LOS ANGELES – On September 23, AAPI Equity Alliance joined the Can’t Stop California campaign to protect Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters from election interference this November. The campaign is made up of election officials, elected leaders and community organizations and is the state’s largest nonpartisan grassroots campaign protecting California voters against election interference.
“AAPI Equity Alliance is proud to stand in solidarity with Can’t Stop California to ensure that our communities can exercise their right to vote safely, freely, and without barrier or interference,” said Manjusha Kulkarni, executive director of AAPI Equity Alliance. “With today’s unprecedented assaults on our elections and voting rights, and on immigrant communities, protecting our right to vote is essential to ensuring every eligible vote is counted.”
At a news conference, Can’t Stop California announced its strategy for mobilizing Californians to stop interference and ensure elections remain accessible, safe and secure. Plans include training Californians as neighborhood voter protectors, showing up at polling places to make sure voters know their rights, and documenting any attempt at intimidation.
“For over 60 years, the Voting Rights Act has protected everyone in America including Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders who were denied access to the ballot box based on their race, ethnicity, or limited English proficiency at one time,” Rep. Judy Chu said at the news conference. “Our community knows exactly what happens when fair representation is denied – Chinatowns are splintered between districts, community members are harassed because of their accent, and our political power is diluted. It means our communities are sidelined for political gain.”
AAPIs are the fastest-growing electorate in the country, but historically have been targeted with voter suppression tactics that continue today, including lack of in-language voter materials, mis- and dis-information, restrictive voting laws and intimidating poll environments.
As AAPI families face increased threats of immigration enforcement raids, AAPI voters may be deterred from voting. With the upcoming November election quickly approaching, Kulkarni added that protecting voter rights and mobilizing AAPI communities are more urgent than ever.
AAPI Equity applauded the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s commitment to a safe and fair election and ensuring all eligible voters feel safe and welcomed at the polls in November, free from interference and misinformation.
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9/23 We Are California Coalition Press Conference Photo Caption
Please credit photos to: AAPI Equity Alliance
Caption: Rep. Judy Chu with We Are California coalition members at Sept. 23 Can’t Stop California rally.
Download the photo here.
About AAPI Equity Alliance:
AAPI Equity Alliance (AAPI Equity) is a coalition of 50 community-based organizations serving the diverse needs of the 1.6 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles County and beyond. It is dedicated to improving the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through civic engagement, capacity building, and policy advocacy.