In advance of the 2016 elections, SAAPRI has been involved in nonpartisan Get out the Vote (GOTV) work. 15 SAAPRI volunteers staffed 35 phone banking shifts over three weeks targeting a list of 7,656 infrequent South Asian voters. Over 2,500…
SAAPRI leads Chicago South Asian Deferred Action Coalition (SADAC)
2016 ELECTION: THE WAY FORWARD WITH RESOLVE AND RESILIENCE On November 9th, 2016, we woke up to the reality of a deeply divided voter base, with almost an equal number of voters supporting divergent, even opposing visions for America’s future. The…
SAAPRI’s Civic Engagement Fellow Harish Patel joined post-election coverage on WBEZ
On February 24th, 2015, just after the polls closed following the 2015 Chicago elections, SAAPRI’s Civic Engagement Fellow Harish I. Patel joined WBEZ’s post-election coverage to discuss the South Asian American community’s concerns this election season – including immigrant integration,…
Report – Voter Registration, Activation, & Engagement in South Asian American Communities in Illinois
This 2015 report analyzes data from the United States Census Bureau, the Voter Activation Network (NGP VAN), and other recent research to highlight voter registration, engagement, and mobilization among South Asian Americans in Illinois. Community-based organizations, policymakers, government officials, media…
Report – Illinois Embraces Election Day Registration (EDR): A Review of Election Day Pilot Program for the 2014 General Election
On December 2nd, 2014, in partnership with Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and JustVote, SAAPRI released a report titled “Illinois Embraces EDR: A Review of the Election Day Pilot Program for the 2014 General Election.” The report…
SAAPRI’s Executive Director Ami Gandhi discusses the election on WBEZ
On November 5th, 2014, SAAPRI’s Executive Director Ami Gandhi spoke with reporter Niala Boohoo on WBEZ’s Afternoon Shift about the polls, immigration reform, and the need to hold all parties and elected officials accountable. U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, Democratic strategist…
2014 Idli & Immigration: Strategy Session
On September 27th, 2014, SAAPRI co-hosted a discussion on immigration in the South Asian American community in the Chicago Public Library – Northtown Branch. The conversation focused on concrete ways that South Asians can bring about change, hold government leaders…
SAAPRI’s Aditi Singh discusses voting rights with Rev. Jesse Jackson
On March 8th, 2014, law student volunteer Aditi Singh represented SAAPRI in a discussion about voting rights with Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. on his TV show UpFront, which aired on Word Network. Also joining the conversation were Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Chicago…
Fred Korematsu Day
On January 30th, 2014, SAAPRI reflected on Fred Korematsu’s legacy and the current state of civil rights in honor of “Fred Korematsu Day” at DePaul College of Law, Room 903. Co-sponsors: Council on American Islamic Relations-Chicago (CAIR-Chicago), National Lawyers Guild-Chicago…
Voting Rights Forum
On January 11th, 2014, SAAPRI’s Executive Director Ami Gandhi spoke at a Voting Rights Forum at Evanston Public Library discussing voter empowerment, voter suppression, and how to ensure all citizens have the right to vote. Voter suppression tactics and other barriers…