Dozens of Asian-American politicians shouted: “Obama, Obama!” on the steps of City Hall on the 21st. They encouraged the public to join “New York Asian Americans for Obama,” a new organization to help rally support for Obama’s candidacy. John Chiang, the California State Controller, Jun Cho, mayor of Edison, New Jersey, City Councilman John Liu, former New York State Assemblyman Jimmy Man, and a current candidate for New York Assembly Grace Meng, were all present.

According to Chiang, the democratic system aims for the participation and opinions of all citizens. Asian Americans are a fast-growing group in the United States, so they should actively participate in government. By choosing Obama, everyone could get healthcare and better wages.

Liu pointed out that given today’s economic and political uncertainties we especially need Obama, who has extensive community organizing experience. Grace Meng also expressed that with Obama elected, Asian Americans will have great opportunity to participate in government and to obtain more benefits. Representatives from the Korean-American and South Asian communities also presented their views. They urged Asian Americans to unite and vote for Obama.

Chin-Ming Yu, a 14-year-old high school student who came to the meeting with his mother, said that many of his classmates had been talking about the presidential election. Most of them supported Obama, because of his willingness to take opinions and his belief in change.

New York Asian Americans for Obama started out as a grassroots organization. Currently, it has about 200 members, including labor union members, community representatives, and academics. Some of them were heading to Pennsylvania and Ohio to campaign for Obama. They wanted to help register voters, make phone calls, and organize fundraisers.