Trump Election Triggers California Independence Movement #Calexit
The California secession is expected to be similar to the disintegration of Soviet Union, which led to the formation of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) or the Russian Commonwealth.
By Rakesh Raman
The United States could soon be the divided states of America. A new “Yes California” movement seeks to establish the country of California which will not be a part of the U.S.
Using legal and constitutional means, the campaign advocates for peaceful secession from the United States.
It plans to hold an independence referendum – similar to the recent Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom – to establish a mandate, followed by a nationwide campaign to advocate in support of a constitutional exit from the Union.
Although the campaign does not explicitly mention the Donald Trump presidency as the reason for California exit, a survey was launched immediately after the November 8 election to know people’s preference.
CALIFORNIA: Are you ready to secede from the United States? #Calexit
— Yes California (@YesCalifornia) November 9, 2016
A whopping 76% of respondents agreed to secede from the United States. In the next step, the “Yes California” campaign aims to collect 600,000 signatures in 6 months on the #Calexit petition. These signatures will form the basis for a full referendum for California to become an independent nation.
As it is believed that Russia had a damaging influence on the U.S. presidential election that Trump won, the California secession is expected to be similar to the disintegration of Soviet Union, which led to the formation of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) or the Russian Commonwealth.
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“While Yes California supports and encourages Californians to stand up and take direct action, to be bold, and to unapologetically demand the liberation of the people of California from its captors, we explicitly reject conduct or speech inciting open rebellion against the American government,” suggests a campaign statement.
It argues that 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, according to the campaign statement, California compares and competes with countries, not just the 49 other states.
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The movement – which is being spearheaded by a political organization supporting the 2019 #Calexit California independence referendum – has also raised doubts about the U.S. presidential election.
It states that the “presidential election results are often known before our votes are even counted and all the government officials and federal judges are appointed by those very same people we don’t elect.”
The “Yes California” campaign has given 9 points to support its claim for independence. As the election of Trump has completely divided the U.S. in two warring factions of people – supporters and opposers of Trump – the possibility of other states demanding a similar secession cannot be ruled out.
By Rakesh Raman, who is a government award-winning journalist and runs free school for deserving children under his NGO – RMN Foundation.
Photo courtesy: Yes California
