On August 28th, APIAVote will be participating in the March on Washington to demand passage of George Floyd’s Policing Reform Act and the John Lewis’s Voting Rights Advancement Act.

The 1963 March on Washington, originally conceived from prominent labor activists, evolved into a collaborative effort amongst major civil rights groups and icons of the day. The event was home to Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech that resounded in television sets across the nation.

The event not only gave birth to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 but also the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which abolished an earlier quota system based on national origin and established a new immigration policy based on reuniting immigrant families. It also gave birth to the National Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Without the tireless work of the Black community, many Asian Americans would not be here today. Many of our immigrant families would not be together today. Many of us would not have laws protecting our right to vote. 

The Asian American community has taken inspiration from this gigantic step for civil rights in the fight against Japanese internment and we’ve carried that spirit today in supporting the Black community against police brutality, racism, and discrimination. We are all stronger together, and it is together that we will be able to fight racism against minority communities and move towards a more equitable society.

Here is how you can get involved:

• If you would like to attend in-person, please take a few moments to register with the National Action Network to secure your ticket for the event and to receive information directly from NAN. Click here for information. All participants will be required to wear PPE and maintain social distancing.
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC will be hosting an AAPI meet-up to coordinate participation in the in-person march. Sign up here to receive information.
• If you prefer to engage in march activities virtually, see the site for the 2020 Virtual March on Washington created by the NAACP at https://2020march.com/.