Calendar
The winter holiday season in the United States can be super isolating, depressing, anxiety-producing, and triggering for many of us, especially during the pandemic! Luckily, several CDP members have been trained in peer counseling and we're here for you! pic.twitter.com/3qyMl0HhMT
— CDP-Oakland (@OAKCDP) November 18, 2021
Email strike.debt.bay.area@gmail.com a few days beforehand for the the online invite.
For December, 2021 we’re reading the first half of “Mine!: How the Hidden Rules of Ownership Control Our Lives” by Heller & Saltzman. Amazon., Powells.
For January, 2022 we’re reading the second half.
Strike Debt Bay Area hosts this non-technical book group discussion monthly on new and radical economic thinking. Previous readings have included Doughnut Economics, Limits, Banking on the People, Capital and Its Discontents, How to Be an Anti-Capitalist in the 21st Century, The Deficit Myth, Revenge Capitalism, the Edge of Chaos blog symposium , Re-enchanting the World: Feminism and the Politics of the Commons, The Optimist’s Telescope, Mission Economy: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism, Exploring Degrowth,
and The Origin of Wealth.
Venezuela’s Mega-elections
The Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela has provided international leadership to the anti-imperialist struggle and a promise that a better world is possible. Consequently, it has been targeted for regime change by the US, which has illegally blockaded the country causing immense human suffering. The extreme right opposition will be participating in the November 21 mega-elections, rather than boycotting, for the first time in years.
If the extreme right does well, the US and its sycophantic press will proclaim that socialism has failed in Venezuela and the (in fact, blackmailed) people have spoken. If the extreme right does poorly, the US and its allies will visit even more misery on Venezuela, claiming the true voice of the people had been suppressed. Our speaker, Roger Harris, will report back on his observation of the elections in Venezuela and what the popular movements and their leadership have accomplished.
Roger D. Harris is a member of the ICSS program committee. He is active with the human rights organization, the Task Force on the Americas, and is on the executive committee of the US Peace Council. His political writings may be found at Counterpunch, Dissident Voice, Mint Press News, Popular Resistance, and the Orinoco Tribune. Earlier this year, Roger observed and wrote on elections in Ecuador (https://orinocotribune.com/us-role-behind-the-defeat-of-ecuadors-leftist-presidential-candidate/) and Nicaragua (https://dissidentvoice.org/2021/11/nicaragua-has-a-public-relations-problem-not-a-democracy-problem/).
LOGIN INFORMATION
We Intend to start the presentation as close to 10:30 am as possible, but the Zoom room will be opened up, as usual, at 10:15 for anyone to join and discuss technical matters, catch up with each other, say Hi, etc.. The program (and recording) will end at 12:30, but the Waiting Room will remain open until about 1 pm for informal discussion.
THIS ZOOM LINK IS GOOD FOR
SUNDAY, Dec 5, 2021 ONLY
ICSS Sunday Morning at the Marxist Library
Sunday, December 5, 2021 Roger Harris – Report Back: Elections in Venezuela
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88171014297?pwd=dXZDRjNxc0RFRU5QTlkyeTNJS3Zqdz09
Meeting ID: 881 7101 4297
Passcode: 804517
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,88171014297#,,,,*804517# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,88171014297#,,,,*804517# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 881 7101 4297
Passcode: 804517
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdVN0k8euW
This Zoom workshop, hosted by a large group of local climate justice and conservation organizations, will include presentations on the latest science on sea level rise, the potential and current impacts of sea level rise and groundwater rise to contaminated sites around the San Francisco Bay, a community panel with speakers from frontline and shoreline communities around the Bay, discussions between community and government on next steps to address this critical threat to communities, and more. You can learn more about the workshop and register HERE.
With Love and Rage and Action,
Extinction Rebellion SF Bay Area
https://www.xrsfbay.org
Protect Solar Farms In Alameda County
On Thursday, Dec 9th at 9:00am the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will be voting on a proposed moratorium for utility-scale solar farms in Alameda County. Most proponents of solar are urging a NO vote on the moratorium. See this doc for more info on how to contact your supervisor if you live in Alameda County, and how to join the meeting on Thursday to give your public comment. Info here!
This Zoom workshop, hosted by a large group of local climate justice and conservation organizations, will include presentations on the latest science on sea level rise, the potential and current impacts of sea level rise and groundwater rise to contaminated sites around the San Francisco Bay, a community panel with speakers from frontline and shoreline communities around the Bay, discussions between community and government on next steps to address this critical threat to communities, and more. You can learn more about the workshop and register HERE.
With Love and Rage and Action,
Extinction Rebellion SF Bay Area
https://www.xrsfbay.org
Building Capacity for Mutual Aid Groups
Building Capacity for Mutual Aid Groups: A Workshop Series
4 Sessions, Thursdays, 7 p.m. ET: Oct 28, Nov 18, Dec 9, Jan 20
Sponsored by BCRW, Fireweed Collective, and Survived & Punished NY
In this series, Dean Spade, author of Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During this Crisis (and the Next), will present four interactive workshops designed for people working in mutual aid groups. Each workshop provides tools for addressing common obstacles and growth areas for people doing sustained work together to meet basic survival needs in their communities. The workshops are appropriate for people doing work in all-volunteer groups or in groups that have some staffing.
October 28: Workshop 1 – No Masters, No Flakes! (more info here)
Group culture, capacity, overwork, procrastination, and perfectionism in mutual aid groups.
November 18: Workshop 2 – Decision-Making (more info here)
Planning and making decisions together in mutual aid groups.
December 9: Workshop 3 – Skills for Abolitionist Practice (more info here)
Giving and receiving feedback in mutual aid groups.
January 20: Workshop 4 – Leadership (more info here)
What does leadership look like in mutual aid groups? Moving together and mobilizing while we fight to survive.
About the Presenter
Dean Spade has been working in movements to build queer and trans liberation based in racial and economic justice for the past two decades. He’s the author of Normal Life: Administrative Violence, Critical Trans Politics, and the Limits of Law, the director of the documentary “Pinkwashing Exposed: Seattle Fights Back!,” and the creator of the mutual aid toolkit at BigDoorBrigade.com. His latest book is Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next).
On line. Free.
Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christopher-w-shaw-in-conversation-with-ralph-nader-tickets-168501012063
Celebrating the release of First Class, which investigates the essential role that the postal system plays in American democracy.
Christopher W. Shaw and Ralph Nader (joining via telephone) to discuss
First Class: The U.S. Postal Service, Democracy, and the Corporate Threat by Christopher W. Shaw
published by City Lights Books
Moderated by Katherine Isaac. Ralph Nader will be joining us via telephone.
The fight over the future of the U.S. Postal Service is on. Political ideologues and corporate interests have long sought to remake the USPS from a public institution into a private business, and in 2020, during an election dependent on mail-in votes, the attacks escalated. This year, with mid-term elections fast approaching and the next presidential contest on the horizon, attempts to undermine the essential role of the USPS are gaining ground. Three states have already passed laws to limit voting by mail, with more poised to do the same. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy recently unveiled a “10-year plan” that openly promises slower delivery times, price hikes on postage, and reduced access to post offices, outlining the next stage of battle.
In First Class, Christopher Shaw provides an illuminating history of the U.S. Postal Service, exposing the various campaigns against it. He argues that current attacks have implications that go beyond the future of mail service, and will have grave consequences for American democracy if they are not stopped.
FRIDAY, DEC. 10, 10 AM – 3 PM, 2363A San Pablo Ave, Oakland: Serenity House will be hosting a free COVID vaccine event for all ages 5+. Hot meals & $50 gift cards available. All 3 vaccines available (including boosters). No appointment or ID required. pic.twitter.com/NiUYZSrE13
— Supervisor Keith Carson (@Keith_Carson) December 3, 2021
Join us for an Eviction-Free BBQ on Saturday, December 11 from 1-3 pm in the Panhandle! Join us on the corner of Fell and Baker Streets, meet some neighbors, get help with eviction protections and rent relief, and bring the fight against evictions into the new year! pic.twitter.com/AYVZaemxVB
— DSA San Francisco (@DSA_SF) December 6, 2021
Just back from Ukraine, where he is reporting for Moscow-based RT and making a documentary on Donbass, correspondent Don Courter will give an update on recent events in the Russian Federation and the situation in Ukraine
Our speaker, Don Courter, is a Moscow-based RT correspondent and host of The Revolution Report.
LOGIN INFORMATION
We Intend to start the presentation as close to 10:30 am as possible, but the Zoom room will be opened up, as usual, at 10:15 for anyone to join and discuss technical matters, catch up with each other, say Hi, etc.. The program (and recording) will end at 12:30, but the Waiting Room will remain open until about 1 pm for informal discussion.
THIS ZOOM LINK IS GOOD FOR
SUNDAY, Dec 12, 2021 ONLY
Raj Sahai is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Raj Sahai’s Zoom Meeting
Time: Dec 12, 2021 10:15 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2591082607?pwd=b1pkMkxxM0JhRkw2SUI2b1BUQklTQT09
Meeting ID: 259 108 2607
Passcode: ICSS1212rs
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,2591082607#,,,,*1640513979# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,2591082607#,,,,*1640513979# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 259 108 2607
Passcode: 1640513979
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc4RrpvAiQ
Celebrate the Holiday Season with old friends and new. We’ll have good fun, yummy food, and open dialogue at the 2021 Annual Potluck Holiday Party. Please bring masks and proof of vaccination (or of a negative Covid test between 12/9 and 12/12). Note: Covid tests in North Oakland, at no charge to individuals, with a turnaround time of 24 hours, are available via: https://www.testthepeople.org/ We will also likely have an outdoor party in the first half of next year.
Where:
*****It’s Your Move Games and Hobbies*****
Please bring a drink or dish of your choice to share!**See you there!**
(There will be no Green Sunday Program or Green County Council meeting in December. We’ll party instead. The next regular Green Sunday program will be the second Sunday in January, 2022, followed as usual by the Alameda Green Party County Council.)
https://acgreens.wordpress.com/
Express your green ideas and “like” us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/greenpartyofalamedacounty/
Those we trust to keep our community and all of
its members safe must answer when they fail to
do so. Ongoing oversight is good government.
The US Justice Department recently found
conditions in the Alameda county jail violate
constitutional rights and subject the 40% in
custody who need mental health services to
“unlawful harm.” Law suits are costing the county
millions. Our county sheriff’s department needs a
major transformation and ongoing oversight.
Assembly Bill 1185 provides for a community-based
Oversight Board and an Inspector General
with subpoena power to help supervise sheriff’s
departments and jails. This is an opportunity for
our community to gain accountability over an
extremely problematic and costly county service.
Community Advocates have a plan:
https://bit.ly/AB1185letter
District Town Halls on oversight of Sheriff
Monday, Dec.13 – 6-8pm – D5 Supervisor Carson – REGISTER
Tuesday, Dec.14 – 6-8pm – D1 & D2 – Supervisors Haubert & Valle – REGISTER
Wednesday, Dec.15 – 6-8pm – D3 & D4 – Supervisors Brown & Miley – REGISTER
Everyone is welcome at all Community Engagement zoom Meetings, but your voice will
be most effective at your own District meeting. For information on which District is yours:
Find Your District: https://www.acgov.org/ms/addresslookup/
Additional Information and a shareable link with all of the zoom meeting
information and suggestions to advocates for the most independent,
effective & representative oversight model, HERE: https://bit.ly/3F8Hr4J
Those we trust to keep our community and all of
its members safe must answer when they fail to
do so. Ongoing oversight is good government.
The US Justice Department recently found
conditions in the Alameda county jail violate
constitutional rights and subject the 40% in
custody who need mental health services to
“unlawful harm.” Law suits are costing the county
millions. Our county sheriff’s department needs a
major transformation and ongoing oversight.
Assembly Bill 1185 provides for a community-based
Oversight Board and an Inspector General
with subpoena power to help supervise sheriff’s
departments and jails. This is an opportunity for
our community to gain accountability over an
extremely problematic and costly county service.
Community Advocates have a plan:
https://bit.ly/AB1185letter
District Town Halls on oversight of Sheriff
Monday, Dec.13 – 6-8pm – D5 Supervisor Carson – REGISTER
Tuesday, Dec.14 – 6-8pm – D1 & D2 – Supervisors Haubert & Valle – REGISTER
Wednesday, Dec.15 – 6-8pm – D3 & D4 – Supervisors Brown & Miley – REGISTER
Everyone is welcome at all Community Engagement zoom Meetings, but your voice will
be most effective at your own District meeting. For information on which District is yours:
Find Your District: https://www.acgov.org/ms/addresslookup/
Additional Information and a shareable link with all of the zoom meeting
information and suggestions to advocates for the most independent,
effective & representative oversight model, HERE: https://bit.ly/3F8Hr4J
On Dec 15th, at 7:00 pm PST, renowned economist Michael Shuman and journalist Mark Sommer will join us to discuss the potential of “green baby bonds.”
During World War II the Roosevelt administration ran short of money to finance the war effort and turned to ordinary citizens to buy “war bonds” in denominations from $25 to $1,000, small enough to be affordable to every American adult. Half the U.S. population, 85 million Americans, bought Series E bonds, generating $185 billion in 1945 dollars. The same concept could generate trillions of dollars today to help cities meet urgent priorities for climate, solarization, affordable housing, and green infrastructure.
Here’s a recent Newsweek article where Shuman and Sommer discuss the potential of micro-bonds to self-finance a rapid build-out of microgrids, energy efficiency measures, and other resilience strategies across the country. Please join us in learning more about these bonds and how they could be integrated in our evolving concept of a public bank.
Michael H. Shuman is an economist, attorney, author, and entrepreneur, and a leading visionary on community economics. He is the Director of Local Economy Programs for Neighborhood Associates Corporation, and an Adjunct Professor at Bard Business School in New York City. He is credited with being one of the architects of the 2012 JOBS Act and author of several books, most recently: Put Your Money Where Your Life Is: How to Invest Locally Using Self-Directed IRAs and Solo 401(k)s.
Mark Sommer is an award-winning public radio and print journalist specializing in energy and environmental issues. Since the 1970’s he has focused both his personal and professional life on advocating a rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy. He was the founder and host of the international radio program, A World of Possibilities, and is the author of several books and hundreds of op-eds in major newspapers world-wide.
Donate to the East Bay Public Bank!
WORK WITH PUBLIC BANK EAST BAY
If you would like to get involved, we have lots for you to do, including advocacy with local organizations, educational events like this one, social media, and more. Our next meeting is Tuesday, 12/14, at 7pm on Zoom. Email us for the Zoom invitation to that meeting. (That’s the night before the Green Baby Bonds event.)
Our viability study is in first draft and should be ready for public release early in the New Year. Another big step toward opening the bank doors!
Donate to the East Bay Public Bank!
Together we will make change happen!
TODAY Thurday at 6pm, join the California Progressive Alliance to discuss the #OccupyWallStreet's impact on American politics over the past decade. Sign up to attend here: https://t.co/jYhUGyJXhB pic.twitter.com/NwP1BTEPt7
— Bay Area for Bernie (@BayArea4Bernie) December 16, 2021
Join DSA SF’s International Solidarity Organizing Committee for a panel on the high-level history of Haiti from the 1804 revolution to the present day, the current situation in Haiti, the role of US imperialism historically and present day, and the current popular resistance in Haiti and in the belly of the beast.
Speakers:
Dr. Jemima Pierre is a Haitian-born activist, writer, and scholar. She is the coordinator of the Haiti/Americas committee of the Black Alliance for Peace and an editor and contributor to the Black Agenda Report. She is also an Associate Professor in African American Studies at UCLA, Jemima spoke at a DSA IC Haiti Webinar in March.
Dr. Mamyrah Dougé-Prosper is a Haitian-born activist, writer, and scholar. She is the International Coordinator for the Pan-African Solidarity Network with Community Movement Builders in the United States. Prosper is a founding member of the Black Radical, a multi-lingual Pan-African media. She is also an Assistant Professor of Global and International Studies at UC Irvine.
Jafrikayiti, also known as Jean Saint-Vil is an author, radio show host and activist. With the Canada Haitian Action Network, Solidarité Québec Haiti and others, Jafrikayiti calls on Canada and the rest of the Core Group of influential foreign powers in Haiti to stop interfering in the governance of his native land. He calls for immediate dismantling of the imperialist Core Group, so that Haitian people can build their own country on their own terms. You can find out more about him and his work at jafrikayiti.com.
Sponsored by the DSA International Committee
RIP #OscarGrant pic.twitter.com/6JGmgaTX5U
— Dave Id (@DaveId) January 1, 2022
January 6 was a violent and deadly attack against all Americans – against our country, our democracy, and our freedom as voters to choose the leaders that represent us so that we have a government of, by, and for the people.
One year later, the same faction that attacked our country on January 6th is hard at work silencing our voices by restricting our freedom to vote, attacking fair voting districts, and quietly preparing future attempts to sabotage free and fair elections and with it our democracy.
So this January 6, exactly one year later, Americans across race, place, party, and background are holding candlelight vigils to say: In America, the voters decide the outcome of elections.
The promise of democracy is not a partisan issue but a calling that unites us as Americans. To prevent this kind of attack from happening again, our elected leaders must pass urgent voter rights legislation that will protect this country from anti-democratic forces who are continuing their efforts to destroy it.
Coming together, we can prevent another January 6th attack and realize the promise of democracy for all of us – no matter our color, zip code, or income – so we all have an equal say in the decisions that shape our daily lives and futures.