FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2021
Contact: Kevin Hirano, media@apiavote.org, (202) 223-9170
APIAVOTE AND AANHPI LEADERS MEET WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS
WASHINGTON, DC – Christine Chen, Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, issued the following statement after meeting President Joseph R. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with a coalition of twelve other Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander civil rights leaders to discuss voting rights, anti-Asian hate, immigration, and economic opportunity.
“We thank President Biden and Vice President Harris for starting a direct conversation with Asian and Pacific Islander Vote (APIAVote) and other Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) civil rights leaders on the issues impacting our communities. We appreciate this administration’s genuine enthusiasm to engage with our communities, while understanding the diverse makeup and needs.
“At today’s meeting, the Biden-Harris Administration expressed their commitment to protecting democracy amidst a rise in autocracy. We support the Administration’s efforts to pass the For the People Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancements Act. While they may not take a straightforward path, we were reassured that it remains a high priority. We will continue to work with the Administration to ensure stories from our community are used as examples of the danger these anti-voter laws have.
“The time for action on federal action on voting rights is now. We are thankful for President Biden and Vice President Harris for extending AANHPIs a seat at the table to discuss this pressing issue, and we look forward to working with this Administration and Congress to ensure voting rights are protected once and for all.”
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About APIAVote: Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is a national nonpartisan organization that works with partners to mobilize Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in electoral and civic participation. APIAVote envisions a world that is inclusive, fair, and collaborative, and where AAPI communities are self-determined, empowered, and engaged. See our website for more information at https://www.apiavote.org/
