The news from the U.S. Supreme Court is shocking, but also not unexpected. Like many of you, I am enraged and very concerned about what the future for women looks like. Many of you may be feeling defeated and helpless, but we must vote in November. We cannot let more Republicans take control of our legislatures and continue to chip away at our rights. Make sure that you have requested your ballot today by visiting our newly-redesigned VoteFromAbroad.org website, so we can keep and grow our majority in the U.S. Senate and House.
We hope that everyone has had time to celebrate Pride this month. The tragic shooting in Oslo, Norway and the ongoing attempts by U.S. state legislatures to take away the rights of trans youth make it clear that we must do what we can to protect them and the entire LGTBQ+ community. We cannot say it enough: Request your ballot today and tell everyone you know to do the same. And check out the Democrats Abroad LGBTQ+ Caucus event page to see what events they have planned for Pride.
Before we head into a summer break, join us on July 14th to hear from APIAVote's Kyle Van Fleet. Kyle will be speaking about mis- and disinformation and its impact on voters, particularly AAPI voters.
As always, if you are looking for ways to get involved, please send us an email at [email protected]. One way to help get out the vote is to phonebank. Learn more about how you can help us call our members by visiting our website with training materials. You can also make a donation to Democrats Abroad on behalf of the AAPI Caucus here. Your financial support to our all-volunteer organization will help pay for voter outreach, improvements to our website, and more.
Best wishes,
Emily Lines
Chair, AAPI Caucus
Recap of AAPI Heritage Month
As Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month came to an end in May, we were honored to speak with Diego Sanchez from PFLAG, who helped us transition into Pride month. He spoke with us about fighting anti-LGBTQ+ censorship, the various anti-trans legislation being proposed at the state level, and how we can take action. Check out the recording of the event.
Thank you to everyone for participating in AAPI Heritage Month in May and all the Democrats Abroad Caucuses that either co-sponsored or hosted an event in honor of AAPI Heritage Month. In addition to the event with PFLAG, we held a number of events that covered a variety of topics about issues impacting the AAPI community. In case you missed any events, you can watch the recordings here:
- Amplifying the AAPI Voice: Kick-off to AAPI Heritage Month with Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY)
- Reproductive Justice for AAPI Women: Conversation with Sung Yeon Choimorrow
- Preserving Our Voices for the Future - Remembering the legacy of Japanese American incarceration
- ECCC May Climate Cafe - The Effects of Climate Change on the Asian Pacific Region
Upcoming Events
Understanding and Combating Voter Mis- & Disinformation with Kyle Van Fleet, APIAVote
Thu. July 14, 2022, 7am DC / 1pm Berlin / 8pm Seoul
RSVP
Updates
President Biden signs law for the National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture
On June 13, President Biden signed a law originally proposed by Representative Grace Meng to establish the National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture.
“Today, I’m honored to sign into law something that is long overdue — the National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture, here in Washington, D.C.,” President Biden said.
The law creates the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act, which will research and submit a plan that would establish a museum dedicated to the community in Washington, D.C. Read his full remarks here.
AAPI Mental Health Crisis
As part of our monthly newsletters, the AAPI Caucus will be sharing information on key issues affecting the coming elections that will impact AAPI communities at both the state and federal levels. In this newsletter we consider the rising tide of violence and racism against AAPI people, its effect on their mental health, and disparities and access to adequate health care along with some actions taken at the Federal level.
May was AAPI Heritage Month and it was also Mental Health Awareness Month. The continued increase in anti-Asian hate crimes has had a profound effect on AAPI mental health, compounded by the existing inequities in healthcare systems and disparities in health outcomes caused by structural racism.
Read the full write-up on the AAPI Mental Health Crisis by the AAPI Caucus.
Reviews & Recommendations
Remembering Vincent Chin
June 23 marks the 40th year of the murder of Vincent Chin. And 40 years later, anti-Asian hate crimes continue. The AAPI Caucus joins with others in remembering the legacy of Vincent Chin and continuing to combat Anti-Asian hate.
For more information, listen or read to NPR's ‘Why Vincent Chin Matters Today Forty Years after his Death’
Allow Me to Retort by Elie Mystal
Allow Me to Retort should be on everyone’s must read list. Lawyer, analyst, commentator at MSNBC and legal editor for the Nation, Elie Mystal has written a brilliant, erudite, blistering interpretation of the Constitution and Amendments. It provides a searing foil to key Republican basitions of policy, such as the Second Amendment and the ‘right to bear arms.’ He may call it a “Black Guy’s guide to the Constitution,” but it really should be read by everyone, including all members of Congress and particularly those sitting on the Supreme Court.
Voting Laws Roundup: May 2022 by The Brennan Center for Justice
The periodic report reviews the bills and laws that are happening across the states to make it harder to vote, enacting election interference legislation and passing laws that undermine voters’ confidence in the security of elections. It also covers states that have enacted expansive legislation, for example in Connecticut where vote by mail has been expanded, for access to mail voting, easier voting registration, expanding voting access for voters with disabilities, and voting rights restoration for those with past felony convictions.