California Freedom Coalition
{{Short description|United States political party}}
{{Infobox political party
| colorcode = {{party color|California Freedom Coalition}}
| president = Stephen Gonzales
| name = California Freedom Coalition
| logo = California Freedom Coalition logo.png
| leader2_title = Vice-President
| leader2_name = Shankar Singam
| leader3_title = Policy Director
| leader3_name = Dave Marin
| foundation = {{start date and age|2017}}
| headquarters = Sacramento, California
| country2 = the United States
| ideology = Autonomy
Californian independence
Californian secessionism
Devolution
Regionalism
Self-determination
Self-governance
State rights
| position = Big tent
| colours = {{Color box|#FAA519|border=darkgray}} Yellow and {{Color box|{{party color|California Freedom Coalition}}|border=darkgray}} blue
| website = {{URL|www.cafree.org}}
| country = California
| abbreviation = CFC
}}
The California Freedom Coalition is a political group advocating for the political, economic, and social empowerment of Californians. It supports universal healthcare for Californians, greater representation for California in the U.S. Congress, and more funding for education in California, as well as the possibility of Californian independence.
History
The group, in 2017, gathered signatures to petition the State of California to secede from the United States of America.{{cite web|url=https://www.cafree.org/|title=Home - California Freedom Coalition|website=Home - California Freedom Coalition|accessdate=4 May 2018}}
Drawing intentional parallels to the separatist movement in Catalonia, which briefly seceded from Spain,{{cite web|url=http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article178435876.html|title=California secessionists think their path to independence is easier than Catalonia's|first=Kate|last=Irby|date=12 October 2017|publisher=|accessdate=4 May 2018|via=Sacramento Bee}} the group affiliates itself with groups like the California National Party. The California Freedom Coalition has participated in many rallies throughout the state that promote democratic principles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/protesters-roll-out-unwelcome-mat-for-president-trump/|title=Protesters Roll Out 'Unwelcome' Mat for President Trump|last=Macias|first=Martin Jr.|date=2018-03-14|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-11}}
The California Freedom Coalition has been reported on by the Sacramento Bee,{{Cite news|url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article151659877.html|title=Calexit plan is back, but it's toned down|last=Miller|first=Jim|date=2017-05-19|work=The Sacramento Bee|access-date=2018-12-11|language=en-US|issn=0890-5738}} the LA Weekly,{{Cite web|url=https://www.laweekly.com/news/california-secession-movement-decries-senate-underrepresentation-8392182|title=Backers of California Secession Say State's Senate Representation Is Dire|last=Romero|first=Dennis|date=2017-07-05|website=L.A. Weekly|access-date=2018-12-11}} Mother Jones{{Cite web|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/03/california-secessionists-are-hoping-for-a-trump-bump/|title=California secessionists are hoping for a Trump bump|last=Gilson|first=Dave|website=Mother Jones|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-11}} and other California-focused media outlets.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2017/07/26/independent-california-backers-begin-gathering-signatures-initiative/|title=Independent California? Backers Begin Gathering Signatures for Initiative|last=Jennewein|first=Chris|date=2017-07-27|website=Times of San Diego|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-11}} The group has been highlighted on local TV news{{Citation|last=CalFree Coalition|title=KNBC LA Shankar Singam Talking Strategy|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=dCheBcGiARs|access-date=2018-12-11}} shows and Fox News.
Organization
It is officially made up of two non profit entities, the California Freedom Coalition Education Fund and California Freedom Coalition Advocacy Fund.{{cite web|url=https://www.cafree.org/about-us|title=About Us - California Freedom Coalition|website=Home - California Freedom Coalition|accessdate=4 May 2018}}
Advocacy
The California Freedom Coalition's policy think tank has also written a number of research papers that highlight areas of the federal government that are less democratic and harm the people of California.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cafree.org/blog|title=calfree {{!}} Blog|website=Home {{!}} California Freedom Coalition|language=en|access-date=2018-12-11}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cafree.org/senate|title=calfree {{!}} Senate|website=Home {{!}} California Freedom Coalition|language=en|access-date=2018-12-11}}
The Advocacy arm has lobbied the state assembly for bills that protect Californians, like SB822{{Cite web|url=https://www.cafree.org/sb822|title=calfree {{!}} SB822|website=Home {{!}} California Freedom Coalition|language=en|access-date=2018-12-11}} Net Neutrality.
See also
References
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