Vatsady Sivongxay
She/Her
- Currently
- Attorney
She/Her
Vatsady Sivongxay's family immigrated to the United States as refugees from Laos when she was very young. She has lived in the area since 2010.
Vatsady Sivongxay is a first-time candidate for office. She was the Directory of Public Policy for Boston City Council District 7 from 2014-2016, for Councillor Tito Jackson. A trained attorney, she is also a trustee of the Harry H. Dow Memorial Legal Assistance Fund, which helps Asian Americans who have barriers to the legal system, and she is a board member of the Asian American Lawyers Association.
We left Laos because of Vietnam War. ... I lived in the refugee camps in Thailand and the Philippines for a little over 2 1/2 years. I arrived in the US when I was 4 1/2 years old.
The common objective of many anti-growth and pro-growth advocates is to create long-term affordable housing without displacement. We need an equity-centered urban planning process that will result in more affordable housing options.
Mr. President, the agenda you push is dark and un-American. It stokes hate and fear at home, and closes us off to the rest of the world. We are a nation of immigrants who love our country, cherish its mix of ethnicities and cultures, and proudly contribute to the next chapter in its history.
I know what it means to live without freedom, opportunity, or dignity. I know that we must always be vigilant in protecting our rights and that is why I stand as a proud American in opposition to the dark narrative that your recent actions suggest.
Vatsady Sivongxay: I think the City Council needs to collaborate more on some of the issues that have been long-standing challenges in our city, that we need to be able to talk about our different perspectives, and that we then have to see how we can work together to take actions and to hold the government and developers accountable.
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I know that a lot of people want to have a say in regulating recreational marijuana. If it is legal to provide recreational marijuana, I think the city needs to work with the state to work out a place to do so that is accessible and safe for the community. Clear it away from the schools, the libraries, similar places—but other than that, I would really like the city to work with residents and the state in determining how to regulate and how to place it.
Nov. 1, 2017 — Truelian LeeVatsady Sivongxay: I think the City Council needs to collaborate more on some of the issues that have been long-standing challenges in our city, that we need to be able to talk about our different perspectives, and that we then have to see how we can work together to take actions and to hold the government and developers accountable.
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I know that a lot of people want to have a say in regulating recreational marijuana. If it is legal to provide recreational marijuana, I think the city needs to work with the state to work out a place to do so that is accessible and safe for the community. Clear it away from the schools, the libraries, similar places—but other than that, I would really like the city to work with residents and the state in determining how to regulate and how to place it.
I believe that affordability is the biggest problem facing Cambridge. This affordability intersects housing, income equality and environmental justice, as well as other issues. Solving this problem will require diversity, outreach, teamwork and accountability. My top three priorities to address affordability include:
1) Expand affordable housing for lower-to middle-income households in housing plan and inclusionary zoning requirements to achieve housing affordability and stability
2) Build a stronger workforce development pipeline for youth and adults by increasing partnerships with higher education, research, and nonprofit organizations, and engaging the business community to connect youth and adults with living wage jobs
3) Expand access to quality early education and childcare so that families have a chance to climb up the ladder of opportunity.
Oct. 13, 2017 — Reena KarasinI believe that affordability is the biggest problem facing Cambridge. This affordability intersects housing, income equality and environmental justice, as well as other issues. Solving this problem will require diversity, outreach, teamwork and accountability. My top three priorities to address affordability include:
1) Expand affordable housing for lower-to middle-income households in housing plan and inclusionary zoning requirements to achieve housing affordability and stability
2) Build a stronger workforce development pipeline for youth and adults by increasing partnerships with higher education, research, and nonprofit organizations, and engaging the business community to connect youth and adults with living wage jobs
3) Expand access to quality early education and childcare so that families have a chance to climb up the ladder of opportunity.
Vatsady Sivongxay, a Lao refugee who came to the U.S. at the age of 4, believes it’s important to have diverse representation in order to give a voice to underrepresented communities.
“In this frightening national political climate, where much is at stake, uncertainty and anxiety are high, and the environment is very scary for many people -- particularly women, immigrants, LGTBQ folks, seniors, students, people of color and our most vulnerable neighbors. Our voices can change the conversation,” she wrote.
Oct. 3, 2017 — Amy SaltzmanVatsady Sivongxay, a Lao refugee who came to the U.S. at the age of 4, believes it’s important to have diverse representation in order to give a voice to underrepresented communities.
“In this frightening national political climate, where much is at stake, uncertainty and anxiety are high, and the environment is very scary for many people -- particularly women, immigrants, LGTBQ folks, seniors, students, people of color and our most vulnerable neighbors. Our voices can change the conversation,” she wrote.
Other speakers included state Representative Tackey Chan, Quincy City Councilor Nina X. Liang, Cambridge City Council candidate Vatsady Sivongxay, and keynote speaker Connie Dai, a Boston-area attorney who specializes in business law.
Aug. 4, 2017 — Hattie BernsteinOther speakers included state Representative Tackey Chan, Quincy City Councilor Nina X. Liang, Cambridge City Council candidate Vatsady Sivongxay, and keynote speaker Connie Dai, a Boston-area attorney who specializes in business law.
″[Trump’s agenda] stokes hate and fear at home, and closes us off to the rest of the world,” Vatsady Sivongxay, a Cambridge attorney wrote in an op-ed submission to the Chronicle. “We are a nation of immigrants who love our country, cherish its mix of ethnicities and cultures, and proudly contribute to the next chapter in its history.”
Feb. 1, 2017 — Amy Saltzman, Bill Whelan″[Trump’s agenda] stokes hate and fear at home, and closes us off to the rest of the world,” Vatsady Sivongxay, a Cambridge attorney wrote in an op-ed submission to the Chronicle. “We are a nation of immigrants who love our country, cherish its mix of ethnicities and cultures, and proudly contribute to the next chapter in its history.”
Mr. President, the agenda you push is dark and un-American. It stokes hate and fear at home, and closes us off to the rest of the world. We are a nation of immigrants who love our country, cherish its mix of ethnicities and cultures, and proudly contribute to the next chapter in its history.
I know what it means to live without freedom, opportunity, or dignity. I know that we must always be vigilant in protecting our rights and that is why I stand as a proud American in opposition to the dark narrative that your recent actions suggest.
Jan. 31, 2017 — Vatsady SivongxayMr. President, the agenda you push is dark and un-American. It stokes hate and fear at home, and closes us off to the rest of the world. We are a nation of immigrants who love our country, cherish its mix of ethnicities and cultures, and proudly contribute to the next chapter in its history.
I know what it means to live without freedom, opportunity, or dignity. I know that we must always be vigilant in protecting our rights and that is why I stand as a proud American in opposition to the dark narrative that your recent actions suggest.