For at least 150 years, Asian Pacific Americans have faced racial discrimination, violence, and segregation. Unable to vote before World War II, many used legal challenges and other non-electoral means to fight for equality (Salyer 1995). Family and regional associations formed for economic needs, while other groups organized to defend worker rights (Bulosan 1973; Kwong 1997; Yoneda 1983). Civil rights organizations such as the Japanese American Citizens League (founded in 1930) and the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (founded in 1915) promoted assimilation and opposed discrimination.