By Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media  

This year’s wildfire season has already been out of the ordinary. About 3.3 million acres have burned across vast tracts of California, Oregon and Washington. The areas surrounding those places have also been affected by dangerous levels of smoke over the last few weeks. 

Although the skies in the Bay Area are no longer orange and the air quality has improved, wildfire season is not over.  Therefore, officials are advising people living close to wildfires to learn more about how air quality affects their health. 

“Anytime we have any major wildfires, we often see some very high levels of air pollution,” said Dr. Jo Kay Ghosh, the Health Effects Officer at South Coast Air Quality Management District, the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.  

She spoke to California Black Media about how unhealthy air quality affects our health. 

“Most of us have been experiencing burning eyes, or a scratchy throat, a headache, or coughing,” she said.  But for some people, these high levels of particle air pollution can cause more serious health problems such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, asthma attacks and heart attack.” 

Some Black communities in California are already exposed to higher levels of air pollution. A number of studies have found that that dangerous amounts of contaminants continue to poison the air in African-American and lower-income areas even as they decrease in higher-income and predominantly White areas. 

Several studies have also found that wildfires are growing contributors to fine-particle pollution across the West Coast. Though the long-term health effects of exposure to fine-particle pollution and smog are well-established, there has been little research on the long-term effects of wildfire smoke, according to environmental experts.  

“We know that some communities that are living near a lot of sources of air pollution like freeways or areas where there’s a lot of industrial activity, we know that these communities are often disproportionately impacted by these types of health conditions. So whenever we have this kind of poor air quality during wildfires, we definitely recommend to take precaution because these high levels of pollution can cause some serious health problems,” Ghosh said. 

The U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI) measures the amount of air pollution on a scale from 0 to 500. It increases as air quality gets worse, with an AQI value over 300 representing hazardous air quality. When the AQI reaches between 101 and 150, members of sensitive groups may experience health effects, and at 151 or higher, members of the general public may experience health effects, with the risk getting higher as the AQI increases. 

Ghosh recommends that community members check their air quality frequently, as conditions can change quickly. South Coast Air Quality Management District has an air quality app available on their website in both English and Spanish. 

“When we have wildfire conditions, your air quality can change hour to hour and sometimes even within a few minutes, because the wind conditions really affect which direction the smoke is going. Some areas might see moderate air quality, and maybe in the next hour, it might go all the way up to unhealthy. So definitely check what the conditions are in your area at that time.” 

Ghosh says there are a few preventive measures all Californians affected by poor quality of air — or who live near wildfires —  can take, too, to manage their health. 

“If you’re seeing that your air quality in your area is unhealthy, try to stay indoors if your doors and windows shut. If you have an air conditioner, air purifier you can run that to help filter out particles that may have gotten indoors. But you know those units can be pretty expensive. So actually, there are some instructions available to create a temporary air purifier. If you can get a box fan and a disposable air filter, you can create a temporary air filter that you can use it in a bedroom.” 

The South Coast AQMD app is available at aqmd.gov/mobileapp.  

By Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media  

Early voting in California will begin Monday, October 5. Registered voters will be able to either mail in or drop off their ballots from that day until the day before Election Day, Monday, November 2.  

In a deeply divided American electorate, both Democrats and Republicans have been pushing efforts to motivate their respective party bases to get out and vote. And in an election year when a few votes in a handful of swing states will likely determine who will win the U.S. presidency, poll watchers are predicting that young people could be the deciding vote in several places.  

“Don’t let anyone keep you from exercising your sacred vote. Make your plan to vote. Grab your vote and head to the polls the first day they are open,” said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, calling out young people in his speech at the Democratic National Convention in August.  

Across California, young voters are speaking out about the issues that concern them this election, and decisions that will affect their future. On September. 11, Power California, a civic engagement organization that encourages young people of color to participate in government, hosted their “Fight For Our Future Campaign Kick-Off.” 

Young activists from all corners of California spoke about issues coming up in the November election to launch he campaign, which aims to reach more than 150,000 California voters between the ages of 18 and 35 through virtual phone banking and texting. 

Annie Gonzalez, the actress known for her role as Lidia Solis on Netflix’s comedy-drama series “Gentefied,” hosted the virtual event. She addressed the struggles that young people of color are facing in the lead up to the election.  

According to Power California’s 2020 Youth Poll, 46 percent of young people surveyed had difficulty buying food, household supplies or medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 67 percent said their state government is not doing enough to address the impact of COVID-19. 

“Young people of color have been hit hard by these crises, and their needs and futures must be centered in this election, and always during the recovery, from young essential workers risking everything to take care of us to college students unsure about their future to everyday young people struggling to afford rent,” said Gonzalez. 

Kendrick Sampson, activist and actor known for his role as Nathan Campbell on HBO’s popular comedy-drama series “Insecure,” addressed the young people watching the event as well. He stressed the importance of activism and participation.   

“I’m inspired by all the young people. It’s what keeps me going and motivated, because y’all are leading the movement across the country. Young people like yourselves are rising up and fueling movements for justice, from Black Lives Matter and calls to defund the police to climate change and immigrant rights. You are the leaders and the moral compass of our nation in every major movement for justice that has been true in our past, and it is still true today.” 

Tyler Okeke, a 19-year-old organizer with Power California, asked young people to sign a letter asking Gov. Newsom to endorse Proposition 15. The ballot measure would require commercial and industrial properties to be taxed at their market value. According to Ballotpedia, 40 percent of the revenue generated will fund school districts and community colleges. 

“It will require decisive action from our elected leaders, especially leaders like Governor Newsom,” he said. “We need leaders who will put people over corporations and take steps to meet California’s most essential human needs while recognizing that young people are the central force of this future that we want for this state.” 

Ixchel Arista, a 15-year-old youth organizer with Oakland Kids First, advocated for Measure QQ, a ballot initiative in Oakland which will allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections. 

“Students feel the most impact as we spend most of our lives at school, yet have no say in decisions being made for our education. We need to be able to decide who is making these impactful decisions,” said Arista. 

Te’Ausha Garcia, a civic engagement organizer with Californians for Justice in Fresno, said, “It’s important that we fight for the solutions that we need, because who else will fight for us? We have to be willing to stand up and fight for what we want. Otherwise the change we desperately need will not be showcased. We must stand up for our rights and really name what it is that we need.” 

“We must continue to fight for our right to the future that we deserve. The right to have our most basic human needs met: Clean and fresh air and water, housing, healthcare and education. The right to be free and to live with dignity and without discrimination, the right to determine the future of our democracy and our economy, and we will not stop until we secure these rights. We will not stop until we secure these rights,” said Eugene Vang, a 19-year-old activist from Merced, who organizes with 99 Routes and Power California.

By Lou Yeboah

Mama always said, “A hard-head makes a soft behind.” Now, if you don’t know what that means, you just keep on doing you. Keep on doing what you want, when you want. Keep on ignoring God’s warnings. You will find out sooner than later what it means.

Listen, warning is never meant to hurt us. Warning is meant to keep us from hurting ourselves.  Alarms may be a nuisance to our ears, but they are really our friends, so to speak. Fire alarms alert us to the danger of fire. Burglar alarms alert us of the danger of theft and violence. Our alarm clocks alert us of the danger of being late for work. If we do not heed the warnings, we can find ourselves in a place that we wouldn’t want to be. And if that is the case, what about the warnings that exist for our spiritual lives? If our spiritual selves are more important, and even more “real” due to the fact that they are eternal, if they are more important than our physical bodies, how much more should we pay attention to spiritual warning signs?

[Proverbs 22:3] tells us,  “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”The word “simple” here means those without moral direction. It refers to people who just want to do their own thing as they see fit, people who move about as if there are no consequences for the things they do.  [Proverbs 1:22], asks the question, “How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?” How long will you keep ignoring the warning signs and live for your own ways and desires as if there are no consequences for doing so?” I tell you, “It takes a fool to learn!

Don’t be another Samson [Judges 14:1-9] who ignored warning signs that would have indicated he was headed for disaster. Because he did not listen, he suffered greatly for it. Samson leaped over many warning signs. Don’t you do it! When you ignore the warning signs and step across clearly stated boundaries for your life, you will absolutely compromise God’s intended future for you as did Samson. You can’t get down the road where God desires to take you if you are ignoring the warning signs.

Just like Samson’s parents tried to talk some sense into him. They tried to get him to consider the ramifications of what he was doing, but his mind was made up. He couldn’t see the big picture. He couldn’t consider the compromise. He couldn’t weigh the impact of his decisions on the others around him. He didn’t even think about the example he was setting for the rest of the Israelite’s. I tell you, shutting out the voice of truth; that kind of arrogance is foolishness and destructive. We all need direction. We all need correction. We all need perspective. Samson’s parents were trying to put a speed bump in his path, trying to get him to think things through, but he wouldn’t listen. “It takes a fool to learn!

“Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; and you neglected all my counsel and didn’t want my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes. When your dread comes like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me,” – “and I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, they will not find me, because they hated knowledge…  and they would not accept my counsel, they spurned all my reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way” – [Proverbs 1:23-31].

Return, oh backsliding children, for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you a shepherd [Jeremiah 3:14-15].

By Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media  

Black Americans were already in the midst of two disasters this year – the disproportionate toll of the COVID-19 pandemic and a spate of horrifying incidents of police brutality — when fire season in California started early. Wildfires have burned over 3.1 million acres in California since the beginning of the year, breaking the record for the deadliest year of wildfires in the state, according to CalFire. 

Though Black communities are disproportionately vulnerable to and impacted by disasters, Black households are less likely to be prepared for disasters than White households, according to the NAACP. 

This September, which is Emergency Preparedness Month, some Black activists as well as community-based organizations have been partnering with Listos California, an emergency preparedness campaign anchored in the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). These partnerships are aimed at getting the word out about emergency preparedness to diverse communities through more accessible and impactful means, such as artwork and person-to-person conversation.  

“Listos California awarded $50 million in local assistance grants to non-profit organizations throughout the state to build resiliency in vulnerable communities and connect residents to culturally and linguistically competent support — a whole community approach that fosters critical networks that can save lives. This month, I urge all Californians to learn about how they can help keep their loved ones and communities safe during an emergency,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom in his declaration for Emergency Preparedness Month. 

For Aliyah Sidqe, a Sacramento-based artist who depicts Black life in America, it’s important for the Black community to be prepared to fend for themselves, she says, in an emergency situation. 

“The Black community is already subject to a lot, and we’re not thought about all the time. It’s important for us to take matters into our own hands and really be prepared for what’s to come because sometimes we’re not considered in the game plan as far as what the world needs to do,” Sidqe said. 

According to a poll of California residents living in zip codes at risk of floods, wildfires or earthquakes, conducted by EMC Research, 88 % of vulnerable residents agree that preparing for a disaster is important. However, those respondents admitted to not taking action to prepare because they think doing so is scary (63%), expensive (61%) or time-consuming (54%). 

“I think a portion of people don’t take certain things seriously, or they’re not really thinking about all that is going on right now. It’s easier just to kind of push that to the back of your mind. But I think the fact that we’re already marginalized makes it super important for us to really be ready to take care of ourselves and be prepared for anything,” Sidqe said. 

Since partnering with Listos California, Sidqe has started conversations with family members and friends about what they would do during emergencies.  

“Before I really hadn’t thought too much about it, but it did kind of spark that, for my partner and me — conversations like where would we go if we did have to evacuate. Actually, in our area, there was a fire really close to us and a few neighborhoods had to evacuate. So, we did put a plan in place of where we would go in case that would happen.” 

The Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy, a nonprofit serving youth in San Bernardino County, has been sharing information about emergency preparedness alongside their ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts. During their relief events, which include twice-a-month drive-thru distribution of essential items, CEO Terrance Stone and the Young Visionaries staff inform community members about the importance of being prepared.  

“I’ve been introducing the program like this: I always ask if somebody came and knocked at your door right now, and told you that you have five minutes to pack your necessities and go, are you going to be able to get what you need within those five minutes? It’s an eye opener for everybody, because then they’re like, wait, like what do I actually need,” said Jennifer Rosales, Administrative Assistant at Young Visionaries.  

“I tell everybody, it doesn’t have to be expensive. You don’t have to go out and spend $200, $300 to try to get a go-bag or a ready bag. I think the number one thing is this: Just look at your basic needs, something that you need every day, and then just start that way. It’s important to know that it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money to keep your family and your friends safe,” said Rosales. 

El Sol Neighborhood Education Center is coordinating outreach activities with 11 community groups from different parts of San Bernardino County.  

“We have developed specific strategies to target specific communities. We have to bring cultural brokers or cultural speakers so that they understand the language, the culture and the lived experiences of each target community. We partner with agencies and churches — African American, Asian American, Latino and Native American partners. Each group knows how to best reach the people in their own communities”, says Alex Fajardo, El Sol’s executive director.  

The Listos California website has Disaster Ready Guides in multiple languages if readers want to know more about what to have prepared for an emergency. 

RIALTO, CA—- In response to the exponential population growth in communities served by the West Valley Water District, the WVWD Board of Directors approved a series of critical water infrastructure improvements for North Fontana residents in Zone 7. By installing new pressure regulation systems and conducting main line improvements, WVWD will be able to better maintain and control the steady flow of water to the area’s residents.

Board President Channing Hawkins stated, “By getting in front of tomorrow’s infrastructure challenges today, we are building a stronger foundation for our community’s future growth. From doubling our water treatment capabilities to enhancing our pipe and pressure systems, our board is actively working with our staff to provide the resources necessary to providing safe, high quality, and reliable water to our ratepayers.”

The project is located in Fontana, west of Citrus Avenue and north of Interstate 15. A new pressure regulation valve, 18 inch pipe fittings, a fire hydrant and connection points for anticipated residential developments and future WVWD projects will be installed at an approved cost of $150,000. When completed, the project will greatly contribute to maintaining reliable, controlled water pressure. Water pressure that is too low causes appliance malfunctions and customer inconvenience; too high, and water is wasted, resulting in excessive water bills. These improvements will thus ensure that water flow is strong enough for smooth living, and controlled enough for high system efficiency.

According to a report last year in the San Bernardino Sun, Fontana may soon overtake San Bernardino as the largest city in the county. Fontana’s population has grown an average of one percent per year since 2010, and grew by 8.3% between 2010 and 2018. To meet the housing and commercial needs of a growing population, developers in North Fontana believe at least 6,000 new water connections will be installed over the next two decades. 

Board Vice President Kyle Crowther stated, “In just this past month, we have approved both this project and the vast expansion of the Oliver P. Roemer Water Filtration Facility. Our water infrastructure must continue to grow to meet the demands of our growing community. Rest assured that we are all working together to guarantee that our community will enjoy reliable, robust water infrastructure for decades to come.

The pressure regulation and main line improvements follow and supplement WVWD’s expansion of the Oliver P. Roemer Water Filtration Facility, which will increase the facility’s treatment capacity by 16 million gallons per day by integrating advanced water treatment technologies. The expansion project will not only allow WVWD to meet unprecedented population growth and rising peak summer usage, but provide the water resources necessary for the replenishment of groundwater levels; by treating aqueduct water from Northern California to meet community needs, reductions in pumping water from the ground can allow groundwater levels to be recover from drought-induced heavier use. Combined, these projects will ensure that there is more than enough safe and sustainable water for generations to come. 

By Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media  

With less than two months left before Election Day, campaigns both defending and opposing Proposition 22 — the ballot initiative that aims to keep gig company drivers classified as independent contractors — are revving up their efforts to reach out to Black voters. 

Earlier this month, Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart pumped another $70 million into their campaign to pass Prop 22. The total funds those app-based companies and others have spent on the Yes on Prop 22 public information effort is now $181 million, making it one of the most expensive California initiative information campaigns ever. 

The opposition, made up of mostly labor organizing groups, has raised about $4.8 million so far, with funding coming mostly from labor organizing groups. 

On September 3, the  Yes on 22 campaign hosted a press conference for ethnic communities in the state. At the event, community leaders spoke up about why they support the ballot initiative. They emphasized that gig companies provide an easy stream of income for their drivers, and that Prop 22 would keep those jobs in California — and in Black and Brown communities in particular.  

“Driving has been a source of relief for these people. It’s easy to sign up, start driving and earning right away, without a lot of the normal barriers that block Black and Latino Americans from working,” said Dr. Tecoy Porter Sr., President of the National Action Network Sacramento Chapter. 

Jay King, President and CEO of California Black Chamber of Commerce, said the Black community can not afford massive job losses in the wake of the pandemic.  

“One in 10 app-based drivers are Black. Many of them would lose their jobs if Prop 22 is not passed this November. When so much of our community is suffering, we need to encourage and promote new and innovative ways to make income. I encourage everyone to vote yes to save app-based jobs and services,” he said.  

On September 9, protesters from Rideshare Drivers United (RDU), an organizing group that has come out against Prop 22, gathered under an Uber billboard in Oakland that read, “If you tolerate racism, delete Uber. Black people have the right to move without fear.” Uber has launched a microsite that promotes that slogan and shares how the company plans to rid its platform of racism and investments it has made in the Black community.  

“We are condemning them on their hypocritical ballot measure that would relegate drivers to a permanent underclass without basic rights or voices or privileges. We condemn major companies like Uber and Lyft who are claiming support of a protest movement that has galvanized America, in the middle of a pandemic that has disproportionately affected Black and Brown people in their lives,” Cherri Murphy, an RDU organizer, told California Black Media. 

Murphy says there are multiple instances when Uber and Lyft exploit Black drivers and customers, alleging that those companies increase ride prices in Black and Brown neighborhoods. That claim has been supported by a June preprint study by George Washington University.  

“If you want to know whether or not Lyft and Uber are doing the right thing, you need to look at their historical measures and tactics. The most recent one is around the preliminary injunction. As opposed to following the rules, what they want to do is invoke fear and have people make a decision based on fear. So their method on threatening people to shut down wasn’t because they’re in a bind. Not a million  dollar — a billion dollar — company. Compare that to those who live check to check,” said Murphy. 

As they wait to see how Californians will vote on Prop 22, Uber and Lyft are also currently in an appeals process against the preliminary injunction that ordered them to classify their drivers as employees last August.  

Black Caucus Writes Letters Defending State Bar Candidate  Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media  
On Sept.15, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) sent out separate letters to Gov. Gavin Newsom and Senate Pro Tem Sen. Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), voicing its concerns about the treatment of two high profile African American public servants.  In the letter obtained by California Black Media, the organization, comprised of African Americans elected to the state legislature, called out the “practices of the State Bar of California —? most recently involving Black women.”  
“Specifically, we are shocked and appalled by the mistreatment of Attorney Fredericka McGee, who had her job offer as Executive Director of the State Bar rescinded without explanation. We are also troubled that Debbie Manning recently and abruptly resigned from the State Board,” CLBC chair and Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) wrote in the letter to Atkins.   
The board of trustees offered McGee — a respected California legislative attorney licensed in the state for 30 years — the position of executive director in July.?  
Last month, the organization, which serves as an administrative arm of the State Supreme Court and is charged with protecting the public interest, reportedly withdrew the proposal without providing McGee an explanation.?  
Manning, a member of State Bar’s 13-member board — the only African American serving on the governing body — surprisingly resigned halfway through her term. She was appointed to a four-year term by the state Senate in 2018.?  
“Over the past few months, this nation has witnessed the inhumane treatment of African Americans in this country. While the focus has been on law enforcement, we are aware that systemic racism does not confine itself to one agency, but can be experienced in macro and micro aggressions,” Weber stated in the letter to Newsom.  
The executive director of the State Bar leads the senior management team responsible for various programs. The position requires the executive director to answer to the board of trustees and advance its policies. The State Bar Board of Trustees chairperson Alan Steinbrecher, responding to published reports about the McGee issue, said the governing board does not comment publicly about personnel decisions.  
“We are not in the position to respond to specifics reported in the press because the executive director’s selection process is a confidential, personnel matter,” he said. ? Weber requested an urgent meeting with Newsom to discuss the issues surrounding the State Bar and McGee’s appointment. Her letter also asked that the governor veto Assembly Bill (AB) 3362 or hold off on considering it until a meeting takes place.?  
AB 3362, a bill that would authorize the State Bar to collect fees from California attorneys and restrict its board of trustees from discussing issues about the Bar’s exams administration, is currently being reviewed by the governor.  
“The State Bar of California has a long history of inappropriate behavior. The need to hold them accountable is long overdue. While the Legislature’s role is limited, it is no less important and impactful,” Weber said in the letter to the governor.  
The mission of the CLBC is to advocate for the interests of Black Californians, remove obstacles that Black Americans face in every aspect of life, demand equity to eliminate disparities between racial groups, and increase African-American participation and representation in all levels of government.??? Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus include: The chair, Assemblymember Shirley N.Weber (D-San Diego); Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Los Angeles), the group’s vice chair; Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), secretary; Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Sacramento), treasurer; Sen, Holy J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles); Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena); Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Los Angeles); Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-South Bay, Los Angeles); Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D- South Los Angeles); and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento). 

Over the weekend on September 19^th, local recording artist and community activist Justified Smith and his organization Fathers In Hip Hop brought a big blessing to the High Desert with their BLESSED IN THE MESS RELIEF EFFORT CAMPAIGN, by going to the Walmart Super Center/Victorville on 395 and Palmdale Rd. to bless the mess. Earlier in the week Justified and his team of supporters and contributors raised $2,000 and all of it went towards the purchase of Walmart gift cards in the amounts of $50 and $100.  

After the purchase of the gift cards, Justified along with his rap comrade Big2daboy and their teams walked through the store in search of fathers and families to bless randomly with the gift cards to go towards their purchases. Adelanto city council candidates Daniel Ramos and Roy Isaiah joined Fathers In Hip Hop on this day and helped with the distribution of the funds.  

Adelanto Mayor Gabriel Reyes & City Commissioner Daniel Ramos also joined in on the giving by making a donation of $500 to the campaign on behalf of the City Of Adelanto. They believe in what Justified and Fathers In Hip Hop are trying to accomplish with the fathers in their city.  

Justified believes that if you bless the fathers, the families will be blessed as well. Giving these gift cards to the fathers is their way of acknowledging and honoring ACTIVE FATHERS and saluting them for accepting the call of duty and being present in their children’s lives. He also believes that spending time is just as important as spending money when it comes to being a father. 

$1,200 in gift cards were distributed to fathers and their families inside of the Walmart. The following day Sunday September 20^th Justified, Daniel Ramos, and Mayor Gabriel Reyes took the remaining $800 in gift cards to the streets on the north end of Adelanto, and visited an apartment complex where they sought out and found more fathers to bless with the gift cards. The fathers that were fortunate enough to receive this unexpected blessing were overwhelmed with gratefulness and really appreciated the gift cards. While out distributing the cards they came across a team of first responders and decided to bless the Adelanto Fire Department with a Gift Card in the amount of $50 to honor of the fathers on their team, and advised them to take the blessing and use it for their Fire House.  

Justified and Fathers In Hip Hop are determined and committed to be a blessing to the fathers and families of the high desert. All the money is was raised by donations from local businesses and supporters who believe in the mission of Fathers In Hip Hop and what they’re doing with their Blessed In The Mess Relief Effort. If you want to participate in the giving, you can do so by making a donation to their cash app $fathersinhiphop. You can also connect with the Fathers In Hip Hop via email at fathersinhiphop@gmail.com or follow them on Instagram

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Supreme Court of the United States Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

“Justice Ginsburg devoted her extraordinary life and intellect to making the words of our nation’s founding documents more true. Throughout her historic legal career, her contributions as a jurist to the cause of equality for women and men were unmatched. Justice Ginsburg fought tirelessly for the rights of women at work, at school and in the life of our nation. She proved over and over again that sex-based discrimination harmed not just women, but men and families, and that reckoning with this inequality was required for our nation to live out its promise.

“In moving our nation forward, she inspired millions among us, including so many women and girls, to reach higher, dream bigger and dissent more passionately. Though this loss is incalculable, her legacy will live on in the fairer, more just society that she bravely ushered in and that we must, to honor her, safeguard. Our thoughts and prayers are with her colleagues, her family and all Americans in mourning.”