Sign On to Join AAPI Orgs Fighting for Voting Rights Join AAPI organizations around the country in sending a clear message to the U.S. Senate that voting rights are fundamental to a healthy democracy and must be protected. Call on the Senate to proceed and pass H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. Sign on here! We are in a moment where we need to show up to protect the right to vote. The Senate has an opportunity to vote on landmark civil rights legislation, but we need your help. We’re asking every Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander organization that believes in our democracy to sign onto this letter. Today, the House passed the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. We support legislation that makes it easier to vote and restores critical protections of the Voting Rights Act, including for language equity. The Senate must now act to #FightforVotingRights. pic.twitter.com/AHpPnWN1YT— National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (@NAPABA) January 13, 2022 STATEMENT: AAPI Victory Alliance Urges Biden Administration for Action on Federal Voting Rights Legislation Ahead of Georgia Speeches, Midterms AAPI Victory Alliance Executive Director Varun Nikore issued the following statement: “Voting rights is the pillar of our democracy. AAPI Victory Alliance stands with fellow advocates in urging the Biden administration to shepherd across the finish line federal legislation that will protect the right to vote as we head into midterms, and beyond. As AAPIs were responsible for the highest increase in electoral engagement than any other in the 2020 election, voting rights stands at the central core of our newfound electoral empowerment. It is our sincere hope that, beyond advocacy and vocal support, President Biden and Vice President Harris will today outline a concrete plan of action for protecting the most bedrock American rights: the right to vote in free, fair, and secure elections that are not tainted by partisan manipulation.” “Voting rights is a national issue and, at this very moment, those rights are at stake. In Georgia, where Biden and Harris will speak today, after constituents decisively voted for new leadership in 2020, Republicans in the legislature decided that they could not win on the merits of their ideas alone. Instead, extremist lawmakers passed a voter suppression law that simply cuts out the electorate they know won’t vote for them. Georgia is far from the only state overtly acting against the ideals of democracy.” “Ahead of the speeches, and in lieu of fanfare, we urge President Biden to give us a plan of action to protect and expand the right to vote. The Senate must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act; the fate of our democracy depends on it.” Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta: We urge President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to come up with a concrete plan to pass federal voting laws immediately. We need action now! Phi Nguyen, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, addressed the President and vice president, saying, “We beg you to stay in Washington tomorrow because we don’t need you here in Georgia. We need legislation that will ensure that our democracy accurately reflects the growing diversity of this state and of this country. Mr. President and Madam Vice President, we beg you to ground that plane the same way that we continue to beg you to ground the planes of so many of our community members who are being deported because we still lack a pathway to citizenship.” Whether it’s language access, long lines, voter intimidation, or being unable to vote during working hours, we all require and deserve the right to safely and knowledgeably vote in each election.The #FreedomtoVoteAct and #JohnLewisVotingRightsAct are pivotal first steps. (2/3) pic.twitter.com/O2lj28ebq0— VAYLA New Orleans (@VAYLANOLA) January 13, 2022