Asian Fortune Your source for all things Asian American
By Jennie L. Ilustre
Asian American leaders hailed the “historic” appointment of Assemblyman Rob Bonta as the first Filipino American California Attorney General, and linked it to addressing anti-Asian hate acts and violence.
In his first statements, Bonta indeed vowed to combat hatred. “This will be one of my first priorities as your Attorney General: to ensure those who are targeted by the forces of hate are protected,” he declared on the day California Governor Gavin Newsom selected him to replace Xavier Becerra. Becerra was appointed Health and Human Services Secretary by President Biden.
“The appointment of California Assemblyman Rob Bonta is historic. With the rise of anti-Asian hate and violence, he will continue to serve as a leader for all communities,” said Madalene Xuan-Trang Mielke, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) president & CEO. APAICS’ programs focus on Asian Americans assuming elective and appointive positions.
Virginia-based lawyer Arnedo S. Valera, executive director of the Migrant Heritage Commission, said: “Amid increasing hate crimes against Asian Americans, including Filipino Americans in major cities, Assemblyman Bonta’s appointment is a strong statement that policy changes to make Asian Americans and people of color to be safe and secure are top priorities.”
Gregory Cendana, former Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) executive director, also noted the historic appointment “comes at a critical time when the broader Asian American community is facing anti-Asian hate and violence.”
Bonta Champions Justice
Bonta said he was “both honored and humbled” in accepting his new position. He thanked supporters and noted that “in the time we’ve worked together, we’ve fought big, important fights.”
He pointed out: “We’ve fought to right historic wrongs, to repair our criminal justice system, to take on big polluters, and protect renters, homeowners and consumers. And we’ve fought to combat hatred and help the victims of hate crimes.”
Progressives, criminal justice reformers and farmworkers cheered Bonta’s appointment, Huffpost reported. “Rob represents what makes California great – our desire to take on righteous fights and reverse systemic injustices,” it quoted Governor Newsom as saying in making the announcement on March 24.
Bonta is the son of civil rights activists, the news report added. His parents worked alongside Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta in the farmworkers’ rights movement. Bonnta graduated from Yale law school. He served previously as San Francisco deputy city attorney and Alameda city council vice mayor. Bonta’s challenges include pandemic unemployment fraud and resolving a dispute over how to pay for new probes of deadly police shootings, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Stepping Stone to Higher Posts
Media reports noted the post of California Attorney General has led to higher posts in the government. Among Bonta’s predecessors who went on to prominent positions were: California Gov. Jerry Brown, Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren, current Vice President Harris, and Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that among the names considered for the post were Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton. Also mentioned were high profile officials U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Congressman Ro Khanna.
Bonta’s Goals
California Attorney General Bonta thanked his supporters, including advocacy leader Bing Branigin, in an email dated March 24, as follows: “Today, Governor Gavin Newsom selected me to become Attorney General of the State of California. I am both honored and humbled. And I’m deeply grateful for your support over the years.
“In the time we’ve worked together, we’ve fought big, important fights.
“We’ve fought to right historic wrongs, to repair our criminal justice system, to take on big polluters, and protect renters, homeowners and consumers. And we’ve fought to combat hatred and help the victims of hate crimes.
“Now more than ever we must build bridges with persecuted communities.
“This will be one of my first priorities as your Attorney General: to ensure those who are targeted by the forces of hate are protected.
“As my parents taught me, if something isn’t right, it’s time to fight. That lesson has guided me throughout my legal career.
“Let’s fight for victims of cartels and organized crime syndicates. Fight for those who are treated unfairly by the justice system and deserve a second chance. Fight for those who have been cheated by corporate scammers and predatory enterprises.
“Government should work for the people – not the powerful – and as Attorney General, I will make it my mission to do just that.
“Here in California, we look out for each other.
“And as your Attorney General, I will fight for each of you.”
Full Statements
Full statement from Gregory Cendana, president and co-founder of Can’t Stop! Won’t Stop! Consulting, follows: “Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Rob Bonta becomes the first Filipino American Attorney General in California and the United States. This is historic and comes at a critical time when the broader Asian American community is facing anti-Asian hate and violence.
“His experience as an immigrant and child of activists with roots in the labor movement will serve him well. I look forward to what he will be able to accomplish and how we can support him to bring forth a progressive, bold and visionary agenda.”
Full statement from Virginia-based lawyer Arnedo S. Valera, executive director of the Migrant Heritage Commission, follows: “Amid increasing hate crimes against Asian Americans, including Filipino Americans, in major cities, Assemblyman Bonta’s appointment is a strong statement that policy changes to make Asian Americans and people of color to be safe and secure are top priorities.”
“Mr. Bonta has the heart and mind to be California’s Attorney General. And we should remain vigilant as we denounce in strongest possible terms hate crimes against Asian Americans, racism and discrimination in all forms.”
Full statement from Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) President & CEO Madalene Xuan-Trang Mielke follows: “California represents the largest contingency of Asian Americans and Pacific IslanderIs that seek elected office, with over 100 running in the last election cycle. AAPIs in California represent over 4 million eligible voters and 17 percent of the electorate. At 22 percent, the growth of eligible AAPIs voters in California in the last decade was more than double the growth of the statewide eligible voting population.
“The appointment of California Assemblyman Rob Bonta is historic, with him being the first Filipino American in California to serve as Attorney General. With the rise of anti-Asian hate and violence, he will continue to serve as a leader for all communities.”
