There is no hate strong enough to tear us apart

A year ago, when we declared victory in our campaign for U.S. Senate, we didn’t yet know the results of the presidential election — but we did know there was something deeply troubling happening in our country.

We knew that our values were under attack. And so, when I took to the stage to give my victory speech that evening, I made it clear that I had no intention of retreating, that I planned to fight — and I asked you to join me.

One year later, I’m proud to say that when confronted with hatred and strife, we’ve held firm. One year later, we haven’t been forced to retreat — we’re still fighting every single day for the voiceless and vulnerable.

This year has been challenging, as will the next. But before we despair over the tough days ahead, I want you to think about what we’ve accomplished together in this past year, like the Women’s March, the fight to save our health care, and last night’s inspiring election results. Take a moment to think about all we’ll do in the coming months, and that even when times are tough, we’ll never stop being fearless.

We’re going to keep fighting for our ideals. We’re going to keep fighting for a state that has the largest number of immigrants — documented and undocumented — of any state in this country and do everything we can to bring them justice, dignity, and fairness under the law.

We’re going to keep fighting for truth, transparency and trust in our criminal justice system — because Black Lives Matter. We’re going to keep fighting for women’s access to healthcare and reproductive health rights. We’re going to keep fighting against those naysayers who suggest that there is no such thing as climate change.

We’re going to keep fighting for the civil rights of all people, including ensuring that everyone has the right to marry the person they love. We’re going to keep fighting for our students and invest in their futures. We cannot let the next generation graduate with immoral amounts of debt because we know affordable education sets our children up for success.

We’re going to keep fighting Big Oil, Big Pharma, and all industries and corporations that prey on working people. We’re going to keep defending workers, and their collective bargaining rights.

We’re going to keep fighting for common sense gun safety because it’s a public health crisis — and it’s just the right thing to do. We’re going to keep fighting to ensure all of our communities are stronger and safer.

There is nothing that Donald Trump or anyone can do to stop us, as long as we keep fighting together. Watch our video from a year ago tonight, and reflect this week on what motivates you to continue fighting — because we’re going to need to do everything we can to keep it up over the next year too.

This year has been tough, but I am confident and hopeful knowing that I have you in my corner, fighting alongside me.

Thanks for all you do.

Kamala Harris
U.S. Senator, California