Grounded in love for our communities
Dear Community,
The re-election of Donald Trump poses deep challenges for our values and our vision of democracy. Our work is more essential than ever. Now, we take care of each other and find strength in the face of fear — and we’re ready to fight alongside you.
While we wait for every vote to be counted in every race, we ground ourselves in the love that we have for our communities. We are incredibly proud of the efforts we put into getting out the vote in AAPI communities across California.
This season, we were an anchor of the Million Voter Project’s largest GOTV program in our state. From phone banks to door-knocking, local events to digital outreach, our team and volunteers reached over 12,000 AAPI voters across California in 10 AA& PI languages. Groups in our network worked hard to ensure that voters who do not get much attention in mainstream politics had the information and support needed to make their voices heard.
Our canvassing teams also focused on encouraging AAPI voters to vote Yes on 5 and No on 36. The vision that our communities have for California is different from the one that won out on election day. Our conversations revealed overwhelming support for directing our public resources toward housing for all Californians, particularly those who are struggling most, and prevention programs that make our neighborhoods safer. About 70% of voters we contacted said they supported Prop 5, and about 63% said they would vote no on Prop 36.
While Prop 36 passed and it seems likely that Prop 5 will be defeated, our work during this election activated AAPI voters to vote for progressive policies — for communities over corporations. Our organizing and outreach is meaningful! We will remain a force for positive change, grounded in shared values and commitment to a just, inclusive future.
Thank you to everyone who organized, made calls, shared resources, and voted. Your efforts remind us of the power we have when we come together to fight for communities over corporations.
While we celebrate our victories, we must also be clear-eyed about what’s ahead. Donald Trump and the MAGA agenda threatens to roll back protections for AAPI, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and working-class communities. This agenda endangers our rights and advances policies that prioritize corporate interests over the well-being of everyday people.
Our movements have shown time and again what’s possible when working-class communities of color mobilize. We will continue to hold our government accountable and fight to protect our communities from corporate greed. Voting is just one way we exercise our democracy. Now, we must continue to organize, build leaders from our communities, and raise our voices to fight for justice for working class communities of color in California.
Together, We Are Stronger
In solidarity,
AAPI FORCE-EF
