Listen to this note:
In the face of President Donald Trump's racist, misogynistic, xenophobic and hateful rhetoric, which began during his campaign and has been applied since day one of his second term, California has the opportunity to become a bastion of resistance to protect its residents, with the help of local organizations and leaders.
This was stated by Deirdre Schifeling, director of policy and advocacy at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who pointed out that “this is not Trump's America.”
“This moment of urgency requires all of us to step up, and with 40 million people calling this state home and the fifth-largest economy in the world, California has the opportunity and responsibility to lead the front lines of resistance,” he said during a rally in Sacramento.
“California leaders must act now to protect their constituents. This is not Trump’s America. This is not the America of Project 2025. This is our America,” the activist stressed.
In this regard, Schifeling called on residents of the Golden State to join this resistance.
“We invite all Californians to join the fight for freedom, and we urge local and state leaders to do their part. We want Trump to know that he will not only see the ACLU in the courts, he will also see us in state legislatures and on the streets,” she stressed.
Gavin Newsom set out to prepare anti-Trump efforts in California before he took office as president. Earlier this month, the state legislature passed a $50 million bill to fight his agenda, with the governor's support.
For his part, Assemblyman Mike Gipson told reporters Tuesday afternoon that “fighting” Trump’s policies was one of the top priorities for lawmakers this legislative session.
“This administration has signed executive orders to divide this country,” she said. “Now more than ever, we must come together to organize and show this president that we will not back down.”
“Now more than ever we must unite and organize ourselves and show this president that we will not back down, that we will continue to fight and protect our communities,” she said.
The official joined the calls to protect the most vulnerable from Trump's rhetoric.
“It reminds me of something we say in the African-American community: ‘I stand with my brother,’ and we say, ‘Yes, we are.’ We will be strong and proud. Our voices will be heard in California and beyond because you are not alone,” he added.
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