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South Asians for America (SAFA) has expressed that it is “deeply disappointed” by the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which struck down Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district and, according to the organization, “gutted” a key enforcement mechanism of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
“This decision marks the end of an era in the protection of minority voting rights. It also threatens a fundamental cornerstone of our democracy, a system where every citizen is guaranteed a voice,” said SAFA Co-National Director Neha Dewan in a statement. “Given our nation’s history of systemic racial discrimination, and the racism and hate crimes that people of color continue to face, the Voting Rights Act is a necessary safeguard for our democracy. South Asians have built our political voice in this country on the foundation of the civil rights movement led by Black Americans.”
Dewan added that SAFA stands in solidarity with communities of color whose voices, the organization says, are at risk following the ruling. The Voting Rights Act of 1965, widely regarded as a landmark achievement of the civil rights movement, was enacted to protect minority voting rights.
“Wednesday’s ruling now requires plaintiffs to prove intentional racial discrimination — a standard that, as Justice Kagan noted in her dissent, will make successful challenges ‘nearly impossible,’” she added.
The statement also noted that the ruling comes amid what it described as a “fierce” nationwide redistricting battle, referencing a call by President Donald Trump last year to increase Republican congressional representation in Texas.
SAFA highlighted its recent voter engagement efforts, stating that it has played a role in boosting AAPI turnout in key states. In California, the organization said AAPI voter participation exceeded 80 percent in support of Proposition 50. In Virginia, SAFA reported mobilizing South Asian voters in Loudoun County and across the state in collaboration with Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia and coalition partners during April’s special election.
“Yet in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and now Florida, where new maps were passed today in anticipation of yesterday’s ruling, Republican-led states are redrawing congressional lines in ways that are eliminating minority congressional leaders’ districts and diluting the voting power of the Black, Latino, and AANHPI communities,” the statement said, adding that the implications could extend beyond Congress to state legislatures, county commissions, and school boards.
“This ruling is a devastating step backward, but it is not the end of the fight — it is a rallying cry,” said SAFA Co-National Director and DNC AAPI Caucus Vice Chair, Harini Krishnan. “Our response is to organize, educate, and register. SAFA is now focused on turning out South Asian and AANHPI voters ahead of primary and mid-term elections. Every door we knock, every voter we register, every conversation we have in our communities matters between now and November.”
In response to the ruling, SAFA outlined several commitments, including:
- Standing in solidarity with communities of color whose voting power may be affected
- Expanding voter registration drives and get-out-the-vote efforts in South Asian and AANHPI communities nationwide
- Producing civics education and voter information materials in multiple South Asian languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, Nepali, Bangla, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Pashto, and Urdu
- Mobilizing voter turnout for upcoming primaries and promoting early voting
- Continuing grassroots organizing in states facing redistricting disputes to ensure South Asian and AANHPI voters are represented
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