Calendar
A Community Forum as a part of the annual Laborfest events in which you will hear directly from construction workers of various trades who are organizing against the portion of the repressive Taft Hartley anti labor laws which most directly affects them.
Learn the history of Taft Hartley and how it created the 2 Gate System, undermining the ability of workers to take action and legally protest employers with whom they have a dispute. We will also discuss past efforts to resist the 2 Gate System and our current efforts.
There will be a presentation by workers involved followed by a discussion/Q&A.
The Postal Service has put the Berkeley Post Office up for sale!!
The Postal Service has started to outsource Post Office services to Staples, replacing union jobs with low-paying, low benefit work.
And we’re fighting against both!
Come help us plan our next steps.
*****>> NOTE OUR CHANGE OF
MEETING LOCATION FOR THIS WEEK <<*****
We’ve began the “Don’t Shop at Staples” campaign with some awesome… what else? … postcards to send to Staples management! Here’s the front of the postcard. The campaign has been adopted by Postal Unions, the San Francisco Labor Council and has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO, and has gone national!
All four Postal Unions have joined together to support maintaining full service, public Post Offices in every community, with expansion to include postal banking, and to oppose subcontracting and privatization of services. The California Federation of Teachers passed a resolution in support of opposition to Staples. Just recently AFCSME and UNITE HERE did too. We are trying to get the Alameda Labor Council to pass a similar resolution.
for the last two weeks the sidewalk in front of Staples has been ‘occupied’ 24/7 by an intrepid band of San Francisco occupiers with solidarity and support from BPOD members, and they plan to continue there, distributing literature and convincing people not to shop at Staples, indefinitely. Go by and say ‘Hi!’ and help them out.
And we need to be prepared if the Post Office announces a sale! The Advisory Commission on Historical Preservation came out with its report, recommending that sales of Historic Post offices be halted until the USPS conforms with historical preservation law. Here is our response. Also the Office of Inspector General’s report on the sale of Historic Post Offices came out recently – anything could happen now since Congress’ “request” that no historic Post Offices be sold until it had come out has been honored and no further Congressional request or mandate has come down. Come help us plan our response.
We have joined with other activists in Berkeley to put a ballot initiative on the ballot to rezone the Berkeley Post Office and other areas in the Historic District to prevent privatization, and also to insure a better Downtown Berkeley. We succeeded in getting the necessary signatures; it will be voted on in November, but Tom Bates and the City Council have nefarious plans to undermine our coalition.
Encouraging articles are still coming out about using Post Offices as banking facilities for the unbanked. The National Conference of Mayors just endorsed Postal Banking. We held a forum on postal and public banking on March 29th on the Post Office steps.
We are planning our next event, ‘Jam the Sale.’ Spread the work and come help us out!
THINGS ARE HAPPENING!
Information, discussion & community! Monday Night Forum!!
Occupy Forum is an opportunity for open and respectful dialogue
on all sides of these critically important issues!
Fossil Fuel Monopolies or Community Choice Energy?
Our Path to Renewables is Under Attack!
with Eric Brooks
Although carbon emissions are rising faster than efforts to curtail them, there are glimmers of hope. A growing number of networks including cities, states, regions and even markets are working together to implement climate plans. And costs of renewable energy, such as solar, wind, geothermal, cogeneration (and efficiency programs) are falling so quickly that large-scale deployment is practical. The public is ready to rally on climate change. It is now up to policymakers and industry to answer the call.
But as usual, fossil fuel monopolies and their henchmen are stalling. Community Choice Energy, (allowing local jurisdictions to offer energy-efficiency programs, develop local renewable energy resources, and buy clean wholesale electricity to sell to local residents and businesses) is being held hostage by large corporate incumbent utilities fighting tooth and nail to hang onto their business. Their efforts include disinformation campaigns, pitting ratepayers against each other, confusing ballot initiatives, and false “studies” of the grid’s capacity to handle solar, leaving Clean Energy’s prospective clients in limbo.
Yet Clean (renewable) Energy is burgeoning. The recent Intersolar North America Exhibition at Moscone Ctr. hosted approximately 600 exhibitors and 18,000 attendees, with a world-class exhibition of solar and wind solutions from across the globe, demonstrating the switch.
Meanwhile, in California, AB 2145, (a bill currently under consideration in the state’s legislature) would effectively prevent Community Choice energy programs in the state as the
Big 3 corporate utilities (PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E) and SF’s own Mayor Ed Lee attempt to crush Community Choice. Come to OccupyForum to learn about the political pressure against AB2145 and the push to implement the real fight to save the planet.
Subject: Establishing A Minimum Wage From: Office Of The City Clerk Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution, Pursuant To An Initiative Petition, Submitting To The Electors At The November 4, 2014 Statewide General Election, A Proposed City Ordinance “Establishing A City Minimum Wage, Sick Leave, And Other Employee Rights”; Consolidating The Election With The Statewide General Election; And Directing The City Clerk To Fix The Date For Submission Of Arguments And Provide For Notice And Publication In Accordance With The Law And Authorizing Certain Other Election Activities
The City Council has the option to either a) put the initiative on the November ballot or b) pass the initiative into law as is without modification. It must do one or the other. It may not fail to do one or the other.
There are many items on the agenda so there is no telling at what time this item will come up.
Dear Gill Tract Supporters,
Next Wednesday, July 16th from 8am-10am, please join SEAL and supporters to give public comments and rally at the UC Regents Meeting. Come talk directly to President Napolitano, and tell her that a “Global Food Initiative” starts at home!
The UC’s hypocrisy is clear. It’s our job to call them out: Walk your talk!
To read more about Napolitano’s “Global Food Initiative”, check out and share our blog post: http://sealstudents.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/tell-uc-a-global-food-initiative-starts-a-home/
Join the facebook event for updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/915281365165622/
Run-down of the day:
– 8am: Gather in front of UCSF conference center at 1675 Owens St
– 8:30am: Public comments to the regents and support for our allies
– 9am: Rally in front of the conference center to let the media know that community and students demand that the UC walk its talk with a “food initiative” on the Gill Tract!
** Cant make the Rally?? **
– Help us get over 2000 signatures on the petition by the Regent’s Meeting on July 16th! Just 600 more to go!
Another anti-privatization battle!
We need to show that there is broad and passionate community support for CCSF and against the ACCJC. Come to the hearing of ACCJC’s motion to stay City Attorney Dennis Herrera’s lawsuit against them.
If you don’t feel up to speed, here are direct links that will substantially get you up to date.
ACCJC’s arguments in favor of a Motion to Stay (pause) the Proceedings
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Dennis Herrera’s arguments opposing a Motion to Stay (pause) the Proceedings
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Sherrill Amador (Chair, ACCJC) Declaration
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Robert Agrella (STWEP) Declaration
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UPDATE ON RESOLUTION TO CONTINUE STWEP
Although the California Community College Board of Governor’s passed the resolution to continue the STWEP (Special Trustee with Extraordinary Powers) for another year, it was amended to include a requirement that a proposal be brought to their meeting in November for a plan and timeline to restore the CCSF Board of Trustees. It is required that this proposal be made in consultation with the trustees.
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This is not what we wanted, however, it was much more than many of us expected. Our presence there made a difference! One of the newly appointed governors abstained in the vote and told the crowd assembled that from what he had heard that day he would send his kids to CCSF in a heartbeat.
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If you missed the moving, intelligent and fact-filled testimony you can watch it here.
CCC BOG Meeting July 7, 2014 @ 12:00PM
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Monique Robinson’s services will be at Fuller’s in east Oakland at 11am on Thursday July 17th and Friday the 18th . Please wear purple and white. They were Monique’s favorite colors.
Please follow this link and contribute to the care fund of Taylor, who was orphaned by violence on July 3rd, 2014.
Monique Robinson’s services will be at Fuller’s in east Oakland at 11am on Thursday July 17th and Friday the 18th . Please wear purple and white. They were Monique’s favorite colors.
Please follow this link and contribute to the care fund of Taylor, who was orphaned by violence on July 3rd, 2014.
Peeps are continually staffing a table outside of Staples, 24-7, ongoing for more than a month now now. They are protesting the privatization of the Post Office and Staples role in it, outsourcing living wage Postal Service personnel for subsistence wage Staples employees.
Tents have gone up along the Durant sidewalk with ‘Stop Staples’ signs!
Come by and say hello, hang out, bring ’em a bit to eat and drink, and give them your support!
Written by the Oakland Chamber of Commerce and the California Restaurant Association, this measure would exempt 95% of Oakland employers from an Oakland minimum wage until 2017. This would include major fast food companies like McDonalds, Subway, Burger King and Popeye’s.
Please join us this Saturday, July 19th, to walk precincts and to tell the City Council to stop this competing measure.
Schedule:
Meeting starting at 9:30am
Rally at 10am
Dispatch at 10:30am
Sign up here to let us know you are coming.
Major out of town special interests are backing the effort to stop a minimum wage in Oakland. At a City Council hearing last week, the California Restaurant Association led the testimony in support of a competing measure. This group has consistently opposed raising the state minimum wage and is largely funded by major fast food chains.
If you cannot make it this weekend, please email these City Councilmembers:
Pat Kernighan
Pkernighan@oaklandnet.com
Larry Reid
lreid@oaklandnet.com
Lynette Gibson McElhaney
LMcElhaney@oaklandnet.com
Tell them to stop their efforts to confuse voters and to give major fast food corporations an exemption to a local minimum wage.
Sincerely,
The Lift Up Oakland Coalition
P.S. Make no mistake, none of these City Councilmembers want to raise the minimum wage. Councilmembers Reid and Kernighan are long time members of the City Council, and if they had wanted to raise the minimum wage, they would have introduced legislation or acted to do so years ago.
Release the children now! Children don’t belong in prison!
No more deportations! Immediate family reunification!
Full social, medical and physiological attention to all children and youth now!
Immediate access to legal representation!
We lost our beloved Monique to violence this past Thursday. Her life cut too short. She had many people who loved and supported her. She had her two babies, and many dreams and ambitions. She wanted to make a change in this world. And the impact she left, will never be forgotten.
Let’s March in solidarity, to show our support for MONIQUE and many other women we have lost due to violence.
We will march to the first stop where her first vigil was held in west Oakland Around 1pm. There, we can speak out for justice to be served and share memories about Monique, and how violence against women needs to stop.
Then March back around to OGP where we can all can eat, listen to music and make our presence known, and have another vigil for Monique.
We can all bring food, poster boards, markers, chalk, flags, music, and people who share the Love for Monique.
WE will be doing art projects in remembrance of Mo. So bring stuff! Any ideas are welcome to help make this a better event.
Invite anyone you know who would like to come and show support.
Strike Debt Bay Area (@strikedebtba)will meet at Oscar Grant Plaza in the amphitheater or on the front steps of City Hall, Saturday, July 19, from 3-5:30 p.m. If you have specific questions for a smaller group, or just want to know a few people before the meeting starts, email us at the address above.
Activism on such a big issue – all unjust debt! – can use as many people and talents as we can find. If you are excited by the idea of Strike Debt, and/or our many projects, come join us! Our project include organizing for public banking in Oakland, participating in Occupy San Francisco’s third anniversary convergence, creating Strike Debt radio segments, a number of which have been broadcast on KPFA, securing funding from the City of Vallejo for nonprofit check cashing and public finance study initiatives, saving the Berkeley Post Office and stopping the Staples non-union takeover of good Post Office Jobs, working with the City of Richmond and other municipalities for eminent domain seizure of underwater mortgages from the banksters, and more.
From some of our past activities:
The reason we feed the community is because on July 16, 2011 19 year old Kenneth Wade Harding Jr. was brutally murdered by the SFPD over a $2.00 transit fare. While the community of Bayiew Hunters Point watched this live, the rest of the world watched the horrific video on youtube. It was evident that something needed to be done to address not only the crime against Kenny and his family but also against the community members that witnessed this crime.
In August 2011 a group of young people from Bayview, members known as the Black Star Liner Incorporated stood up against the injustice in their community by the hands of police officers paid by the tax dollars to harrass and at some times kill the civilians by reaching out to the people in Kenny’s Plaza (formally known as Mendell Plaza). That interaction came in the form of communication via political and educational literature, OCC complaints and planting the seed for a regular community feed. Over two years later we are now in our 27th consecutive month.
To date with the guidance of Kenneth Harding Jr.’s Courageous mother Denika Chatman we feed up to 100 people per month.
Donations are needed and welcomed! Below you will find a detailed list of the essential items that make our monthly feeds such a success!
WHAT WE NEED:
* Turkey, Chicken or Beef sandwich meat (NO PORK!!!)
* Whole wheat bread
* Condiments (mayo and mustard)
* Lettuce, Tomatoes and other veggies
* Fruit both fresh and canned
* Healthy snacks (crackers, chips, granola, fruit bars, fruit snacks, pastries, nuts, yogurt etc.)
* Water
* Juice
***And anything else healthy that you think would fill the bag and a belly with love!
ADDITIONALLY ASIDE FROM FOOD WE NEED:
*** Paper sandwich bags
*** Plastic sandwich bags
*** Serving Gloves
*** Paper towels
*** Hand sanitizer
*****And any other suggestions that you may have would be great!
DONATIONS CAN BE MADE THROUGH
http://www.gofundme.com/
Thank you so much for your support in this struggle! The best way to heal the community is to provide the pathway to the basics that we have been denied as a whole. In order to fight we must feed The Body, The Mind and The Spirit!
Israel has announced a ground invasion of Gaza!!
All out for Palestine!!
Within the past couple weeks the state of Israel has killed over 230 Palestinians injured and displaced thousands and is now preparing for an all out ground invasion of the prison otherwise known as Gaza. .
Join us to to stand with the Palestinian people, demand an end to US aid to Israel, and honor those who have passed as Israel continues its attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and occupied 1948 Palestine.
WE DEMAND THAT
End US Aid to Israel!
Stop the Attack on Gaza now!
End the Apartheid State of Israel!
Free all our political prisoners!
Support the Palestinian people’s struggle for liberation!
Flags, kuffiyehs, signs, banners, and voices are all welcome!
List of sponsors and endorsers:
Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival
Al-Awda Right to Return Coalition
American Friends Service Committee of San Francisco
American Muslims for Palestine
Anakbayan- Silicon Valley
Anakbayan- East Bay
ANSWER: Act Now to Stop War and End Racism
AROC: Arab Resource & Organizing Center & AYO: Arab Youth Organizing
Arab Culture and Community Center
Arab Talk Radio
Art Forces
BAYAN
Buena Vista UMC — Church & Society Committee
Cal Students for Justice in Palestine
Coalition for Palestinian Rights – SF
Code Pink
Community Futures Collective
Free Palestine Movement
Freedom Archives
FreedomWriters of Northern California
Idriss Stellie Foundation
Justice for Palestinians
International Action Center
International Jewish Antizionist Network
International Socialist Organization
ISM-Northern California
League of Filipino Students- SFSU
MECA: Middle East Children’s Alliance
Northern California Friends of Sabeel
OMID Advocates for Human Rights
PAC Bay Area
Palestinian Youth Movement
Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism
Real Cost of Prisons
SF Women In Black
SFWILPF
Solitary Watch
South Bay Mobilization
United National Antiwar Coalition
USACBI – US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel
USPCN: US Palestine Community Network
Workers World Party
Join us in a symbolic funeral procession to honor the Palestinian martyrs that have sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Palestine.
Within the past couple weeks the illegal, terrorist, and apartheid state of Israel and their military have killed over 170 Palestinian, and thousands have been injured as the Israeli government has bombed Gaza.
It is going to be a symbolic procession that are similar to the funeral processions that happen in the streets of Palestine for over 60+ years!
WE DEMAND THAT
The San Francisco Bay Area says no to Zionism!
Stop US Aid to the Apartheid State of Israel!
Free all our political prisoners!
Support the Palestinian people’s struggle for liberation!
Flags, kuffiehs, signs, banners, and voices are all welcome!
Soul, our dear friend and lifelong community activist has accumulated quite a large medical debt. Let’s have a night of feast, revolution, and getting down on the dance floor to show our love and support!
6PM: $5. suggested donation per plate (more most welcome!!, but no-one turned away…support comes in many forms, and the presence of good friends is the best!)
MENU:
Chili
Brown Rice
Veggie dawgs & grilled zucchini
Salads
Desserts:
Chocolate chip cookies by Stormy
Coconut cream pie bunt cake by Gail
7PM Film: “Berkeley Liberation Radio: Micro Power for the People” (1hr.)
8PM on: Dance Party: Dedicate & Request special songs for the playlist…
Information, discussion & community! Monday Night Forum!!
Occupy Forum is an opportunity for open and respectful dialogue
on all sides of these critically important issues!
The People’s Climate Curriculum
with Laurie Baumgarten & Anne Donjacour
Are you interested in helping people understand why climate change is occurring and what can be done about it? If so, come to our workshop and learn how the People’s Climate Curriculum is the tool you have been waiting for. It is easy to use and helps each of us become learners and teachers of basic climate literacy.
Every mass movement for change begins with a change in consciousness. It involves a leap forward into a consciousness that says, “I am a subject, not an object. I can act, I can do, I can create.” Educational tools which promote the development of this proactive stance are crucial to the work of popular education.
Our People’s Climate Curriculum educates through a method of teaching developed by Paulo Freire called dialogic pedagogy. The teacher/animator mingles among the participants. Together, through reflection, they critically examine social reality. Unlike traditional educational models in which participants are treated as objects to be taught, this interactive model attempts to counteract passivity and promote action.
Climate change is part of everyone’s social reality. Being literate in climate language helps us become empowered and thus, more able to solve the present crisis. Join us to learn more about our popular education campaign and how to use the People’s Climate Curriculum.
Laurie Baumgarten has been an activist since she was a freshman at Berkeley during the Free Speech Movement. She was active in the anti-war movement, the women’s movement and The Abalone Alliance. She was also a classroom teacher for 35 years in the Berkeley Unified School District. Laurie joined the climate movement about 2 years ago and helped develop the People’s Climate Curriculum. She now works with The Sunflower Alliance.
Our own Anne Donjacour has been a member of OccupyForum and the OccupySF Environmental Justice Working Group since the beginning. Her activism has branched out to other groups such as 350.org, the Unitarian Universalists, and many more. She is a professor at UCSF School of Medicine and is raising a passel of activist children!
Q&A and Announcements to follow.