DB: And what about the threats? Is there a concern that this could really take an economic toll? That they can do things to hurt you, to really make it difficult for various constituencies that you represent to get the things that they need?
JA: Absolutely. So, my understanding of the executive order the President has signed [on January 25] would strip cities that are sanctuary cities of federal funds. And in Berkeley, that's around $11.5 million in federal funding. And that's funding for our most vulnerable. You know, these are housing programs, programs for our homeless, public health programs.
And so, we need to make sure we maintain the safety net, even in the wake of cuts in federal funding. It's going to be difficult, but we need to make sure that we can serve our most vulnerable, but also not cave into the fear and the divisiveness that's coming out of Washington.
DB: Do you think, yourself, a person of color... do you feel that you bring a special sensitivity, do you see this as being quite a personal thing, as well as a political action?
JA: Absolutely. I mean, I'm the son and grandson of farm workers. I'm the first Latino mayor of Berkeley. Probably one of the only Latino mayors in the Bay Area. And so, for me, this is personal. This is real. My grandparents immigrated illegally, to this country. I have friends who are undocumented, this is a real issue.
And friends I know who are undocumented are living in fear now, not knowing what's going to happen. And so, for me, as not only the mayor of the city, but as a Latino, it makes me angry, but it also motivates me, even more, to speak out and to fight back.
And one of the things that's most inspiring, I think ... in the wake of the election... (there's not a lot to be inspired about but, well, it's been inspiring) is just the overwhelming -- in this community and throughout the country -- the overwhelming desire to fight back. And to stand for the values that make Berkeley, and make our country, such an equitable and inclusive society.
And that was evidenced by the hundreds of thousands or maybe millions of people that participated in the women's marches. And we've got to keep that momentum going. And so, what we're doing in Berkeley, we're remaining a sanctuary city and the policies we will set, and speaking out against, the right-wing agenda from Washington, hopefully we'll work collectively with other cities to lead the resistance that will hopefully change this country in four years.
DB: And, just finally, in the broader view of things, there are many things happening in communities of color, under attack, in many ways. Yesterday [January 24] it was Standing Rock and the pipelines. Now, I'm wondering how you integrate or see these sort of parallel attacks playing into the attacks on immigrants. How does that work for you? How do you see the overall picture, both in the negative and perhaps in the way that it can unite?
JA: Well, I think communities of color and poor people, working class people are under attack by the new administration in Washington, whether it's, you know, desecrating the sacred land, the sacred rights of our indigenous communities, whether it's mass deportation, for us, or building walls to divide our communities, whether it's pushing the prison industrial complex. I'm assuming we'll see more of a militarized approach to law enforcement across our country, and we've seen how that has played out in communities of color.
So there are real, serious challenges at a time where ... our country is divided. But I think the struggles, the collective struggles that we're all experiencing, provide an opportunity. I think it was evidenced by the very diverse crowds that we saw at the women's march: people coming together to fight back, and to work collectively to stand for a core of progressive values and to also work collectively to bring about real change. And that's inspiring.
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