, 2021
- “Cerritos Residents Against Asian Hate Crimes” in Cerritos, CA on June 26, 2021
Sandy K. Roxas has also devoted countless of hours to online webinars and forums in an effort to educate the community and allies in identifying anti-Asian hate incidents, anti-Asian hate crimes, bystander intervention, victims’ rights, and resources for survivorship. Specifically, Sandy has presented at the following online webinars aimed specifically for the AAPI community:
May 15, 2020: Sandy was a featured panelists at the Philippine American Bar Association’s (PABA) Community Webcast Series. This webinar was held at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sandy presented on issues that directly affected the AAPI communities during COVID-19, including family law, domestic violence, restraining orders, identifying in-home child, spousal, and elder abuse.
March 2021: Sandy was on the organizing team for the “Stand Up to Hate: Know Your Rights & Community Forum” in partnership with the City of Los Angeles, PABA, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the City of Los Angeles Commission for Civil and Human Rights. This is a monthly program designed to educate the community on identifying anti-Asian hate incidents/hate crimes, victim’s rights, law enforcement reporting, and resources for victims.
June 3, 2021: Sandy was a panelist for the California Employment Lawyers Association and The Foundation for Advocacy, Inclusion, and Resources. Sandy discussed anti-Asian hate, overcoming racism and hate, and identifying anti-Asian hate incidents/hate crimes.
May 12, 2022: Sandy was a panelist for the Korean American Bar Assocation of San Diego’s “Breaking Barriers: Ongoing Asian Hate Crimes in the Community and Law” Sandy discussed anti-Asian hate and bystander intervention.
July 9, 2022: Sandy was a panelist for the Orange County Democrats’ “Hate Crime Training”. Sandy discussed anti-Asian hate, overcoming racism and hate, and identifying anti-Asian hate incidents/hate crimes.
September 24, 2022: Sandy was a panelist for the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association’s “Hate Crime Prosecution”. Sandy discussed hate incidents/hate crimes and the role of the victims’ rights attorneys.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, SERVICE, and SCHOLARSHIP
Roxas Law has generously supported local and international communities. In addition to their legal work, Sandy K. Roxas establishes financial educational scholarships, volunteers at local schools, is a leader in professional organizations and non-profit organizations.
Since 2009, Roxas Law has funded annual scholarships to graduating seniors at Carson High School. Scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors who demonstrate financial need and community service. Since 2021, Roxas Law has funded an annual scholarship through the Philippine American Bar Association which awards a law student who has a demonstrated commitment to the AAPI community and public service.
Additionally, Roxas Law is a sponsor for the Palos Verdes Peninsula High School Mock Trial team, where Sandy serves as a volunteer coach for the school’s mock trial team. In 2021, the PVPHS mock trial team placed second place in Los Angeles County.
Sandy also serves as a Gold Scouts Gold Award Project Advisor for a female Asian high school student, whose project is focused on combatting anti-Asian hate and providing service for the elderly AAPI community. Roxas Law has proudly mentored high school students, graduate students, and law students who have chosen careers in the legal field as deputy district attorneys, deputy public defenders, family law, and environmental lawyers.
Sandy is a proud member of the National Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), the Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance (APAWLA) and the California Asian Pacific American Bar Association (Cal-APABA). Additionally, Sandy holds a leadership role in the Philippine American Bar Association Foundation (PABA Foundation) Sandy is currently the President of the PABA Foundation (the non-profit, charitable arm of PABA). Sandy served on the PABA Board of Governors from 2016-2020. Sandy also served on Cal-APABA’s Task Force for Anti-Asian Hate.