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Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson is leading an effort to allow members of the community to vent their frustrations following non-indictments against white police officers who killed black men alleged of crimes in Ferguson, Mo. and New York City. Cases of police brutality have also occurred in the Bay Area over the years adding a strong local link to the anger felt all over the country.
Members of the public can participate in the town hall this Wednesday being called “A community meeting with elected officials and community leaders on solving the strained relationship between law enforcement and our communities.”
0 Telegraph Ave, Oakland.
Alameda Co. pub.defenders holding #BlackLivesMatter rally tmw while wearing gloves to signify "Hands up, don't shoot" pic.twitter.com/dX8DYGVZnY
— Henry K. Lee (@henryklee) December 17, 2014
There are lots of important reasons to protest at the CPUC, not only ‘Smart’ meters, but also Diablo Canyon’s nuclear power plant, massive toxic dumping by PG&E (remember Hinkley, Hunters Point, and many more), AT&T’s push to get rid of landlines (an accessibility issue), gasline explosions due to neglect, etc etc etc.
These issues are about environmental health, community defense, disability justice, and labor. The people who are most immediately impacted by the decisions of the CPUC are the workers forced to implement them.
For example, this former PG&E meter reader was fired for refusing to be silent about the fact that ‘Smart’ meters are a fire hazard, and lays out the financial reality that these meters are actually more expensive than meter readers, who were the only people working for the utility who regularly checked for gas leaks like the one that preceded the San Bruno explosion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnxIoItNUek
One of the victims who died in a fire caused by ‘Smart’ meters was Larry Nikkel, of Vacaville, a member of Stationary Engineers Local 39: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2013/06/21/when-smart-meters-kill-the-story-of-larry-nikkel-details-emerge-of-vacaville-ca-smart-meter-fire-death/
Please mobilize your friends and comrades to come out on Thursday – Peevey’s last day – and bring your friends and your own grievances against this supposed watchdog agency that acts more like a lapdog of the corporate utilities. Tell Peevey: Good Riddance!
Details below.
PRESS CONFERENCE/ DEMONSTRATION AT CPUC IN SAN FRANCISCO OPPOSING “SMART” METER POLICIES AND GENERAL CORRUPTION
California Public Utilities Commission
Thursday, December 18 8:30 AM
Van Ness at McAllister, San Francisco
Give CPUC President Michael Peevey the send-off into retirement that he deserves after a dozen years of corruption and complicity with corporate utilities.
Protest the CPUC’s proposed decisions in the ‘smart’ meter opt out proceedings. Show strength in unity against their proposals that:
• Ignore serious public safety hazards including toxic injuries, fires, homelessness, violations of privacy, higher bills, loss of meter readers, and no promised energy savings.
• Continue to impose coercive extortion opt out fees
• Violate laws, and deny customer and disability rights
• Prohibit opt-outs for communities, apartment buildings, and businesses
• Reward utility companies with millions $$$ more for smart grid failings
Join us in demanding that the CPUC:
• Reject the proposed decisions
• Rescind and refund ‘opt out’ extortion fees
• Halt the ‘smart’ meter program
Bring any other past or present grievances against the CPUC (toxic dumping, nuclear plants, gas line explosions, accessibility, public power, etc.)
We will be raising our demands both outside before the meeting, as well as inside. Please come prepared to make some noise and be seen. Wear black if you can. Rain or shine.
For more information about the proposed decisions, go to these links:
The proposed decisions would (as summarized by the EMF Safety Network):
- Give 37 million dollars to the Investor Owned Utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and So Cal Gas) for providing the opt-out program.
- Adopt permanent fees for residential customers who “do not wish to have a wireless smart meter.”
- Continue the same interim fees of $75 initial fee plus $10/month, and $10 initial fee plus $5/month for low income.
- Local governments and multi-unit dwellings may not collectively opt out of smart meter installations.
- Charging an opt-out fee does not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- They will not address health and safety impacts in this decision.
- Assess fees on a per location basis, for example if you have two or more meters on your property, that will be one fee, per utility company.
- If you have two utilities, they can both charge you fees.
- President Peevey proposes putting a cap on the opt-out fees at 3 years.
- Neither proposal considers a no-fee option.
Ecological Options Network
EMF Analysis
EMF Safety Coalition
EMF Safety Network
No Nukes Action
Smart Meter Health Alert
Stop OC Smart Meters
Smart Meter Harm
Stop Smart Grid
Stop Smart Meters!
Stop Smart Meters Irvine
United Public Workers for Action
Wireless Radiation Alert Network
Charges dropped for two SF folx arrested Sat! NO COURT SUPPORT NEEDED TODAY! Thnx for support! #BlackLivesMatter #courtsupportmatters #ftp
— AntiRepBayArea (@AntiRepBayArea) December 18, 2014
Two folks arrested at the Millions March on Saturday in San Francisco are having their arraignments at 850 Bryant, Room 101 @ 1:30pm. They’re facing big charges and a good turn out will help! Please come and show your solidarity!
Please check the Anti-Repression event and/or Facebook for up-to-date info. These court times and dates often change at the last minute!
Come sing Anti-Foreclosure Christmas Carols to Wells Fargo with ACCE this Thursday!
Home Defenders,
Thursday is our big day! We’ll be hitting Wells Fargo loud and clear to let them know that they need to give Gaylynne, Billy Jene, Kayode, Floyd, Njambi, Cheryl, Marie and Jose and others REAL loan modifications and principle reduction and that in light of our recent victory with KYHCA, that they sign an agreement with ACCE & the community to fully participate in the Keep Your Home California’s Hardest Hit Fund!
Action at Jim Foley’s Office (regional manager at Wells Fargo)
Celebrate a “Free Speech Day” in San Leandro. There is a huge Xmas tree by City Hall, in front of the police department, so I’m inviting people to stop by, and speak out about any matter at all they want to. We’ll have a camera for anyone who wants to be filmed and put on youtube. Guy Fawkes masks welcome.
San Leandro is considering taking possession of a tank for their police. Come and tell San Leandro what you think of that…
Too many times movements dies and voices aren’t heard because the weather isn’t as pretty. Well, it’s an ugly world we live in and we have to be willing to sometimes do things that are hard and face ugly things.
When the rain comes, people go in their houses, let us not forget about those who cannot go home because their lives have been stolen in this violent police state.
Come rain. sleet, hail or snow; #BlackLivesMatter and we must not let that be forgotten just because of some much needed rain. Bring your umbrellas out, network with one another, build up the community we want to save and march side by side in solidarity with one another & in solidarity with those around the world fighting for a better world.
Wear all Black because #BlackLivesMatter.
With the imminent threat of a sale, First They Came for the Homeless has moved from Staples to the downtown Post Office, with support from Berkeley Post Office Defenders. The new Occupation began in early November and continues on into December. Come hang out with them and show solidarity as we all take a stand against the privatization of our commons.
Check out the Christmas event this Saturday.
Check out the stories on the raids by the Postal Police.
This is a Pretrial Hearing. Come and support comrades.
Check the Anti-Repression website and/or Facebook for last minute changes!
We invite you to join us in the courtroom as EFF challenges the government’s violations of Americans’ constitutional rights. Be part of our tireless call for justice and an end to illegal spying.
WHAT:
Hearing on Motion for Partial Summary Judgment in Jewel v. NSA
JUDGE:
Jeffrey S. White
MORE INFORMATION:
EFF Case Page: Jewel v. NSA
Timeline of NSA Spying Developments
Media Alert
SPECIAL NOTES:
Government-issued photo ID is required for entry; arrive early for security screening. EFF urges attendees to dress in business attire and to observe respectful courtroom decorum.
There is now a Facebook event for this as well.
See yall at OGP at 8:30 pm.
— commotion pictures (@revflix) December 20, 2014
Please Join us on the last Saturday before Christmas with signs, drums, kids, and you passion. No Business as usual, this is a protest about Police and state violence and in support of #BlackLivesMatter
“Stop the sale” Celebration! Saturday, Dec. 20, starting at 1:00 PM
Steps of the Post Office – Allston Way & Milvia – 1 block from Downtown Berkeley BART
Music, poetry, Christmas decorating … lots of Good Cheer & Solidarity
Dear Defenders of the Berkeley Post Office,
Saturday December 20 marks the 50th day of this year’s 24/7 occupation at the Berkeley Main Post Office, under the auspices of First They Came for the Homeless and Berkeley Post Office Defenders. The current occupiers have long since eclipsed the 33-day record of the well-publicized 24/7 Tent City at the Berkeley P.O. in August 2013. Their goal: Stop the sale of the Post Office to greedy privateers.
And they’ve maintained the encampment through many cold days and nights of drenching rain and driving wind, and putting up with multiple harassment visits by the Postal Police and postal inspectors. Saying no to the privatization and dismantling of our public treasure, the Post Office.
It’s been 15 months since we first claimed this Post Office as public space, paid for by the people and held in trust since Ben Franklin’s day. As of today, the information table and big tent are still standing at the historic 100-year-old Post Office at 2000 Allston Way.
Our banner “Welcome – Our Post Office is Open – Let’s Keep it That Way” was confiscated by postal police — but the handsome “First Amendment” poster remains defiantly wheat-pasted on one of the columns of this beautiful building. After the people of Berkeley mounted a legal challenge and a favorable new zoning ordinance, the Post Office so far remains in the public domain.
So why don’t we have a celebration on the Post Office Steps to mark the 50th day of the people’s camp??
Be there on the steps, starting 1:00 PM Saturday. Bring yourself, your talents, food and supplies for everyone and for the people’s camp. For more information go to the Facebook page of First They Came for the Homeless.
Weather Report for Saturday – NO RAIN
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The Depression-era mural inside the downtown Berkeley Post Office:
Come learn about police tactics and human rights obligations, what to look out for and how to best record evidence of police misconduct in support of #BlackLivesMatter demonstrations against state-sanctioned police brutality and systemic anti-black racism.
Legal observers play a crucial role monitoring and reporting on police behavior at demonstrations and other protest events by protecting and asserting civil and political rights.
The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) Legal Observer program is part of a comprehensive system of legal support designed to enable people to express their political views as fully as possible without unconstitutional disruption or interference by the police and with the fewest possible consequences from the criminal justice system.
Please review the Legal Observer Manual (located at http://www.nlg.org/sites/default/files/LO_Manual.pdf) prior to attending the workshop.
Event Organizers and Supporters:
— The United People of Color Caucus (TUPOCC) of the NLG
— #BlackLivesMatter Bay Area
— National Lawyers Guild of San Francisco (NLGSF)
– To be continued –
Winter Solstice is the 9th Month Anniversary
of Alex’s homicide by SFPD
CHECK HERE FOR FINAL DETAILS PLEASE
Bring flashlights. It’ll be dark by the time we walk back down the hill.
Opening ceremony & words by families who have lost loved ones in 2014 to police brutality.
Confirmed visiting families:
Family of Yanira Serrano Garcia (killed in Half Moon Bay).
Family of Antonio Lopez (killed in San José)
Family of Errol Chang (killed in Daly City)
Sidewalk procession to Bernal Hill.
@ Bernal Heights Park, Alex Nieto Memorial Site, northside slope: Words by family and supporters of Alex Nieto.
Closing ceremony.
Walk to site of Mexican Posada, to be announced on hill.
Monday is the Ferguson 3’s preliminary hearing. Let’s pack the court at 9am in Dept 112. Please invite all of your friends and spread the word!
Continued from this morning.
Court support for the Ferguson 3 is going on today! The court is on lunch break and reconvenes at 1:30 Dept 110 at Wiley Manuel Courthouse on 6th and Washington. This is a super important hearing so please go and show your support and solidarity!!!
#Ferguson3 hearing at 1:30 at Wiley Manuel, department 110. Get there. #oaklandprotests #blacklivesmatter #oak2stl #courtsupport
— Jingle Elle Rock (@OaklandElle) December 22, 2014