Advocate for Your Community Through Redistricting Hmong Innovating Politics (HIP): “Dao Vang, who handles redistricting outreach for Hmong Innovating Politics in South Sacramento, hopes that the city’s Hmong population and other AAPI communities in the area can one day be unified under one district, as well. “There’s a lot of Hmong folks, not just in the Detroit Boulevard area,” Dao Vang said, adding that there are similar split neighborhoods along Interstate 5 and elsewhere in districts 7 and 8. “I think they don’t share really similar values and really similar interests. Folks in the Pocket, economically, they’re just really different,” Vang said.” ICYMI: District lines have divided communities of color and diluted our voting power. We can change that. Nobody knows our communities better than the people who live in them. In a CapRadio article reported by Sarah Mizes-Tan, community advocates from Hmong Innovating Politics (HIP) and Detroit Boulevard Neighborhood Association, and our ride-or-die 4 Sacramento Deputy Director illustrate some of the 3(!)-decades-long frustrations from misshapen district boundaries that split a mostly Hmong and Latine neighborhood.. With a neighborhood split into 2 districts, organizing for city services that benefit working-class immigrant communities has been sidelined by differing values and interests of wealthier residents. One neighborhood association member said “we kind of felt sometimes like we were left waiting, like that’s the last thing they’ll handle.” District lines not only determine which city council member will represent a neighborhood, but also which neighborhoods will be voting together in future elections. With the lines of power being redrawn, we’re coming together for fair districting which sets the foundation for the next 10 years.. Visit your city’s website and get to know how local lines are being redrawn. Don’t like drafted districts? Speak on behalf of your community thru public comment. https://www.capradio.org/…/this-south-sacramento…/ Give your feedback on Raleigh's local redistricting at the City of Raleigh's public listening sessions! You'll have the opportunity to learn about redistricting in Raleigh, as well as comment on the maps.Learn more about ways to provide input here: https://t.co/ZQX5hO8UHA pic.twitter.com/XsBQTFZbFd— NCAAT (@ncaatogether) December 8, 2021 The three judge panel admitted that the Republican maps are “incompatible with democratic principles and subject our state to ridicule” but still upheld the maps. The NC Supreme court will now decide.#ncpol #FairMapsNC #NCredistrictingtrial #gerrymandering pic.twitter.com/MtyQY7MSAI— NCAAT (@ncaatogether) January 13, 2022
Calling for AAPI Representation in Biden-Harris Administration With record breaking-numbers of AAPI voter turnout in the 2020 election, it is evident that AAPI communities are an increasingly powerful electorate and our unique needs must be heard and addressed in the upcoming administration. With calls for inclusion of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in all levels of government and advocating for community policy priorities, the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans has released statements raising questions over why there have been no Asian American, Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander nominees for Cabinet Secretary positions and calling for inclusion of the AAPI community in the Biden-Harris policy agenda. NCAPA: “AAPI communities this year have faced a two-fold pandemic of COVID-19 and racism—both scapegoated for the spread of the virus and disproportionately vulnerable to its economic and health impacts. This dual pandemic has exposed and exacerbated inequities that have impacted our communities for decades and that will likely continue to impact us even after the public health crisis ends. This moment requires bold leadership and decisive action. The Biden-Harris Administration has promised to be—and has the mandate to be—the leaders for this moment, and the Administration has committed to making racial equity a day one priority.” In a letter addressed to the Biden-Harris Administration, NCAPA and their coalition members detailed top policy priorities for the AAPI community and urge the incoming administration to adopt the suggested policy priorities in order to support and uplift Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Read NCAPA’s Full Statement Here
Participate in the 2020 Election and Voter Registration Ranging from local to national efforts to increase civic engagement within and representation for AANHPI communities across the country, many of our network partners have initiated their own campaigns and mobilization efforts to engage and encourage political participation through the 2020 Census and voter registration for the November elections. North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT) is committed to raising the visibility and voice of the AANHPI population in North Carolina through building up and motivating an electorate throughout the state. More work needs to be done to bridge the gap between registered voters and the voting-eligible population in AANHPI communities. One key way they achieve this goal is through voter registration drives conducted in communities with high AANHPI populations with the help of volunteers, particularly individuals from the local AANHPI communities. Read more about how NCAAT actively engages with communities to amplify their voices and join their effort to increase AANHPI representation and voice in North Carolina! Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta’s Election Protection Program is looking for poll monitors and interpreters to provide vital election protection and in-language help to our communities for the upcoming election. Their Election Protection Program seeks to ensure that all voters can exercise their right to vote through poll monitoring, a multi-language voting hotline, and interpretation services for voters. In California, Hmong Innovating Politics is building people power and seeking volunteers to be part of mobilizing our community members to address important issues and policies that impact them, ensuring they continue to stay informed and ready to vote on November 3. With National Voter Registration day on September 22, 2020, SEARAC has launched their 2020 Presidential Election Voter Guide to help get out the vote. Helping to breaking down cultural barriers that stand in the way of civic engagement, this guide is currently available with written and audio translations in: Hmong, Khmer, Lao, Mien, and Vietnamese. As America is facing a record shortage of poll workers this year due to COVID-19, our democracy depends on ordinary people who make sure elections run smoothly and everyone’s vote is counted. You can make sure we have a safe, fair, efficient election for all by partnering with Power the Polls to help recruit poll workers from your community. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hmong Innovating Politics (@hipcalifornia) on Sep 11, 2020 at 6:26pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by NC Asian Americans Together (@ncaatogether) on Sep 1, 2020 at 7:31am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by NC Asian Americans Together (@ncaatogether) on Jun 11, 2020 at 9:05am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rising Voices (@risingvoices_aaf) on Aug 26, 2020 at 10:37am PDT Mia, 14: “[Kids need leadership] so they know from a young age what they could fight for, because a lot of kids my age are powerful. You can fight for stuff, you can’t just stay home. Bringing the community together and to inform people of color to vote [is important].” pic.twitter.com/pYt6sZdyFP — Freedom, Inc. (@AboutFreedomInc) August 29, 2020
Voter Registration in AAPI Communities NCAAT is committed to raising the visibility and voice of the AAPI population in North Carolina through building up and motivating an electorate throughout the state. One key way they achieve this goal is through voter registration drives conducted in communities with high AAPI populations with the help of volunteers, particularly individuals from the local AAPI communities. Join their effort to increase AAPI representation and voice in North Carolina! View this post on Instagram A post shared by NC Asian Americans Together (@ncaatogether) on Jun 11, 2020 at 9:05am PDT