Calendar
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA‼️ Join us on Wednesday, Dec 13 at 3:30pm to show that youth from all walks of life are UNITED. WE WILL NOT BE CENSORED. The youth stand united for Palestine. Bring your friends and classmates.
Some folks are organizing a unity response to the apparent destruction of the Lake Merritt menorah installation tonight. pic.twitter.com/oQBUVRvIGx
— Trash Night Heron (@hyphy_republic) December 13, 2023
Please email contact@oaklandprivacy.org a few days before the meeting to get up-to-date location information or obtain Zoom meeting access info.
(THE JANUARY 17TH MEETING, 2024 WAS MOVED TO JANUARY 24TH)
Join Oakland Privacy to organize against the surveillance state, police militarization and ICE, and to advocate for privacy, surveillance regulation of both corporations and the state, and government transparency, around the Bay and nationwide.
We fight against spy drones, facial recognition, tracking equipment, police body camera secrecy, anti-transparency laws and requirements for “backdoors” to cellphones; we oppose “pre-crime” and “thought-crime,” — to list just a few invasions of our privacy by all levels of Government, and attempts to hide what government officials, employees and agencies are doing.
We draft and push for privacy legislation for City Councils, at the County level, and in Sacramento. We advocate in op-eds and in the streets. We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and believe no one is illegal.
Check out some of what we worked on in 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
Oakland Privacy originally came together in 2013 to fight against the Domain Awareness Center, Oakland’s citywide networked mass surveillance hub. OP was instrumental in stopping the DAC from becoming a city-wide spying network. We helped fight and in 2018 helped win the fight against Urban Shield.
Our major projects currently include local legislation to regulate state surveillance (we got the strongest surveillance regulation ordinance in the country passed in Oakland!), supporting and opposing state legislation as appropriate, battling mass surveillance in the form of facial recognition and other analytics, mass aerial surveillance, ubiquitous license plate readers, and street surveillance, and fighting to ensure local governments adhere to State privacy and transparency regulations.
On September 12th, 2019 we were presented with a Barlow Award by the Electronic Frontier Foundation for our work, and on March 16th, 2021 s James Madison Freedom of Information Award by the Northern California Society of Professional Journalists.
If you are interested in joining the Oakland Privacy email listserv, coming to a meeting, or have questions, send an email to:
Check out our website: http://oaklandprivacy.org/
Follow us on twitter: @oaklandprivacy, and/or on Mastodon at https://mastodon.social/@oaklandprivacy
Labor Demands:
A Permanent Ceasefire
No US Military Aid for Israel
End the Occupation
Gather at Senator Alex Padilla’s San Francisco office to demand immediate unconditional ceasefire, provide immediate humanitarian relief, and end US military aid to Israel.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/action-sf-demand-senator-alex-/1443942336170673/
The Tales of The Town screening and live performance will be another chance to checkout the unreleased movie Tales of The Town: The Film, as well as experience a live band performance of the film’s original score!
The film captures the landscape, and the people and their stories in a poetic tribute to generations of Oaklanders – both the living and our ancestors! The score was magically composed by Wax Roof, Andrew “Bear” Benford, Waymond Mckissick, Carl Nash, and Anthony Mills-Branch.
T
Speaker: Dan KovalikJoin Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85175860127?pwd=bfZRQOSMuhX9Pfm4qhPMOZMrmE9Ohm.1
Just back from the West Bank, international human rights advocate and lawyer Dan Kovalik will discuss the current situation in Palestine in light of historical developments. In addition to Gaza, the West Bank has been under ferocious Israeli attack and repression. The general population in the West Bank is experiencing increased Israeli settler violence with over 300 Palestinians murdered and 3000 arrested since October 7. Last month, our speaker visited Cairo with the first international solidarity delegation, which tried unsuccessfully to enter Gaza and bring humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing.
Dan Kovalik has written extensively on international human rights and US foreign policy. He has lectured throughout the world on these subjects and frequently appears on RT. He is the author of books exposing the machinations of US imperialism in Nicaragua, Venezuela, Iran, and Russia, and an upcoming one on Palestine and Israel. Other books include a progressive case against cancel culture and how the US violates international law. He teaches international human rights at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He graduated from Columbia University School of Law. He then served as in-house counsel for the United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO (USW) until 2019.
In this video, Dan Kovalik is interviewed by George Galloway on the situation in the West Bank: https://twitter.com/moatstv/status/1734543611906363762?s=46
In this video, Dan Kovalik addresses the UN Security Council on threats to international peace and security: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k12/k128iiykjr.
NOTE: During the Plague Year of 2020 GA will be held every week or two on Zoom. To find out the exact time a date get on the Occupy Oakland email list my sending an email to:
occupyoakland-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
The Occupy Oakland General Assembly meets every Sunday at 4 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 4:00 PM we meet in the basement of the Omni Collective, 4799 Shattuck Ave., Oakland. (Note: we tend to meet at 3:00 PM during the cooler months from November to early March after Daylights Savings Time.)
On every ‘last Sunday’ we meet a little earlier at 3 PM to have a community potluck to which all are welcome.
OO General Assembly has met on a continuous basis for over six years, since October 2011! 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
Organizations: Peace Action of San Mateo County & Jewish Voice for Peace South Bay
On Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3289220486?omn=88635762762
In Gaza with the ceasefire’s end, we don’t know if or when more hostages and prisoners will be released, the killing will stop, and anything close to sufficient vital humanitarian aid will come in.
We hold out hope for some common sense and the elevation of human rights on both sides of the conflict – and steps that are truly needed to bring peace to the region and solace to its people. The temporary ceasefire was surely a clear demonstration that more diplomacy will go significantly further toward that goal than more fighting.
Jewish Voice for Peace has been at the forefront of those calling for such developments – both before and during the conflict – as well as a ceasefire.
On Sunday, December 17, Dorah Rosen of JVP’s South Bay chapter will join us on the Zoom platform – using words and images to address the current situation, as well as possible next steps toward a ceasefire, and options for a subsequent peaceful solution. She will bring her personal experience of spending time in the West Bank some years ago as a “witness-escort” with Community Peacemaker Teams – formerly known as Christian Peacemaker Teams. Dorah also visited Israel during that time, giving her a perspective on different sides of the situation.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday the 17th for some constructive discussion about the tragic situation in Gaza, and what can be done.
ABOUT: Dorah Rosen, Jewish Voice for Peace South Bay
Dorah Rosen has been a member of JVP South Bay since 2011, and is active in other circles on the Israel-Palestine issue. She has also volunteered and advocated on behalf of the local indigenous Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, which stewards land in what we now call the South Bay and Monterey Bay Counties. Dorah is retired from the Santa Cruz Public Library System.
BAY AREA: we need you to show up and #PackTheCourt for the #BayBridge78!!
Last month, while President Biden was hosting cocktail parties in San Francisco, hundreds of people shut down the Bay Bridge to demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to US military aid to Israel. Now, 78 protestors are facing charges for their civil disobedience — arraignments begin on Monday, 12/18.
We’re packing the court for the #BayBridge78 all week in solidarity!
Join us for a press conference and rally on Monday, December 18 at 8:00 AM on the steps of 850 Bryant in SF. Wear your keffiyehs in solidarity as we demand the San Francisco District Attorney #DropTheCharges, and continue to call for a #FreePalestine!
Then, we’re packing the court Monday through Friday for the #BayBridge78. Show up to let the San Francisco District Attorney know: the Bay rises with Palestine! #DropTheCharges now!
* PRESS CONFERENCE + RALLY: Monday, 12/18 @ 8:00 AM 850 Bryant St, San Francisco
* PACK THE COURT: Monday-Friday, 12/18-12/22 – gather @ 8:30 AM, court begins @ 9:00 AM 850 Bryant St, San Francisco
#BayBridge78 #DropTheCharges #CeasefireNow #FreePalestine
Protect the Sanctity of Life: From Steven Taylor to Gaza!
There will be a candlelight vigil and rally before the San Leandro City Council Meeting, so be there by 6:30pm. Stand in solidarity with San Leandro 4 Ceasefire, the Social Justice Academy, and Justice 4 Steven Taylor to demand that the San Leandro Mayor and City Council protect the sanctity of life and pass an Emergency Ceasefire Resolution🍉 We, the youth of the social Justice Academy of San Leandro have made it our duty to pass a ceasefire resolution in the city of San Leandro. Though our first council meeting in December 4th proved unsuccessful, the community engagement and people power was undeniable. We are hoping to pass an emergency ceasefire resolution December 18th and pack out our city hall with as many people as we can.
Please join us to speak out against the use of dangerous scattershot munitions and the wide-open, unrestricted use of drones by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. This was pulled from the Board’s agenda last week by Supervisor Marquez.
BAN SCATTERSHOTS and REGULATE DRONE USE
Media outlets are reporting that UC Berkeley intends to attack People’s
Park in the first week of January 2024
(https://www.sfgate.com/news/
Yes, 16 months after UC’s failed attempt in August of 2022 to fence and
destroy the Park, they have regrouped and now they are ready to go back
on the offensive.
We won’t let them destroy it!
Park defenders are preparing to protect People’s Park once again, as we
have successfully done for the past 54 years. While there are still some
issues winding their way through the courts, the situation has changed
since 2022. State politicians such as Buffy Wicks, Nancy Skinner and
Gov. Gavin Newsom have worked to change the law to enable UC Berkeley to
ignore environmental law and finish their conquest of People’s Park.
The university will rely on hordes of riot police to do their dirty
work. Do not be afraid! Come join us! When it comes to the Park, the
people have always prevailed — but we can’t do it without you.
Now is the time to prepare and get ready to mobilize. Get supplies
together in preparation for a late-night, or early morning, resistance.
Tell your friends about the Park and encourage them to join you.
Get connected in the following ways:
1. Text SAVETHEPARK to 41372 — and share this number! If possible,
disable your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” for the first week of January to
ensure you get nighttime alerts.
2. For further updates, text “@pplspark6” to 81010
3. Come out to the Park to meet people and get prepared.
NOTE: During the Plague Year of 2020 GA will be held every week or two on Zoom. To find out the exact time a date get on the Occupy Oakland email list my sending an email to:
occupyoakland-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
The Occupy Oakland General Assembly meets every Sunday at 4 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 4:00 PM we meet in the basement of the Omni Collective, 4799 Shattuck Ave., Oakland. (Note: we tend to meet at 3:00 PM during the cooler months from November to early March after Daylights Savings Time.)
On every ‘last Sunday’ we meet a little earlier at 3 PM to have a community potluck to which all are welcome.
OO General Assembly has met on a continuous basis for over six years, since October 2011! 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
names of the Palestinians killed by Israeli Military will be called in respect
bring a candle/tea light, flower or a snack to share (optional)
can write small notes to put on altar, join singing, flyer to distribute to your neighborhood
But not in Palestine, the birthplace of Jesus.
The Israeli onslaught against Gaza has killed upwards of 20,000 including 8,000 children. At least 300, including 72 children, have been killed by Israeli troops in the West Bank since October 7.
Palestinian Christians are united in their condemnation of Israeli atrocities. In Bethlehem, the town of Jesus’ birth, a scene representing “Christ in the Rubble” lies inside the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Pastor Munther Isaac explains, “It is impossible to celebrate when there is a massacre, a genocide, taking place in Gaza to our people. The idea was to send a message to the world that this is what Christmas looks in Palestine… Children being pulled from under the rubble, their homes destroyed while the world is celebrating.”
Join us to keep Palestine in our hearts during the Christmas season, hear from Palestinian Christians and US clergy about what they believe Jesus would do for Palestine, and learn how to keep taking action for a ceasefire during the holidays.