Alliance of South Asians Taking Action (ASATA)

After September 11th, ASATA’s work involved combating the environment of hate inspired by the media, the United States government, and those spreading anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment. Our strategies involved education and awareness work, community outreach, media work, and working in solidarity with other social justice groups. ASATA organized and helped facilitate a training workshop for Bay Area high school students to train them on Berkeley High School students, “Unlearning Hate” presentation, which was created and successfully used at Berkeley High School to create a safe environment for students on campus. We also engaged in outreach to the South Asian American community to provide community members with hate crime/hate violence and Know Your Rights resources.

From April 2002 to May 2003, ASATA was part of the United Response Collaborative (URC), which consisted of five organizations serving the Bay Area Muslim, Arab and South Asian communities that provided direct assistance to and advocacy for victims of hate violence, with the intention of creating a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and coordinated approach that includes community organizing and empowerment, health education, strategic planning and organizational development.

Our actions:

• Education and awareness work (e.g. “Unlearning Hate” workshop for Bay Area high school students)
• Community outreach on hate crime/violence and civil rights (at Navaratri Garba-Raas, Durga Puja, Indo/Pak Independence Days, gurdwaras, mosques, and a host of other sites and events)
• Media contact to bring cases and issues to light
• Extensive coalition work with other social justice groups
• Member of the United Response Collaborative, a Bay Area multi-ethnic/religious alliance assisting victims, and doing education and organizing work in targeted communities.

Read related position statements, press releases, articles, and media mentions.