USANewsOnline.Com, New York : The Alliance of South Asian American Labor (ASAAL) opened its 15th annual convention with a thunderous ovation as the Pledge of Allegiance was given by 10-year-old Minha Mahjabeen of the Staten Island Chapter.
The 15th Convention with the theme “Organizing Locally, Impacting Globally”, was held at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in Flushing on Sunday, December 11, 2022, and started at 6 pm and ended at 11:30 pm. Hundreds of members from all 18 Chapters from across the States of NY, NJ, GA, MI, PA, VA, MD, FL, CA, and Washington DC attended. Politicians from New York City and New York State joined as speakers.
At this event speaker after speaker spoke highly about ASAAL’s volunteer work across ASAAL 15th Convention Draws Americas Top Leaders and participants from many states.
The convention was opened by the convention committee chair Dr. Nuran Nabi who said, “I have the honor and privilege to open the 15th annual convention as the chair of the convention committee but I’m proud to be a life member of ASAAL for a long time. I can proudly say I was with ASAAL in 2008 when it started its journey. What ASAAL does for the community is unparalleled and we all will continue to do all we can to take ASAAL all across America and transform South Asians into the most active group in America. I welcome all of you to sit and enjoy this convention to its fullest".
In his “State of ASAAL,” speech President Uddin said, “I have so much to say about ASAAL and the progress together we made but the Speakers have already arrived so I will let them speak about ASAAL. Our goal is for ASAAL to become the center for
everyone around us. Our community is growing and our problems are compiling without involvement in mainstream politics we can not solve the problems we face. We need our elected officials to know, hear, and talk about our issues. Today we will hear from many elected officials who will promise us that they will do all they can to help ASAAL and the community we represent.”
We are very honored that Mayor Eric Adams joined us despite his busy schedule. In his speech he announced, "ASAAL is my old friend, we have been in the trenches together before. For a mathematics major, a math problem is not hard, we can solve all the problems we face in the city. We are working on Security and it is improving, we know safety and security are the most important issues for our people. Our economy is getting better, people are starting full-time jobs, and our city is opening up for business. Together we will resolve all the issues that our communities are facing. He then added, “I was a union member, I know the union, I was part of the labor movement, contract negotiations will be settled, together we will move this city forward”!
ASAAL is very proud that the US House Democratic leader-elect Hakeem Jeffries, soon to be House Speaker, gave the keynote speech. He appreciated ASAAL highly and thanked ASAAL members for working hard across the country when our country needed it the most. He said, “ASAAL is one of the most powerful organized forces helping not only South Asians but every community in the country. Our issues are the same. Your story and my story are the same, I came from a working family, and both my parents were union members. As the House Democratic leader, let me commit to you, I will be there with working people, with South Asians with ASAAL fighting shoulder to shoulder to lower the cost, to increase the salary, and to have better security. We will do everything we can for labor, for ASAAL, and for everyone in our community”!
Congresswoman Grace Meng thanked ASAAL for believing in her when she first ran for Congress in 2012! No labor union supported her candidacy except ASAAL. She appreciated ASAAL volunteers due to the fact that not only they worked here in New York State but across the country. She mentioned ASAAL works in Georgia’s senate re-run election where senator Warnock won to give a 51-49 majority to the Democrats! she said, “ASAAL was with me from the beginning, I will be always with ASAAL.”
New York State Comptroller DiNapoli said, “ASAAL knows we love them, we are with them and we appreciate what they do for our communities in general and for the South Asian Community in particular. If there is anything we can do to help ASAAL please feel free to ask us. We will do all we can to make sure your issues are addressed. Please enjoy the rest of the convention.”
It was really a distinct honor for ASAAL to receive video messages from Senate Majority Leader Hon. Chuck Schumer; New York State US Senator Hon. Kirsten Gillibrand; New York State Attorney General Letitia James; New York State Senate Majority Leader Hon. Andrea Stuart-Cousins; New York State Assembly Speaker Hon. Carl Heastie; Senator Sheikh Rahman and Senator-elect Nabilah Islam from Georgia, and many more.
These video speeches are now on our FaceBook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and other media, please see and hear them to know what heights ASAAL has reached.
National Secretary Karim Chowdhury spoke as he introduced all 18 chapters from 10 States. Most Chapter Presidents, Secretaries, and Women’s Committee Chairpeople spoke briefly at the convention. In his opening remarks, Karim Chowdhury said, “our Founder and President Maf Misbah Uddin had a vision and created ASAAL as the bridge between our communities and mainstream politics. Today with all these active chapters across America and today’s participation shows we are what he envisioned. If we continue to work hard we can create an America where every South Asian will be able to fulfill their American dream. Please be seated and enjoy”!
Hon. Donovan Richards, Queens Borough President said you stood by me and campaigned with me even in minus-degree cold and I’m here, I'm always a call away from you, I will be always with you. Your good work is spread all across New York, and we are proud of you.
In his remarks before opening the General Session Mr. Aziz Ahmed, President & CEO of UTC and Coders Trust said, "Let me start with congratulating ASAAL leaders, especially legendary labor leader founder of Maf Misbah Uddin and to say I'm very proud of ASAAL as what it has done for our community and the reach it has achieved. He feels everyone in the community should join ASAAL and help the cause, helping the movement grow. I urge everyone to stay involved and contribute towards its success!"
Many who spoke are Senators from Staten Island and Brooklyn: Hon. Diana Savino, who is also our honoree as the "Legislator of the Year"; Hon. David I. Weprin, Assemblyman, Queens, AD 24; Hon. Edward Braunstein, Assemblyman, Queens, AD 26; Hon. Karine's Reyes, Assemblywoman Bronx, AD 87; Hon Ridneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Assemblywoman Brooklyn, AD 42, kings County Democratic Chair; Hon. Jessica Gonzalez Rojas, Assemblywoman Queens, AD 34; Hon. Zahran Mamdani, Assemblyman Queens, AD 31; Hon. Catalina Cruz, Assemblywoman Queens, AD 39; Hon. Assemblywoman Yudelka Tapia, Bronx, AD 86; Hon. Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, Queens, AD 38; Hon. Steve Raga, Aasemblyman-elect Queens, AD 30; Hon. Gale A. Brewer, Councilwoman Manhattan, CD 6; Hon. Sandra Ung, Councilman Queens, CD 20; Hon. Shekar Krishnan, Councilman Queens, CD 25; Hon. Linda Lee, Councilwoman Queens CD 23; Hon. Nantasha Williams, Councilwoman Queens, CD 27; Hon. Rita Joseph, Councilwoman Brooklyn, CD 40; Hon. Kamilla Hanks, Councilwoman Staten Island, CD49, and many many other elected officials, politicians, and Labor Leaders including Ms. Deborah Allman, President Local 1930, who is also this year our "Labor to Neighbor awardees" were present and delivered their encouraging remarks.
The convention was attended by over 600 people as the attendance started filling the convention hall from 5:30 PM and stayed till 11:30 PM. Many local and community print and electronic media were present and the event was covered by all social media and was published on the World Wide Web. Everyone who was present or saw the Convention on social media agreed that it was a smashing success.
National President Maf Misbah Uddin and National Secretary Karim Chowdhury said to this news writer to convey to everyone that this convention's success belongs to all 18 chapters' hardworking members across the country and all those who sponsored this great convention.