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“We Belong”: South Asians convene in D.C. to counter hate
The gathering comes as incidents targeting South Asian and immigrant communities rise alongside increased political participation by the group.
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Malvika Choudhary - Mon, 20, Apr 2026
- 18:19 EDT
- 25
Impact Summit 2026 / X/ IA Impact
More than 300 South Asian American leaders, organizers and elected officials convened in Washington on April 20 for a national summit aimed at addressing rising hate incidents and strengthening political participation across the community.
The gathering, organized by Indian American Impact, brought together lawmakers, civil rights advocates and emerging leaders under the theme “We Belong,” as concerns grow over increasing hostility targeting South Asian and immigrant groups.
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Participants included U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam and Raja Krishnamoorthi, as well as Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi.
Civil rights advocates including Deepinder Singh Mayell of the ACLU Minnesota and Manju Kulkarni of AAPI Equity Alliance also took part.
The day-long summit at The Mayflower Hotel featured policy discussions, advocacy training and strategy sessions focused on voter outreach and public engagement ahead of upcoming elections.
Organizers said the event comes at a time when a record number of South Asian Americans are seeking public office, even as incidents of bias and discrimination continue to rise.
The program included “Action Labs” designed to equip attendees with tools for media engagement, grassroots organizing and policy advocacy. Sessions focused on shaping public narratives, mobilizing voters and responding to emerging policy challenges.
The summit is scheduled to be followed by a “South Asian Hill Day,” during which participants will meet members of Congress to advocate on issues including immigrant rights, voting rights and community safety.
Organizers said the convening is intended to highlight collective efforts to expand civic participation and representation while reinforcing a shared message of belonging within American public life.
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