SAFA Mobilizes Nationwide To Defend Civil Rights And ‘Protect Democracy’

India-West News Desk

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Citing what it calls a “constant assault” on immigrant communities and fundamental freedoms, South Asians for America has launched a nationwide mobilization effort aimed at turning “anguish and fear into action” ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

With federal protections increasingly under strain, SAFA is shifting its focus to state-level battles, particularly court races and redistricting efforts, which it sees as critical safeguards in the coming election cycle. In Wisconsin, organizer Vik Verma has been leading intensive phone banking efforts in support of Judge Chris Taylor ahead of the April 7 election, as activists frame state courts as a last line of defense for voting rights. In Virginia, longtime advocate Shyamali Hauth is spearheading a campaign urging voters to support the state’s Redistricting Amendment.

SAFA’s Co-National Directors, Neha Dewan and Harini Krishnan, said the resilience of community leaders offers a sense of hope amid growing anxiety. They are encouraging supporters nationwide to sign up for volunteer shifts, emphasizing that collective action will be key to protecting democratic institutions and fundamental freedoms.

In Washington, D.C., SAFA joined the South Asian American Justice Collaborative outside the U.S. Supreme Court on April 1, as justices heard arguments in a closely watched case challenging birthright citizenship. The organization said its legal advisor, Sonjui Kumar, has been actively engaged in efforts opposing an executive order that seeks to reinterpret the 14th Amendment.

The group also pointed to rising engagement among younger South Asian Americans. In Jersey City, youth leader Janhitha Veeramachaneni helped organize an “ICE OUT” rally that drew hundreds of students and activists to City Hall, protesting the treatment of immigrant communities and calling for an end to local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

SAFA is urging the community to get involved: https://www.saforamerica.org/