Statement on the Election
This presidential election was more than just Harris vs Trump and their vision for America. For us it was about what kind of leadership will allow us to work with them to advance our issues and agenda for Southeast Asian communities and folks. Trump’s victory means that he will fully push the bounds and limits of the president's authority to push through his agenda and vision without us. He is less likely to hear about Southeast Asian issues and concerns and less likely to work with us to co-create a future for all. His agenda already did not include our communities from the beginning.
Conversely, we knew that no matter who won - Harris or Trump very little will change for our communities. The leadership of this country has changed in the last 50 years of our displacement as refugees to the United States. It has demonstrated to us that the results of presidential elections do not necessarily translate to meaningful change for our communities. What we know is that the inequitable systems and structures still remain in place even when leadership changes. We have long known and fought to change these structural systemic inequities to eliminate barriers for our communities. This does not dismiss that leadership change is not important but that we have long known who is in charge matters to how we can push for systemic inequity changes. Trump’s victory will make it more challenging for us to change the systemic inequities as he banks on those structures and inequities to push his agenda forward. He takes full advantage of those structural inequities to implement further harm with little impunity. We have seen a Trump presidency before and another four years with him will surely diminish our communities capacity further by enhancing those structural systemic inequities.
Knowing this, we commit more deeply to our values of gender justice; Queer justice; survivor centered; youth centered and anti-Blackness. We will be stronger than before to fight with every breath for what comes in another Trump Administration. We will fight everywhere; we will fight to ensure that our communities are protected and defended. We will continue to mobilize and organize on the ground from the people so our resistance and objection will be heard and seen. We will fight each policy proposed and suggested. We will fight in the streets and in the courts. We know that our communities know how to protect each other, our ancestors have done so. We know that our solutions will work for our communities and that the thriving resilience of communities will keep us marching forward.
We knew it was important to vote for the leadership that will create lesser harm to our communities.
Trump campaigned to maintain the rigid concepts about gender, race and class – he consistently used the deep embedded traditional beliefs about gender, race and class to incite violence, fear, and corral people. Our values are far from what Trump envisions for America. We will not only have to fight his ideas and vision but the systemic inequities that already exist without his leadership. His victory means that he is able to leverage those systemic inequities to manifest his vision further into our community and society.
He has said that any dissenting opinions and/or thoughts will be swiftly attacked through control and power with violence. We know that he will be swift in his decisions and abrasive too – we are prepared for what he will throw into our communities. No one will be saved from his wrath except those who are already on board with his agenda.
The goal of the SEA Vote Campaign for the 2024 Presidential Election is to mobilize the Southeast Asian American community to vote for Kamala Harris for U.S. President and Tim Walz for Vice-President. This choice is not just about politics; it is about protecting our democracy and standing up against the forces of dictatorship and fascism.
- Audio translation available in Cambodian, HMong, and Lao languages:
ចុចទីនេះដើម្បីស្តាប់
Txhais lug Moob
ຟັງເປັນພາສາລາວ
HARRIS & WALZ
The Harris-Walz ticket represents a path to less harm, a stand against corruption, and a commitment to preserving the values we hold dear. Together, we can push back against extremism and ensure a future where justice and democracy prevail.
ចុចទីនេះដើម្បីស្តាប់
Txhais lug Moob
ຟັງເປັນພາສາລາວ
Southeast Asians are the Margin of Victory
9 Reasons Why We Vote
ចុចទីនេះដើម្បីស្តាប់
Txhais lug Moob
ຟັງເປັນພາສາລາວ
Our communities have a history of overcoming immense challenges, and many of our loved ones do not have the privilege to vote. We owe it to them, and to ourselves, to make our voices heard and advocate for the rights and futures of those who cannot.
and our participation is crucial. The future of our country depends on us. This is urgent—we must vote to protect the freedoms and opportunities that so many before us fought for.
Our participation in the democratic process is a powerful act of resilience and determination. We vote not only for ourselves but for our ancestors who fought for our survival and for future generations who deserve a world where justice and humanity prevail.
Our silence is a loss of power, and the cost of not voting is too high. Every vote is a step toward shaping a future that reflects our needs, values, and dreams.
Our opinions matter, and our experiences are valuable. Voting is how we make sure our perspectives are part of the conversation and that our communities are not ignored.
Our vote is our voice. It is our way of demanding that our issues are addressed, our needs are met, and our communities are respected. Our livelihood is at stake. We cannot afford to be silent.
Our values guide us, and voting is how we put them into action. We believe in justice, equality, and community, and by voting, we uphold these principles.
Voting is just the beginning. By participating in the democratic process, we ensure that our elected officials serve our interests and that we can continue to push for the changes we need.
Voting is a powerful way to stand against the injustices that harm our communities. It is a vote for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of all.
Top Five Priority Issues
WE VOTE OUR VALUES
We trust in our values, therefore we vote. Our values guide us, and voting is how we put them into action. We believe in justice, equality, and community, and by voting, we uphold these principles.
ចុចទីនេះដើម្បីស្តាប់
Txhais lug Moob
ຟັງເປັນພາສາລາວ
A Southeast Asian Vote is a Vote for:
- Economic Security
- Humane Immigration System
- Comprehensive Health Care
- Culturally Relevant Education
- Climate Justice
01
Economic Security
ចុចទីនេះដើម្បីស្តាប់
Txhais lug Moob
ຟັງເປັນພາສາລາວ
A Southeast Asian vote is a vote for…
Community empowerment, economic justice, and sustainable futures. We believe in an economy that builds community wealth, prioritizing the needs and voices of our people. We are the 99%, and we are proud members of the working class that drives this nation’s prosperity. Our contributions, from nail salons to restaurants, factories, and beyond, are the backbone of a thriving economy—not corporations.
Access to education, healthcare, and security for all. Economic security for Southeast Asians means investing in opportunities that uplift our communities, ensuring that every family has the resources to thrive. We reject an economy that exploits us and leaves us behind.
Solidarity with workers everywhere. A Southeast Asian vote is a vote for micro-business owners, nail salon workers, restaurant employees, factory assembly line laborers—both here and abroad. It’s a vote that says no to the politics of division and yes to building a united, socially conscious community.
Southeast Asians who are disproportionately impacted by poverty, with many of our families living below the poverty line. We vote for leaders who understand the real cost of living—who know the price of a bottle of fish sauce, Sriracha, a bag of rice and the struggles of making ends meet. We support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz who prioritize our needs.
Affordable and safe homes which are out of reach for too many, forcing multiple earners within families to scrape together enough to buy or rent a home. A Southeast Asian vote is a multigenerational vote, reflecting our commitment to ensuring a stable future for our elders, our children, and the generations to come.
Cultivating lifelong, socially responsible citizens. We live in multigenerational households, and our vote reflects the collective wisdom and experiences of our communities. We stand together for economic security, justice, and a future where everyone can thrive.
02
Humane Immigration System
ចុចទីនេះដើម្បីស្តាប់
Txhais lug Moob
ຟັງເປັນພາສາລາວ
A Southeast Asian vote is a vote for…
A just and humane immigration policies that prioritize human rights and provide pathways to citizenship for those who contribute to the fabric of our society. Our vote is a stand against policies that deport, divide families and dehumanize our loved ones. We advocate for a system that reflects the values of compassion, fairness, and inclusivity.
Family reunification and compassionate immigration policies. We believe in an immigration system that keeps families together, recognizes the value of our communities, and treats every individual with dignity and respect. Our history as refugees and immigrants informs our commitment to ensuring that future generations can find safety, opportunity, and a place to call home in this country.
Healing and acknowledging intergenerational trauma is essential for our communities. As survivors of war, genocide, and displacement, we carry the weight of these experiences. Our vote is an affirmation of our right to heal and thrive, ensuring that the trauma of our past is recognized and addressed in the policies that affect us today.
Embracing our duty as survivors of genocide and displacement. Our vote and participation in the democratic process is a powerful act of resilience and determination. We vote not only for ourselves but for our ancestors who fought for our survival and for future generations who deserve a world where justice and humanity prevail.
A welcoming environment that acknowledges our past, supports our present, and secures a future where all families can live in peace and prosperity.
03
Comprehensive Healthcare:
Bodily Autonomy, Reproductive Rights, and Medicare
ចុចទីនេះដើម្បីស្តាប់
Txhais lug Moob
ຟັງເປັນພາສາລາວ
A Southeast Asian vote is a vote for…
Access to comprehensive, compassionate and equitable healthcare. We believe that everyone, regardless of income or background, deserves free, high-quality healthcare that meets their needs. Our communities thrive when we have access to the full spectrum of care, from preventive services to treatment, without the burden of cost. Furthermore, the U.S. health system must recognize and integrate traditional healing practices commonly used in Southeast Asian communities as a valid and essential part of healthcare.
Bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. We stand for the right of women and all individuals to make informed choices about their own bodies, including the right to access safe and legal abortion. The ability to choose and be in control of one’s own reproductive health is fundamental to our freedom and well-being.
Ensuring the dignity, health, and longevity of our aging adults. As our elders age, they deserve care that honors their culture, contributions and supports their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. A Southeast Asian vote is a vote to protect and uplift our elders, ensuring they live with dignity and respect in their later years.
The right to choose and express one’s gender and sexuality. We believe in a world where everyone can safely embrace and express their true selves. Whether choosing to be courageous in seeking gender-affirming care or living authentically in one’s gender and sexuality, our communities must have the support and resources to do so without fear or discrimination.
Standing for the courage to access safe gender reassignment care. Everyone deserves the right to live in alignment with their gender identity, and access to gender-affirming care is a crucial part of this. A Southeast Asian vote is a vote for bravery, acceptance, and the right to pursue one’s truth in a safe and supportive environment in this lifetime.
04
Culturally Relevant Education
ចុចទីនេះដើម្បីស្តាប់
Txhais lug Moob
ຟັງເປັນພາສາລາວ
A Southeast Asian vote is a vote for…
Ensuring every student has access to an education that is culturally relevant, inclusive, and free from barriers. We believe in passing knowledge to the next generation through diverse forms of education, including storytelling, heritage language, traditions, arts, and cultural teachings. Our classrooms should reflect the wisdom of our elders and communities.
The inclusion of ethnic studies in K-12 and higher education, ensuring that Southeast Asian history and experiences are taught and valued. We want an education system that empowers our youth and honors our heritage.
Educational environments that are academically rigorous and embrace our diversity and meet the unique needs of our children who come from multi-rich backgrounds. We demand safe schools where racism, bullying and policing has no place. and where students in K-12 have transportation to reach their school buildings without fear of violence.
Free tuition at colleges and universities, making higher education accessible to everyone. For the inclusion of ethnic studies in K-12 and higher education, ensuring that Southeast Asian history and experiences are taught and valued.
05
Climate Justice
ចុចទីនេះដើម្បីស្តាប់
Txhais lug Moob
ຟັງເປັນພາສາລາວ
A Southeast Asian vote is a vote for…
Our shared future—a future where saving the planet is as vital as preserving our language, arts and cultures.
Standing up for climate justice, ensuring food security through urban farming, and supporting farmers whose livelihoods sustain our communities.
Recognizing our role as stewards of the land, wherever we are. Our ability to grow kitchen gardens, eat healthier, and store our own food is directly linked to the fight for economic justice, which depends on a thriving ecosystem and the preservation of our environment.
Ending U.S. imperialism and safeguarding our planet go hand in hand, and our votes are the key to this essential change.
