Office of Lorena Gonzalez's video: 25 Years After Prop 187 A Message To Gov Pete Wilson From The CA Latino Caucus

A message from the California Latino Legislative Caucus to mark the 25th anniversary of the passage of Proposition 187, a statewide ballot measure championed by former Governor Pete Wilson that used Latino immigrants as a scapegoat for the economic problems facing the state. # # # Dear Governor Wilson, 25 years ago this month, you ran for reelection by stoking nativist fears about immigration. In 1994, you championed and helped pass Proposition 187, the “Save Our State” initiative. You said California had to be saved from our parents. You said California had to be saved from our neighbors, our friends, our families. You scapegoated immigrants like our moms and dads in order to secure reelection. And, you blamed people who look like us for the economic problems that faced California. Sound familiar? Proposition 187 passed with 59% of the vote and we were angry... But, you woke a sleeping giant. We immediately turned our attention to actually saving our state, one person at a time. We marched, protested, became citizens, registered voters and eventually ran for office. Governor Wilson, 25 years ago this month, you spread fear about Latinos and immigrants in an attempt to secure a future for yourself your Party. Instead, you ignited a movement. More than a million Latino immigrants moved through the process of naturalization and voter registration. California’s Latino Legislative Caucus has swelled to a record 29 members, and 5 constitutional officers! We helped create supermajorities in both houses of the legislature. We’ve passed legislation to allow Dreamers to go to college, graduate school and even practice law. We’ve expanded worker protections and overtime to our farmworkers and domestic workers. We have expanded healthcare rights to all young Californians, no matter their immigration status. Our work isn’t done... but we want to say thank you, Governor Wilson. Now on this 25th anniversary of Proposition 187, we have a road map for the entire country to follow A road map on how to fight back against racist, xenophobic policies, and an opportunist leader. One person at a time. So, thank you Pete Wilson and Happy Anniversary! Love, California Latino Legislative Caucus