AsAmNews: California AANHPI Advocacy Coalition holds first-ever Advocacy Day

Published on May 30, 2024

by Akemi Tamanaha, Associate Editor

Over 50 California-based Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander organizations gathered at the State Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday for a day of advocacy.

AANHPI legislators and leaders shared their legislative priorities in a brief press conference at noon. Afterward, organizations split up into 10 groups to work with the 37 assembly members, state senators and legislators that attended the advocacy day.

Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA), a non-partisan, non-profit group dedicated to cultivating the next generation of AANHPI leaders, hosted the advocacy day in partnership with the other 50+ organizations that comprise the California AANHPI Advocacy Coalition. Several organizations in the coalition were not AANHPI-focused groups but attended as allies to the community.

“Although AANHPIs make up approximately 17% of California’s population, when it comes to representation and resources, we are very behind. It’s important that we’re seen at the State Capitol, not just after a hate crime incident, but to ensure our priorities are not forgotten” APAPA CEO Mary Yin Liu said in a press release. “Collectively, we aim to make a bold statement during Asian Heritage Month this year by mobilizing our diverse communities, and reminding Sacramento we’re not invisible.”