SACRAMENTO – On Wednesday morning, 300 independent professionals from across the state gathered on the West Steps of the California State Capitol for a Rally to Repeal AB 5. Here are a selection of quotes from today’s speakers.
“I couldn’t have had my career if I wasn’t free to freelance…The freelance world whether its court reporter or translator, or interpreter, or freelance writer, or musician pours water on the culture to keep it alive. Without AB 5’s repeal it is going to dry up and blow away.” –Walter Kirn, Bestselling author
“AB 5 is an insulting piece of legislation in the way it assumes we the people need to be saved from ourselves because we clearly do not know how to run our own businesses or negotiate our own congrats.” — Peter Kalivas, Broadway performer and dance company founder
“I have never seen so many people on both sides of the political aisle…I encourage people to put politics and labels aside and listen to the issue and how it’s impacting [people].” –Brian Ralston, Independent film composer and producer
“Why do the proponents and drafters of this bill not want to provide access to the millions of immigrants that come to California to live their American Dream? And how are they going to do that without interpreters and translators?” –David Higbee, Certified interpreter and translator
“Let’s get this straight: as independent contractors, we are not exploited. Quite the opposite. We are empowered…AB 5 is nothing more than a thinly veiled shakedown. Freelance writers and reporters will not comply. We fight to remain in control of our destinies.” –Erica Sandberg, Freelance writer
“When you take your God-given talents, nurture them with heart and soul, and offer them to the world, that’s not exploitation. That’s self-actualization. AB 5 denies you the life you’ve created for yourself – and more than that, denies society the limitless value of your creations.” –Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin)
“Your freedom matters. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green Party…Politics doesn’t matter today. Not with this bill, because this affects everyone across all political lines.” –Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore)
- Audio clips from today’s rally.
- E-version of a 200-page book of heartbreaking stories from Californians who have lost their livelihoods.
- Live-stream of today’s rally.
- Photos of today’s rally.
Assemblyman Kevin Kiley represents the 6th Assembly District, which includes the Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado County communities of Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Loomis, Orangevale, Penryn, Rocklin, Roseville, and Sheridan.
