Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Vote!

By Scanews staff

The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO
announced today the implementation of its national,
non-partisan voter mobilization project for the upcoming
2002 mid-term elections. 

"APALA is proud to sponsor a non-partisan voter mobilization
project in Las Vegas, New Jersey, Minneapolis, Los
Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle," said Gloria T.
Caoile, Chair of APALA's Political Action and Mobilization
Committee. "We want to see large numbers of Asian American
and Pacific Islanders turn out to vote in this coming
election. Voting is essential to keeping democracy
alive and APALA is committed to empowering the Asian
American and Pacific Islander community so that we
can have an impact on the electoral process." 

APALA Vote 2002 is a continuation of APALA's work in
previous elections, where APALA operated non-partisan
voter registration, voter education, and get-out the
vote program aimed at increasing the participation
of Asian American and Pacific Islanders. In addition
to the cities already mentioned, APALA has coordinated
political mobilization programs in Philadelphia, Portland,
Alameda, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Miami.

"APALA's presence in Las Vegas is a recognition of
the rapid growth of Asian American and Pacific Islanders
in Nevada," said Rozita Lee, a long time resident of
Las Vegas and leader in the Asian American and Pacific
Islander community. "The recent influx of Filipino
Americans, Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, along
side long time Chinese American and Japanese American
residents, is making Las Vegas a vibrant and diverse
community. These new arrivals are raising families
and contributing to the economic growth of the state.
As they take deep roots in this state, we want them
to participate in civic life so that elected officials
can address issues affecting working families." 

In Minnesota, the growth of Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders, particularly the Hmong community, has been
phenomenal. With their increase has come political
involvement. The election of Mee Moua, the first Hmong
American elected to public office was a historic milestone
for the rapidly growing Hmong community in Minnesota.

"Asian American and Pacific Islanders are very much
interested in what is happening in their own communities,"
said Luisa Blue, National President of APALA. "The
vote to form a new cities apart from Los Angeles is
creating intense interest and we expect the large voter
turn out of Asian American and Pacific Islander to
influence the outcome of this particular issue." 

In New Jersey, APALA's GOTV program is on track to
generate voter turnout in the coming election. "The
large population of Asian American and Pacific Islanders
in New Jersey has long been recognized by the political
establishment of New Jersey," said Kathleen Topacio-Flores,
who is coordinating the program and is the National
Treasurer of APALA. "Asian American and Pacific Islanders
have long been involved in politics in New Jersey and
APALA's support will enhance their existing efforts."

"Asian American and Pacific Islanders are an increasingly
important presence in American society, making significant
contributions to our nation's cultural, and economic
life," said Jin Sook Lee, APALA's Executive Director.
"In addition, our community is also increasingly participating
in America's civic life. Because of this, APALA is
committed to mobilizing the Asian American and Pacific
Islander community to make sure that every vote counts.
More importantly, we want to educate the community
on issues---fair immigration policy, affordable health
care, preservation of social security, good schools,
and tougher hate crimes laws---that impact their daily
lives." 

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Editor Note:

APALA, founded in 1992 with the strong support of the
AFL-CIO, is the first and only organization of Asian
American and Pacific Islander trade unionists. Since
its inception, APALA has been committed to organizing
the unorganized, mobilizing the Asian American and
Pacific Islander community for political action and
mobilization, advocating for worker rights, civil rights,
and immigrant rights and building alliances between
labor and community. 
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