Mobilizing To Increase Community Representation and Visibility Since the 2020 election, our network partners have continued to defend and protect the right to vote, increase AAPI voter turnout and representation, and organize members of our communities to make sure policies and elected officials reflect our community concerns and conditions. Together, we can continue to speak up, inform others, and exercise our democratic rights to get represented and address issues and policies. Here are some of the campaigns our network partners are currently working on with opportunities for you to get involved and spread the word on: Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta – From canvassing to voter registration, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta is out in the field putting in the work for a more equitable Georgia. If you’re interested in helping build and shift power in Georgia, come volunteer to canvas and register voters with us! Sign up at https://www.advancingjustice-atlanta.org/volunteer. To celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta is fighting to protect immigrant rights and their access to essential services. Join them in the fight for language equity by signing their petition that urges policymakers to do more for our communities by providing translated materials that would create equitable access to the ballot. Sign the petition at http://bit.ly/voicesrisingcta! CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities – CAAAV is calling all Bangla, Korean, and Chinese (Cantonese & Mandarin) interpreters to help them develop language justice practices! They are looking for experienced interpreters so they can continue to do the work of building a pan-Asian membership base in NYC. Interpreters are integral to their work and have ensured that their members can: engage in principled debate with one another about strategy, participate in training on racial capitalism, and play a role in coalition building across the city. Please email Alina at [email protected] with your name, fluency, and prior experience to get involved! North Carolina Asian Americans Together’s internship for Fall 2021 is currently open! NCAAT is excited to meet and work with youth who are interested and passionate about advocating for Asian American communities. Apply to join NCAAT today at ncaat.org/internships! You can also volunteer to phonebank with NCAAT during this summer. They will work with trained volunteers to help call Asian American voters removed from the 2021 NC voter files. North Carolina purged 391,000+ from the NC voter files in 2021 alone, about 4,000 of which self-identified as Asian American. This is a great opportunity to help eligible voters re-register and understand their voter status and build connections with local Asian Americans in your local community. Many NC elections are decided on razor thin margins, so truly every vote counts! Sign up at ncaat.org/phonebank! VAYLA’s petition for racial inclusion has reached over 100 signatures! “‘Other’ is Not My Identity” is a petition for inclusion, demanding state officials include data for more racial groups in voter statistics and beyond. It comes at a historical influx of xenophobia, racial hate and violence. “Other is not our identity. Data inclusion is a public health issue. Data inclusion is a community impact issue. Data inclusion is a social equity issue–we have the power to make sure we are all seen and represented,” says Jacqueline Thanh, Executive Director of VAYLA New Orleans. Disaggregated data is essential to identifying the complex needs of all communities, as well as providing much needed visibility to the underserved and often overlooked. Help spread the word by signing and sharing the petition at change.org/OtherIsNotMyIdentity. You can also volunteer with VAYLA to be a volunteer translator that supports their movement to amplify the voices of AAPI communities – Sign up easily at https://linktr.ee/vaylano! Asian American United – Asian Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing demographic in PA and yet historically under-engaged by candidates, political institutions, and our state and local governments! That’s why we’re building the first ever state-level issue and policy platform that reflects the shared values and needs of the AAPI community, from the bottom up! But we need to hear from you. Fill out the #AAPIPASurvey to let us know what matters to you: https://surveyhero.com/c/AAUsurvey View this post on Instagram A post shared by NC Asian Americans Together (@ncaatogether) View this post on Instagram A post shared by VietLead (@vietlead)
Help Increase Equitable Access to COVID-19 Vaccines Take action today by keeping your community informed and safe with the COVID-19 vaccine, public health guidelines, and relief efforts! Our network partners have been engaging in community outreach and education on accessing COVID-19 relief and vaccinations and are looking for community members who can help others schedule their vaccine appointments, provide in-language services, and combat vaccine misinformation and myths. Check out some of the campaigns below that highlight volunteer opportunities: Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon has complied a list of compiled BIPOC specific clinics in Oregon. Help a neighbor schedule their vaccine appointment at apano.org/vaccine-info Center for Pan Asian Community Services – Help beat COVID-19 by continuing to social distance and getting vaccinated! By following these tips, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy. Help others find the nearest vaccine location near them at www.vaccines.gov. As communities of color have been the most devastated by COVID-19, Filipino Advocates for Justice have been outreaching to Alameda County (California) voters and nonvoters to provide in-language accessibility to ensure that our communities are getting the assistance they deserve. There have been deep inequities in COVID-19 vaccine rollout and this outreach program aims to inform our communities of their options and give them access and assistance in getting vaccinated. Freedom Inc – With the potential for a spike in evictions this summer as the eviction moratorium expires, Madison Tenant Power and Freedom Inc. are pairing up to raise funds to help folks stay in their homes or find new, better housing! These funds will be used for security deposits and other critical housing funds so that more of our community members to have safe housing for themselves and their families. Funds will be distributed by Freedom Inc. Please give as generously as you can, and please share the campaign! If you live in Fresno or Sacramento County, please join Hmong Innovating Politics’ Hmong COVID-19 Vaccine Network. HIP knows that trying to track down a COVID-19 vaccine has been difficult for so many in our community and they are committed to helping you and your family get vaccinated and navigate the various steps in order to get there. Watch HIP’s COVID-19 Summer Updates video here. North Carolina Asian Americans Together – NCAAT wants to hear from community members in North Carolina! They are looking for folks who have had any experiences and/or issues (Mental health, stigma, financial issues, racism/xenophobia, or others) with accessing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic that identify as an Asian American from an underserved group in North Carolina. NCAAT’s goal is to gather disaggregated data in the form of your experiences that will lead to us having the necessary and improved data to advocate for more resources and funding. VietLead – It is important that our community have adequate access to the COVID-19 vaccine. VietLead’s Health team is really excited to help bring the vaccine and vaccine education to our community in language! VietLead is in need of volunteers to do phonebanking. We need YOU to help with vaccine outreach this summer, in order to debunk myths about the vaccine and share information about how to get it through our pharmacy partners. Sign up to volunteer here! View this post on Instagram A post shared by VietLead (@vietlead) View this post on Instagram A post shared by VietLead (@vietlead)
Protecting Democracy | 2020 Election 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 provide information and resources to our community members and empower them to engage in political participation through voting in the November elections. Together, we can speak up, inform others, and exercise our democratic rights to get represented and address issues and policies. 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 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. Along with phone banking and providing in-language resources, NCAAT in Action’s Get out the Vote outreach campaign help voters in their communities become more engaged by making a pledge to vote and creating a voting plan. Visit the NCAAT in Action website to read more about how can get involved in educating and mobilizing AAPI voices and votes in North Carolina. To help protect voters and defend our election on November 3rd, VietLead in Philadelphia is looking for poll watchers and poll site supervisors. Help voters speak up and exercise their rights by signing up to help VietLead Protect the Polls According to the Ballot Initiative strategy Center, racial justice and criminal legal reform are across the ballot in five states this November. Addressing policing and police brutality, various communities across the country are turning to local ballot initiatives to reform the police. 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
Action Alert: Drop the Charges Against SEAA Organizers VietLead’s Executive Director, Nancy Nguyen, and a group of Freedom Fighters were targeted for speaking out publicly against ICE Director Tony Pham for using his Viet refugee status to spearhead their terror campaign against Black and Brown immigrant and refugee communities. As the government frequently criminalizes Freedom Fighters like Nancy Nguyen who speak out against human rights abuses and imprisons them with bogus charges, take action today and stand with movement leaders and groups who are fighting for justice by signing the Nat’l Statement Demanding Commonwealth Atty. Shannon Taylor to Drop the Charges. We call on all who are against injustice to sign on to this Drop the Charges Demand letter. To join the movement to demand to drop ALL charges, use the action tool kit. Read Nancy Nguyen’s Op-Ed in The Philadelphia Inquirer View this post on Instagram Although Nancy was eventually released in response to a nationally-organized campaign to #FreeNancy, we fear that more community members will be targeted for their political stance and free speech against Tony Pham. Join in with us on our demand and view our toolkit to help us CALL and EMAIL our targets to demand that all charges against our freedom fighters be dropped IMMEDIATELY. #PhamsNightmare9 #Fine9 #UprisingAgainstICE #AbolishICE #PhamIsNotFamily #AbolishPolice #FuckTonyPham #DropTheChargesShannon A post shared by VietLead (@vietlead) on Oct 15, 2020 at 7:17am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by VietLead (@vietlead) on Oct 9, 2020 at 8:48am PDT Please read#DropTheChargesShannon #AbolishICE #phamsnightmare9 #abolishpolice #phamisnotfamily #uprisingaganistICE #Blackorganizerstaughtus #organizingintheSouth #surunido #onefamily #wekeepussafe #southhassomethingtosay pic.twitter.com/xYAA7feDQu — Gorila grip, gorilla glue (@presidentyaya) February 24, 2021
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
2020 Census 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. Rising Voices for Asian American Families has been providing information on the 2020 Census and encouraging communities in Michigan to complete the census through their 2020 Census Pledge. Now more than ever, it is glaringly obvious how important it is for our communities to be visible and accurately counted. The availability of culturally competent medical services and public health information and updates is informed by the data that the census aims to capture. Take action and get counted today, for our communities’ fair share of funding, resources, and representation! Remind your family, friends, and loved ones to fill out their census (online, by phone, or by mail) and for them to inform their networks. The census is available to be completed in 13 different languages, and census language guides are available in both video and print form in 59 non-English languages. More information on 2020 Census guidelines and resources can be found here. 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! View this post on Instagram Big news. NCAAT is excited to say that our Online Voter Registration Portal is LIVE!!! Visit ncaat.vote/ig to register from the convenience of your home. Our portal will walk you through the process step by step. A post shared by NC Asian Americans Together (@ncaatogether) on Jun 11, 2020 at 9:05am PDT