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For Immediate Release: January 22, 2021 Contact: Ellen Lu, Program Coordinator, contacts@vayla-no.org New Orleans, Louisiana - It is with great excitement that we at VAYLA announce our signing on to the Gulf South for a Green New Deal, spearheaded by the Gulf South Center for Law and Policy. The Gulf South for a Green New Deal encompasses Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. This environmental policy platform highlights many key environmental and equity issues that will need to be addressed moving forward. As Gulf South residents, many of whom are frontline workers, our community is the first to be affected by climate change and its subsequent impacts. The policy that is put forth reiterates the importance of tapping frontline workers and indigenous community leaders' experiences and knowledge to tackle the complexities of climate change. The Gulf South for a Green New Deal is tailored to the unique lived realities and challenges present among Gulf Coast communities such as our region's economy, coastal geography, social movement history, and cultural context. "Developing symbiosis with the environment is anchored in our cultural roots. Historically and presently, BIPOC are our most vulnerable climate refugees. We must work together for equitable futures," says Jacqueline Thanh, Executive Director of VAYLA New Orleans. The Gulf South for a Green New Deal is an opportunity to tackle current inequity and addresses the reality that it is our most under-resourced, and often BIPOC, communities who receive the brunt of environmental harm. VAYLA strongly identifies with the values presented in the Gulf South for a Green New Deal and is committed to working towards this greener and more equitable future. For more information, visit https:/ww.gcclp.org/gulf-south-for-a-green-new-deal.  ###
VAYLA is an intersectional AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) nonprofit organization based in New Orleans focused on advocacy through providing climate and reproductive justice education, community organizing education, and comprehensive civic engagement.
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For Immediate Release: January 8, 2021 Contact: Ellen Lu, Program Coordinator, contacts@vayla-no.org New Orleans, Louisiana - We collectively witnessed white rage on our Capitol on Wednesday, after four years of steadily fueled racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism and white nationalism. It can no longer be business as usual. This is a call for our community to witness this American moment with our eyes wide open. As a BIPOC led team, VAYLA feels the familiar shock and hypocrisy while witnessing the riots in the capitol. As an AAPI community, many of us are first generation and second generation Americans—reliving the political traumas of our ancestors before our very eyes. "Democracy is a threat to white supremacy. Solidarity is a threat to white nationalism. And as children of immigrants and refugees, as Asian Americans, we must ask — who bears the burden of cleaning up after white rage? This is our notice that WE must practice HOPE fortified with TRUTH. VAYLA remains steadfast in our community and our power. We the People will prevail—to create a future for all," says Jacqueline Thanh, Executive Director of VAYLA New Orleans. Black, Latinx, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders, American Indian and Alaska Native communities led us to historic voter turnout and participation in our democratic process. The American people voted for President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris to lead our nation for the next four years. VAYLA is committed to upholding the democratic process and those in power accountable now and into our collective futures. Democracy will prevail because our communities hold the power to create a radical future for us all. Support local mutual aid efforts in D.C. at bit.ly/dcrelief
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VAYLA is an intersectional AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) nonprofit organization based in New Orleans focused on advocacy through providing climate and reproductive justice education, community organizing education, and comprehensive civic engagement. For Immediate Release: November 25, 2020 Contact: Ellen Lu, Program Coordinator, contacts@vayla-no.org New Orleans, Louisiana - VAYLA joins the Save Your NOLA Library coalition and a growing number of diverse organizations, library workers, and citizens in supporting libraries by voting NO on Proposition #2 on the December ballot. “We live in a world where children’s success means access to a library. The fifteen libraries in New Orleans serve over a million individuals and families every year--for communities of color, New Orleans public libraries are an extension of home, a means of access, and a sacred space of possibilities.” - says Jacqueline Thanh, Executive Director of VAYLA New Orleans. If passed, Proposition #2 would devastate library funding by $7.5 million (40%) and lead to reduction in many library services and resources. This bill would disproportionally impact low income communities of color who are already experiencing the strains of the pandemic, unemployment, and climate change. From providing materials for ESL learners to internet and computer access for job and college applications as first-generation high school graduates, our libraries are a critical component of the educational network ensuring student success in our city. We live in a world where children's success means access to a library. Chúng ta sống trong một thế giới mà sự thành công của tuổi trẻ đồng nghĩa với quyền sử dụng các thư viện. We’re voting NO on proposition #2 because we believe continued funding for our libraries makes for a stronger New Orleans. Stand with VAYLA to vote NO on #2 and save NOLA libraries. Learn more about the Save Your NOLA Library campaign at https://www.saveyournolalibrary.com/ #SaveYourLibraries ### VAYLA is an intersectional AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) nonprofit organization based in New Orleans focused on advocacy through providing climate and reproductive justice education, community organizing education, comprehensive civic engagement and pathways to citizenship. For Immediate Release: November 4, 2020 Contact: Ellen Lu, Program Coordinator, contacts@vayla-no.org New Orleans, Louisiana - Be it racial and gender equity, civic duty, environmental injustice, reproductive injustice, or our very democracy — Power has always been with the People. We have to make sure no matter who "wins" -- We the People win through solidarity. Solidarity is a shared responsibility. Now more than ever we must come together. We must commit to caring for and celebrating each other. It is time to share our stories, listen to each other with radical empathy, and fortify our communities as we navigate uncertainties to come. VAYLA will continue to commit to anchoring our work in an intersectional and anti-oppressive lens to unlearn and educate our communities while advocating for AAPIs in New Orleans and beyond. In Solidarity, Jacqueline Thanh Executive Director, VAYLA New Orleans Fill out our AAPI Community Survey at https://tinyurl.com/VAYLAcommunitysurvey. See resources for NQAPIA's API Healer Network at http://bit.ly/APIHealerNetwork. Make a plan to mobilize and protect the results of the 2020 election at Protect the Results. Support our Farm to Families Initiative and our movement work at http://www.vayla-no.org/donate.html. ###
VAYLA is an intersectional AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) nonprofit organization based in New Orleans focused on advocacy through providing climate and reproductive justice education, community organizing education, comprehensive civic engagement and pathways to citizenship. For Immediate Release: March 20, 2020
Contact: Ellen Lu, Program Coordinator, contacts@vayla-no.org New Orleans, LA - Earlier this week, the current White House Administration double-downed on Sinophobic rhetoric regarding COVID-19. The name “COVID-19” was chosen specifically to maintain public discussion without stigma during a global public health crisis. By referring to the virus as anything other than its designated name (“Chinese virus,” “kung flu,” et al.), the nation’s leaders are eliciting further violence against the Asian American community when we must all practice social responsibility. “This is a time of crisis and tension for all of our communities, but for Asian American communities and the Vietnamese community in New Orleans, it is an especially triggering time. We come from a diaspora that has survived despite war, colonization, environmental catastrophes, and limited access. Our focus should be on saving lives and building solidarity as we continue to share resources. Words have power. And phrases like ‘Chinese virus’ or ‘Kung-Flu’ to refer to COVID-19 affect our community and their safety while perpetuating anti-Asian sentiments. We call on the President, elected officials and all our leaders to set an example for all Americans.” said Jacqueline Thanh, Executive Director of VAYLA New Orleans. VAYLA joins the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans and more than 260 other organizations in urging congressional leaders to publicly denounce the increase in racist attacks and discrimination against the Asian American community, in the wake of COVID-19. VAYLA encourages the President and elected officials to do the same. Stand up against discrimination so we can ensure our most vulnerable young people, elders, patients, medical care providers, store clerks, and all community members are able to access the help they need. Together we must denounce discrimination. #VirusesDontDiscriminate Report any incidents of hate using https://bit.ly/2J5V0Hg. Donate to our Emergency Relief Fund for undocumented folks and non-citizens at http://www.vayla-no.org/donate.html. ### VAYLA is an intersectional AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) nonprofit organization based in New Orleans focused on advocacy through providing climate and reproductive justice education, community organizing education, comprehensive civic engagement and pathways to citizenship. For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 13, 2019 |
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