(Washington, DC) – The Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee hosted a meeting on Capitol Hill with Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders to discuss legislative issues important to the community last month. AAPI Executive Directors from around the country met with Senator Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader, as well as Senator Mark Begich, Chair of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee to have a formal, but candid discussion about community challenges. Committee members listened to an agenda that addressed pressing concerns of the community in hopes to develop strategies that reflect the main priorities.
In his remarks, Jasjit Singh, SALDEF Executive Director, highlighted the critical issue of racial profiling. He said “Racial profiling is something of great concern not only to the Asian American communities represented here, but to Americans of various backgrounds. The practice of racial profiling relies on the flawed assumption that a particular crime is most likely to be committed by members of a particular racial, ethnic, religious, or national group. We collectively oppose this practice not only because it is demeaning and contrary to the constitutional guarantee of equality under the law but also because it is simply not effective in keeping our country safe.” SALDEF encouraged the Senators to support the End Racial Profiling Act (ERPA) which prohibits racial profiling by local, state and federal law enforcement. Other senators present at the meeting included Senator Harry Reid (NV), Senator Mark Begich (AK), Senator Daniel Akaka (HI), Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT), Senator Al Franken (MN), Senator Jeff Merkley (OR), Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN), Senator Ben Cardin (MD), Senator Dick Durbin (IL), and Senator Thomas Carper (DE). SALDEF appreciates the outreach efforts by the Senate committee to listen to and engage with AAPI civil rights leaders about important issues affecting the community. We look forward to continuing this dialogue with other federal and local legislators. To view past SALDEF engagement with federal legislators and agencies, see below:
- SALDEF Meets with FBI Director Mueller
- Protecting Sikh American Students
- SALDEF Meets with TSA Leadership