Karen Umemoto, professor of urban planning and director of UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center, spoke to ABC7 News about the work of lawmakers, researchers and community leaders who attended the Asian American and Pacific Islander Policy Summit at UCLA on Feb. 10. The summit focused on policy issues pertaining to Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations, including their unique experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic as well as safety concerns regarding the elderly population. Umemoto said that over 18 UCLA faculty members presented policy briefs based on their research. The Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus was a partner in the summit, where a major goal was to address issues including gun violence and other hate crimes, economic challenges, mental health and public health.