Thread: Officials announce proposal that would establish California as separate nation

YesCalifornia.org is the group behind this.
Here is the info on them.

Yes California

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Yes California Independence Campaign is an American political action committee that promotes the secession of the state of California from the United States via a referendum proposed for 2019.

Contents

• 1"Yes California" and "Calexit"
• 2Campaign
• 3Background
• 4History
• 5Polling
• 6See also
• 7References
  
  • 7.1Works cited
  
  
• 8External links

"Yes California" and "Calexit"

Yes California formed in August 2015, succeeding the Sovereign California campaign.^[1] The campaign adopted its name and logo from Yes Scotland, a campaign group from the 2014 independence referendum in Scotland.^[2]

The campaign has earned the nicknames Caleavefornia, Califrexit,^[3] and Calexit, after Brexit, the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union.^[4]
Campaign

The Yes California Independence Campaign promotes the secession of the state of California from the United States.^[5] It proposes including a measure for a referendum in 2019 on the state's 2018 gubernatorial election ballot.^[6]

The campaign president is Louis J. Marinelli, a New Yorker who lives in Russia^[7] and has received significant assistance from the Russian government to promote his efforts.^[8] The vice president is Marcus Ruiz Evans.^[9] Both men are former Republicans^[10] and Marinelli says he voted for Donald Trump.^[7]

Marinelli announced on December 18, 2016, the Yes California campaign had opened an embassy in Moscow as a cultural centre to help educate Russians about California's history, boost trade, and promote tourism. The embassy has no legal standing.^[11]

Yes California is controversial within the independence movement for advocating a "Crimean Scenario"^[12][13] for Californian independence, because Crimea was annexed by Russia immediately after declaring independence.^{[citation needed]}

Background

California has the sixth largest economy in the world and a population larger than Poland.^[14] The campaign argues that California suffers under federal overregulation, that the state contributes more federal tax than it receives in federal funding, that the state feels isolated from political power in Washington, D.C.,^[5] and that there is a wide gap between the political and cultural differences of California and the rest of the country.^[4]

There have been more than 200 proposals for the secession of California over the state's history.^[15]The last instance of secession in the United States happened in 1861, when 11 states left the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. These states returned to the Union in 1865 after the Confederacy was defeated in the American Civil War. The Supreme Court decided in Texas v. White in 1869 that no state had the right to unilaterally leave the Union.^[6] Secession would thus require the approval of 38 state legislatures and two-thirds majorities in both the US House of Representatives and Senate,^[16] to pass a Constitutional amendment, as the Constitution provides no mechanism for state secession.^[15] Analysts consider California's secession improbable.^[16]

History

The Yes California campaign borrows its name and logo from the Yes Scotland campaign of 2014.

The hashtag #Calexit trended in social media as the campaign gained attention^[16] in the wake of the election of Donald Trump to the presidency in November 2016;^[4] California gave Hillary Clinton 61.5% of the vote to Trump's 33.2%.^[17] Marinelli asserted this was evidence of the political divide between the state and nation, saying California is more progressive than the rest of the country and that Californians were offended by Trump's statements about minorities.^[9]

The campaign staged protests outside the Capitol building in Sacramento after the November 2016 election, though its organizers asserted the protests were planned months in advance and would have been held regardless of who won the election.^[18] Immediately following the election, the campaign received 11,000 emails.^[15]

On November 21, 2016, the Yes California campaign submitted an initiative for signature gathering which, if passed by voters in November 2018, would repeal Article III, Section 1 of the California Constitution, which states California is "an inseparable part" of the U.S., and require an independence plebiscite to be held on March 13, 2019 on the question of California's independence, the passage of which would require at a minimum 50% voter turnout and 55% voting yes.^[19]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_California

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• 

DONATE VOLUNTEER FIND AN EVENT

The 2019 #Calexit Independence Referendum

In the Spring of 2019, Californians will go to the polls in a historic vote to decide by referendum if California should exit the Union, a #Calexit vote.

You will have this historic opportunity because the Yes California Independence Campaign will qualify a citizen’s initiative for the 2018 ballot that if passed would call for a special election for Californians to vote for or against the independence of California from the United States.

This is a very important question. It is the responsibility of this campaign to explain what a yes vote will mean for you, your family, your community, our state, our country, and our world. We have designed this website to answer many of these questions and look to you to ask more.

"As the sixth largest economy in the world, California is more economically powerful than France and has a population larger than Poland. Point by point, California compares and competes with countries, not just the 49 other states.”

In our view, the United States of America represents so many things that conflict with Californian values, and our continued statehood means California will continue subsidizing the other states to our own detriment, and to the detriment of our children.

Although charity is part of our culture, when you consider that California’s infrastructure is falling apart, our public schools are ranked among the worst in the entire country, we have the highest number of homeless persons living without shelter and other basic necessities, poverty rates remain high, income inequality continues to expand, and we must often borrow money from the future to provide services for today, now is not the time for charity.

However, this independence referendum is about more than California subsidizing other states of this country. It is about the right to self-determination and the concept of voluntary association, both of which are supported by constitutional and international law.

It is about California taking its place in the world, standing as an equal among nations. We believe in two fundamental truths: (1) California exerts a positive influence on the rest of the world, and (2) California could do more good as an independent country than it is able to do as just a U.S. state.

In 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the international community with their “Brexit” vote. Our “Calexit” referendum is about California joining the international community. You have a big decision to make.

Yes California is here to help.

---

THE CASE FOR INDEPENDENCE IN 9 SIMPLE POINTS

Being a U.S. state is no longer serving California’s best interests.

On issues ranging from peace and security to natural resources and the environment, it has become increasingly true that California would be better off as an independent country. Here’s a summary of why we think so.

1. PEACE AND SECURITY

The U.S. Government spends more on its military than the next several countries combined. Not only is California forced to subsidize this massive military budget with our taxes, but Californians are sent off to fight in wars that often do more to perpetuate terrorism than to abate it. The only reason terrorists might want to attack us is because we are part of the United States and are guilty by association. Not being a part of that country will make California a less likely target of retaliation by its enemies.

2. ELECTIONS AND GOVERNMENT

California’s electoral votes haven’t affected a presidential election since 1876. On top of that, presidential election results are often known before our votes are even counted. So, why should we keep subjecting ourselves to presidents we play no role in electing, to 382 representatives and 98 senators we can’t vote for, and all the government officials and federal judges appointed by those very same people we don’t elect.

3. TRADE AND REGULATION

The U.S. Government maintains a burdensome trade system that hurts California’s economy by making trade more difficult and more expensive for California’s businesses. As long as California remains within this burdensome trade system, we will never be able to capitalize on the trade and investment opportunities that would be available to us as an independent country. On top of that, the United States is dragging California into the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement which conflicts with our values.

4. DEBT AND TAXES

Since 1987, California has been subsidizing the other states at a loss of tens and sometimes hundreds of billions of dollars in a single fiscal year. As a result, we are often forced to raise taxes and charge fees in California, and borrow money from the future to make up the difference. This is partly why California presently has some of the highest taxes in the country, and so much debt. Independence means that all of our taxes will be kept in California based on the priorities we set, and we will be able to do so while repaying our debts and phasing out the current state income tax.

5. IMMIGRATION

California is the most diverse state in the United States and that is something we are proud of. This diversity is a central part of our culture and an indispensable part of our economy. As a U.S. state, our immigration system was largely designed by the 49 other states thirty years ago. This immigration system has since neglected the needs of the California economy and has hurt too many California families. Independence means California will be able to decide what immigration policies make sense for our diverse and unique population, culture, and economy, and that we’ll be able to build an immigration system that is consistent with our values.

6. NATURAL RESOURCES

Certain minerals and other natural resources like coal, oil, and natural gas are being extracted from California at below market value rates by private corporations with the permission of the U.S. Government. While a small portion of the revenue is shared with us, our share has been withheld during times of sequestration. That means the U.S. Government is paying their debts with royalties collected from selling off California’s natural resources.

Independence means we will gain control of the 46% of California that is currently owned by the U.S. Government and its agencies.

We will therefore take control of our natural resources and be the sole beneficiary of royalties collected if and when they are extracted from our lands.

7. THE ENVIRONMENT

California is a global leader on environmental issues. However, as long as the other states continue debating whether or not climate change is real, they will continue holding up real efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The truth is this country accounts for less than five percent of the world’s population yet consumes one-third of the world’s paper, a quarter of the world’s oil, 27 percent of the aluminum, 23 percent of the coal, and 19 percent of the copper.

Independence means California will be able to negotiate treaties to not only reduce the human impact on our climate but also to help build global resource sustainability.

8. HEALTH AND MEDICINE

The Affordable Care Act was enacted by the U.S. Government to lower the cost of health care and expand health insurance coverage to the uninsured, yet millions of Californians still lack access to quality health care because they can’t afford it. For many, access to hospitals and medicine is a life or death issue. Independence means we can fund the health care programs we want and ensure everyone has access to the medicines they need because our taxes will no longer be subsidizing other states. Finally, California can join the rest of the industrialized world in guaranteeing health care as a universal right for all of our people.

9. EDUCATION

California has some of the best universities but in various ways, our schools are among the worst in the country. Not only does this deprive our children of the education they deserve, but it also costs taxpayers billions in social services and law enforcement expenses linked to lacking opportunities resulting from poor education.

Independence means we will be able to fully fund public education, rebuild and modernize public schools, and pay public school teachers the salaries they deserve. On top of that, independence means freedom from federal education policies and one-size-fits-all standards set by political appointees on the other side of the continent.

http://www.yescalifornia.org/

Yes California

Paid for by the Yes California Independence Committee PAC. FPPC ID 1378942.

Posted by Louis Marinelli December 19, 2016 1:24 AM
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Statement on the Opening of a Cultural Center in Moscow

In response to the opening of a California cultural center and "people's embassy" in Moscow, Russia, the Yes California Campaign releases the following statement:

The Yes California Independence Campaign successfully opened its first of many planned California culture centers which will serve to build a bridge between the nation of California and the nations of the world. Together with our partners at the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia, our first culture center was opened at the following address:

4 Klary Tsetkin
Office 324
Moscow, Russia 127299

Through this office, our campaign opens the third front in the struggle for California independence.

1) The first front is a dialogue with the people of California on why they should vote in favor of independence on March 5, 2019 on the date of the California independence plebiscite.

2) The second front is a dialogue with the people of the United States on why they should urge their elected representatives in Congress to support California's exit from the Union soon thereafter.

3) The third front is a dialogue with the nations of the world on the topic of California joining the United Nations and the international community as an independent State.

Our campaign understands that California cannot become a country unilaterally. As much as that applies to constitutional law within the United States whereby we must obtain the consent of the states, it also applies to international law within the international community whereby we must obtain international recognition of our independence. Our new "people's embassy" in Moscow will begin this new front by opening this important and critical dialogue with Russia, and future-planned embassies in other countries will continue that dialogue in other parts of the world.

In addition, our culture center will promote business and travel opportunties in California, host visiting Californians and provide a platform for them to explore or further strengthen ties between our two peoples. In the coming months, our "people's embassy" will be hosting events to achieve these very goals.

However, contrary to some reports, the California culture center and people's embassy in Moscow does not serve any diplomatic function at this time and our office makes it clear that Russians planning travel to California must first obtain a visa through the American Embassy in Moscow, or one of its Consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, or Vladivlastok.

At the same time, we strongly believe that the best way to foster international peace and friendship between nations is through cultural exchange. That is why the California culture center is focused on promoting this cultural exchange between Californians and Russians in order to break down the barriers that continue to stand between us.

Additionally, some reports on the internet have included footage from a neighboring office in their stories about the California culture center. Our center only contains information and imagery that represents California, its history, its people, and its culture, and our campaign for independence. Portraits of foreign leaders, images of foreign flags, and other foreign paraphernalia are not part of the California culture center, nor did the center make any reference to California joining the Russian Federation like Crimea did. We urge all Californians who desire freedom and nationhood to join us. You can take that first step by signing up at YesCalifornia.org.

This campaign believes what the rational people of California believe: that it is not only possible but necessary for us to have a dialogue even with countries with whom we have disagreements.

Russia, like the United States of America, has progress to make when it comes to protecting the civil rights of its people. By opening a culture center in Russia, we will have a platform from which to advocate for these rights, as well as the other democratic and progressive values we so deeply cherish in California simply because our culture center will do what its name implies: highlight California's culture. What else would you expect to see at a California culture center?

Yes California wants to make clear its ultimate objective is to make California free and an independent country through lawful means. Independent means independent: Independent of the United States, independent of the Russian Federation, and independent of every other country on this planet. That notion is embedded in the very question we intend to put before the voters: "Should California become a free, sovereign, and independent country?"

Finally, as peace-loving Californians, we want to have friendly and peaceful relations with all nations and therefore look forward to the day California opens full diplomatic missions to establish its own diplomatic relations and foster its own peaceful foreign policy towards all nations, including with the United States.

http://www.yescalifornia.org/stateme...nter_in_moscow

Originally Posted by lorrie

It's probably an illegal alien racist group that filed the proposal so they can take back their land stolen
by the racist, white, imperialistic Anglo's.

. . . The Yes California Independence Campaign promotes the secession of the state of California from the United States.^[5] It proposes including a measure for a referendum in 2019 on the state's 2018 gubernatorial election ballot.^[6]

The campaign president is Louis J. Marinelli, a New Yorker who lives in Russia^[7] and has received significant assistance from the Russian government to promote his efforts.^[8] The vice president is Marcus Ruiz Evans.^[9] Both men are former Republicans^[10] and Marinelli says he voted for Donald Trump.^[7]

Marinelli announced on December 18, 2016, the Yes California campaign had opened an embassy in Moscow as a cultural centre to help educate Russians about California's history, boost trade, and promote tourism . . .

Louis J Marinelli

The California Immigration Reform Act

On April 20, 2015, Marinelli filed an initiative at the California Secretary of State's office requesting a circulating title and summary for an initiative that would create a state agency to issue state residency permits to undocumented immigrants living in California who registered with the state and paid state income taxes.[28] The title and summary was issued on June 24, 2015, summarizing the initiative as follows: "Authorizes California residence permits for qualifying undocumented immigrants. Creates new state department to administer permit system. Requires permit holders to pay state income taxes. Makes permit holders eligible for certain public benefits. Prohibits state and local government from using public funds to support or otherwise participate in federal immigration enforcement against permit holders."[29] Marinelli needed 365,880 signatures to qualify the measure for the 2016 ballot but it failed on January 5, 2016.[30]

In explaining the proposal, Marinelli said of undocumented immigrants, "If you come forward, register, pay state income taxes and get your immunizations, California will allow you to stay in California and you will be here legally, at least as far as California is concerned."[31] The proposal was a beefed-up version of an initiative authored and proposed by Barton C. Gilbert that would have banned any local or state funds or resources in California from being used to detain and deport a resident of California.[32] Gilbert continues Defecto work with Marinelli and is a board member of the Yes California campaign.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_J._Marinelli

California's First Deportees? Undocumented Immigrants from the U.S. and Great Britain


L.A. CA. deported 400,000 Mexican/Americans from 1929 to 1944

Yes California buoyed by polls showing growing support for nationhood

By Valerie Richardson - The Washington Times - Friday, January 27, 2017

California secessionists launched their CalExit signature-gathering drive Friday, riding a wave of momentum churned up by the inauguration of President Trump.

Organizers of the Yes California Independence Campaign posted on their website a downloadable online petition for volunteers circulators a day after the proposed ballot measure was cleared by the California Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

The committee has 180 days to collect at least 585,407 valid signatures to qualify the initiative for the November 2018 ballot.

Recent polls show support for California nationhood falls well short of a majority, but that the idea is catching on with voters.

A Reuters/IPSOS poll released Tuesday found 32 percent of California residents surveyed support seceding from the union as the state’s staunchly liberal voters recoil from the Republican president.

“A third of Californians support #Calexit, Trump is coming after our undocumented immigrants & sanctuary cities,” said Yes California in a Friday tweet. “Come on Sacramento! Join us!”


The 1 in 3 figure represents a surge from a Hoover Institution Golden State Poll released Jan. 19, which found 27 percent of Californians favor CalExit, a term coined after last year’s Brexit vote in which British voters broke from the European Union.

“Among partisans, Democrats were more likely to support Calexit than Republicans, but in the wake of a presidential election, one has to wonder if those partisan differences are driven by dissatisfaction with the outcome of the presidential race rather than anything inherent in the politics of the Golden State,” said Tammy Frisby, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

The initiative would repeal a section from the California Constitution that declares the state is “an inseparable part of the United States and that the United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land.”

The measure would also place a referendum on the 2019 ballot on whether to form a separate nation on the November 2019 ballot.

California Democratic legislators have positioned themselves as a bulwark against the Trump administration, releasing a video on Inauguration Day ticking off their policy priorities and describing California as a “light to the nation.”

“California is more than a great place to live; it is a great source of innovation and an unrivaled economic engine. And so, for the next four years and beyond, we will work to be a light to the nation,” the California Democrats said in the video, called a #DearCalifornians letter.

CalExit supporters argue that the state would be better off as an independent nation, given its ranking as the world’s sixth-largest economy and liberal politics. Democrat Hillary Clinton defeated Mr. Trump in California by a whopping margin of 61 to 31 percent.

“In the age of Trump and Brexit, anything is possible, including a democratic and legal method for California to become its own nation,” said Yes California President Marcus Ruiz Evans in a Jan. 21 op-ed in the San Jose Mercury News.

Others have said good riddance, citing California’s $400 billion in unfunded liabilities and debt.

“As long as we can build a wall around you and you promise to keep the Hollywood loonies, I’m all for it!” said Gail Bayne on Yes California’s Facebook page. “Good luck with a hostile nation invades you.”

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...t-signature-g/

Unbelievable...yep...yank the Federal Funding now.

Wonder how many illegals are in the one-third who want this?