On the afternoon of November 2nd, dozens of volunteers gathered at Bogey’s Pizza restaurant in San Jose for a celebration event opposing Proposition 50 and Measure A. The event, named “Take Back California 2026”, aimed to thank volunteers for their efforts, review the campaign process, and look forward to future civic actions.
The event kicked off with laughter and joy. Volunteers shared food and drinks while exchanging their experiences and discussing future plans. Some sang impromptu songs, while others enthusiastically passed around food plates and invited others for more. The atmosphere was relaxed as they shared how to bring California back to justice and common sense.
Organizer Max Hsia, in an interview with Dajiyuan, stated that the gathering was not only a celebration but also a continuation of a belief. “Everyone has invested time and money, we believe all of this is for the greater good of California,” he said. The team has already started preparing for the upcoming midterm elections next year and plans to establish a stable volunteer team. “We will go into the community, visit households, and understand the issues that voters truly care about.”
Co-organizer and candidate for State Assembly in the 28th District, Carol Pefley, told reporters that the changes in California have awakened many people. “This shows that people still care about California and believe it can still be saved,” she said. She believes the public is expecting “common sense policies” – safe streets, good schools, and reasonable cost of living. “Even though we suffered a defeat in this proposal, we will continue moving forward to reclaim California in 2026 and break the one-party dominance.”
Volunteer Bob White reflected to reporters, saying that in his many years of participating in events, it was the first time he had seen such enthusiastic involvement. “Seeing so many people care about the future of California is truly inspiring,” he admitted. He noted that many current policies are not friendly to the people, but it is comforting to see “more and more people willing to stand up.”
Volunteer Ruth from the financial technology industry shared with reporters that her initial participation in the event stemmed from concerns about California losing fair representation after district recalibration. “Many people do not understand the importance of voting, nor do they realize that certain proposals will actually increase the tax burden,” she said. Participating in the event taught her how to influence policies at the local level, “true American democracy should start from the grassroots.”
As the night fell, the event concluded amidst laughter and blessings, with volunteers promising to continue working together for the future of California. ◇