ASAAL's accomplishments are the cumulative work of thousands of volunteers — doorknockers, phone-bankers, organizers, and elected officials who carried our community's voice forward. This is a partial record.
The Alliance of South Asian American Labor is founded as the first and only national organization of the South Asian diaspora living in America. Eight founding communities — Afghan, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Indian, Maldivian, Nepalese, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan — finally have an independent voice in American labor and civic life.
ASAAL doorknocking, phone banking, and voter mobilization helps elect Grace Meng as the first Asian Congresswoman representing an East-Coast district — a milestone for AAPI political representation in Washington.
ASAAL was the only South Asian organization to testify at the City Council hearing on September 26, 2008 for the Eid school holidays, established on March 4, 2015. The same year the city suspended the mosque and Muslim surveillance ASAAL had opposed. In 2023 ASAAL supported the statewide Diwali holiday.
ASAAL officially becomes a constituency group of the New York State AFL-CIO — a federation of 3,000 affiliated public sector, private sector, and building trades unions throughout the state, representing 2.5 million members, retirees, and their families. It is the most powerful labor organization in New York State and the largest state federation of the AFL-CIO in the United States.
ASAAL helps elect a South Asian of Bangladeshi origin as a State Senator from the Red State of Georgia. Proof that South Asian American power isn't confined to the coasts.
In a historic election day, ASAAL helps elect three South Asian Americans across NYC — including the first Bangladeshi-American Civil Court Judge and a new City Council Member. Years of organizing pay off in a single ballot.
ASAAL crosses 18 chapters in ten states — nine in New York and one each in New Jersey, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, California, and Washington DC — then adds Houston (TX) and the Healthcare Professionals chapter. Cross-coalition work with CBTU, LCLAA, APALA, and the NAACP deepens.
ASAAL crosses 10,000 members, hosts endorsement events with elected officials including Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, and prepares for the 19th Annual Convention. The work continues — voter registration, advocacy, coalition building, and electing leaders who fight for South Asian working families.
ASAAL works in coalition with organized labor and progressive allies who've led the way for so long. On many issues, we organize alongside:
Coalition of Black Trade Unions.
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Every accomplishment above started with someone — a volunteer, an organizer, a member — saying yes. Add your name.
Join ASAAL today