Updates from Advancing Justice - AAJC

Policy and litigation updates from Advancing Justice - AAJC
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Celebrating and Serving Community
Pictured Above (left to right): Rohit Kataria, The Honorable Julie A. Su, John C. Yang, Sherrilyn Ifill, and Tavae Samuelu

As we usher in a season of reflection and gratitude, we continue to celebrate the vibrant tapestry of our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. These past months, we have taken a moment to acknowledge the progress we have made, and to underscore the importance of continuing our commitment to service.

One of the cornerstones of any thriving democracy is the active participation of its citizens, and this includes ensuring that every voice is heard. As we reflect on the significance of this year, we are reminded of the pivotal role language access plays in our democratic process, particularly in the context of voting. Language should never be a barrier to civic engagement, and we stand firm in our dedication to promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all members of our community.

This pause for celebration coupled with continued service allows us to take stock: to see how far we have come, to honor those who have come before us, and to apply their teachings on the path forward. It is also a time to appreciate the richness of our community. From fostering cultural understanding to advancing social justice initiatives, our collective efforts have propelled us forward. Our relationships have grown stronger, and it is through these connections that we find the strength and inspiration to continue our work.
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Take Action

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Volunteer for the Voter Hotline!


Advancing Justice | AAJC and APIAVote run a hotline where voters can get answers to their questions about voting and receive assistance in nine Asian languages. Call 1-888-API-VOTE or 1-888-274-8683 for assistance. Assistance is available in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali. This year, we opened up the hotline to provide support during state and local elections.

Leading up to 2024 Election Day, the hotline will be operational daily. We are looking for bilingual volunteers in Cantonese and Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Hindi, Urdu, and Bengali. We are asking volunteers to respond to election questions in-language over the phone from Feb. 1 – Jun. 8, 2024, on a voicemail return basis for the 2024 Presidential Primaries.

No knowledge or experience in elections or voting is required! We will provide each volunteer with the necessary training.

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Policy & Advocacy Updates

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Condemns Federal Appellate Court Ruling that Threatens the Voting Rights Act



In a 2-1 decision of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, a panel of judges determined that private plaintiffs – such as private citizens and civil rights groups – no longer have the right to bring lawsuits under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), which prohibits racial discrimination in voting. The ruling, which holds legal authority in the states of Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, marks a dramatic rollback of the enforcement of the landmark civil rights law.

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Calls the Government Surveillance Reform Act Much-Needed Reform to Curb Warrantless Government Surveillance of Asian Americans
“The need to curb the federal government’s ability to run backdoor data searches without a warrant is long overdue,” ** said John C. Yang, Advancing Justice – AAJC’s President and Executive Director. ([link removed])
“Asian Americans are all too familiar with being subject to increased and disproportionate scrutiny perpetrated under the guise of ‘national security’. The Government Surveillance Reform Act is a critical step that would help to regulate the collection of Americans’ sensitive communications.”

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Advancing Justice | AAJC in the Media

** Washington Post: ([link removed])
A coalition of 52 Asian American organizations is urging Congress to oppose the renewal of a contentious U.S. surveillance power unless significant revisions are put into place...The missive led by the Asian American Scholar Forum, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, Chinese for Affirmative Action and Stop AAPI Hate alleges that the spying authority — Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act — enables unlawful, discriminatory surveillance of Americans that’s been used for purposes unrelated to national security, including surveillance of certain races or historically underrepresented communities.

** Philanthropy News Digest: ([link removed])
Advancing Justice – AAJC has long fought to uphold affirmative action in higher education because affirmative action has paved the way for many qualified students of color, including Asian Americans, to gain access to our nation’s colleges and universities. This includes low-income students, English language learners, and other Asian Americans who cannot be encapsulated in the “model minority” stereotype. And while we have always known that affirmative action is not a panacea, the decision has accelerated the civil rights community’s efforts to write the next chapter for diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

** Wired ([link removed])
: “Section 702 and related surveillance authorities have been misused to spy on Americans, including but not limited to protesters, journalists, campaign donors, and members of Congress,” says the letter, signed by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, the Sikh Coalition, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and the Stop AAPI Hate coalition, among dozens of other groups. The consequences of unlawful surveillance have had a “devastating toll” on Asian Americans, they say, and on people’s “careers, livelihoods, and reputations.”
Spotlight

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Asian Americans in the 2022 Midterm Elections: Findings From The 2022 National Poll of Asian American Non-Voters and Voters
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presents the topline results of the 2022 National Poll of Asian American Non-Voters and Voters, a survey commissioned by Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC and fielded in the weeks leading up to the 2022 midterm elections. The poll found that Asian Americans are a diverse and increasingly important voting bloc, but they also face a number of barriers to voting. The poll also found that Asian American voters are more likely ** to be concerned about issues such as healthcare, education, and the economy. ([link removed])

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC Condemns Efforts to Link Attacks on Asylum Policy to Supplemental Funding
In the wake of continuing negotiations around President Biden’s supplemental funding request, some anti-immigrant lawmakers are demanding extreme changes to immigration law be included in any supplemental funding bill, including poison pills that would gut the asylum system and create chaos at the border. ** Congress must focus on common-sense and bipartisan reforms to the immigration system—like a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants—instead of trying to grab headlines at the expense of humans fleeing violence and seeking safety. ([link removed])


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Affirmative Action in Higher Education: The Racial Justice Landscape after the SFFA Cases
Cosponsored by 6 civil rights orgs, the report includes approaches that institutions can implement to increase diversity in higher education. The report offers concrete solutions to college students, education professionals, individuals, and institutions looking to further their commitment to pursuing racial equity. ** And it suggests ways to bring fair and robust educational opportunities to all students, paving the way for institutions to admit individuals from varied backgrounds to create a diverse campus that reflects the extensive resources and potential of our multiracial democracy. ([link removed])

Blog Highlights

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** We Need to Show Up Every Day in the Fight for Justice ([link removed])

Reflecting on the remarks of Advancing Justice — AAJC’s President John C. Yang one month after the March on Washington 60th Anniversary

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** The 2023 American Courage Awards: Where Commitment Meets Celebration ([link removed])

The 2023 American Courage Awards, proudly presented by Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC, stand as a beacon of hope
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** Reuniting Families: The Importance & Challenges of Family Immigration ([link removed])

As the holiday season approaches, a time synonymous with social gatherings and cherished memories, it’s crucial to remember that families are the backbone of any society.

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** Anti-Asian Hate Crime Numbers Fell For the First Time Since COVID-19, But Remain Higher Than Pre-Pandemic Levels ([link removed])

Anti-Asian hate crime numbers fell by 33% from 2021 to 2022, indicating the first decrease in anti-Asian hate since the start of the pandemic, according to recently released FBI crime statistics. These numbers however do not reflect the reality faced by Asian Americans and other marginalized communities, as fewer agencies reported data
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** Report Anti-Asian Hate, Harassment, and Violence ([link removed])


By sharing what you experienced or witnessed, you can educate the public, empower others, show service providers where help is needed, and strengthen advocacy efforts for hate crimes response and prevention. We know that sharing these experiences can be painful, which is why we are so grateful for the brave individuals who continue to trust us with their testimonials.
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