California Attorney General Rob Bonta delivered a message to the Filipino American community, emphasizing the critical importance of the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
In a speech during a Zoom call hosted by the Filipino Americans for Harris group on Tuesday, July 30, Bonta issued a rallying cry for Filipino Americans to unite in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighting the stakes of the election and the community’s pivotal role in protecting democracy.
“I got a front-row seat to her trajectory, and I’ve supported her at every turn, because she’s got the experience, the expertise, the energy this country needs, especially now. Kamala Harris is the antidote to Trump,” he said.
Bonta acknowledged the legacy of Filipino Americans who have historically fought for justice and equity, both in the Philippines and the United States. He paid homage to the leaders who came before, including his mother, Cynthia Bonta, who fought to restore democracy in the Philippines. Bonta also recalled the contributions of Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, and the Filipino farmworkers who spearheaded the Delano grape strike of 1965, as well as the activists who fought for housing justice in San Francisco’s International Hotel.
“As Filipino Americans, we carry a very important torch lit by Filipinos who came before us,” Bonta said, reflecting on the community’s deep-rooted history of activism. He stressed that this legacy should inspire current and future generations to continue the fight for justice and equity.
Bonta’s speech took a sharp turn as he addressed the urgency of the upcoming election, describing it as an “inflection moment” in American history. He warned of the dangers posed by a potential return of former President Donald Trump to the White House, referencing Trump’s past policies and the goals outlined in the Project 2025 plan, which he described as a roadmap to consolidating presidential power and rolling back critical rights.
“We’ve seen the darkness of a Trump presidency. We know what he’s capable of,” Bonta stated, underscoring the importance of preventing a second Trump term. He highlighted the threat to reproductive rights, public education, and social safety nets that would come with a Trump-Vance administration, noting that the stakes could not be higher.
Bonta then pivoted to a strong endorsement of Kamala Harris, whom he described as the antithesis of Trump. He praised Harris’s track record as a tough and effective leader, recalling his firsthand experience working with her in California. Bonta noted that while Trump was a “convicted felon,” Harris had spent her career fighting for justice, putting scam artists and sex offenders behind bars, and holding big banks accountable during the mortgage crisis.
“Kamala Harris is our chance to chart a new path forward,” Bonta asserted, emphasizing that her leadership is essential for creating a more inclusive and equitable America. He described her as the embodiment of the values that the Filipino American community holds dear—resilience, justice, and the pursuit of the American Dream.
As the speech drew to a close, Bonta called on the Filipino American community to mobilize and take action in the final stretch before the election. He stressed the importance of unity within the Democratic Party and the need for grassroots efforts to ensure victory on November 5.
“There’s no more powerful power than people power, and we’ve been the heart and soul of the party,” Bonta declared, urging the community to lean in with all their strength and determination.
