VVA Urges for Safe, Sustainable Measures for Virginia

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Voice of Vietnamese Americans expresses disappointment with the state of several issues that have recently come before the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Voting rights   Just last week, our commonwealth witnessed strong attempts to put obstacles to our fundamental freedom of voting. The House and Senate passed bills that would create new laws that make it harder for registered voters to cast a ballot. VVA stands in solidarity with those who strongly oppose these attacks on our right to vote. Proponents of these voter suppression bills claim that they are addressing a problem of voter fraud in Virginia. But they have provided no evidence of it being an issue at all in our state. The truth is, voter fraud is not an issue in the state of Virginia. Not only are these bills groundless, they also cost millions to maintain. It makes no sense to waste our money on things Virginia does not need.

Gun safety       In the case of public safety, both chambers also recently passed bills that make it easier for people to purchase and store guns. As we remember several tragic incidences that have happened in our state and across our nation, our society has seen enough of the real dangers that easy access to guns, or guns at all, can have. Some lawmakers are following extreme measures that are putting our Commonwealth on a backwards, dangerous path – and not forwards to a more safe and sustainable future. 

The mission of Voice of Vietnamese Americans is to empower Vietnamese Americans by promoting civic engagement through community organizing and capacity building. Voice of Vietnamese Americans enhances, defends, and protects the American core values of human rights, civil rights, democracy, liberty, and justice for all.