Helen Zia at the University of Minnesota — Tonight
On April 23, 2026, Helen Zia takes the stage at the Coffman Memorial Theater at the University of Minnesota for a fireside chat on solidarity and coalition building.
Doors open at 6:00 PM; the event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. It is free and open to all.
Helen Zia's role in the Asian American civil rights movement began after the racially motivated killing of Vincent Chin in Detroit in 1982. After a judge sentenced Chin's attackers to probation, she helped organize and lead a coalition of Asian Americans to demand justice — prompting officials to bring federal civil rights charges against the perpetrators, a landmark moment in U.S. history.
Those efforts are documented in the Academy Award-nominated PBS film Who Killed Vincent Chin? In 2023, Zia founded the Vincent Chin Institute to build multiracial solidarity against hate.
Her books include Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People and Last Boat Out of Shanghai, which was an NPR best book and shortlisted for a national PEN America award. She served as executive editor of Ms. magazine and has written for the New York Times and the Washington Post. She holds honorary doctorates from the University of San Francisco and CUNY Law School.
"The Vincent Chin movement's founding principles are the legacy of solidarity," Helen Zia has said. "In 1983, we declared our commitment to equal justice for all and a stand against racism and discrimination of any kind."
That commitment is as alive as ever. Don't miss this chance tbe a part of this conversation.
Register via the QR code on the flyer or by using this link
Below is a photo gallery from the dinner on 4/22 where Helen spoke with the CAAL— Coalition of Asian American Leaders of Minnesota. Helen describes the experience listening to and learning from the Asian American community in the Twin Cities about the experiences they had during the ICE surge and continuing targeting of the AAPI community.
