Calendar
We’re excited to grow The Anti-Policing Health Workers cohort. Join us for a two day training on Saturday July 1st and Saturday July 8th, 10am-5pm in Oakland.
We strongly encourage applicants to attend an upcoming Know Your Options workshop so you have a clear sense of our program goals and politics.
Click here to see the schedule.
New cohort members will train alongside the 2015 OPP Health Workers and members of Critical Resistance- Oakland. New cohort members will be skilled up to facilitate and join us in offering more workshops to communities for 2017-2018.
Would you help us recruit? You can download the flyer here.
The Tony Award-winning SF Mime Troupe opens in the Bay Area July 1, 2 & 4 with its 58th season premiering “WALLS“
| WALLS asks the question: How can a nation of immigrants declare war on immigration? The answer: FEAR!L. Mary Jones (Velina Brown) knows all about fear. As a top agent for I.C.E. – Immigration and Customs Enforcement – she knows how to stoke fear to keep her country safe. Fear of people like Bahdoon Samakab (Rotimi Agbabiaka), a Somali refugee escaping oppression, fear of Cliodhna Aghabullogue (Lizzie Calogero), an Irish woman yearning to be American, and fear of Zaniyah Nahuatl (Marilet Martinez), whose family comes from… here. As a foreigner in a land her people have worked for thousands of years suddenly Zaniyah is a criminal, an illegal, a “bad hombre.” What part of herself will this American give up to pass as “American?” Will she? Can she? Should she? Can someone leave part of themselves behind without losing their mind? And is it better or worse that she crossed the border to find Agent L. Mary Jones – the woman she loves? |
Strike Debt is building a debt resistance movement. We believe that most individual debt is illegitimate and unjust. Most of us fall into debt because we are increasingly deprived of the means to acquire the basic necessities of life: health care, education, and housing. Because we are forced to go into debt simply in order to live, we think it is right and moral to resist it.
- Promoting single-payer / Medicare for All to end the plague of medical debt
- Presenting debt-related topics at forums and workshops
- Working on debarring US Banks that have been convicted of felonies from municipal contracts, and divesting from the Wall St. banks
- Tiny Homes and other solutions for the homeless.
- money bail reform and fighting modern day debtors’ prisons and exploitative ticketing and fining schemes
- Student debt resistance. Check out the Debt Collective, our sister organization
- helping out America’s only non-profit check-cashing organization and fighting against usurious for-profit pay-day lenders and their ilk
- Promoting the concept of Basic Income
- Advocating for Postal banking
- Organizing for public banking in Oakland! We made the first steps happen… now there’s a spinoff group
- Bring your own debt-related project!
If you are new to Strike Debt and want to come early, meet one or two of us and get a briefing on our projects before we dive into our agenda, email us at strike.debt.bay.area@gmail.com .
Strike Debt – Principles of Solidarity
Strike Debt is building a debt resistance movement. We believe that most individual debt is illegitimate and unjust. Most of us fall into debt because we are increasingly deprived of the means to acquire the basic necessities of life: health care, education, and housing. Because we are forced to go into debt simply in order to live, we think it is right and moral to resist it.
We also oppose debt because it is an instrument of exploitation and political domination. Debt is used to discipline us, deepen existing inequalities, and reinforce racial, gendered, and other social hierarchies. Every Strike Debt action is designed to weaken the institutions that seek to divide us and benefit from our division. As an alternative to this predatory system, Strike Debt advocates a just and sustainable economy, based on mutual aid, common goods, and public affluence.
Strike Debt is committed to the principles and tactics of political autonomy, direct democracy, direct action, creative openness, a culture of solidarity, and commitment to anti-oppressive language and conduct. We struggle for a world without racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and all forms of oppression.
Strike Debt holds that we are all debtors, whether or not we have personal loan agreements. Through the manipulation of sovereign and municipal debt, the costs of speculator-driven crises are passed on to all of us. Though different kinds of debt can affect the same household, they are all interconnected, and so all household debtors have a common interest in resisting.
Strike Debt engages in public education about the debt-system to counteract the self-serving myth that finance is too complicated for laypersons to understand. In particular, it urges direct action as a way of stopping the damage caused by the creditor class and their enablers among elected government officials. Direct action empowers those who participate in challenging the debt-system.
Strike Debt holds that we owe the financial institutions nothing, whereas, to our friends, families and communities, we owe everything. In pursuing a long-term strategy for national organizing around this principle, we pledge international solidarity with the growing global movement against debt and austerity.
The second in our series of Second Saturday Skillshares. This month we are sharing skillz related to lockpicking, locksmithing and using bolt cutters. Come get some hands-on experience with these ninja skills! Additionally, we will be talking about other methods of gaining entry, bypassing security, etc.
ALL INFORMATION IS SHARED FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES ONLY!!!!!
Donations are collected to support East Bay Homes not Jails and the Omni Commons
Monthly interfaith prayer meeting, held on second Sundays, dedicated to survivors and victims of violence and police terror in Oakland.
“Remember the saying: ‘Of all pilgrimages the greatest is to relieve the sorrow-laden heart.'” ~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
The Baha’i community of Oakland is organizing this gathering for the community to connect, share prayers, writings and poems from all spiritual traditions, reflect and recharge and build coalitions interested in healing.
Come share prayers, quotes, poems, and favorite passages from your scriptures with us. Simple breakfast will be served.
“Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.” ~ Bahá’u’lláh
The city of Oakland's government won't feed it's most vulnerable people. We will. It is our duty.#PeoplesBreakfastOakland pic.twitter.com/N7z8cnhkZh
— DaHonorable Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) July 2, 2017
Potluck lunch: 12:30 PM
Meeting 1 – 3 PM
The Tony Award-winning SF Mime Troupe opens in the Bay Area July 1, 2 & 4 with its 58th season premiering “WALLS“
| WALLS asks the question: How can a nation of immigrants declare war on immigration? The answer: FEAR!L. Mary Jones (Velina Brown) knows all about fear. As a top agent for I.C.E. – Immigration and Customs Enforcement – she knows how to stoke fear to keep her country safe. Fear of people like Bahdoon Samakab (Rotimi Agbabiaka), a Somali refugee escaping oppression, fear of Cliodhna Aghabullogue (Lizzie Calogero), an Irish woman yearning to be American, and fear of Zaniyah Nahuatl (Marilet Martinez), whose family comes from… here. As a foreigner in a land her people have worked for thousands of years suddenly Zaniyah is a criminal, an illegal, a “bad hombre.” What part of herself will this American give up to pass as “American?” Will she? Can she? Should she? Can someone leave part of themselves behind without losing their mind? And is it better or worse that she crossed the border to find Agent L. Mary Jones – the woman she loves? |
The Occupy Oakland General Assembly meets every Sunday at 3 PM at Oscar Grant Plaza amphitheater at 14th Street & Broadway near the steps of City Hall. If for some reason the amphitheater is being used otherwise and/or OGP itself is inaccessible, we will meet at Kaiser Park, right next to the statues, on 19th St. between San Pablo and Telegraph. If it is raining (as in RAINING, not just misting) at 3:00 PM we meet in the basement of the Omni Collective, 4799 Shattuck Ave., Oakland. (Note: we meet at 3:00 PM during the cooler months, once Daylight Savings Time springs forward we tend to assemble at 4 PM).
On every ‘last Sunday’ we meet a little earlier at 2 PM to have a community potluck to which all are welcome.
OO General Assembly has met on a continuous basis for over five years! Our General Assembly is a participatory gathering of Oakland community members and beyond, where everyone who shows up is treated equally. Our Assembly and the process we have collectively cultivated strives to reach agreement while building community.
At the GA committees, caucuses, and loosely associated groups whose representatives come voluntarily report on past and future actions, with discussion. We encourage everyone participating in the Occupy Oakland GA to be part of at least one associated group, but it is by no means a requirement. If you like, just come and hear all the organizing being done! Occupy Oakland encourages political activity that is decentralized and welcomes diverse voices and actions into the movement.
General Assembly Standard Agenda
- Welcome & Introductions
- Reports from Committees, Caucuses, & Independent Organizations
- Announcements
- (Optional) Discussion Topic
Occupy Oakland activities and contact info for some Bay Area Groups with past or present Occupy Oakland members.
Occupy Oakland Web Committee: (web@occupyoakland.org)
Strike Debt Bay Area : strikedebtbayarea.tumblr.com
Berkeley Post Office Defenders:http://berkeleypostofficedefenders.wordpress.com/
Alan Blueford Center 4 Justice:https://www.facebook.com/ABC4JUSTICE
Oakland Privacy Working Group:https://oaklandprivacy.wordpress.com
Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity: prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com/
Bay Area AntiRepression: antirepression@occupyoakland.org
Biblioteca Popular: http://tinyurl.com/mdlzshy
Interfaith Tent: www.facebook.com/InterfaithTent
Port Truckers Solidarity: oaklandporttruckers.wordpress.com
Bay Area Intifada: bayareaintifada.wordpress.com
Transport Workers Solidarity: www.transportworkers.org
Fresh Juice Party (aka Chalkupy) freshjuiceparty.com/chalkupy-gallery
Sudo Room: https://sudoroom.org
Omni Collective: https://omnicommons.org/
First They Came for the Homeless: https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-they-came-for-the-homeless/253882908111999
Sunflower Alliance: http://www.sunflower-alliance.org/
Bay Area Public School: http://thepublicschool.org/bay-area
San Francisco based groups:
Occupy Bay Area United: www.obau.org
Occupy Forum: (see OBAU above)
San Francisco Projection Department: http://tinyurl.com/kpvb3rv
What is the history of violent white supremacist groups? What is the relationship between our government and these hate groups? What are our legalcies of resisting this violence? How do we support those of us who are targeted and repressed while working towards our shared goal of community resilence? We must come together in defense of our neighbors, elders, youth, friends, families, movements and ourselves!
A panel discussion will be followed by small group sessions about how to organize effective community defense.
Speakers:
- Lara Kiswani, AROC
- Judith Mirkinson, NLG
- Tur-Ha Ak, APTP
- Danielle, AFFIRM
Our goal is the purchase of a porta potty for The Poor Tour. The city, after months, still has not helped. The encampment is stressing neighbors by needing to use the bathroom. Enough is enough. We are forced to take matters into our own hands.
Please share.
We document current events, make films together, steward an editing suite and share a film equipment library. We also host film screenings, often with local directors, and put on an annual short film festival for independent Bay Area filmmakers. Our goal is to make the digital filmmaking accessible – no overpriced college degree or certificate program required!
We are also a good group to reach out to if you’d like to screen a film at the Omni. We can be reached at [ liberatedlens@lists.riseup.net ].
We usually meet in the basement, unless otherwise noted.
In November, 2016 we succeeded in getting the Oakland City Council to instruct the City Administrator to report on the usefulness of a feasibility study for creating The Public Bank of Oakland. Our next goal is to convince the City Council to commission that study as soon as possible, and incorporate it into a business plan for a public bank in Oakland.
After that, we will pressure the Oakland City Council to pass enabling legislation that will create and fund a public bank for Oakland. Our overarching goal is to see a public bank flourish in Oakland while it helps the community, thereby providing an example for other jurisdictions wishing to rid themselves of their dependence on Wall Street banks.
We are always looking for help bringing Public Banking information to Oakland residents. There are many ways large and small to be involved; from data entry to tabling events to branding and marketing assistance. Whether you’re looking to jump in with something specific or just want to lend a hand from time-to-time, please be in touch or come to a meeting.
Donate to Friends of the Public Bank of Oakland
Thanks to the generous support of our fiscal sponsor, HERA (Housing and Economic Rights Advocates), you can now make a tax-deductible donation to support our work. Our main expenses at the moment are related to outreach materials and mechanisms.
Click here to donate
*Important: Select “Other” from program and include “Friends of the Public Bank of Oakland” in the Honoree’s name section.
Friends of the Public Bank of Oakland t-shirts are available for a $20 donation! Email us at contact@friendsofpublicbankofoakland.org for details.
Sign the Petition!
You will also be able to sign the petition in person at upcoming events. Be on the lookout for our table, and let us know if there are events where people would like to hear more about the Public Bank of Oakland.
https://friendsofpublicbankofoakland.org/petition/
OTU’s Mission
The Oakland Tenants Union is an organization of housing activists dedicated to protecting tenant rights and interests. OTU does this by working directly with tenants in their struggle with landlords, impacting legislation and public policy about housing, community education, and working with other organizations committed to furthering renters’ rights. The Oakland Tenants Union is open to anyone who shares our core values and who believes that tenants themselves have the primary responsibility to work on their own behalf.
Monthly Meetings
The Oakland Tenants Union meets regularly at 7:00 pm on the second Monday evening of each month. Our monthly meetings are held in the Community Room of the Madison Park Apartments, 100 – 9th Street (at Oak Street, across from the Lake Merritt BART Station). To enter, gently knock on the window of the room to the right of the main entrance to the building. At the meetings, first we focus on general issues affecting renters city-wide and then second we offer advice to renters regarding their individual concerns.
If you have an issue, a question, or need advice about a tenant/landlord issue, please call us at (510) 704-5276. Leave a message with your name and phone number and someone will get back to you.
On July 11th, several key bills are being heard by California Senate and Assembly committees, and SURJ has been asked to show up to support!
PLEASE RSVP BELOW!
Earlier that day, the Assembly Public Safety committee is hearing another vital bill – SB 10, the California Bail Reform Act — which would ensure that people are not held in dangerous, overcrowded jails after arrest simply because they cannot afford to post bail. SB 10 is co-sponsored by the Ella Baker Center and Essie Justice Group.
Come join SURJ members on July 11th to attend these important hearings and support these important bills! We will be organizing carpools!
For more information, please email basebuilding@surjbayarea.org
We the People will hold a “People’s Assembly Health Committee” Hearing on SB 562 where the people will vote! We are joining with the Poor People’s Lobby day on SB 562 and will highlight stories of patients, seniors, nurses, doctors, business and it wouldn’t be complete with out a few words of doom and gloom from our industry opposition J. We have buses coming from multiple locations. Please help push out this event and mobilize a great assembly!
Buses coming from around the state!
RSVP here: http://bit.ly/PeoplesAssemblyHealthCommittee
OAKLAND:
STOP 1: Pick up @ 10:00AM at 22nd and Kaiser Plaza (next to CNA Headquarters in Oakland)
Please check Facebook and our web site for more.
July 11 we head to city hall and demand land so we can create villages.
We created an effective, immediate, humane and dignified solution that addressed the housing and homeless state of emergency. we cant wait for the city’s slow, money driven bureaucratic process. folks need homes and services NOW! not 5 years from now. the monies and programs the city is FINALLY putting towards low income and no income housing won’t house folks immediately.
but #TheVillage can house folks NOW until the city has secured permanent #HomesForAll.
There are 6,000 folks without homes in oakland. that number will continue to grow unless the city acts like we are in a state of emergency and allows the community to enact our creative and effective solution.
Our displaced residents on the streets want land to build a village for folks in recovery. we want land for a harm reduction village. we want land for a village for families with children and homeless youth. we want land for a lgbtq village. we want land for a village of elders. we want land for a village for women.
please share far and wide.
City Of Oakland Public Safety Committee – Oakland City Hall
The FCC wants to destroy net neutrality and give big cable companies control over what we see and do online. If they get their way, they’ll allow widespread throttling, blocking, censorship, and extra fees. On July 12th, the Internet will come together to stop them.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON JULY 12TH?
Websites, Internet users, and online communities will come together to sound the alarm about the FCC’s attack on net neutrality. We’ll provide tools for everyone to make it super easy for your followers / visitors to take action. From the SOPA blackout to the Internet Slowdown, we’ve shown time and time again that when the Internet comes together, we can stop censorship and corruption. Now, we have to do it again!
HOW CAN I JOIN?
We’re just getting started with organizing this massive day of action, so sign up and we’ll get in touch soon with more information. If you have ideas or want to help, let us know. If you run a high-traffic website, startup, or small business, get in touch, your participation is extra important!