Calendar
Tmrw! 11am, Oakland City Hall – press conf on Measure FF! $12.25/hour + 5-9 paid sick days is reason to celebrate! @CalOrganize @unitehere
— EBASE (@workingeastbay) February 26, 2015
Follow the sounds of singing to find us! We should be near a ticket/turnstile entrance somewhere inside. We may have to relocate elsewhere in the station if other musicians have claimed the space. Walk around and listen for us if you don’t see us. No rehearsal needed; we’ll have lyric sheets which are also available for download at www.occupella.org
Please invite your friends; even folks who don’t want to sing can help a lot by holding signs. And please do bring signs to make our solidarity clear. As we learn how to be allies in this movement, we believe that our predominantly white group cannot claim slogans such as “I Can’t Breathe” or “Hands Up Don’t Shoot.” But signs such as “Silence = Violence,” or “Black Lives Matter,” or “Justice for Michael Brown” make the clear connection that we support the Black Lives Matter protests. For future sings check www.occupella.org
Yesterday, 60 heritage trees from farmer Gill’s arboretum met a violent death at the Gill Tract. This was the UC’s initial move to begin clearing the way for their proposed housing and shopping complex. They caught us off guard, and for good reason: there is an active lawsuit on appeal in the county courts, contesting the development’s detrimental environmental impact.
Knowing the community would mobilize to defend the trees, the UC hired a huge demolition team, cutting down the trees with lightening speed. The last trees were in the process of being destroyed at 9am, as farm supporters arrived.
This is a blatant escalation on the part of the UC and in return, we shall hold a TREE MURDER PROTEST and rally. Meet at the corner of Monroe and San Pablo Ave in Albany tomorrow, Feb 27, at 5pm. It is very important to be on time.
“This is structural violence. They have come and destroyed the trees, and they brought their security forces with them. They were in and out before anyone could do anything about it. They took everything.” – Hank Herrera
“The 60 trees that were cut down present a massive environmental injustice to the local community. This area has long been known for its dangerous air pollution from the freeway and the Pacific Steel Casting factories. It is already in the 78th percentile for asthma, and this destruction is happening right next to children in Oceanview Elementary and the University Village. The EIR highlights that the proposed development would be bringing in 6,500 new cars per day on Monroe street. This has got to be stopped, and we must replant.” Vanessa Raditz
“UC Berkeley’s determination to develop the Gill Tract at all costs reveals the privatization of a university that is not meeting the needs of or representing its students or community. This has been a 20 year struggle, one that does not end with the destruction of trees. The Gill Tract has been suddenly and violently altered, but our courage to envision more fuels our fight to defend this soil.” – Camille Fassett
As the movement” Black Lives Matter” shakes the nation Sensible Cinema will take part by screening Fruitvale Station by director Ryan Coogler.
Fruitvale Station, a true story follows the twenty-year old Oscar Grant on the eve of his last day of life, December 31, 2008, when early the next day, New Years Day ,January 1, 2009 he was murder in cold blood at the Fruitvale Bart station .
The program will include discussions and plans for a day of action on April 14,2015 with the cosponsor Stop Mass Incarceration Network .
The planting was a few weeks ago. The gardening work continues. Join us!
More information on the Berkeley Post Office Defense against the sale and privatization here.
Pictures and videos of the soil preparation and planting here.
Just two days left of fee waived adoptions at OAS! Come find your true love in February! pic.twitter.com/jkdRU9V6zU
— OaklandAnimalShelter (@oaklandsanimals) February 27, 2015
Learn how to support and visit people incarcerated in immigration detention facilities and jails.
Please RSVP & complete this poll so we can customize the training: http://tinyurl.com/Walls-Pre-Training-Survey Series materials & upcoming training http://caitlinkellyhenry.com/support/
Trainers include
- Anoop Prasad, Staff Attorney, Immigrant Rights Program Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus http://
www.advancingjustice-alc.or g/staff-member/ anoop-prasad - Christina Mansfield, Co-Executive Director, Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC) http://
www.endisolation.org/about/ leadership-team/
This training series will focus on practical skills development for loved ones, activists, legal workers, and lawyers to understand the nitty gritty methods and best practices for supporting people on the inside.
-The NLGSF Chapter’s Committee on Police & Prisons is coordinating the training. The committee exists to challenge oppressive practices, policies and laws of law enforcement, prisons and jails used against communities of color, prisoners, and others. It does so by supporting community activists and building member capacity to support and be a part of movements for human rights and civil liberties. http://www.nlgsf.org/committees
15Now Meeting
Join us this weekend to organize for a living wage in Berkeley!
We’re just getting started building a movement for a living wage in Berkeley, aiming to give ALL Berkeley workers a $15 minimum wage. Come to this meeting to share experiences, discuss strategy, and figure out the first steps towards victory! Similar struggles have been making progress and winning gains in other cities: Seattle, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Portland, and more
See you soon!
Socialist Alternative Bay Area
Pigs have killed again – second time this year and the police who murdered Alex Nieto in cold blood walk free. Meanwhile, thousands are evicted and rents continue to skyrocket. The politicians can do nothing but attempt to manage the disaster or cash in on the crisis. We have to stand together and begin to fight. Cops and Condos go hand in hand!
On Thursday, February 26th two undercover SFPD officers shot and killed a Latino man in the Mission District. He was allegedly trying to steal a bicycle. As San Francisco landlords steal homes everyday without being killed for their actions, it is absurd that someone had to die over a bike.
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Dearest Activists and Allies:
As you know, the Black Womyn’s Lives Matter: Free Marissa Caravan is back after traveling almost 4000 miles in 3 weeks from Oakland to Jacksonville Florida for the hearing which was to determine if Marissa spent more time imprisoned in jail, imprisoned in her home, or pardoned for firing a warning shot into the ceiling, injuring no one, to ward off the man who was beating and threatening to kill her.
We’d like to tell you about our travels through-out the country, the womyn we met, and the experiences we shared as we worked to make Marissa Alexander a household name across our land, and her fight for freedom our “Stand up, Fight Back” cause!
And about where Marissa is at right now & what we intend to do about it!
Please bring an organic (if possible) dish to share, your own plate, cup & fork (if possible), and your loved ones, friends, allies!
Or just BE THERE!
TOGETHER we WILL FREE MARISSA NOW!
Join us as we stand up against the police repression of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Sacramento police have outrageously charged a young black woman for lynching. The police and county DA falsely claim that ANSWER Coalition activist Maile Hampton is guilty of obstructing justice and removing a person from police custody. In fact its the police who are guilty of obstructing justice, in this case and historically. These charges against Maile are in reality “revenge” charges against leading activists of the Black Lives Matter movement. We in the ANSWER Coalition, along with a wide network of endorsing organizations, are mobilizing to fight back against this police repression.
1. We DEMAND that the “revenge charges” against Maile are immediately dropped!
2. We DEMAND an end to the repression of the Black Lives Matter movement!
3. We DEMAND an end to police brutality and the war against black and brown youth!
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We will be combing this with another action where we will be demanding justice for all of the youth that have been victims of police terror. This police terror everywhere, has got to stop.
From Tamir Rice, 12 years old shot and killed immediately by Cleveland Pd for having a toy gun.
To Jessie Hernandez 16 years old, shot and killed by Denver PD while simply sitting in the backseat of a “stolen” car.
To Andy Lopez 13 years old shot by Santa Rosa PD for having a toy gun.
To Aiyana Stanley-Jones 7 years old shot in her home by Detroit PD during a nighttime raid.
And many, many more victims,
We DEMAND accountability, we DEMAND justice. We refuse to sit by and watch police officers around the world continue to kill our children in the name of capitalism. We know that justice won’t simply be handed to us, we have to demand it.
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Please join us Sunday March 1st with your signs, banners, pictures of the victims if you can, and loud voices!
*Please note that depending on circumstances, we may march so bring your walking shoes*
“When our youth are under attack, what do we do? STAND UP FIGHT BACK.”
Join us! Endorse the movement by contacting ANSWER Sacramento.
HAITI: RESISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
5 Years After the Earthquake
11 Years After the Coup
SPEAKERS:
Pierre Labossiere, Haiti Action Committee
Lara Kiswani, Arab Resource & Organizing Center
Devonte Jackson, Black Alliance for Just Immigration
Sanyika Bryant, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement
Join Haiti Action Committee on the 11th anniversary of the US-backed 2004 coup that overthrew democracy in Haiti.
While the US/UN occupation continues to impose President Martelly’s dictatorship, popular resistance in Haiti grows.
A two-day general strike recently paralyzed Port-au-Prince and many other cities. The popular movements are striking to demand that the entire Martelly government resign. They’re also protesting governmental repression and corruption. Haiti faces a constitutional and profound political crisis.
Join us on March 1st for an in-depth look at this situation.
Press conference, Mon, March 2, noon at 16th St BART plaza, SF: Mission tenants to fight mass eviction & offer "win-win" land trust solution
— Cindy Milstein (@CindyMilstein) February 28, 2015
What: 96 Hours of Direct Action Schedule of Events Statewide (Berkeley, All UCs, CSUs, Community Colleges)
Monday, March 2
All Day: Decentralized Direct Actions across Campus
10am: 20 Minute Mass Flyering: Meet on Sproul Steps
5pm: Short Debrief and Info Hub in Wheeler Commons
Tuesday, March 3
All Day: Decentralized Direct Actions across Campus
10am: 20 Minute Mass Chalking: Meet on Sproul Steps
5pm: Short Debrief and Info Hub in Wheeler Commons
Wednesday, March 4
All Day: Decentralized Direct Actions across Campus
12-1pm: Funeral for Public Education on Sproul Steps
+all students, workers, faculty, and community allies are invited to wear black and join die-in
5pm: Short Debrief and Info Hub in Wheeler Commons
Thursday, March 5
12pm-Whenever: STRIKE to Fight the Hike + Phoenix Free Education Festival on Sproul Plaza
+all students, workers, faculty, and community allies are invited to transform our campus together
+bring a tent
*To stay updated on actions around campus, text “FightTheHike” to 88202
*To post or learn about some actions being planned, visit our Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/lanwxn9
A 27% fee hike in UC tuition has been announced with a range of justifications—this on top of the 300% increase in attending the UC in the last decade alone. The administration claims that the state’s defunding of public education has forced this on us, the only option left is to displace the costs of running the university onto students. We disagree. The UC doesn’t want public money from Sacramento; it wants more of your far less regulated private tuition dollars. In spite of the increased cost of education, we endure cuts to student programs, overflowing lecture halls, classes that are difficult to get into, decreasing numbers of students of color, and many other signs of the declining quality of education.
In response to mounting pressure from students around the state, the administration has now announced plans to delay the fee hike, to wait until we’re less prepared. But a deferral is no victory; we demand far more. Rather than a signal that we should give up, we believe that now is the time to push our demands for a better UC. Students across the state–at UCs, CSUs, Community Colleges and High Schools–have called for “96 Hours of Direct Action” the first week of March, culminating in a statewide student walk out on Thursday, March 5. In 2010 similar actions won hundreds of millions of dollars in state support, and in 2012, they beat back a proposed tuition hike that would have nearly doubled of the cost of a UC education. This March, let’s demonstrate that there’s an alternative to privatization and debt. This is your call to action. On March 5, let’s shut it down.
Updated information for Monday:
- We have moved the Rally to start in front of the jail at 850 Bryant on Monday, March 2nd at 5:30pm. Come prepared to dance! We will be joined by the BLO (Brass Liberation Orchestra) and march to the CASC for the Environmental Impact Community Meeting. RSVP here.
- We’ve also learned that the Capitol Planning Committee is voting on the jail plan the same day. We need anyone who can speak out against the jail to join us
- Monday, March 2nd from noon-2pm in City Hall.
Sheriff Mirkarimi and staff from the Department of Public Works will be hosting a public meeting on the environmental impact of the $278 million dollar jail plan.
You are invited to attend a public meeting hosted by San Francisco Public Works and the San Francisco Sheriffs Department regarding the environmental review process for the proposed new jail.
No new jail in SF! Rally and voice your opposition Mar 2 at a meeting about the jail project’s environmental impact https://t.co/1WFb0AtMsL
— Critical Resistance (@C_Resistance) February 24, 2015
The new Rehabilitation Detention Facility (RDF) will replace County Jails #3 and #4, currently located on the 6th and 7th floors of the Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street.
Plan on joining us at 5:30pm at the CASC for a rally before the 6pm meeting. Bring banners and signs and your best examples of the environmental impacts that jail and incarceration has on your life and your community.
San Francisco needs real solutions to public safety, housing, jobs, education, mental health care, not more of the same failed policies that harm our community. Justice is won when we build a future of opportunity for everyone, not more jails.
We want to pack the house and show how strong San Francisco’s opposition is to this controversial replacement jail proposal. And spread the word, it’s coming up quick!
Discussion and Announcements to follow.
Town Hall, Mon, March 2, 6 pm, Cesar Chavez Elementary, SF to decry SFPD murder of Amilcar Perez Lopez on Folsom/24th two nite ago #ACAB
— Cindy Milstein (@CindyMilstein) February 28, 2015
City of Oakland Domain Awareness Center Privacy and Data Retention Policy. During discussions of the Oakland Port Domain Awareness Center (DAC) in March 2014, the City Council adopted a resolution requiring the City Administrator’s office to convene an advisory committee to develop a data retention and privacy policy to address public concerns about the DAC and its surveillance system. The DAC Ad Hoc Privacy and Data Retention Advisory Committee has been meeting since May 2014 and developed a policy and several additional recommendations to present to City Council. Joe DeVries, Assistant to the City Administrator and staff to the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee, and Brian Hofer, the Committee Chair, will provide an overview of the issue and the advisory committee process and will share the details of the proposal that is being developed. The recommendations include a potential role for the Public Ethics Commission as an impartial oversight entity. The Commission will review and discuss this issue and may take action regarding the proposal.
Full agenda and link to Proposed Privacy Policy.
EVERY MONDAY IN MARCH FROM 600-800 PM AT THE QILOMBO.
THIS WILL BE AN ONGOING STUDY SESSION EXAMINING THE HISTORY OF THE ONGOING ZAPATISTA STRUGGLE FOR LIBERATION.
SESSION I: First Declaration from the Lacandon Jungle http://www.struggle.ws/
Future sessions will likely be described at the Facebook event.