Help Harvey

August 19, 2009

Harvey Milk Day Bill  Earlier this month, President Obama posthumously honored Milk with the Medal of Freedom. Yet, the Governor’s Secretary of Education says that Milk’s contributions should only be recognized locally, indicating a possible veto by the Governor. Call one of the the Governor’s district offices.  If you haven’t yet, email the Governor.Reply to this email if you are registered with our Action Center. Or logon to take action.

Dear Brooke,

We just received a troubling signal that the Governor may be considering opposing the Harvey Milk Day bill. We must show a groundswell of support.

The Governor’s Secretary of Education recently sent a letter opposing the bill that reads:

"As you know, the Governor vetoed a substantially similar bill last year. The veto message stated that Harvey Milk’s contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level by those who were most impacted by his contributions. Since this bill is nearly identical, the veto message remains applicable."

The Secretary of Education is wrong. Last year’s veto message is no longer applicable. Earlier this month, President Obama posthumously honored Milk with the Medal of Freedom, our country’s highest civilian honor—a testament to the fact that Harvey Milk is a national and international hero. And earlier this year the Governor acknowledged that Harvey’s contributions impacted all Californians when his administration honored him for his work in fighting discrimination in the State of California.

Please, call one of the Governor’s discrtict offices, and express support for SB 572, the Harvey Milk Day Bill.

And, if you haven’t yet, sign our action alert to the Governor. And share it with everyone you know. 

Over 30,000 people have signed our petition to the Governor, but that’s not enough. Please email and call him right now.

Harvey Milk is a true inspiration to the millions of people who believe in equality, and he deserves to be recognized by the state he helped transform.

In solidarity,

Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California