Governor Gavin Newsom says amid criticism, xenophobia and nativism, California has endured and emerged stronger
Release date – July 9, 2024, 9:43am
Washington: Forty-two percent of California startups are founded by immigrants, who are the lifeblood of the state, Governor Gavin Newsom told a group of Indian-American celebrities at a fundraiser. The Democratic governor made the remarks in Massachusetts on Monday.
“42 percent of California startups were founded by immigrants – they are the lifeblood of our state. Amid the vitriolic vilification, xenophobia and nativism that permeates so much of our politics, particularly from figures like Donald Trump, we Californians have endured and emerged stronger,” Newsom said at a fundraiser in Massachusetts.
“We moved beyond the divisive rhetoric of Proposition 187 in the 1990s, and today we don’t just tolerate diversity, we celebrate it. As a result, we lead in manufacturing, boast the most scientists, researchers and Nobel Prize winners, and continue to drive innovation around the world,” he said.
A fundraiser hosted by Chairman of the U.S.-India Security Council Ramesh Vishwanath Kapoor and his wife Susan at their Winchester home on July 8 was attended by prominent Indian Americans from in and around Boston.
In his speech, Governor Kapoor thanked Governor Newsom for his firm veto of SB 403, a bill aimed at banning caste discrimination, and expressed his hope to visit a Hindu temple in Florida in the coming months.
The packed auditorium, packed with Indian attendees, entrepreneurs and young people, erupted in applause, acknowledging Governor Newsom’s unwavering support for entrepreneurship and his principled stand on important issues. Kapoor also said he believes the Governor has a good chance of becoming the 47th President of the United States.
Newsom spoke about Massachusetts’ unique strengths, highlighting how its prestigious higher education institutions act as a conveyor belt of talent, driving competition for talent as well as price. What separates California from Massachusetts, he noted, is talent — the best and the brightest.
This mentality of inclusion and growth ensures that everyone benefits. This mindset is crucial in a state where 27 percent of the population is foreign-born. California is a state with a majority minority population equal to the population of 21 other states combined, and we must see ourselves in the context of the world.
