Statement from SA Organizations on the 08 Election

November 6, 2008 - Members of the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations, a network of 35 community-based groups in twelve regions around the country, mark the historic occasion of a new Administration and Congress.  We offer our congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama on his victory on November 4th. 

The election of President-Elect Obama is an unprecedented milestone on the path to an inclusive and pluralistic society in the United States, a path that has been paved by those advocating for civil rights and equality in decades past.  Yet, we have much work still to do in order to ensure racial and gender equity in our country. 

As a diverse community that is over 2.7 million strong in the United States, South Asians have a vital stake in the policies that will be put forth by the new Administration and Congress.  We look forward to engaging in dialogues around a range of policy issues and initiatives that will reform the immigration system, strengthen civil rights laws for all, provide adequate resources to challenge violence against women, and expand linguistically and culturally accessible services such as health care and education.

This election also marks a turning point in the participation of South Asian American citizens in the American democracy.  We witnessed robust South Asian voter turnout at the polls on Election Day; steady involvement with political campaigns; and bids for local and national office on the part of South Asians.  We encourage South Asians around the country to continue to vigorously engage in all aspects of civic life, and to lend our voices and energy to creating change in our communities.

The National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO) is a network of 35 community-based organizations in 12 regions around the country that provide services to, work with, convene, organize, and advocate for South Asians in the United States.  For more information, please contact South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), the coordinator of the NCSO at (301) 270.1855 or saalt@saalt.org.