Black Leaders Voice Sturdy Assist for Gov. Newsom as Voters Return Recall Ballots – Los Angeles Sentinel | Los Angeles Sentinel

Last week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) organized a Black Leaders Press Conference in support of the campaign to end the recall of Governor Gavin Newsom. Ninety influential black leaders in education, church, politics, civil rights and more – as well as members of the California Black Caucus legislature – attended the meeting last Tuesday through Zoom.

Lateefah Simon, a Bay Area-based women’s and civil rights activist, hosted the Zoom rally.

Each of the speakers took about a minute to express their support for the governor and explain why they intended to vote “no” against the removal. Many of them also spoke out against the controversial recall candidate Larry Elder, who is an LA-based radio talk show host, who says he is not an African American but an American who is black. He is the top candidate vying to succeed Newsom.

“We are meeting today as African American leaders because we understand the danger ahead. We understand this is a right wing move and we will not allow it, ”said US Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA-37). “We cannot let Larry Elder confuse us. I don’t care what he looks like. We know Larry Elder very well in Los Angeles. He’s built his career on attacking black leaders. “

The meeting began with a prayer from Rev. Amos Brown, pastor of the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco and president of the NAACP branch there. Brown prayed for the “salvation of our democracy” and for the nation’s promise to be kept.

Congressman Lee reiterated Congressman Bass’s support for Newsom.

“We know that the health of our children, our neighbors, and our communities depends on the leadership of Governor Newsom. He was there for us and we will be there for him, ”she said.

California Superintendent of Public Education Tony Thurmond highlighted unprecedented educational spending that made Newsom a reality in the state.

“Our governor has given our schools a budget of $ 123 billion for education. A record budget. It includes funding for broadband, mental health, community schools, universal meals for all children, universal preschools for all 4 year olds, COVID testing, PPE and anti-hatred. We do not remember governors doing good for African Americans and for all people. We say ‘no’ to the call back. “

Malia Cohen, a member of the California State Board of Equalization, called on black women to take action, stressing that dismissal was particularly urgent for women’s rights.

“If we lose Governor Newsom, we will lose our reproductive rights, we will lose our chance of having a champion who has helped us fight the struggle to keep children and help us pave the way for universal pre-K level. This is a person who is an ally. “

The Mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, thanked Newsom for believing in her and first calling her and providing logistical support to her city.

“Governor Newsom was there for us. He answered our calls. He was active and reached us on so many different levels. And I don’t want to go backwards and stop the progress we’ve made, ”said Breed.

“More importantly, Gavin Newsom was a great supporter and friend of African Americans – not only in his capacity as governor, but also while serving here as mayor of San Francisco,” Breed continued. “The first position I was called to was on the San Francisco Redevelopment Commission and I was called by Gavin Newsom. Lots of people think it was Willie Brown. It wasn’t Willie Brown. It was Gavin Newsom. “

Brown was the first black mayor of San Francisco and a former spokesman for the California Congregation.

Newsom, who followed the call, thanked for the support so far and reiterated the position he would like to take as governor. He pledged to keep women in positions of power, build on economic and labor development strategies for minority communities, and continue reforming California’s public education system.

His most sincere moment came during a brief question-and-answer session towards the end of the meeting. He responded to a question from California Democratic Party’s Black Caucus chair Taisha Brown about his agenda for black Californians once the elections are over.

“This is a point of passion for me. This is a point of pride that in the past 6 months since this recall became a reality, I haven’t just gotten into the issues of the African American community, ”he said. “This has been a good part of my life working with Rev. Brown and so many other leaders on this call. I look forward to hopefully continuing this work for many years to come if we thwart this recall. “

Voting on the recall election has begun in California’s 58 counties. Voters can now return their ballot papers by post or to designated drop-off points or polling stations in their district. Or they can appear at the polls on election day Tuesday, September 14th to cast their vote.