By Saleah Blancaflor
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has a simple message: “Hate will have no oxygen.”
During a recent Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) fundraising event for the Moore-Miller reelection campaign in Rockville, Maryland, Governor Moore said: “So let me be very clear: As long as I am governor of Maryland, hate will have no oxygen. And this year, I have proposed a budget that preserves record funding for hate crime prevention.”
The South Asian Herald reported that more than 400 AAPI leaders and guests were at the event that was led by the community.
“I know there is real and justified fear right now in all of our immigrant communities,” Governor Moore continued at the fundraising event. “Fear about the very real threat of hate crimes…Fear about a White House that conflates patriotism with xenophobia.”
According to the South Asian Herald, around 60 percent of attendees were from the Chinese American community, while the rest represented Korean Americans, Vietnamese Americans, Filipino Americans, and South Asian Americans.
During the event, Governor Moore also emphasized how his administration is working to create an “inclusive economy, where everyone can access work, wages, and wealth–no matter their background.”
Other areas that are a priority for Governor Moore’s administration include investing in K-12 education, job training, growing businesses, and building a more affordable and accessible housing market. He said the reason these issues are the most important is because they “aren’t political but they’re personal.”
Several guests in attendance reportedly expressed support for policies that develop community investment, expand employment opportunities, and strengthen cooperation among residents, business owners, and local authorities.
The South Asian Herald also reported that other public figures in attendance at the fundraising event included Office of Administrative Hearings Chief Judge Chung K. Pak, Maryland State Senator Clarence Lam, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy, and Maryland cabinet secretaries including Atif Chaudry, Sanjay Rai, Portia Wu, and Molly Byron.
Governor Moore was also honored for his contributions to the state by different groups.
Registration is closed for Common Ground: Building Together conference and gala award banquet in San Francisco on January 24. A shoutout to our planning committee: Jane Chin, Frank Mah, Jeannie Young, Akemi Tamanaha, Nathan Soohoo, Mark Young, Dave Liu, and Yiming Fu.
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