STATEMENT: AAPI Victory Alliance Condemns Right-Wing Misinformation Ahead of the Midterms

WASHINGTON — In the final days leading to the midterm elections, Right-wing groups have ramped up disinformation targeting Asian American and Pacific Islander voters. The AAPI Victory Alliance is speaking out against this coordinated effort to influence the election by fabricating racial discord.  

As the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the U.S., 24 million AAPIs make up more than 4% of the nation’s eligible electorate. Between 2016 and 2020, AAPIs increased their turnout by over 20% – one of the highest increases of any demographic in history. These numbers point to the great democratic power of progressive AAPI voices that Right-wing groups are willing to silence if it means election results in their favor.  

AAPI Victory Alliance Executive Director Varun Nikore issued the following statement: 

“This week, a radical Right-wing group tried to influence our elections by weaponizing mis- and disinformation to sow radical discord, but we know AAPI voters will see through the smoke and mirrors because of strong cross-community relationships and the work of our partners on the ground to combat mis- and disinformation.

“AAPI Victory Alliance is dedicated to protecting our democracy and fighting for our freedoms with our partners from all communities of color. We know our liberations are tied – so together we fight for the freedom to make a good living, to choose when and whether we grow our families, freedom from hate towards our community, and the freedom to vote. 

“Right-wing groups know that the right to vote is the most fundamental constitutional freedom and that democracy cannot exist without the electoral participation of citizens. Any effort to disenfranchise AAPI voters is an effort to silence us and diminish our power.

“Targeted mis and disinformation that leads to decreased civic participation and waning confidence in the electoral system is a dangerous form of voter suppression. The AAPI community should vote confidently, knowing that our voices represent our growing progressive presence throughout the nation.”

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AAPI Victory Alliance works to build Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) political power across the country by providing education on progressive issues; creating and advocating for policies that affect our communities; and building alliances with organizations to help AAPIs exert their power and be the margin of victory at the local, state, and national levels.