1-II ID 23-1395 Public Comment Packet_Redacted — Fresno City Council, September 28, 2023

1 Mary Quinn
From: John Doe
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 8:27 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.‐II. ID 23‐1395 ***Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A‐B872‐48B9‐A6BA‐ DEC1455B919E

I oppose adding Caste into the City code
Pls veto this bill B‐27

Thanks,
John D

1 Mary Quinn
From: JoTi
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 9:03 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

I oppose this bill. Please don't use the word caste and make our lives miserable.

Don't divide us... being unity

1 Mary Quinn
From: Nikhil Kale
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 10:06 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23

Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A-B872-48B9-A6BA- DEC1455B919E

Dear Sir/Madam
The bill targets my community based on ancestry and nationality by singling out statements such as:
“Caste discrimination is present across South Asia and the South Asian diaspora, as well as around the world.

While caste systems are strongly associated with South Asia, similar systems exist in regions including, but not limited to, South America, Asia, and Africa. Caste discrimination is also found across communities of religious practice.”
As a person of Indian origin, I find it troubling that the bill specifically calls out my region and diaspora by name, while referring to other regions as "around the world." Is the bill trying to suggest that only people from my region and/or belonging to this diaspora are more likely to engage in so-called "caste discrimination," while regions and diaspora which are not mentioned do not? If not, then why only exclusively mention the region and diaspora where I come from?
Furthermore, in prevailing academia and school curriculums in the US and California, the term "caste system" has been directly or indirectly associated only with my religious faith of Hinduism and not with any other religions of the world. Even though the bill mentions “across communities of religious practices,” I have never seen this term receive even a passing reference when non-Hindu religions and communities are discussed in my kid’s school curriculum. This perspective, which is a living reality for me as a Hindu living in this country, makes me feel that the bill is directly targeting me and my family, including my kids — labeling them as more likely to be an "oppressor" compared to other geographical regions or diaspora that do not follow the "caste system." This negative label, which is now being forced upon my kids, and something which they are not even aware of, opens them up to bullying and harassment for their religious belief in school. Have the honorary members of the committee thought about these consequences? As a practicing member of the Hindu religion, there are many more open and alarming questions for me, such as:

1. 2

2. 3. The bill also does not specify how

4. a person's "caste" is determined for the diaspora they are referring to. Who would determine the "caste" for me?

5. 6.

7. 8. Who would select the agency?

9. 10.

11. 12. Was my community which this bill

13. directly referring to consulted before any such misguided labels were used against them?

14. There are endless questions for me as a practicing Hindu, which I won't even be able to put in letter form. I believe this issue requires much broader community engagement and buy-in. I believe this bill is a complete violation of the protection granted to me by US and California law to be considered a true equal in the eyes of the law, adding a category such as "class" that can only be selectively applied to my community and nobody else.

I strongly urge you to please veto this bill B-27.

Sincerely,
Nikhil Kale,

1 Mary Quinn
From:

Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 10:21 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Introduced August 10, 2023)
Attachments: only5percentcastediscrimination.jpg
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Good Evening City Administrators,

We at Equality Math are a civil rights group working to empower the less privileged.

B-27 addreses a non issue. A study by Carnegie provides lucid details: only 5% in their survey have come across any caste discrimination (from
https://carnegieendowment.org/files/Vaishnav etal IAASpt3 Final.pdf).

Now compare that against the 30% poverty rate that cripples children, and to adrres that we are volunteering to fill that gap. Or, compare that against the percentage of Blacks who have experienced racism - 95% per Pew Foundation studies.

Let's not waste time and money and a nonexistent problem. Please can this bill and spend time addressing bigger issues like poverty.

Thank you,
DR. Narayan Raju
Equality Math

REFERENCE:

Agenda Date: 09/28/23

2 Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A-B872-48B9-A6BA- DEC1455B919E

1 Mary Quinn
From: Padmaja Indukuri
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 10:47 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A-B872-48B9-A6BA- DEC1455B919E

Dear City of Fresno and council members,

Please Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) as I oppose for below reasons.

1) The word "caste" has very negative connotation, it is as offensive as "N" word for Hindus.

We Hindu Americans don't like to talk about caste, as we grew up in a secular country and this question was never asked. We never bring it up because we don't discriminate any one based on their caste. Our kids who were born and grew up here don't know what it is, california schools taught them wrongly that "caste system" is associated with only "Hindus". We fought with schools and publishers for the last 15 years, yet nobody listens to us.

Now, if this bill passes as law not only us, our kids feel really small and humiliated as it encourages racial profiling, as caste is not facially neutral, people will see us that all brown skinned people are originally Hindus and that we discriminate based on "caste". We can not take it and it is really humiliating.

2) Exisiting California laws already allow any one to fight any type of discrimination, it already allowed CRD to fight against Cisco for caste based discrimination, Which they eventually voluntarily dropped out the 2 defendents as their allegations are baseless. Please watch this video for clear understanding.

3) I never heard caste discrimination until only Thenmozhi Sounderrajan of Equality Labs(EL) came up with a fraudulent data of caste discrimination happening in USA. It is a profit organization, publicly anti-Hindu group, employed people like Prem Pariyar and other self declared Dalits who are telling these one sided stories.They can not put their past misery and hatred ness onto innocent Hindus in USA accusing them that they discriminated them based on their caste...as new people come to USA, they need to follow certain hygiene they are all single sided stories...to bring a bill like this..

2 This bill is nothing but to put shame on Hindus, when you are supposed to make us feel proud to live in City of Fresno, but not make us feel small and humiliated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRZq-uL1GCw

4) Please Watch the above Video for facts, They are using the Cisco case over and over when it was thrown out by the court in April 2023, CRD withdrew voluntarily as they had no evidence. Which shows that EL insitagated this false case only bring caste into limelight so they can come with SB-403 bill, and now adding this similar bill in Fresno City is not acceptable at all.

Dear CIty of Fresno, Please VETO B-27

Padmaja Indukuri
(resident of Fremont and Fresno)

1 Mary Quinn
From: Prabhakar Maramreddy
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 10:55 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Caste’s Indian and Hindu Connection, documented on record by SB‐403 sponsors.

Hindu Culture strives for universal righteousness and peace. Whereas the Authors, Sponsors and Supporters of this bill SB403 are working very hard exactly for the opposite.

The fact that Senator Wahab can so easily change her definition of caste despite her supposed passion for caste protection, is an indication that caste is actually w
hatever Senator Wahab wants it to be. It appears that caste is a political football to be kicked and thrown in whatever direction Senator Wahab and her allies want it to go in. We are troubled that policy makers are takin g it too lightly.

Caste, Jatis, Biradaris, Tribes: It is important to refresh that each caste category contains thousands of jatis . Even assuming hypothetically, if discrimination happens within the same caste but amongst those jatis, such addition of caste into the law not only proves meaningless, but also wou ld potentially require yet more law to add jatis , and more such laws are based on other terms of social classifications.

Authors, supporters owe apology to Californians originating from Global South

Please veto Bill B‐27.

Thanks & Regards
Prabhakar

1 Mary Quinn
From: r
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:00 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: From largest 501c3 of Dalit Bahujans: Veto Bill B-27 Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Subject: From APNADB, the largest 501c3 of Dalit Bahujans: Veto Bill B-27 Regarding: Agenda Date: 09/28/23, Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 Bill B-27.

Honorable City Counsel Members, Fresno.

The Ambedkar-Phule Network of American Dalits and Bahujans, or APNADB, is the largest grassroots 501(c)(3) organization representing individuals from marginalized backgrounds from the Indian subcontinent. We were officially designated as protected classes by carefully maintained Indian government records by the Indian government, due to the socio-economic deprivations faced by our communities (scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and other backward classes). Our members span a spectrum of 100+ communities known as jatis, varnas, biradaris and tribes residing primarily in California, as well as other American states. Notably, we are also the very marginalized people that the sponsors and supporters of B-27 claim to represent.

We will continue to oppose this bill as long as the word “caste” exists anywhere in it including under Ancestry; the word “caste” must not be institutionalized in California law. If passed, this and any such bill will recreate a system of racial discrimination, which will be a major step back in civil rights in California. As people who have historically suffered from colonial caste laws, racial discrimination, and religious discrimination, we know that such bills will be another colonial law that will harm us, our children, and our future generations in these ways. The trauma will be incalculable for our communities and that is why we oppose B-27. Please Veto B-27.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any questions.

Thank you
Madhu K., Communications Director
Ambedkar Phule Network of American Dalits and Bahujans,

2 APNMADB, a California Non-Profit 501(c)(3)
https:/www.apnadb.org
re

1 Mary Quinn
From: Ajay Lele
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:01 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Introduced on August 10, 2023) Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Hello,

This is regarding the below agenda item:

This is a blatant attempt to mislead the city and discriminate against the minority Hindu community of Indian origin. The existing provisions are more than sufficient and there is no need to add additional measures such as these which will lead to profiling and bullying of the Hindu community. I strongly oppose the me asure.

Request you to veto this proposal and vote NO on it.

Regards
Ajay Lele
US citizen and California resident for 15 years

1 Mary Quinn
From: Bhaskar Ymail
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:03 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

City Council:

I request that you protect our civil rights and Veto Bill B-27. The bill is not facially neutral, allows for the targeting and profiling of Hindus and violates our civil rights.

Thanks,
Bhaskar Vempati

1 Mary Quinn
From: Mugdha Lele
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:03 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Introduced: August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Hi City Council,

This is regarding the below agenda item:

This measure is highly discriminatory for Hindu community, as caste is used without proof of any existing discriminations, to create divide among the community. I strongly oppose the measure, and ask that you veto it as well.

Please vote NO on this measure.

Thanks and Regards
Mugdha Musale

1 Mary Quinn
From: Brajesh Choubisa
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:07 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.‐II. ID 23‐1395 ***Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption)
https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A‐B872‐ 48B9‐A6BA‐DEC1455B919E

Honorable Members!

Find regards from Brajesh Choubisa, a proud Californian.

I urge you to veto Bill‐27, which inflames hatred and division of the society and creates stereotyping and bias.

I believe in philosophy of "One World One Family" and Humanity being the Supreme thread of unity and love.

Please VETO Bill B‐27,
and stand on the right side of the history.

Thanks
Brajesh Choubisa

1 Mary Quinn
From:

Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:26 PM
To: Clerk
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Re: Veto Bill B-27 (Introduced August 10, 2023) Attachments: only5percentcastediscrimination.jpg
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Good Evening City Administrators,

We at Equality Math are a civil rights group working to empower the less privileged.

B-27 addreses a non issue. A study by Carnegie provides lucid details: only 5% in their survey have come across any form of caste discrimination (from
https://carnegieendowment.org/files/Vaishnav_etal_IAASpt3_Final.pdf).

Now compare that against the 30% poverty rate that cripples children, and to address that we are volunteering. Or, compare that against the percentage of Blacks who have experienced racism - 95% per Pew Foundation studies.

Let's not waste time and money on a nonexistent problem. Please can this bill and spend time addressing bigger issues like poverty.

Thank you,
Dr. Narayan Raju
Equality Math

2 REFERENCE:

REFERENCE:

On 2023-09-27 10:50, wrote:

Good Evening City Administrators,

We at Equality Math are a civil rights group working to empower the less privileged.

Let's not waste time and money and a nonexistent problem. Please can this bill and spend time addressing bigger issues like poverty.

Thank you,

3 DR. Narayan Raju
Equality Math

REFERENCE:

1 Mary Quinn
From: Manohar Mandadi
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:26 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Dear Sir/Madem,

This is in regards to Agenda Date: 09/28/23 and
Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A-B872- 48B9-A6BA-DEC1455B919E

4. I am writing this email to strongly oppose this bill because of the following reasons:

5. 1). This bill is to address an issue that is not present in the society, probably it is proposed based on not factual data!

6. 2) this is going to be a redundant bill as the said issue is already very well addressed under ancestry related discrimination laws.

7. 3). Since this issue is projected as prevalent among south east asian communities, specifically among Indian Hindus, this will become major cause in the future for Hindu phobia in the society.

8. 9. As such I humbly request you to consider the factual data and veto the bill.

10. Thanks,
Manohar Mandadi

1 Mary Quinn
From:

Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:30 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

I urge on behalf of my family to veto this unjust and unconstitutional bill. The premise is based on falsehood and fabricated data.

This bill perceives Hindu community at fault and penalizes law abiding citizens while claimants have no responsibility to prove.

If this bill is passed it will pave way for California’s decline.

Regards,
Vivek

1 Mary Quinn
From: Maggie Kumar
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:35 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption)

to: The Honorable Fresno City Council Members

Greetings. I am writing this letter to register my strong opposition to Bill-27. I would like to request you to Veto Bill-27 for the following reasons:

1. Federal laws already cover discrimination based on a number of criteria such as ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, religion, and so on. Bill‐27 adds no value. Who has the authority or expertise to define Caste? Caste does not have a scientifically proven or universally agreed upon definition. Everyone has a race, a gender, a nationality and e thnicity. Not everyone has a caste or even knows what caste is. Caste is not facially neutral. To try and define caste is unconstitutional.

2. Bringing in “caste” as a a new category causes unnecessary burden ‐ financial and logistical, on businesses, schools, and pretty much all establishments that cater to the public. Who will bear the expense of training employers and employees about caste and who will monitor, arbitrate and ensure the implementation of Bill‐27? City of Seattle's caste bill cost $280K this year and will cost an estimated $185K per year.

3. The word "Caste" is being introduced to America by a hate group called Equality Labs. Hundreds of Hindus have exposed its founder Tenmozhy Soundararajan as a hate monger, a bigot, a blatant liar and peddler of distorted information about Hindus and Hinduism. Here's a video that shows her Hindu hatred. https://twitter.com/i/status/1643135761351421952

4. With the current economic situation and budget deficit, how can any city justify spending our tax dollars on a non‐issue like Caste when there are glaring issues such as rampant homelessness, unemployment, lack of healthcare and poverty? Shouldn’t these issues take priority over Bill‐27? How many LEGITIMATE police reports or HR complaints have you heard of claiming caste discrimination?

5. CA civil rights department (CRD) sued Cisco and harassed two Cisco employees in a falsified caste discrimination case. The case was tossed out by the Santa Clara supreme court and CR D ultimately withdrew its case. Here is information debunking the Cisco case. https://youtu.be/fRZq‐uL1GCw

6. It is evident that misunderstanding combined with abundant misinformation available on search engines, AND lack of a clear definition of caste, will be major contributors to a court’s inability to arrive at a meaningful definition. What will be the cost of litigating caste related cases? Who will pay for them? Santa Clara County DA Jeff Rosen has clearly stated that there is absolutely no need to add Caste into the civil rights bill. Please listen to his statements. https://youtu.be/ 41wmoXLHms?si=TEoH4MRI499NrYID

7. Hindu hate group Equality Labs has been called out for its questionable survey methodology and the data it touts. It got the survey filled out by people living outside the USA and told them to use a US ZIpcode, using that the data as applicable to America,

2 Equality Labs has also published totally twisted arguments about caste discrimination specifically targeting Hindu Americans as "upper caste" based on their last names, the festivals they celebrate and their dietary habits. Hindus are a micro‐minority in America. The weaponization of caste by equality labs is a SCAM to fleece affluent businesses and indi viduals.

8. Hindus have contributed to California’s economy in numerous fields from technology to education to medicine and finance. Bill‐ 27 must look at the damage it will do to stigmatize and traumatize Hindus. Hindu children will be subjected to bullying, harassment and violence.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to state my reasons for OPPOSING BILL‐27. I am submitting this letter on behalf of myself, my husband and my adult son.

Maggie Kumar

1 Mary Quinn
From: girish thobbi >
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 12:10 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto bill B-27 (Intrd Aug 10, 20203)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda date : 9/29/23
Item number : 1.-11. ID 23-1395
****Bill B-27 (Introd Aug 10, 2023) (For adoption)

https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A-B872-4889-A6BA- DEC1455B919E

We the family of four oppose the bill B-27 as this adding caste to ordinance which is a hate, divisive and constitutional violation. This bill is baseless and based on false data

regards
~GiTi

1 Mary Quinn
From: Pavan Kumar Perali
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 12:15 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

I oppose the bill as I believe caste should not be mentioned anywhere by anyone. That is the only way we can forget caste. With this bill called protection of caste is actually causes discrimination and uncontious bias in people. Ideally, caste shyn
ever be talked about. That is the only way we can remove discrimination if any. I don’t this any such discrimination exists in states. With this bill caste is used against certain communities to discriminate.

I strongly oppose this bill on behalf of my family, and community.

Thanks
Pavan

1 Mary Quinn
From: Ramya
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 2:00 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Opposition to Bill-27
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.‐II. ID 23‐1395 ***Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) To: The Honorable Fresno City Council Members Greetings.

I'm Ramya and I write on behalf of Women of Color for Mental Health Equality organization. Bill‐27 introduces colonial construct and slur “caste” into the law here in America which will significantly perpetuate profiling, stereotyping and discriminating of women like us. We already hold intergenerational traumas from being oppressed by colonizers, enslaved by slave owners and being lawfully denied civil rights right here until the civil rights movement. There is no dearth for discrimination and bullying of people like me in the system already. Even without the law in place and merely with this level of "commercial caste activism", many of us have already been targeted in workplaces and education institutions. Such draconian attempts by the city of Fres no will only perpetuate safety issues for women of color especially of India origin and make this City unlivable. We elect people to ensure to protect us not to find fancy ways to take away our protection and covertly throw us in harm's way.

The caste based bills are due to the co
mmercial‐caste‐activism by a for‐profit anti‐Hindu‐hate monetizing organization Equality Labs and colonial‐caste‐slur‐based‐training‐material business woman masquerading as a civil‐rights‐activist. It is a great insult to the civil rights movement's heroes and especially to the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr to have Bill‐ 27 which is a systemic an
d systematic discriminatory law against a section of people of color of India origin.

Please reject Bill‐27 in entirety as long the word "caste" is associated with it and vote NO on it.

Thank you

Best,
Ramya
Women of Color
for Mental Health Equality

1 Mary Quinn
From: Shyam Desai
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 6:02 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23

Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A-B872-48B9-A6BA- DEC1455B919E

We oppose this bill because there is no basis for such proposal. Adding castism is against basic principles of democracy and harmful for the innovation economy. See what happened to UK with Brexit and you will know the consequences of such discriminatory bill. We oppose the bill.

Thank you.

_____________
Sam Desa

1 Mary Quinn
From:

Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 6:29 AM
To: Clerk
Cc:

Subject: Please Veto Caste Bill B-27
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Caste Files
San Francisco, CA 94108
www.castefiles.c
om (919) 454- 0784
Re: Concerns Regarding Bill B-27
Caste
September 27, 2023
We write on behalf of Caste Files; an advocacy think tank that is working on Caste and Race studies in the context of Diversity and Inclusion. We are striving to eliminate all forms of discrimination rooted in social class, status, or inherited stratification, including the archaic concept of caste, while advocating against the use of such terminology and treat all with equal respect and dignity.

Discrimination is wrong, and it’s all too real in modern America. But we cannot eradicate bigotry by racially profiling a minority community – which is exactly what this so-called caste anti-discrimination bill would do.

Federal laws already cover discrimination based on a number of criteria such as ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, religion,and so on. Bill-27 adds no value. Who has the authority or expertise to define Caste? Caste does not have a scientifically proven or universally agreed upon definition. Everyone has a race, a gender, a nationality and ethnicity. Not everyone has a caste or even knows what caste is. Caste is not facially neutral. To try and define caste is unconstitutional.

The legislation aims to outlaw discrimination based on “caste,” which has become identified as an ancient Hindu social stratification system in not only the modern-day lexicon but also textbooks taught in the California public school system and its state agencies. With “caste” linked only to the customs of the Indian subcontinent, this category of discrimination, by its very nature, can only be perpetrated in practice by Indian Americans against fellow Indian Americans.

1 Mary Quinn
From: Mouli Nagarajan
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 6:45 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

I oppose this bill on the grounds that it is not taking into account the changed reality in India and Indians:

1. India has taken huge leaps in affirmative action for the erstwhile backward classes: The President, Vice President and Prime Minister are from backward classes. This is opposite to the dark picture being painte d.

2. "Caste" a European concept is completely absent in reality, only kept alive by politicians

3. Any discrimination is already covered by existing US laws

Thanks

1 Mary Quinn
From: Ruchita
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:13 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto bill b-27
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use cauƟon with links and aƩachments

Agenda date 9/28/2023

Pls veto bill b‐27

There is no such thing as caste. It is discriminaƟon to all.

Sent from my iPhone

1 Mary Quinn
From: Sharan Jayanti
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:15 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption)

We are facing similar Bill in the CA already and we Oppose the same.

Oppose this Bill.

1 Mary Quinn
From: Anup S
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:15 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Reject Bill-27
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.‐II. ID 23‐1395 ***Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption)

To: The Honorable Fresno City Council Members Greetings.

I write on behalf of South Asian Racket Sports Enthusiasts (SARSE) consisting of 400+ members. We strongly object to Bill‐27
which injects a poison called “caste” into our community and the law which will only adversely impact us – this will significantly tear our community apart and create an environment of mistrust especially out of fear of frivolous lawsuits. Draconian Bill‐27 must be voted against as it codifies systemic bias, and will subject categories of community to irreversible harm.

As it stands,
Bill‐27 is also not facially neutral as it is selectively applicable to a narrow category of American citizens and residents. This results in fundamental inequity. Further, the notion that “perceived identi ty” can trigger a plaintiff’s case is antithetical to the standards of literal objectivity, clarity, and consistency needed to ensure equal protection under the law.

Thank you in advance for your support in fighting the agenda‐driven commercial caste nexus behind bills like Bill‐27 and for equally protecting us all from caste menace with your strong r ejection of this bill. Also, existing laws provide necessary protections. Please reject Bill‐27 in entirety.

Kind regards,
Anup
South Asian Racket Sports Enthusiasts (SARSE)

1 Mary Quinn
From: Anand Sethuraman
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:25 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Hi,
I am writing this letter to express that I am not in favor of the Bill B‐27. (Agenda Date: 09/28/23; Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A-B872-48B9-A6BA- DEC1455B919E )

Please veto this xenophobic bill that paints Hindu Americans as casteists who are hellbent on enforcing caste‐based hierarchies at work, and harms them despite the fact they have left such archaic notions behind and have worked to hire, promote and celebrate untold numbers of Californians through the dynamic and cutting edge Silicon Valley companies and other businesses that for
m the economic backbone of this state.

This bill singles out an exemplary, law‐abiding minority for baseless, frivolous litigation, discriminatory lawsuits and hiring prejudice, and diminishes the employment prospects of hundreds of thousands of children of South Asian origin who are growing up with no kn
owledge of caste, secure in the belief that they are Americans and Californians first and foremost.

This bill will reduce the economic competitiveness of our great state, encouraging people and businesses to set up in jurisdictions that do not expose them to such poorly written, redundant laws.

Most of all, this sends the message that Hindus are back ward and unwanted in this great State, despite being
responsible in no small part for what makes California so great. This will shake the confidence of other minorities who have found a haven here, and will deter other folks who just want to get on with making the ir lives and that of other Californians, better.

Please do not sow discord where there isn’t any: the existing legal protections for Californians are already the strongest in the country and include what this bill claims to add.

Please do the right thing and veto this ill‐
considered, xenophobic, discriminatory bill.

Regards,
Anand Sethuraman

1 Mary Quinn
From: Geeta Sikand
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:30 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Oppose Bill B-27/Agenda date 9/28/23
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Subject Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A-B872-48B9-A6BA- DEC1455B919E

Honorable Members of Fresno City Council
I strongly urge you to oppose SB 403. It is a discriminatory bill that racially profiles Indian Americans especially Hindus. It will subject Hindus to racial profiling and Hindu children to bullying.

Thank you for considering my request.

Geeta Sikand

Sent from my iPhone

1 Mary Quinn
From: Venu Acharya
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:36 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)

No need of this bill since caste based issues already covered under religion.

Is a separate bill needed to separate subgroups in Christianity like protestant and catholics? The answer is NO.

how many caste based legal cases are there so far? Almost none.

thanks for understandin
g.

Thanks
Venu Acharya

1 Mary Quinn
From: Lalit Kumar
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:38 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption)

I strongly oppose this bill for the reasons stated below:

All existing laws dealing with discrimination and referenced to be amended in California Senate Bill 403 call out ancestry as one of the protected categories. The Bill claims that the Caste is based on individuals' hereditary status. So any discrimination which takes place based on caste will automatically come under the category of discrimination based on ancestry and is already protected by law.

SB-403 is a violation of the equal protection of the laws “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” - AMENDMENT XIV Section 1 All the protected categories listed under existing laws apply to all the people of the United States. SB- 403 is targeted to apply exclusively to people of mainly South Asian origin. The bill mentions South Asia four times and specifically lists India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. This makes the bill itself discriminatory in nature and in violation of the equal protection of the laws as guaranteed in section 1 of the fourteenth amendment of the Constitution.

Sincerely yours,
Lalit Kumar

1 Mary Quinn
From: Meena Sharma
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:45 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10,2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use cauƟon with links and aƩachments

Agenda Date 09/28/23
Agenda Item no. 1.II. ID 23‐1395 ***Bill B‐27 ( Intro’d August 10, 2023 ) ( For AdopƟon )

I strongly oppose this SB403 as it is violaƟon of the equal protecƟon of the laws .

Meena Sharma

1 Mary Quinn
From: Mauj Patre
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:46 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption)

Pls VETO Bill B-27
I request that you protect our civil rights and Veto SB403. The bill is not facially neutral, allows for the targeting and profiling of Hindus and violates our civil rights. We showed up in huge numbers outside of the Capitol building in Sacramento on 9/9/2023 to express our concern about this bill. More than 50 organizations representing hundreds of thousands of concerned Californians also participated in the rally

“Caste” is not neutral like race, religion, gender, ethnicity, ancestry and other categories. And, existing California laws can already address any claims of caste discrimination.

In addition, Equality Labs, primary sponsor and a group that works closely with Senator Aisha Wahab, has called Hindus “Nazis,” has attacked the beautiful Hindu festival of Holi, has claimed Hindu texts promote violence, slavery and genocide.

Bill is based on faulty data from Equality Labs, data that was thrown out as inadmissible by Santa Clara Superio r
Court in 2021! Why would you sign a law based on the same data?

Siding with such groups and activists amounts to endorsing and institutionalizing hate and prejudice.

Protecting civil rights of some at the expense of those of an immigrant community of a minority faith is not right, especially when the State is aware that it is unconstitutional!

We urge you to stand on the right side of history.

Thanks
Mugdha

1 Mary Quinn
From: Sonal S Ladva
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:46 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item number 1-11. ID 23-1395***Bill B27 (Intro’d August 10,2023 Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Honorable Members of Fresno City Council I strongly urge you to oppose SB 403. It is a discriminatory bill that racially profiles Indian Americans especially Hindus. It will subject Hindus to racial profiling and Hindu children to bullying. Thank you for considering my request.

Sonal Ladva

1 Mary Quinn
From: Nima ForJustice
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:53 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Subject Agenda Item Number: 1.‐II. ID 23‐1395 ***Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A‐B872‐48B9‐A6BA‐DEC1455B919E

I am submitting this email on behalf of my family of 4.

Thank you for considering
my request.

Poornima

1 Mary Quinn
From: Dilip Shah
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:54 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Strong opposition to Bill 27
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

9/26/23, 11:35 PM Gmail ‐ Veto Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) Veto Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
1 message
Maggie Kumar
Maggie Kumar Tue, Sep 26, 2023 at 11:34 PM To:
>
Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Numb
er: 1.‐II. ID 23‐1395 ***Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) to: The Honorable Fresno City Council Members
Greetings. I am writing this letter to register my strong opposition to Bill‐27. I would like to request you to Veto Bill‐27 for the following reasons:

1. Fed
eral laws already cover discriminaon based on a number of criteria such as ethnicity, naonality, race, gender, religion, and so on. Bill‐27 adds no value. Who has the authority or experse to define Caste? Caste does not have a scienfically proven or universally agreed upon definion . Everyone has a race, a gender, a naonality and ethnicity. Not everyone has a caste or even knows what caste is. Caste is not facially neutral. To try and define caste is unconstuonal.

2. Bringing in “caste” as a a new category causes unnecessary burden ‐ financial and logiscal, on businesses, schools, and prey much all establish
ments that cater to the public. Who will bear the expense of training employers and employees about caste and who will monitor, arbitrate and ensure the implementaon of Bill‐27? City of Seale's caste bill cost $280K this year and will cost an esmated $185K per year.

3. Th
e word "Caste" is being introduced to America by a hate group called Equality Labs. Hundreds of Hindus have exposed its founder Tenmozhy Soundararajan as a hate monger, a bigot, a blatant liar and peddler of distorted informaon about Hindus and Hinduism. Here's a video that shows her Hindu hatred. https://twitter.com/i/status/16431357
61351421952

4. With the current economic situaon and budget deficit, how can any city jusfy spending our tax dollars on a non‐issue like Caste when there are glaring issues such as rampant homelessness, unemployment, lack of healthcare and poverty? Shouldn’t these issues take priority over Bill‐27? How many LEGI TIMATE police reports or HR complaints have you heard of claiming caste discriminaon?

5. CA civil rights department (CRD) sued Cisco and harassed two Cisco employees in a falsified caste discriminaon case.

The case was tossed out by the Santa Clara supreme court and CRD ulmately withdrew its cas e. Here is informaon debunking the Cisco case. https://youtu.be/fRZq‐uL1GCw

6. It is evident that misunderstanding combined with abundant misinformaon available on search engines, AND lack of a clear definion of caste, will be major contributors to a court’s inability to arrive at a meaningful definion. What will be the cost of ligang caste related cases? Who will pay
for them? Santa Clara County DA Jeff Rosen has clearly stated that there is absolutely no need to add Caste into the civil rights bill. Please listen to his statements. https://youtu.be/_41wmoXLHms? si=TEoH4MRI499NrYID

2 7. Hindu hate group Equality Labs has been called out for its quesonable survey methodology and the data it touts. It got the survey filled out by people living outside the USA and told them to use a US ZIpcode, using that the data as applicable to America, Equality Labs has also published totally twisted arguments about caste discrim inaon specifically targeng Hindu Americans as "upper caste" based on their last names, the fesvals they celebrate and their dietary habits.

Hindus are a micro‐minority in America. The weaponizaon of caste by equality labs is a SCAM to fleece affluent businesses and individuals.

9/26/23, 11:35 PM Gmail ‐ Veto Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)

8. Hindus have contributed to California’s economy in numerous fields from technology to educaon to medicine and finance. Bill‐27 must look at the damage it will do to sgmaze and traumaze Hindus. Hindu children will be subjected to bullying, harassment and violence.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to state my reasons for OPPOSING BILL‐27. I am subming this leer on behalf of myself, my husband and my adult son.

Maggie Kumar
https:/

Dilip Shah

1 Mary Quinn
From: Meghana Khadkikar
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:55 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto bill B-27
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use cauƟon with links and aƩachments

To whom it may concern:

I am a California resident requesƟng the city to please veto bill B27 on behalf of my family of ﬁve and as a Hindu American community member.

This bill will single out Hindu Americans and proﬁle them on basis of their faith, fesƟvals, food choices etc.

The city should refrain from supporƟng any bill targeƟng a single community, it is supported by rabid Hindu hate groups.

It will have devastaƟng eﬀects on children of our community, they will be subjected to bullying and harassment in schools.

Thanks,
Meghana
Sent from my iPhone

1 Mary Quinn
From: Rajesh
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:56 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Subject: Veto Bill B-27
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

4. I oppose this bill because it adds no value. We are protected by current laws.

Thank you,

Rajesh Srivastava

1 Mary Quinn
From: Nima ForJustice
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:02 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Re: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Honorable Members of Fresno City Council
I strongly urge you to oppose B‐27. It is a discriminatory bill that racially profiles Indian Americans especially Hindus. It will subject Hindus to racial profiling and Hindu children to bullying.

I am submitting this email on behalf of my family of 4.

Thank you for considering
my request.

Poornima

1 Mary Quinn
From: Deepak Sharma
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:04 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Honorable Members of Fresno City Council:

I am the President of a non‐profit which has over 2K members. We strongly urge you to oppose bill B‐27. It is a discriminatory bill that racially profiles Indian Americans especially Hindus. It will subject Hindus to racial profiling and Hindu children to bullying.

Thank you for conside
ring our request.

With best regards,
Deepak

1 Mary Quinn
From: ysr sridhar
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:04 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

My point of view :

I am against all forms of Discrimination. With this bills inclusion of the racially charged term caste, employers will be wary of hiring or promoting South Asians because the State of California as a result of this bill gives a license to presume that they are inherently discriminatory. This is not merely speculative, as employers have already started taking
preemptive actions against South Asians, and particularly Hindu employees. For instance, South Asian employees now report being asked their caste or witnessing intrusive and xenophobic passing remarks about Indians and Hindus for the first time in the workplace.

Similarly, “caste audits” are already
being offered to assign castes to lists of South Asian employees, while DEI training by the primary sponsor, Equality Labs, teaches businesses to be wary of Hindu employees.

So please do NOT pass this bill which is very detrimental and profiles a specific community.

Thanks
Satya Yenama
ndra.

1 Mary Quinn
From: Prashant Kediyal
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:13 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Honorable Members of Fresno City Council

Please know that asking “caste” is the “N” word for Hindus. This law will make it legal to ask for caste i.e, being called “N” even in a court of law !!

I strongly urge you to oppose SB 403. It is a discriminatory bill that racially profil es Indian Americans especially Hindus. It will subject Hindus to racial profiling and Hindu children to bullying.

Thank you.

Prashant Kediyal

Agenda Date: 09/28/23 Subject Agenda Item Number: 1.‐II. ID 23‐1395 ***Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A‐B872‐48B9‐ A6BA‐DEC1455B919E

1 Mary Quinn
From: Satish
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:14 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Honorable Members of Fresno City Council,

I strongly urge you to oppose SB 403. It is a discriminatory bill that racially profiles Indian Americans especially Hindus. It will subject Hindus to racial profiling and Hindu children to bullying.

Thank you

Regards
Satish

Sent from my Galaxy

1 Mary Quinn
From: Prashant Kediyal >
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:20 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Honorable Members of Fresno City Council

Please know that asking “caste” is the “N” word for Hindus. This law will make it legal to ask for caste i.e, being called “N” even in a court of law !!

I strongly urge you to oppose B-27. It is a discriminatory bill that racially profiles Indian Americans especially Hindus. It will subject Hindus to racial profiling and Hindu children to bullying.

Thank you.

Prashant Kediyal

Agenda Date: 09/28/23 Subject Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For
adoption) https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A-B872- 48B9-A6BA-DEC1455B919E

2 The legislation aims to outlaw discrimination based on “caste,” which has become identified as an ancient Hindu social stratification system in not only the modern-day lexicon but also textbooks taught in the California public school system and its state agencies. With “caste” linked only to the customs of the Indian subcontinent, this category of discrimination, by its very nature, can only be perpetrated in practice by Indian Americans against fellow Indian Americans.

But the premise of the new “anti-caste” effort is built on anti-Indian and anti-Hindu bigotry.

The implication that Americans with Hindu origins are more susceptible to “old country” biases is nothing more than along standing xenophobic trope that has been used against immigrants for centuries. How can German Americans engage in “caste” discrimination? They cannot – in practice, only Indian and South Asian Americans can. And to single them out as unique purveyors of hate is a rejection of our (and their) nation’s democratic, egalitarian, and meritocratic ideals. Profiling any American based on their origins is insulting. Worse, the underlying “proof” of such discrimination lacks any factual basis and is based on a faulty case set in Silicon Valley.

The potential vagueness and overextension of this bill could notably disrupt businesses, thereby impacting our state’s economy and the livelihoods of countless Californians. We are steadfast in our belief that any legislation designed to combat discrimination should be accurate, equitable, and feasible to implement without imposing unnecessary burdens on businesses and employees.

It’s essential that this legislation is transparent, equitable, and precisely articulated to ensure it fulfills its intended objectives without inadvertently leading to negative outcomes or disproportionately affecting certain sections of California’s populace.

Indian Americans, like generations of immigrants, came to America to make a new life – divorced from the prejudices and privations of the past. And they have proved themselves amazingly capable and eager to overcome the myriad hardships faced by immigrants.

So, it is especially bitter that Indian Americans now face accusations of bigotry against fellow Indian Americans. Ordinary Indian Americans are collateral damage in this slander campaign. It must stop.

We appreciate your focus on this significant issue. As you assess this legislation, we trust that our concerns will be considered. We welcome ongoing dialogue and cooperation on this matter to ensure an equitable and well-rounded strategy.

Sincerely, Dated: September 27, 2023

Richa Gautam Abhijit Bagal Founder, Caste Files Legal Analyst, Caste Files

1 Mary Quinn
From: chkirank
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:22 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Hello Fresno City,

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.‐II. ID 23‐1395 ***Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption)
https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A‐B872‐ 48B9‐A6BA‐DEC1455B919E

I request that you protect our civil rights and Veto this bill. The bill is not facially neutral, allows for the targeting and profiling of Hindus and violates our civil rights.

Respectfully,
Kiran Cheedalla

1 Mary Quinn
From: Poonam Shrivastava
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:36 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 Introduced on August 10, 2023
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Honorable Fresno City Council Members,

Agenda date 9/28/23.

Agenda Item Number 1.-11. 1D 23-1395
Bill B-27 (introduced August 10, 2023) (For adoption)

I have lived in United States citizen for 45 plus years and have never experienced caste issue.

This bill is based on a faulty survey by Equality Labs, a Hindu hating group and has been completely debunked by a much larger and rigorous study by Carnegie Endowment.

The bill is promoted by violent extremity Khalistani groups that set fire to the SF Indian Consulate, assaulted an Indian man in Taco Bell in Fremont and destroyed Gandhi statue recently. In 1985, Khalistanis bombed an Air India plane killing 320 people
There are enough laws currently to prosecute any complaints of caste discrimination as was done in the Cisco case before such a bill.

The Cisco case against 2 accused engineers was dismissed upon discovery of multiple lies by the Civil Rights Department to implicate the innocent managers.

So please do not discriminate against innocent people with this Bill. It will affect innocent American born Indian and Hindu children for generations by shaming them in schools and work, and provide a hostile environment.

Thank you,
Poonam Shrivatava

“A truth can walk naked..., but a lie always needs to be dressed..” K Gibran

1 Mary Quinn
From:

Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:53 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

This bill is extremely racist, and targets Hindu community directly. I vehemently oppose this bill. And you should too.

Mohan

1 Mary Quinn
From:

Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:56 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

This bill is not facially neutral and it paints people of one community as oppressors - making them guilty before being proven innocent. I vehemently oppose this bill. And you should too.

Jaya

1 Mary Quinn
From:

Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:58 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

You're introducing a bill that is not fair - and will kill innovation and equality among your citizens in the city. Why are you doing that? Is this what fairness means in Fresno? Should I be afraid of visiting the city?

Please veto Bill B-27

Thanks,
Ratna

1 Mary Quinn
From: rajat mahajan
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:59 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Please Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

I oppose this bill since it will stigmatise the Hindu and Sikh Community of California and will serve as a means to split these communities and cause a rift among them.

Caste is a colonial label which has been used for decades to to subvert basic human rights of peop le in India and for deviant political purposes to divide and rule. This is the same reason why such bills should not be brought in unless a thorough investigation into the underlying issues has been made.

Otherwise we risk alienating the law abiding and hardworking immig rant communities in California.

So , I would urge you to reconsider this bill and talk to community members before passing this .

Thanks

1 Mary Quinn
From:

Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:59 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

This bill is not good for your community. I condemn the bill. Please veto the bill.

Neeraj

1 Mary Quinn
From: Rashmika S S
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:00 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Opposition to Bill-27
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Agenda Item Number: 1.‐II. ID 23‐1395 ***Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption) To: The Honorable Fresno City Council Members Greetings.

I, Rashmika, am a devotee of Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma), a living present day woman Saint whose family hails from the "marginal
ized" Dalit community of Hindus. I'm a Founding Member of Dalit and Bahujan Women Devotees of Amma in California and we have 216 members as of today. On behalf of the members, I submit the below statement as public testimony in opposition of Bill‐27, a bill that claims to ban caste‐based discri mination but is covertly discriminatory against our community.

I grew up in India in a multi‐generational joint family of 19 members and most of my life was led in a 100 Sq. Ft. home with the majority of family members who slept outside the home and under the open sky stargazing. People must learn
the true lived experiences of Hindus that all Hindus are pagan heathen survivors of a 1000+ years of religion‐based oppression. The entire Hindu community has been wronged and with great hard work, sections of the community have a roof over their heads wh
ile we have collectively been major contributors to the economy as a minority community in the USA and the entire world. We, the Dalits and Bahujans cannot be viewed as separate entities who need protection from our own people. All of us need equal protection and that must in clude Hindus and Bill‐27 is a law that takes away equal protection for Hindu community as the bill is covertly anti‐Hindu just by the reference "caste". Every educational literature and mainstream propaganda in America has been for decades imparting that caste belongs with Hindus. The bill's reference to "caste" i mplies that it's about the Hindus (no matter how much anyone tries to dress it up with words). Bill‐27 will remain an anti‐Hindu thereby anti‐Human‐Rights bill as long as it has even one mention of the word "caste" in it.

In closing, I strongly urge you to support authentic Human Righ ts of Dalits and Bahujans by opposing Bill‐27

Thank you,
Rashmika
Founding Member
Dalit and Bahujan Women Devotees of Amma in California

1 Mary Quinn
From: Srinivas Ramachandra
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:02 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: ID-23-1395- Ordinance adding Caste and Indigeneity- 9-6-23 FINAL External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Subject- Veto BillB-27
Dear Sir/ Madam,
As loyal California citizens for 42 years, we strongly oppose this bill that merely divides the community by highlighting a non existent problem. we request your kind offices to veto this unnecessary bill. Thank you. Pramela and Ram Ramachandra CA 94539

1 Mary Quinn
From: Sarah Baxter
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:18 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

To Whom it May Concern,
Regarding Bill B-27, Agenda Date: 09/28/23, Agenda Item Number: 1.-II. ID 23-1395 ***Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption)
https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A-B872- 48B9-A6BA-DEC1455B919E

I oppose this bill, until its language is clearer and does not intentionally -or otherwise- marginalize or further represent Hindu people from all backgrounds as a monolith.

Thank you!
Sarah Baxter
US Citizen, Resident of California, Orange County.

1 Mary Quinn
From: Venkateswararao Nagam
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:21 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use cauƟon with links and aƩachments

Dear Fresno City Oﬃcials,
Namasthe.

My name is Venkat Nagam. I am ciƟzen of US and a long Ɵme resident of California since 1999, now living in Folsom, CA.

I oppose this bill B‐27 since it will sƟgmaƟze the Hindu and Sikh Community of California and will serve as a means to split these communiƟes and cause a riŌ among them.

Caste is a colonial label which has been used for decades to to subvert basic human rights of people in India and for deviant poliƟcal purposes to divide and rule. This is the same reason why such bills should not be brought in unless a thorough invesƟgaƟon into the underlying issues has been made.

Otherwise we risk alienaƟng the law abiding and hardworking immigrant communiƟes in California.

So , I would urge you to reconsider this bill and talk to community members before passing this .

Thank you,
—Venkat Nagam

1 Mary Quinn
From: Aarti Kaushal Chopra
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:23 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: No To Bill B-27
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Agenda Date: 09/28/23
Subject Agenda Item Number: 1.‐II. ID 23‐1395
***Bill B‐27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023) (For adoption)
https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6358836&GUID=4C08C79A‐B872‐48B9‐A6BA‐DEC1455B919E

Honorable Members of Fresno City Council,

I strongly urge you to oppose Bill B‐27. It is a racist, bigoted, discriminatory bill that racially profiles Indian Americans, especially Hindus. It will subject Hindus to unfair, unconstitutional racial profiling and vulnerable Hindu children to bullying.

Thank you for considering my request on behalf of my family of 5.

Aarti Chopra

1 Mary Quinn
From: tusatya
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 10:07 AM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto Bill B-27 (Intro’d August 10, 2023)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

This is regarding:

I oppose this bill as it stereotypes and discriminates Hindus using an issue that is nonexistent in CA. I expect elected official not to create discrimination in the name of nonexistent social justice probelm.

Thanks
Satya

1 Mary Quinn
From: kiran sharma
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 9:06 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: Veto SB 403
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Dear Sir/ Madam
Please veto sb403 bill. This bill will target Hindus (micro mini minority ). It will increase Hindu phobia.

Thank you

1 Mary Quinn
From: Asha Vora
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:49 AM
To: Asha Vora; Clerk
Subject: No on SB 403
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Honorable Members of Fresno City Council I strongly urge you to oppose SB 403. It is a discriminatory bill that racially profiles Indian Americans especially Hindus. It will subject Hindus to racial profiling and Hindu children to bullying. Thank you for considering my request. Geeta Sikand Sent fr om my iPhone

1 Mary Quinn
From: Asha Vora
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:08 AM
To: Asha Vora; Clerk
Subject: Veto SB 403
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments

Please, Veto SB 403 because it is going to cause more racial profiling ,more lawsuits , anybody can sue anybody . It is a scam and Genocide against hardworking and tax paying American Hindus ‐ I really urge yu to veto SB403 ‐ Please NO on SB403
thank you so much
Asha Vora

Fresno City CouncilSeptember 28, 2023

Fresno City Council
September 28, 2023