Washington, DC., May 2020:
The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the inequities we’ve known for centuries. As members of the South Asian American diaspora, we are unfortunately well-aware of the effects of discriminatory ideologies; our community remains one of its biggest targets, as government officials use Islamophobia and xenophobia to surveil, police, and detain brown Americans.
This Asian Pacific American History Month, SAALT is remembering the role of mutual aid, both in our past rallies for equity and in the on-going fight for anti-racist liberation. Our community of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans would not be where it is without the support, histories, and lives of our Black, Latinx, and Indigenous allies. In their honor, this “Guide to Giving” highlights members of SAALT’s community — both South Asian American and otherwise — who have been, and continue to be, crucial to fighting white supremacy across boundaries of race, ethnicity, and migrant status.
Support South Asians in NY by donating to the groups listed below. New York — and especially Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx — have some of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the country. These organizations are working to both provide aid to community members through food delivery, medical and PPE aid, cash assistance, and translation services and build power by educating their members and advocating for just policies.
Desis Rising Up & Moving
Adhikaar
Sapna NYC
Sikh Coalition
Muslim Community Network
Jahajee Sisters
Caribbean Equality Project
Chhaya CDC
CAAAV
Brooklyn Mutual Aid Network
Fund for Undocumented Bangladeshis
Queens Mutual Aid
Bronx Mutual Aid Network
Support South Asian Domestic Violence Survivors by donating to the gender-based violence groups listed below. Since COVID-19 began, there’s been a significant drop in crisis calls from constituents, likely due to survivors ‘sheltering-in-place’ with abusers; there’s also a lack of space in domestic violence shelters because of infection fears. These organizations are delivering groceries, helping survivors apply for public benefits, and developing alternative shelter arrangements.
Daya Houston
Raksha
Narika
Asha Kiran
Sahara
South Asian Network (SAN)
Apna Ghar
Saheli, Inc
Maitri
Manavi
Support South Asian Immigrants by donating to the immigrant justice groups listed below. Folks who are undocumented have no access to government aid or relief — despite paying over $27 billion in taxes. Many South Asian migrants are detained in crowded ICE facilities where there have been public reports of COVID-19 outbreaks, and face deportation to unsafe countries of origin. These organizations are fighting to ensure that immigrants of all statuses have continued access to legal and financial support, as well as assistance as they navigate an uncertain economy and job market.
APALA Community Fund
African Communities Together
Believers’ Bail Out
Fronterizo Fianza Bonds Fund
Esperanzo Hope Fund
Jakara Movement
South Dakota DREAM Coalition & South Dakota Voices for Peace
Justice for Muslims Collective Community Relief Fund
Detained Migrant Solidarity Committee
AVID in the Chihuahua Desert
Freedom for Immigrants
Equality Labs
Detention Watch Network
Asian Prisoners Support Committee
Undocumented Women’s Fund
Sanctuary DMV
SIREN Immigrant Rights
SAALT