Calendar
San Francisco Arts Commission award-winning poet Tony Robles focuses on the Frisco Five’s hunger strike held in April and May 2016 in front of the Valencia Street cop shop, protesting police killings.
Robles also speaks of incarceration with a unique eye within the lens that is Frisco. The continuing displacement and neglect of elderly and low-income residents in the face of property development build another topic of concern, emerging from the poet’s great love of San Francisco and all its inhabitants.
Kim Shuck, the current Poet Laureate of the City, maintains that “Robles does the work on the streets and on the pages” while he “speaks of the city as a relative with a life-threatening illness: with love and anger.” Tony’s first book is Cool Don’t Live Here Anymore.
Jackie Ramos — Poetess. Actress. Educator. Urban Health Researcher. Truth Liberator. Born and raised in Frisco.
Equipto — Frisco Five Hunger Striker. A member of Bored Stiff, a hip hop group from San Francisco. He has collaborated with other artists such as Andre Nickatina, Berner. Just completed the “California Harvest Tour” of the Midwest and South.
Ben Bac Sierra — Author of Barrio Bushido, English Professor at City College of San Francisco and a Renaissance Homeboy whose poetry and community work honors Frisco.
Tiny — Tiny (aka Lisa Gray–Garcia) is a poverty scholar, revolutionary journalist, PO’ Poet, spoken word artist, welfareQUEEN, lecturer, mixed race mama of Tiburcio and daughter of Dee and the co–founder and executive director of POOR Magazine/PoorNewsNetwork.
SaicoXskitS are members of a Tagalog English rap group called KASAMAS. Currently working together as a duo on an album that talks about Filipino Immigrants and migrants story and linking it back home. Saico and Skits are also community organizers in the South of Market whose work focuses on youth and tenants.
Last July, Khizr Khan captivated the nation with his speech at the Democratic National Convention in which he criticized Donald Trump for his stance against immigrants and Muslims.
He spoke as the father of a Muslim US soldier killed in combat about what it means to dedicate your life to the promise of the American dream, inspiring a renewed patriotism and pride in the hearts of many Americans. His six-minute speech became a powerful cultural touchstone when he pulled a pocket-size copy of the Constitution out of his suit jacket and asked Donald Trump directly “Let me ask you: have you even read the United States Constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy.”
In his memoir, An American Family: A Memoir of Hope and Sacrifice, he tells the story of his family’s pursuit of the American dream and why—especially in these tumultuous times—we must not be afraid to step forward for what we believe in when it matters most. An American Family is an intensely personal story about the nature of true patriotism in which Khzir traces his remarkable journey from humble beginnings on a poultry farm in Pakistan, to obtaining a degree from Harvard Law School, and raising a family in America. He shows what it means to leave the limitations of one’s country behind for the best values and promises of another. He also tells the story of his middle child, US Army Captain Humayun Khan, who was killed while protecting his base camp in Iraq, and the ways in which undying pride in their son and his sacrifice have helped him and his wife endure the deepest despair a parent can know.
CIIS Public Programs and GLIDE Center for Social Justice invite you to this important and inspiring discussion with Khizr Khan and May Elawar about what an American looks like, what being a nation of immigrants really means, and what it is to live, rather than simply to pay lip service to, our ideals.
We have a Buy One Get One Free Sale when you reserve two seats and two copies of Khizr Khan’s memoir to help make this event more accessible and encourage book sales. Sale ends Monday Dec 4th at 12PM.
Our weekly PARTY to get this hackerspace together, to provide a venue for those things that otherwise cannot be worked out through day-to-day practice.
Potluck! – bring your own tasty dish!
THIS EVENT HAS APPARENTLY BEEN CANCELLED.
Protest outside Verizon store against the rollback of net neutrality protections.
Protest outside Verizon store against the rollback of net neutrality protections.
Join other Team Internet members at the protest. Internet users outraged by top Verizon lawyer turned FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to gut net neutrality are planning to protest at Verizon retail stores across the country on Thursday, December 7th, one week before an expected vote at the FCC. Protesters will make it clear to members of Congress that the time is now to stand for net neutrality, not Verizon’s bottom line. And please remember, this event is about protesting actions of Verizon executives, lobbyists and their supporters in Washington, not the employees at these stores.
The new chairman of the FCC was a top guy at Verizon, and he just called a vote to kill net neutrality. On December 7, one week before the vote, we’ll protest at retail stores across the U.S. and demand that Congress stop Verizon’s FCC from destroying the Internet as we know it.
And please remember, this event is about protesting actions of Verizon executives, lobbyists and their supporters in Washington, not the employees at these stores. Please treat them with nothing but the utmost respect.
Bay Area Rally Against the Libyan Slave Trade! 5:30 PM!
December 7th
Oscar Grant plaza 14th & Broadway downtown Oakland!!
Share this ASAP!!!— Occupy Oakland (@OccupyOakland) December 7, 2017
Join other Team Internet members at the protest. Internet users outraged by top Verizon lawyer turned FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to gut net neutrality are planning to protest across the country on Thursday, December 7th, one week before an expected vote at the FCC. Protesters will make it clear to members of Congress that the time is now to stand for net neutrality, not Verizon’s bottom line. And please remember, this event is about protesting actions of Verizon executives, lobbyists and their supporters in Washington, not the employees at these stores.
We were just informed that SFPD changed their townhall on the police killing of Keita O’Neill to 6:00 pm. (was formerly scheduled for 1 pm). Please join us at the townhall, instead of the vigil, to demand justice. Keita O’Neil was a young Black man who was shot and killed by #SFPD on December 1 after a police chase at Griffith St and Fitzgerald Ave.
He was unarmed.
We offer our deep sympathy to his family and loved ones.
We are still trying to reach out to both his family and to witnesses of the events leading to his death. If you have information, please contact APTP either by direct message to our Facebook page or by email to aptpinfo atgmail.com
In the opening scene of the film 9-year-old Lia Hegarty is on a surfboard splashing in the ocean. From the sun,sea and her gleeful little-girl calls as she catches a wave, the sound and images move to her bedroom, where she declares,”I am transgender. I was born male, and I identify female. But I like to say I’m a girl stuck in a boy’s body.”
In taking a look at transgender children, Filmmakers Miri Navasky and Karen O’Connor go deep inside the lives of these children, their families and friends, tracing their path toward gender identity. Told from the perspective of parents, doctors, and the kids themselves, the documentary takes a powerful look at this new generation, exploring the medical possibilities, struggles and choices transgender kids and their families face today. The film gives viewers a chance to observe not only how amazingly self aware the youngsters are, but also how easily accepted they appear to be by their young friends. The experiences of these real people provide a striking contrast with the media obsession with celebrity, abuse or bathrooms.
Chief among the decisions facing these families is whether to take “puberty blockers” that delay an individual’s maturation to give them more time before making more permanent decisions about hormone therapies, and then, whether to take hormone therapy.
“The triumph of Growing Up Trans is that it makes viewers feel the struggle, suffering and some of the victories for the children and their parents even as it provides a world of information on coming-of-age transgender.” – David Zuriwak, Baltimore Sun
The screenings will be followed by a panel discussion of transgender children and their parents.
Free; no need to RSVP.
http://diversityfilmseries.org
LEADING THE FIGHT FOR VOTING RIGHTS: JASON KANDER AT THE BERKELEY FORUM
After narrowly losing the 2016 U.S. Senate election, Jason Kander founded Let America Vote, a campaign dedicated to ending voter suppression and gerrymandering. Through online and grassroots organizing, an aggressive media strategy, and advertising, Let America Vote seeks to lead the way against policies and practices that it deems harmful to eligible voters and their right to cast a ballot. Join the Berkeley Forum on Thursday, December 7 for an urgent discussion about electoral politics, political activism, and the future of voting in America.
Admission
This event is open to the public. Entry to the event will be open to ticketholders and, space-permitting, a limited number of walk-ins. Ticketholders are encouraged to arrive early to maximize their chances of getting in. Having a ticket does not guarantee access to the event but does give the ticketholder priority over walk-ins until 6:50 p.m., at which point walk-ins and ticketholders will have equal access to remaining seats. Our standard event policies apply. What follows is an overview of the admissions timeline. It may be subject to revisions as the event approaches. Seating in the venue is first-come, first served.
6:00 p.m. Event Admission Opens for Ticket Holders
6:50 p.m. Event Admission No Longer Guaranteed for Ticket Holders
6:50 p.m. Admission Opens for Walk-Ins (Limited Seating)
6:55 p.m. Admission Closed (No Late Seating)
7:00 p.m. Event Begins
More details will be shared very soon here and on our Facebook page. We encourage that you “Like” our Facebook page, The Berkeley Forum, to keep up to date on Forum events.
Note on Tickets
Tickets are non-transferable. While you may purchase a ticket on someone’s behalf, their name must be listed on the ticket. All attendees will be asked to present a Valid ID at the venue that matches the name on the ticket.
All tickets sales are final. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
To secure a seat for more than one person, simply fill out the form once again for each subsequent person with his or her information.
If you require an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please email accessibility@forum.berkeley.edu.
Film Screening, Followed by Moderated Discussion led by Dennis Bernstein of Flashpoints Radio, KPFA
Film synopsis: Israel’s ongoing military occupation of Palestinian territory and repeated invasions of Gaza have triggered a fierce backlash against Israeli policies virtually everywhere in the world — except the US. Narrated by Roger Waters and featuring leading observers, the film explores the U.S.-based public relations campaigns that emerged in the 1980s to today, to provide a sweeping analysis of Israel’s decades-long battle for the hearts, minds, and tax dollars of the American people in the face of widening international condemnation. The effects and reverberations of this are felt not only in right wing media, but also in ‘liberal’ educational institutions media as well.
“I wish every American would watch this powerful documentary. Not only every person of conscience, but every taxpayer, must see it — and then ask themselves if the status quo is acceptable and can continue deep into the 21st century.”
– Gideon Levy | Columnist for Haaretz
“One of the most compelling and important documentaries in recent years, because it helps us make sense of the lies, mayhem, and injustice in the heart of the Middle East: Palestine. Never has propaganda, or ‘public relations’, been such a lethal weapon as it is in the hands of Israel, its apologists, and manipulators. To reach behind the facade that is ‘news’, watch this film.”
– John Pilger | Journalist and filmmaker
Sponsored by the Green Party of Alameda County and Middle East Children’s Alliance.
Please share widely.
How do we approach the challenging conversations in our lives, whether its about confederate flags, Donald Trump, cultural appropriation, Palestine/Israel, or even just racism and racial justice in general?
This workshop is an opportunity to dive in much deeper with structured time to practice a range of difficult conversations around highly-charged racial issues. We will be sharing some basic skill-building tools in how to approach conversations, and then explore scenarios relevant to the lives of participants. This will include examination of some of the ways that internalized sexism can impact our courageous speaking capacities.
Small group work, role-plays, and Theater of the Oppressed techniques will support seeing tough communication blocks in a new light. Well try out what feels challenging, in a relatively low-stakes and supportive environment, allowing ourselves time to debrief, reflect, and learn from each other.
ACCESS NEEDS: This event is wheelchair accessible. We ask that guests do their best to be as scent free as possible. Please refer to this resource from the EastBay Meditation Center for more information on what that means: https://
From the sparkling zine community of The Bay Area, the 8th Annual East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest (EBABZ) invites you to immerse yourself within a ballroom of zine mania! EBABZ will feature over 60 vendors selling zines, comics, books, art, and workshops led by local artists and zinesters.
The East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest is an all-volunteer run and not-for-profit event dedicated to supporting, promoting, and educating the public about the zine, self-publishing, and DIY community of the Bay Area.
Grab some tasty tacos from Chef Antonio Ramos, hang with us in the beautiful Cala Restaurant (which generally employs ~50% ex-incarcerated folks), and help fund our work to support California prisoner’s efforts to self-organize and fight back against the carceral state!
Tacos:
Duck ‘Carnitas’
Carne Asada
King-Trumpet Mushroom
Pumpkin Garlic
With choice of:
Salsa Verde
Salsa San Marzano
Pickled veggies
Add-ons:
Slow Poached Egg
Drinks:
Horchata (optionally boozy)
Persimmon agua fresca (optionally boozy)
Incarcerated Worker’s Organizing Committee is an organization which provides material support to inmates in California Prisons who are organizing together to end incarceration. We believe human beings don’t belong in cages.
IWOC is an all-volunteer organization, all proceed go toward covering costs associated with corresponding with inmates and providing material support.
Stop unfair evictions! Join us (the Democratic Socialists of America, San Francisco office) to join the movement and pick up your petition!
Tenants and activists are gathering signatures to put No Eviction without Representation on the San Francisco ballot for June 5, 2018!
This historic measure would make SF the first city in California, and the second in the nation, to provide a right to counsel to tenants facing eviction. We’re amped about the impact this will have for renters in SF, but we are gathering 17 thousand signatures to make sure we get on the ballot! If you want to help fight evictions in SF, join us!
Eviction is one of the main indicators of homelessness in our city, and responsible for the mass displacement of many of our neighbors and most vulnerable communities. No one should have to give up their home because they can’t afford a lawyer. Time to stomp out unfair evictions in San Francisco!
Please come at 11 for the festivities, but note that a staff person will be there until 4.
Check out www.SFRightToCounsel.com for the full initiative text
Call/text (415) 504-0666
write jencsnyder@gmail.com for more volunteer opportunities!
Protest and march: Liar Liar Pants on Fire! Kids & Friends Against the Tax Scam. Sat. Dec. 9, 11AM-12 noon in Oakland at Astro Park by Lake Merritt & Lakeview Library pic.twitter.com/8NaL3g88YO
— Indivisible Berkeley (@IndivisibleBerk) December 6, 2017
San Francisco – Led by Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim leaders, community members from across the Bay Area will rally in San Francisco to oppose Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a move that violates international law and furthers the ongoing theft of Palestinian land by the Israeli state.
“Trump’s outrageous announcement, which was applauded by Israeli officials, demonstrates the natural alliance between his administration’s white supremacy and Israel’s apartheid, racism, and systematic violence against the Palestinian people,” said Sharif Zakout of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center. “The Trump administration is only more blatantly carrying out what has been the US’s long standing policy of supporting Israeli occupation, settlement expansion, theft of Palestinian land, and routine military violence against the Palestinian population.”
The rally will feature powerful speakers and performers. Spokespeople will be available to speak with the press.
General Union of Palestine Students -GUPS SFSU and AROC: Arab Resource & Organizing Center
PROTEST FOR PALESTINE: Hands Off Jerusalem!
The Trump Administration has just announced that they will officially recognize occupied Jerusalem as the capital of the settler colonial State of Israel.
The San Francisco Bay Area rejects this move and asserts that Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.
US Out of Palestine!
No to White Supremacy Here or in Our Homelands!
Boycott, Divest and Sanction Israel!
End the colonial occupation of Palestine
…
CO-SPONSORS:
14 Friends of Palestine, Marin
Al-Awda SF
Alliance of South Asians Taking Action (ASATA)
Anakbayan – East Bay
ANSWER Bay Area
Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP)
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)
Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC)
Asians for Black Lives – Bay Area (A4BL)
Berkeley Law Students for Justice in Palestine
CodePink
Design Action Collective
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA)
General Union of Palestine Students, SFSU (GUPS)
International Action Center
International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity
International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN)
Jewish Voice for Peace-Bay Area (JVP)
Marcha Patriotica Colombia-California
Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA)
National Lawyers Guild – SF (NLG)
NorCal International Solidarity Movement
Palestine American Coalition (PAC)
Palestine Legal
Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM)
Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism (QUIT)
San Francisco CODEPINK
Students for Justice in Palestine-Berkeley
Students for Justice in Palestine-San Jose
SWANAA-BAY AREA
Third World Resistance
Voice for Justice in Palestine – Walnut Creek
Workers World Party
Hands Off Jerusalem: Hundreds of Community Members to Rally in Defiance of Trump’s Jerusalem Announcement
Press Contacts:
Jody Sokolower – 510.499.4315 – jasokolower@gmail.com
Middle East Children’s Alliance
Lara Kiswani – 530.220.2842 – lara@araborganizing.org
Arab Resource & Organizing Center
Join us December 9th for the last community clinic in 2017!!! @ Grow Incubator for our Monthly (every second Saturday) Community Clinic.
NEW WINTER TIME: 12 Noon- 5PM
Enjoy a free hot meal and a wide array of healing modalities,
No-one-turned-away-for-lac
Massage Therapy is always happening.
Energy work.
Cranialsacral.
Herbalist consults and remedies.
Doula and Birth-workers
More services TBA.
4 PM- Narcan Rescue kit and harm reduction training
Excited to announce @EmergeVirginia alum & VA Delegate-elect @pwcDanica Roem will keynote @EmergeCA's Class of 2018 Kickoff on 12/9! Connect the Democratic wave from VA to Cali and buy your tickets: https://t.co/7yk0fyxsmt pic.twitter.com/jpVLbnYpLj
— Sandra Fluke (@SandraFluke) November 23, 2017
In Memory of Lori Nairne, Bay Area Activist & Haiti Supporter.