On Sept 2, 2020- Joint Press Conference

# # # # # #  IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE # # # # # #

First-ever Joint Press Conference with 4 City Council Candidates

Diverse Voices Are Needed To Help Make Better Choices!

Contact: Jaya Gautam tojayagautam@gmail.com /  contact@voteharbir.com /

What: Joint Press Conference by 4 of the Santa Clara City Council candidates. Breaking the cycle of discrimination. Diverse Voices Will Help Make Better Choices!

When: Wednesday, September 2, 4 pm – 5pm

Where: Rivermark, Santa Clara 95054 Google link for exact location: Near Headen Way and Kelly Way https://bit.ly/3hLVHoG.   (behind 4390 Rivermark Parkway, Santa Clara, Ca)

The program will include the Candidates, Rev. J Moore II, President, SJSV NAACP, Wesley Mukoyama, Councilmember Raj Chahal, and others. Host: Youth Volunteers: Shivank Dagar- MC and Youth Volunteers Aasees Sandhu, Sidak Sandhu, Natasha Chinnagiri, Ajit Chohan, Taaran Chohan, A and Youth Volunteers Youth Volunteer

Refreshments will be provided.

District 1: Harbir K Bhatia is a female Sikh Indian American who is a technologist, an entrepreneur, Cultural Commissioner, Past President and Board Member of the Northside Library Foundation, Board Member of Santa Clara Rotary Club and Rotary Climate Committee, deputy board member Joint Venture Silicon Valley, Board Member of SV Central Chamber of Commerce, and a community organizer of +30 years    www.voteharbir.com

District 4: Kevin Park is a scientist and engineer who is involved with education, civics issues, and support for minorities.  He has served Santa Clara as a member of the City’s General Plan Steering Committee and as a board member of the Santa Clara Sister Cities Association (SCSCA), the Santa Clara Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), and the Silicon Valley Korean-American Federation (SVKAF).  https://kevinpark.org

District 5: Suds Jain is an Indian American electrical engineer who retired in 2008 to volunteer full-time and to give back to the community. He has served on the Planning Commission for the past 5 years and has consistently fought for more affordable housing, less traffic, more transparency, and better environmental practices. He chaired the latest Charter Review Committee and he serves on several non-profit boards. https://www.votesuds.com

District 6: Anthony Becker is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Planning Commissioner, Filmmaker, Community Activist, renter, Content Moderator.    http://www.becker2020.com/

Invitees:

• Wesley Mukoyama, Santa Clara community leader and “No on Measure C” campaign — La Donna Yumori-Kaku, Proponent CVRA and supporter “No on Measure C” campaign — Rev. Jethroe Moore II, President of the San Jose/ Silicon Valley NAACP — Youth leaders invited as well — CAIR — Silicon Valley Gurdwara

• Karen Hardy, Santa Clara Vice Mayor — Raj Chahal, Santa Clara Councilmember — Patty Mahan, Former Santa Clara Mayor — Larry Fargher, Former Santa Clara Mayor —John McLemore, Former Councilmember —Jeannie Mahan, Former Commissioner — Dr. Mohammad Nadeem, Former Commissioner —Jonathan Marinaro, Cultural Commissioner

Santa Clara, CA- A Joint Press Conference to discuss the candidates’ platforms, visions for the future, and a Q & A session. It will be the beginning of a series of discussions. The city is facing many issues with the economy, the new developments, downtown revitalization, numerous lawsuits with our neighbors, Levi’s Stadium, and more. One of the major issues is the suppression of minority and grass-root councilmembers for fresh voices and greater representation. The city environment has become highly toxic and divisive to maintain control through council power.  Systematic discrimination of minority voices has prevented the election of minority councilmembers for almost 70 years.  The current majority block pushed many community organizations to not endorse or support any of the qualified minority candidates, but rather only their candidates in Santa Clara. The decisions are being made to maintain control and keep the status quo. ‘Minority’ is not just a race but gender, age, sexual orientation, economic class, age, renter vs homeowner, and the underrepresented. Fighting for the rights of minorities and the underrepresented against the “establishment” has always been difficult, but the result is a better community for all.  We need new leaders who look like the population, willing to work with all sides, organizations, peoples, the minority voices, and cities around us with an openness to reach the best outcome.

The people deserve more, fair representation, and better leaders.  “We must break the cycle of discrimination to allow fair representation. It’s time for the council to have fresh voices and diverse perspectives to help make better choices that provide a brighter future for all. “- Harbir

FOR THOSE That can not attend in person, please message by 2:00 PM