The Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans hosted the 2024 Asian and Pacific Islander Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. All Minnesotans were invited to attend.
API Day is an annual Council event designed to bring together Minnesotans of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) descent to rally together, increase their knowledge of the state policymaking process, and directly connect with legislators about the issues that matter most to them. No previous political or legislative experience is needed to attend the event.
Being a presidential election year, our communities and constituents are taking stock of their role in state and federal decision making. As such, the 2024 API Day at the Capitol focused on the theme of We the People. In a time when elected officials and the laws and policies they champion are in the spotlight nearly every day, we as Minnesotans and as API Minnesotans are empowered by understanding the scope and reach of our political power. It is for this reason that API Day at the Capitol is a fixture in the Council's annual efforts.
The 2024 API Day at the Capitol took place in the Capitol rotunda on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Speakers included key players from the Minnesota legislature, API-serving community-based organizations, and others. The event was livestreamed on
the Council’s Facebook page.
Speakers
The 2024 API Day at the Capitol featured an incredible cast of speakers, including:
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz
- Colonel Jesse Carlson, Minnesota National Guard, commander of the 133rd Airlift Wing, chief champion of the AAPI Special Emphasis Council
- Shajive Jeganathan, president, Hindu Society of Minnesota
- Martino Nguyen, director of external affairs, Vietnamese Community of Minnesota
- Sen. Mark Johnson, minority leader
- Sen. Susan Pha and Sen. Foung Hawj, Minnesota Asian Pacific (MAP) Caucus
- Dr. Kim Park Nelson, Winona State University, professor of ethnic studies
- Montha Chum, MN8, executive director and co-founder
- Rep. Jim Nash
- Sen. Nicole Mitchell
- Emma Yu, founder, AAPI Youth Voices
- Tri Vo, the SEAD Project, cultural organizer
