In related news, California Governor Gavin Newsom has also vetoed a bill that would have banned caste discrimination. The measure was introduced by Aisha Wahab, California’s first Muslim and Afghan American state senator. Activists still celebrated the widespread support the bill received despite Newsom’s veto. Nirmal Singh of Californians for Caste Equity said, “The fact that caste-oppressed people were given a platform to stand up for our basic human rights is a huge win in and of itself. Bills like SB-403 would have allowed us to stand safely in our caste-oppressed identities.” Fresno, California, last month became the second U.S. city to ban caste discrimination, joining Seattle.