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.
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 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.
Zahra Billoo on Racisim, Islamophobia and Empire. She is a civil rights attorney and the ED of the SF Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Food Not Bombs will prepare a delicious vegetarian dinner.
Donations for the 13 people directly impacted by the encampment fire @ e12th & 23rd can be dropped at Omni Commons on Saturday and Sunday, 11/3 and 4, from 10 am-3 pm.
Contact T (512) 663-8871 if you have stuff to drop but need to find another time. https://t.co/TdhBWtOklV
— ellie hwa (@spectralsex) November 2, 2018
Sunday Morning at the Marxist Library
How the US Left Can Resist the New Forms of US Imperialism
What is common to LBJ’s “Falling Dominoes,” Carter’s “Humanitarian intervention,” Reagan’s “Shining City,” G. H. W. Bush’s “What We Say Goes,” G. W. Bush’s “God’s Mission,” Obama’s “Indispensable Country,” and Trump’s contradictory statements? It is imperialism in different garbs, adopted to the decaying capitalism over the past 40 years.
ICSS Members Raj Sahai, Rick Sterling, and Roger Harris will speak, Charles Andrews will be our moderator.
Seating is limited, so plan to come early. We start promptly.
About Sunday Morning at the Marxist Library
A weekly discussion series inspired by our respect for the work of Karl Marx and our belief that his work will remain as important for the class struggles of the future as they have been for the past.
You’ve become a member of the Democratic Socialists of America at an incredible time in the history of American socialism. It’s 2018, and socialism is ascendant. More and more people are standing up to say that they’ve had enough with a system that puts profit over people, that puts the wealth of the few over the dignity and flourishing of the many.
Come on out to learn more about democratic socialism and get involved in our local activities here in the East Bay. New members and not-yet-members are welcome!
If you like, stick around for the canvassing event launching nearby! These back-to-back events are the perfect opportunity to jump into East Bay DSA!
Please join us for our regular biweekly meeting of the Sunflower Alliance. We’ll discuss ongoing eco-campaigns and plans for the future. Newcomers and old friends welcome — we need your participation and your voice. Come early to hang out and share a potluck lunch.
Potluck lunch: 12:30 PM
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
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
Join the Ecology Center for a theatre screening of the new documentary film Abundant Land, followed by a rich discussion and Q&A about traditional Hawaiian land management practices with the film’s director, Natasha Florentino, and Makena Silva, Native Hawaiian, social worker, and advocate.
Abundant Land is a one-hour documentary about the Hawaiian community on Moloka’i opposing the biotech industry’s use of the island’s land, water, and other resources to test genetically engineered seeds. The film shows the rich legacy of traditional Hawaiian land management and farming self-sufficiency– as well as the vital forces of resistance upheld by indigenous communities. Abundant Land also offers a historical look at the intrusion and political underpinnings of chemical-intensive farming in Hawaii while portraying the power of the heritage and traditional ecological knowledge in the fight for clean and safe air, water, and land.
Meeting of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ Ad Hoc Committee on Urban Area Security Initiative, charged with reconstituting and rethinking Urban Shield.
The committee was established by the Board of Supervisors in March 2018 in response to sustained community concerns about Urban Shield, which is funded in part by UASI grants from the Department of Homeland Security, and coordinated by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.
The Board of Supervisors decided in March, 2018 that 2018 would be the last year the county would approve Urban Shield, as currently constituted, and asked the Ad Hoc Committee to make recommendations to the Board on the UASI-funded emergency preparedness training and exercise in 2019 and beyond.
The agenda will include a presentation and Q/A with county emergency preparedness officials (from ACSO, Public Health, and Social Services); a discussion of criteria for weighing recommendations; and a presentation about community-based emergency preparedness initiatives.
Agendas and materials for each meeting are posted at http://www.acgov.org/board/calendarcom.htm
Protest the towing and impoundment of otherwise homeless people’s RVs from the streets of Oakland.
Sponsored by United Front Against Displacement, the Landless People’s Alliance, and the Here and Now Collective
Decades Long Oakland Residents had the RVs they live in towed in mass on Tuesday, October 23. At least 15 were seized at the time from the area bordering Raimondi Park. In the last two weeks many have been forced to live on the street. Join them in demanding the city return the RVs.
As police towed the RVs last week, they told several residents “Don’t Let Us See You in Oakland Again.”
The residents are demanding a return of RV-Homes, an apology from Mayor, and a freeze on the city’s offensive against unhoused people.
Given minutes to leave their RVs and vans, residents tried to grab what they could before the vehicles were towed. Like refugees fleeing for safety, the RV owners were forced to throw possessions out of their doors and windows onto piles on the sidewalk. Many did not have time to secure key material, including at least one resident, who lost his identity papers in the towing.
Following the towing, residents camped out in the surrounding park were warned that OPD would be coming for them in subsequent weeks.
For a video of the tows in progress see: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qBIz8vory3g
More info:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/541837129562482/permalink/561249587621236/
Co-Sponsored by the United Front Against Displacement, The Landless
People’s Alliance, and the Here and There Collective
In front of Oakland City Hall, 14th Street between Washington and Broadway
Who: Residents living in at least 15 RVs in West Oakland, many of whom have lived and worked in the surrounding community for decades, saw their vehicles impounded by the police last Tuesday. Others are being threatened by police to leave encampments in the area. Together they have formed a group “United Front Against Displacement.”
Decades Long Oakland Residents now forced to live in RVs because of skyrocketing housing prices were told last Tuesday by Oakland PD “Don’t Let Us See You in Oakland Again” as the cops towed their vehicles.
Given minutes to leave their RVs and vans, residents tried to grab what they could before the vehicles were towed. Like refugees fleeing for safety, the RV owners were forced to throw possessions out of their doors and windows onto piles on the sidewalk. Many did not have time to secure key material, including at least one resident, who lost his identity papers in the towing.
On the previous Friday, city workers had placed stickers on the RVs demanding that they be moved by the following Tuesday. This presented a problem for many vehicles which did not have working motors.
So the residents came up with a plan. Those without working motors would get a tow Tuesday morning out of the site by a neighbor with a working RV and with a fifth wheel hitch on the back.
However, police prevented this from happening by targeting and towing away the working vehicle first. They justified doing so on the grounds that the driver did not match the person on the vehicle’s registration. The message then to crestfallen residents was clear—OPD was intent on seizing their effective life lines, rendering them homeless in the process.
Following the towing, residents camped out in the surrounding park were warned that OPD would be coming for them in subsequent weeks.
The residents are demanding a return of RV-Homes, an apology from Mayor, and a freeze on the city’s offensive against unhoused people.
At a smaller protest last week on Monday, mayoral spokesman Michael J.
Hunt told protesters he would try to release the RVs. Without concrete
results however, residents pledged to be back the following afternoon.
This incident is the latest in a new trend of stepped up attacks on the city’s unhoused and homeless in the area by city authorities. On Friday, October 20, prompted by complaints by the owner of neighboring Soundwave Studio (two blocks from the site of the RV towing), eight police officers arrived at the Wood Street homeless encampment. Several residents in the encampment demanded to see legal notices from police, and then chanted at them “Hell No We Won’t Go.” The cops left that time.
“They’ll be back” several residents remarked however.
For more information, contact: Kelly at 925-413-5244
email: WeWontGo@riseup.net
Because of the COVID pandemic we will be meeting virtually via Zoom on the first Monday of the month.
Meeting ID: 828 0976 4186
The Oscar Grant Committee Against Police Brutality & State Repression (OGC) is a
grassroots democratic organization that was formed as a conscious united front for justice against police brutality. The OGC is involved in the struggle for police accountability and is committed to stopping police brutality.
In alliance with the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) we organized the October 23, 2010 labor and community rally for Justice for Oscar Grant. On that day the ILWU shut down the Bay Area ports in solidarity. Our mission is to educate, organize and mobilize people against police and state repression. Sisters and brothers! The Oscar Grant Committee invites you to join us in this vital struggle.
We meet on the 1st Monday of each month
You can join our discussion list by sending a blank (doesn’t even need a subject) email to
oscargrantcommittee-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
Join us to watch the election returns, discuss local, state, and national politics, and otherwise have a great time! We’ve done a lot of work this year, and now it’s time to party. So come and join in the fun! And if you’re able to, potluck snacks and drinks are encouraged. See you on Tuesday evening!
Express your green ideas and “like” us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/greenpartyofalamedacounty/
Regardless of whether you voted…
No matter who wins…
Come November 7, the day after the midterms, Trump/Pence remain at the helm
of a fascist program of white supremacy, misogyny, and xenophobia
Help wake and mobilize the one force that can stop a fascist America —millions of people in the streets saying NO! to The Trump/Pence Regime.
Join us for a fun-filled evening with food and drinks as we celebrate and appreciate the incredible work of our members and allies. With all of you we were able to achieve some amazing victories this year that includes passing historic criminal justice reform laws, shining a light on the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, and laying the groundwork to repeal Oakland’s racist and unconstitutional loitering law.
We look forward to more victories together as we continue to build safe, healthy and strong communities… but on November 7, let’s party!
Check out our Facebook page for more information
Investing in Sanctuary:
Freedom to Stay, Freedom to Move, Freedom to Return
In a post-9/11 world, more than 70 border walls have been erected across the globe. The rights of migration, mobility, and movement are under attack and we must defend the freedom to stay, freedom to move, and freedom to return. Come learn about border walls, those who are profiting from them, and celebrate international resistance taking place around the world to defend human dignity and resistance to walls in their many forms. The event will include speakers live music and photo exhibitions..
Speakers:
Nellie Jo David organizes for indigenous human rights and autonomy on the imposed U.S./Mexico borderlands intersecting the Tohono O’odham Nation. Nellie is from Ajo, Arizona, traditionally Hia-Ced O’odham territory. Nellie was inspired to raise awareness on border issues upon witnessing the increased militarization of her community. She dedicates her work to migrant justice issues and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples and wildlife along the border. Nellie obtained her J.D. with a certificate in indigenous law and policy from Michigan State University in 2014.
Lara Kiswani is the executive director of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), a grassroots organization working to address economic, social, and political impacts of anti-Arab racism by organizing Arab and Muslim communities around principles of justice and self-determination for all. A Palestinian born in the Bay Area, Lara completed her undergraduate studies at UC Davis, where she helped establish the Middle East/South Asia minor. She earned an MA in Education at San Francisco State University where she is a lecturer in the department of Ethnic Studies.
And more…
Moderator:
Rev. Deborah Lee: Deborah Lee serves as the Executive Director of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, an organization that connects people of faith to the work of social justice. IM4Human Integrity builds faith-rooted solidarity, direct actions and advocacy in partnership with frontline communities dedicated to immigrant justice and ending the criminalization of people of color. They currently support and foster a Northern California Sanctuary Network of over 50 congregations who are responding to the wave of migrant youth and families and the detention and deportation crisis.
This event is one of several hundred international events promoting a World Without Walls this November. Co-sponsors include:
Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity
Oakland Community Organizations
Bay Area Sanctuary Network
East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy
Skyline Community Church – United Church of Christ
Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church
Ecumenical Peace Institute
First Congregational Church of Oakland Prophetic Public Witness Team
O’odham Anti-Border Collective
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA)
NorCal Friends of Sabeel
American Friends Service Committee
CAIR – San Francisco Bay Area,
Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM),
AROC: Arab Resource & Organizing Center
Jewish Voice for Peace – Bay Area
Middle East Children’s Alliance
You can also support this event and donate at:
www.im4humanintegrity.org/worldwithoutwalls-donations
Want to get involved with SURJ Bay Area? Come learn about our current work and activities. SURJ moves white people to act for justice, with passion and accountability, as part of a multi-racial majority.
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Alameda County’s Town Hall on Public Charge will bring together more than 125 local service providers and community members from across Alameda County. The Town Hall, which will be held in Oakland’s Preservation Park, will provide participants with the opportunity to:
Translation and light refreshments will be provided. During registration, please be sure to complete the SurveyMonkey link to let us know if you have a specific language and/or childcare need.
RSVP: Click on Image!
Mark your calendars! We're hosting TWO Public Banking 101 sessions in November–one at Alley Cat Books, and one @DSA_SF. We hope to see you there 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/8Sg3u7g293
— SF Public Bank (@sfpublicbank) October 25, 2018
On September 8th, over 250,000 people on all (!) 7 continents stepped up to demand tangible action on climate change from their elected officials. Hundreds of frontline communities led the way, building momentum and urgency for this fight. So we’re asking: What do we do now? Where do we direct this precious and palpable strength and energy?
After RISE, the Global Climate Action Summit, Sol2Sol Summit, and the hundreds of other events, we’ve taken a beat and are ready to pick up the reins again. On November 8th, join the Berkeley Climate Action Coalition’s Fall Convening to find out how to best use your limited time and energy. We will also share an array tangible projects that your talents could boost. Join us as we vision and move towards a new world, starting right here in our own communities!
Register here.
The new Racial & Criminal Justice Committee of the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club invites everyone to our next meeting on Thursday, November 8th at 7:00 p.m. at 1256 Monterey Ave., Berkeley (half a block north of Monterey Market). We are meeting jointly with members of Indivisible Berkeley, Democratic Socialists of America, and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights who also are organizing on racial and criminal justice issues. We’ll celebrate and/or commiserate briefly about the election results and then focus on how to move forward on the local and state levels.