Asian Americans Rising sponsored a letter in circulation signed by religious leaders who are standing in solidarity against anti-Asian xenophobia related to the President's use of the term "Chinese Virus" to refer to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The letter says, "the racialized fear-mongering has grown so severe that a new FBI analysis warned of an increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow. The report noted there has already been a surge in hate crimes, listing a series of incidents across the country."

"We ask that elected leaders and candidates pay attention to anti-Asian bigotry in our community and share the Stop-AAPI-Hate website on their social media platforms as a practical way to raise awareness and combat the trend," the letter continues.  

Asian Americans Rising, along with other prominent Asian American advocacy and nonprofit groups across the country, sign on in support of H.Res 908 sponsored by Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19. In addition, Senators Kamala Harris, Tammy Duckworth, and Mazie Hirono have introduced its companion resolution in the Senate. 

Katie Nguyen Kalvoda hosts both Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang in October 2019 and his wife, Evelyn Yang, in February 2020 in separate gatherings with hundreds of supporters.  Among those in attendance were first time politically engaged voters who were excited by Andrew Yang's candidacy and what it means for the Asian American community.  In his remarks at the private fundraiser, Andrew Yang says "During the campaign, I've been fortunate enough to meet Asian Americans everyplace from Iowa to Los Angeles to New Hampshire.  I feel like I've seen people in every walk of life, from the shopkeeper to the media executive.  It's been phenomenal.  I've learned that we have an incredible range of experiences but we all want better for our families.  I’ve also seen an increased sense of Asian American pride across many different communities, which was tremendous."

Asian Americans Rising co-hosts the Crazy Political Asians party at the California Democratic Party convention in San Francisco.  An event attended by over 400 participants, it was a celebration of the power and influence of the emerging AAPI political community and the focus of Chair, Assemblymember David Chiu (San Francisco) who promises to harness the AAPI community for collective organizing strength.  Presidential Candidate Julian Castro made an appearance alongside CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma and CA Controller Betty Yee.  

WASHINGTON – Today, the AAPI Victory Fund, in partnership with Asian Americans Rising, announced it will host a Democratic Presidential Forum on September 8th, 2019, in Orange County, California—the state with the largest Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population in the nation. To date, 18 candidates are seeking the 2020 Democratic Presidential nomination, including three Asian American and Pacific Islanders. The forum will showcase the candidates who are most interested in securing the AAPI vote in the Presidential primaries.

​Join us for the official launch of Asian Americans Rising PAC as we continue this momentum and advance Asian American representation, advocacy, community and political engagement in Orange County.  Come meet and mingle with some of the OC's most influential business and community leaders and learn how you can be a part of Asian Americans Rising.