Send a Strong Message: Vote
There are six weeks left until the midterm elections on November 6 – where over 130 seats are up for election in just the state of Minnesota. These seats include the governor, both state senate seats, several state house representatives, and many district seats.
AAOP connected with a Church of St. Columba and Filipinx for Immigrant Rights and Racial Justice in Minnesota (FIRM) to speak about the upcoming midterm elections.
Nam, the president of Church of St. Columba’s Vietnamese Youth Heritage Movement, says that the organization was introduced to AAOP as a way for youth to continue to build community in the Twin Cities. Much of that community building pushes Vietnamese community members to come together to participate in elections every year.
“The older [Vietnamese] generation fought very hard to get the freedom to vote,” Nam says. “We should not only vote in the presidential elections because the local ones can make a huge difference.”
One way voting can make a difference is by sending a message with our representatives, FIRM Co-Founder Greg says. And it’s especially crucial to be the voice — especially in this political climate.
With the Trump administration ramping up an aggressively anti-immigrant policy day after day and cutting back on immigration programs that would reunite families, Greg states it’s especially important to be engaged and aware.
“For our community and for my family members and friends, these policies could be incredibly damaging,” Greg says.
There are many families who are already stuck in a decades-long immigration system that prevents parents from seeing their young children.
“By voting, by voicing opinions, it also sends the message in support to other communities of color that may be marginalized,” Co-Founder Maryam says. “It’s sending that strong message that we support them even though we may not be able to physically be there.”
This issue not only affects the Latinx communities, but a large portion of the Southeast Asian diaspora as well. From Filipinx communities to Vietnamese communities, the issue of immigration reform and deportation is something weighing heavily on many community members minds. Not only is voting a way to show support to communities affected by such policies, but it’s also a way to show up and be present.
“As long as we vote, the people will become aware that we’re here,” Nam says. “If you’re a citizen and not registered to vote, when our government look at the data, they don’t see you and your issues and can’t account for it.”
So show up for the Midterm Elections. Mark your calendars now for Tuesday, November 6th 8AM to 8PM. You can find your polling place here: mnvotes.org