Download the Press Release PDF
For Immediate Release
October 4, 2012
Contact:
Dong Yoon Kim, NAKASEC, dkim@nakasec.org, 202-299-9540
NAKASEC Releases
“Together We Vote: A Guide to Civic Participation”
46,000 to be distributed nationally including 10,000 in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia Area.
Washington, D.C.- The National Korean American Service and Education Consortium and its affiliates, the Korean Resource Center in Los Angeles and the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center in Chicago, are pleased to announce the publication of the “Together We Vote: A Guide to Civic Participation,” a voter education guidebook available for nationwide and local distribution in English and Korean. Over 40,000 will be distributed to Korean Americans in California, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, and other states through direct mailing and distribution in partnership with local community organizations, churches and businesses.
The guidebook answers key questions on the voting process and will include separate information inserts for voting in particular states. The guidebook also discusses issues impacting Korean American and Asian American families and is a platform to remind voters of the critical decisions they must make on November 6. This platform has generated the support of Asian Americans nationally through the “Asian American & Pacific Islander Families Campaign” launched by NAKASEC and its affiliates in June 2012. The platform highlights the need to:
- Keep families together through humane immigration policies
- Ensure that all young people have access to an affordable education and a viable future including a pathway to legalization & in-state tuition options
- Build strong neighborhoods by protecting affordable housing and stopping unnecessary foreclosures
- Restore the American dream by investing in critical programs that strengthen our communities
NAKASEC Executive Director Morna Ha said, “We have worked to ensure that Korean Americans are registered, educated and mobilized to the polls since 1996. But this year is particularly special since this is the first time we are conducting direct voter activities with Korean Americans in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. This voter guidebook will include additional information on the new Virginia voter identification law which could prevent some individuals from voting and will also include information about ballot measures in Maryland. We hope combined that we will make sure that the Korean American voice is heard in the DMV area.”
Speaking on the Asian American & Pacific Islander Families platform, “We are living critical moment in our nation’s history time and many issues are hinging on the outcome of this election. From immigration to housing to budget cuts to education, Korean American and Asian American families need to be informed on how these issues impact them and understand that their vote can make a difference,” said Sik Son, Executive Director of the Korean American the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center.
Korean Resource Center Executive Director, Dae Joong Yoon said, “As part of our yearlong efforts to make sure that the Korean American community in engaged n the civic process, elections are clearly a huge part of this work. From now until November 6, we will make sure that Korean American voters in Southern California, Illinois, Virginia, Maryland and other states are well positioned to make an informed decision on who will get to represent them at the local, state, and federal level.”
To receive copies of the guidebook for your local distribution, please contact Mo-Yain Tham, mtham@nakasec.org.
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The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) was founded in 1994 by local community centers to project a national progressive voice and promote the full participation of Korean Americans as a part of a greater goal of building a national movement for social change. NAKASEC is based D.C. and Los Angeles. NAKASEC also has affiliates in Chicago (Korean American Resource & Cultural Center) and Los Angeles (Korean Resource Center).
