indica News Bureau-
Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Canada before moving to the U.S., Amar Shergill is the first South Asian-American to lead the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party. The Progressive Caucus is the largest group in the CDP, containing over 700 delegates. Members promote progressive policies such as Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and other fundamental human rights protections.
Held in San Francisco from May 31 to June 2, the CDP Convention was attended by several presidential candidates including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris, as well as over 3000 delegates from all across California.
Shergill has big plans for the Caucus including building on Democratic victories in California, promoting candidates from non-partisan groups, and reinforcing progressive values within Democrats.
In his press release, Shergill noted, “More and more, members of the South Asian community are taking leadership roles in civic affairs. Whether Hindu, Muslim and Sikh, whether Punjabi, Gujarati or Madrasi, we all need to do step forward and help build the America we want to leave behind for our children.” Shergill’s early endorsements included those of Congressman Ro Khanna, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, former Assemblymember Mariko Yamada, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty and the California Nurses Association.
During Amar’s campaign, Congressman Ro Khanna said, “The Democratic Party needs clear voices across the country that will do the hard work necessary to elect Democrats that unapologetically advocate for progressive values. Amar Shergill is one of those voices.”
Assemblymember Ash Kalra added, “Our party needs bold leaders and I trust Amar to uphold the tradition of the Caucus as the conscience of the Party. In my role as Vice-Chair of the State Assembly Progressive Caucus, I look forward to working with Amar as we campaign to elect progressive Democrats in 2020.”
The Progressive Caucus will see its next meeting in San Jose at the CDP Executive Board Meeting from August 23rd to 25th. “We invite everyone to join us as we celebrate our successes and plan the 2020 campaign. South Asians will have a special welcome in the Progressive Caucus,” the newly elected chairman said.
Upon being approached with the million dollar question of the moment, that of his candidate of choice for POTUS, Shergill told indica, “I support Senator Bernie Sanders because of his exceptional ability to energize voters across the country.”
“Democrats win when we vote and, more than any other candidate, Sanders has a grassroots team across the country ready to turn out voters. His progressive policy agenda is exactly what the nation needs to put working families ahead of corporate profits.”
