Fresno Sunrise Movement

Eric Garcia closing statement: “I do not have all the answers but I’m willing to work with local leaders to hear from them”. Really pushes unity, cooperation, and teamwork. “We either float or we sink together and idk about you but I’m not a good swimmer”

Bobby closing statement urges the youth to get their friends to get out and vote. States that he will fight and that he needs support. Gives out his phone number and encourages people to talk to him if they want answers.

*intermission time* my fingers are glad about that

Congressional District 16 coming up now. Professor Lisa Bryant makes it clear that all candidates were invited to the event and that Costa and Cookingham both canceled in the last 24 hours.

Opening statement from Esmeralda Soria. States that she’s not surprised Costa’s missing since he’d rather spend corporate pac money on attack ads against her. Soria mentions her 150k student loan debt. Emphasizes that we need leaders in Congress who show up & care about community

Kim Williams opening statement. Mentions political neglect in the valley causing poverty. Two-thirds of our kids are food insecure and some of the worst air in the country. Mentions Costa has only enacted 3 pieces of legislation and 1 was to rename a post office.

First question is about DACA/inmigration. What specific policies would you fight for to include in an immigration bill?

Williams mentions this administration has weaponized immigration and that much of the immigration issue was caused by American intervention. Wants to create fair pathways to citizenship. Thinks we need to stop offering pathways only for ag laborers. Also deprivatizing prisons.

Soria mentions that this issue is personal because her parents are immigrants. States that her sister-in-law was DACA recipient so she understands the issue. Says it’s not just about the dreamers or farm workers, it’s about an entire group being exploited.

Soria also points out working with La Raza to try to fight against California’s Real ID but it still passed. Wants to eliminate privatization of immigration detention centers. “We need an overhaul and we need leadership to stand up and protect our most vulnerable”

Next question about having some of the poorest quality of air and water. How would you work with local farmers to help prevent environmental degradation?

Soria points out that she has lots of support from local ag and that we need to enact new sustainable farming practices. Wants to create incentives for ag community to ensure they have the resources to adopt innovation. Need to work with universities to invest in research.

Also points out adoption of solar energy in the ag industry. Says we need to bring resources to the valley to get this done.

Williams brings up supporting the Green New Deal immediately. Points out the GND will bring in those federal resources to help get research and sustainable farming practices. Mentions the long term impact that the GND would have on environment and jobs.

Stresses that we can’t continue to have politicians like Costa who continue to take money from fossil fuel and claims to be eco friendly. Also stresses that ag bailouts do not help small farmers, only ag corporations.

Question on restorative justice now. Would you be willing to address issues such as reducing mandatory minimum sentencing, increasing expungement; and improving funding for reentry services?

Williams: yes to all of the above. Mentions her experience at State Department and how international communities point out America’s flawed prison system and is simply not respected in this aspect. Mentions that we need to invest in prevention instead.

Stresses importance of free public pre-K and investing in the youth. Mentions that there is a justice system for the rich and a justice system for the poor. Need to come up with a better way to let people re-enter after prison.

States that there needs to be cooperation with civic organizations in order for policy makers to shape policy in a meaningful way.

Soria says yes to all of the questions. Mentions we need major criminal justice reform. Wants to decriminalize cannabis at a federal level and be intentional about who’s at the table shaping the policies. Mentions local policy having an equity program dealing with this.

Soria calls out Costa for leading the effort in the Three Strikes Law. Points out that she’s worked locally to increase summer employment for young people in order to get them engaged civically. States that we need help from federal gov to invest in programs like those again.

Soria mentioning civic groups needing to be at the table: “if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”

Question about health care. Soria mentions that her mother needs 24/7 care due to a health issue. Points out that she’s seen the struggle of not growing up with health coverage. 76,000 families without access to health care. Points out Costa needed to be convinced to support ACA.

Soria points out that now family should have to worry about being bankrupt because they can’t afford the care that they need. Says how embarrassing it is for Americans to cross the border to go to Mexico for dental and medical care.

Williams states immediately that she supports Medicare for all. In the US we spend 2x as much per person on health care compared to any other country and the quality is not as good either. She says she had better access to health care when she lived in Siberia than she does here.

Mentions that there’s a myth that we can’t afford Medicare for all. 43% of Americans have their health care financed or managed by the government so pushing for 100% is not that unheard of. Mentions that we can’t reduce drug prices without Medicare for all.

Williams points out 500,000 annual medical bankruptcies. Also points out that Bernie will win and congress will change. Predicts more congressional representatives will back Medicare for all, so argument about bipartisan support is moot.

Is student debt a top issue? Williams mentions being a teacher and how important education is to her. Points out she was only able to attend community college because federal gov subsidized schooling during her time in school. ~$140 for a 3 unit class.

Points out that a federal investment in her enabled her to later become a community college professor and TL later a diplomat. Also mentions wiping out student loan debt.

Soria mentions she grew up in a poor family that couldn’t afford to pay for her college. She went because she believed it was an investment and still owes 150k in student debt due to her obtaining a law degree. States that her loan payment is $1500/mo, more than her mortgage.