Our Communities are Worth Fighting For
This election has been devastating for many of us. Like you, we are grappling with fear, grief, anger, and uncertainty about what lies ahead. Trump’s victory, the loss of key local races, and the defeat of critical ballot measures have created a difficult moment that demands reflection, resilience, and unity.
However, our resolve has only grown stronger in the face of these challenges. This is a moment not just to regroup, but to recommit. Our communities are worth fighting for, and this setback only fuels our drive to keep building a future that reflects our values of inclusivity, justice, and opportunity for all.
A Moment to Reflect and Reconnect
It's okay to feel sadness, anger, and even hopelessness at this moment. These feelings are real and valid. But we must also remember that our ancestors endured and overcame unimaginable struggles to build a better future. We are here because they never stopped fighting. Today, we carry on their legacy, honoring them by staying engaged, standing together, and working tirelessly for the freedoms and dignity we all deserve.
In Georgia, grassroots organizations have been tirelessly organizing, mobilizing, and advocating. This work continues beyond elections, and despite the results, every action taken—every door knocked, every phone call made, and every vote cast—mattered. This moment is a reminder that change takes time, and we must remain engaged every step of the way.
How Did We Get Here?
Various factors have shaped the current political landscape, paving the way for a decisive victory for the right. While the complexities of this political environment can be determined through extensive data and analysis, we are particularly concerned with the rise of fascism and the absence of a clear path to liberation within our electoral system.
Trump's return to power represents years of right-wing efforts to infiltrate our communities, weaken our systems, and silence our voices. Unfortunately, the left has struggled to maintain the sustained resources needed to build long-term organizing, political education, and movement-building in our communities. We have been underfunded and underestimated, even as the demand for change has grown.
This election season has been particularly emotional for many, with deep concerns about future of our country and heartbreak over events like the ongoing genocide in Gaza and other injustices around the world. We have long recognized the deep-rooted issues of U.S. imperialism, white supremacy, and capitalism, along with the resulting economic inequities that burden working-class families and the systemic injustices that persist, regardless of election outcomes. Neither candidate nor party has fully committed to uniting and addressing the root causes of these daily struggles. Instead, the systems that perpetuate inequality, exploitation, and marginalization are unchallenged, limiting investment into our communities while simultaneously funding brutality worldwide.
It’s clear that people want a new path forward. Voters have rejected the status quo and its failures. Our mission now is to ensure that our communities can envision and collectively work towards a new future for Georgia – that uplifts marginalized communities, protects our freedoms, and values every person’s dignity. This means continuing to build our movement beyond elections.
What Does a Trump Victory Mean for Our Communities?
With "Project 2025" and expanded powers, Trump’s administration is aiming to reshape our institutions in ways that pose serious risks to our civil rights, democratic values, and the safety of our communities. Under Project 2025, Trump plans to centralize control over federal agencies, giving him and his appointees unprecedented authority to roll back essential protections. Project 2025 outlines a radical vision that reshapes federal institutions and threatens civil liberties, giving Trump’s allies the power to weaken protections for immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color. This shift will make it easier to target vulnerable communities and dismantle policies that safeguard public health, workers' rights, abortion access, environmental standards, and more. We will face harmful executive orders, troubling appointments, and the potential for a new Supreme Court Justice who could further erode rights and protections. But we will not back down – we will continue to fight back, protecting our communities at every level, from local to federal.
Particularly for Georgia, which has a Republican governor and a Republican-majority House and Senate, it is more critical than ever that we fight to protect state rights and push back against harmful policies. Under this leadership, Georgia has already passed a 6-week abortion ban, anti-protesting bills targeting Palestinian voices, and anti-immigrant and anti-voter legislation. As a result, we will continue to be on the defensive, facing ongoing challenges to fundamental rights and protections. Our work will be essential in preventing a further erosion of rights. From the statehouse to local communities, we will ensure that we are prepared to counteract these harmful measures at every turn.
Local and State Races: Progress and Setbacks
Despite a difficult election cycle, we made strides at the state level, gaining a net of two seats in the Georgia House. This is a step forward, though still insufficient for real change. We must continue building toward a stronger Georgia by 2026. Additionally, the outcomes did not go in our favor at the local level. The races on the Cobb Board of Education did not result in the wins we hoped for, and we were unable to secure key victories in transit ballot measures in Cobb and Gwinnett. Losing the Cobb School Board seats opens the door for more book bans and restrictions on educational materials, while the defeat of public transit expansion means continued limited access to affordable and reliable transportation for many residents. These setbacks remind us that we need to organize effectively from the ground up across all levels of government and continue to fight for the changes our communities need.
To build a more resilient future, we plan on strengthening our local efforts by training candidates and empowering community members to take on leadership roles. By organizing with the community and fostering new leadership, we can develop a pipeline of local candidates who are ready to advocate for our values and priorities.
Looking ahead, there is a lot of important work to be done, from legislative battles to ongoing electoral campaigns and local policy advocacy, to ensure that our voices are heard and our priorities are represented.
Our Path Forward: Building Power for our Communities
Our struggle does not end with this election. We will fight for our values, our families, and our future through powerful, strategic campaigns:
Transforming Communities: We are launching long-term campaigns in key areas: economy, education, healthcare, immigration, and democracy. By focusing on these essential needs, we can create meaningful change for working-class Asian Americans and our allies.
Shaping Narratives: We are committed to challenging harmful narratives and lifting up the voices of our communities. Through political education and collaborations with artists, we will continue to build understanding and solidarity.
Building Leaders: Asian American communities deserve political representation. We will develop leaders, empower young people, and train community members to run for office, making sure that our future leaders emerge from within our communities and remain deeply committed to the well-being and values of those they serve.
Winning Governing Power: Lasting change requires governing power. We’re focused on winning seats across Georgia’s counties and building relationships with values-aligned leaders. By uniting with other communities, we will create a stronger, more inclusive political landscape.
Our Future: We Are Worth Fighting For
No single election or administration will define our future. Our struggle is collective, rooted in the pursuit of liberty, justice, and a dignified future for our families and communities. We are building something far beyond elections—fighting for long-term change that demands solidarity and unity. As we move forward, we are confident that, no matter the challenges we encounter, our communities will stand together, showing care and taking bold action to protect and defend one another. We will create a Georgia that works for everyone—a place where all can thrive, regardless of who they are.
Now is the time to keep pushing forward and amplify the voices of those who are too often silenced. Our values are worth fighting for. Our families and futures are worth fighting for. We are worth fighting for. We will organize, mobilize, and advocate relentlessly until our vision of justice and equity becomes reality—and we invite you to stand with us in this fight.
If you are committed to fighting for our communities and creating lasting change—not just for today, but for generations to come—now is the time to deepen your engagement with AAAF. Join us as we carry this movement forward, stronger and more determined than ever.