Indian-American Kamala Harris, 52, would open a battlefront against the President-elect Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies and she said that, “we must reject racism and xenophobia in our politics”. Ms Harris is the first Indian-American to be elected to the Senate from California.
“I recognise that Tuesday’s election has made millions of people in this country feel powerless and afraid of what is to come,” Ms Harris said in an email sent to her supporters.
“Our diverse movement and the responsibility the people have granted me in this office comes into play. We have the power to give a voice to the voiceless in Washington as we advance an agenda rooted in justice and equality, she said.
“It is no secret that there exists two divergent directions for our country to take on immigration reform and the treatment of our immigrant communities, both documented and undocumented. One side believes it is okay to demagogue immigrants, has proposed unrealistic plans to build a wall and is promising to break up families by deporting millions of people. The other side believes in respect, justice, dignity and equality as part of an approach to bring millions of people out of the shadows,” she said.
“We must reject racism and xenophobia in our politics as we work to protect our immigrants through real reforms. Right now is a time to bring people together. To unite our country around the common values and ideals that actually make us great. Demagoguing or outright attacking communities of colour is not a real plan, it is a recipe for disaster. What we must do is rededicate ourselves to the fight for who we are and build a coalition that is ready to join that fight because we are stronger when we are inclusive,” Ms Harris had said.
“I intend to fight for a state that has the largest number of immigrants, both documented and undocumented. We must bring them justice and dignity and fairness through comprehensive immigration reform. I intend to fight for ‘Black Lives Matter’ and to ensure truth, transparency and trust in our criminal justice system and to fight for a woman’s access to healthcare and reproductive rights,” she added.
By Premji
