AB22 Causes Uproar in the Vietnamese-American Community

For Immediate Release                                                      

May 17, 2017

Assemblymember Kalra Commends Assemblymember Bonta

For Dropping Pursuit of AB 22

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 22, authored by Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) sought to end a decades-old ban on members of the Communist Party working as public employees.

The bill passed in a 41-30 vote, however, upon feedback from colleagues and concerned members of the community, Assemblymember Bonta committed to retracting the bill before it reaches the Senate for its first Committee hearing. This action will prevent any further discussion of the bill in the legislature and removes the bill from future consideration.

“AB 22 was designed to clean up some language in the California Government Code. I certainly did not intend to create any controversy or invoke hurtful feelings. Upon urging from my colleagues, Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Kansen Chu, I have decided to drop the bill,” said Assemblymember Bonta. “I apologize for any confusion or pain caused to the Vietnamese-American community and some veterans who expressed deep concern in the past few days.”

“I am grateful to Assemblymember Bonta for listening to the concerns I raised regarding AB 22 and the pain it has caused many in my community and throughout the state,” said Assemblymember Kalra. “By dropping this bill, Mr. Bonta has shown respect and understanding for the real pain caused to our Vietnamese-American community and many veterans by the communist regime in Vietnam that still commits human rights abuses to this day.”

Assemblymember Kalra has been an outspoken critic of the communist regime of Vietnam. He has attended numerous rallies and vigils protesting the Formosa steel plant tragedy that poisoned the water in central Vietnam. He has vocally protested against ongoing human rights abuses by the Vietnamese government, including arrests of protesters, activists and bloggers who have been critical of the Vietnamese government.

Last month, Assemblymember Kalra presented the Black April Resolution on the floor of the State Assembly in partnership with Senators Janet Nguyen and Jim Beall. The resolution included a statement that condemned current human rights abuses by the Vietnamese communist regime.

Contact:

Roseryn Bhudsabourg, Director of Communications

Office of Assembly Member Ash Kalra

(916) 319-2027

roseryn.bhudsabourg@asm.ca.gov

Assemblymembers Kansen Chu and Ash Kalra received recognition from the VAC for their successful lobbying effort for the State Assembly to withdraw AB22.