Calendar

9896
Mar
28
Sun
San Francisco Caravan: End the U.S. Blockade of Cuba!
Mar 28 @ 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
It began in Miami and has spread across the U.S. —

​Join a San Francisco caravan to demand:
End the U.S. Blockade of Cuba
Sunday, March 28, gather at 11:30 am,
1875 Marin St., San Francisco.

For almost 60 years, Cuba has endured the economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by the U.S. government. During Trump’s term, he imposed
more 220 measures to further cause harm to the island’s economy and the Cuban people.

In the midst of the COVID pandemic, Cuba has carried out a remarkable national policy of protecting its people, Cuban doctors have traveled worldwide to help save lives, and biotech and pharmaceutical scientists have developed a vaccine that is now in phase 3 testing.

At a time that international cooperation is urgently needed, the U.S. insists on maintaining the blockade.

Now is the time to mobilize on behalf of Cuba and tell Biden and Congress:
No Delay, Lift the Blockade Now!

Progressive Cubans in Miami initiated the monthly caravans, they have spread to New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles and Seattle. Join us on Sun. March 28 in San Francisco!

Initiated in SF by the ANSWER Coalition and the Cuba and Venezuela Solidarity Committee.

Co-sponsored by: Task Force on the Americas, AIM-West, Veterans for Peace- San Francisco Chapter #69, Haiti Action Committee

We welcome your organization to co-sponsor and take part with your signs focusing on the blockade and related issues.

We will also have signs to share.
Contact us at: answer [at] answersf.org or call 415-821-6545 to co-sponsor or for more information.
Spread the word!

#EndTheBlockade #CubaViva #CubaSalvaVidas

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68891
Fight for full Student Debt cancellation and College for All. @ Online
Mar 28 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Billions today, trillions tomorrow. When debtors organize, we win.

It all started when 15 people went on a debt strike. Back in 2015, former students at Corinthian College said they were going to refuse to pay until all of their fraudulent student loans were cancelled. That kicked off a long process full of twists and turns spanning three administrations and several court cases.

This week, as a direct result of that debt strike, the Department of Education announced it was going to cancel another $1 billion dollars for 72,000 people, mostly Corinthian and ITT Tech students. Organizing works. This is just the beginning, and we can’t stop now. If we keep fighting together, we can cancel all student loan debt. We’re going to take the energy from this win to kick off our big week of actions.

Let’s celebrate our victories as we continue to fight for justice. Join the Debt Collective at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT / 2 p.m. MT / 1 p.m. PT Sunday, March 28 to celebrate and to kick off our week of action to fight for full cancellation and College for All.
RSVP
We will be joined by several of the original Corinthian 15 debt strikers. We’ll hear from some people who recently won full debt cancellation, as well as those who are still fighting for justice. And we’ll get excited for full cancellation and our upcoming week of action.
RSVP

68893
Occupy Oakland General Assembly @ Oscar Grant Plaza
Mar 28 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

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

64398
Movie Night: Seaspiracy @ Online
Mar 28 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Join us to watch the new documentary Seaspiracy!

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86357565418
Meeting ID: 863 5756 5418
Seaspiracy is a follow-up documentary to Cowspiracy. The film explores the way government policy, the fishing industry, and even environmental organizations contribute to the devastation of marine life.
Learn more at https://www.seaspiracy.org/

68899
Mar
29
Mon
Berkeley Militarized Police Equipment Ordinance Hearing @ Online
Mar 29 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Please join us to give a public comment in favor of the Berkeley ordinance on militarized equipment,
The zoom link to attend and speak is here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88131245345

This is a special meeting convened to consider only the Equipment Ordinance – and will be the last before it goes to the full Council, after the recess, in late April or early May. Public comment will likely be at the beginning of the meeting. The meeting agenda is here.

Send your email comment to: PolicyCommittee@cityofberkeley.info
Subject line: Public Safety comment: Controlled Equipment Ordinance
In Bcc (important that it is bcc) put: council@cityofberkeley.info

Talking points you can include in your email or public comment:

  • Ordinance sponsor Kate Harrison has inserted amendments that address points raised in the last meeting of the Public Safety Committee, including reducing the time for Police Accountability Board consideration of equipment if there is a time-sensitive grant opportunity for controlled equipment.
  • BPD has said that “standard issue” equipment should not be subject to reporting or use policies. But for people in the community, it doesn’t matter if assault rifles are “standard issue”. If BPD is using these weapons often, the community, Accountability Board and City Council should know how often and in what neighborhoods the weapons are deployed. If they not using assault weapons often, then it is not a reporting burden.
  • The Police Review Commission worked extensively on the ordinance to make it clear and respond to Department and community concerns, in more than half a dozen meetings – some of them devoted solely to the ordinance – since last summer. This included an in-depth discussion of what is “use” of militarized equipment to be reported, concluding that “display” of equipment is active and should be included in reports.
  • As the comprehensive report on Fair and Impartial Policing pointed out, Berkeley PD uses force on Black people at a rate six times more than white people in Berkeley. This puts Black people at greater risk of being subjected to militarized equipment than white people – another reason why BPD should have clear and reasonable use policies for equipment and transparent reporting on its use.
  • There is new academic research, published in December  demonstrating that there is no positive impact on public safety from the acquisition of military equipment. This suggests the importance of documenting the use of such equipment in order make the Department as effective as possible in strengthening community safety.
  • The ordinance is modeled after Berkeley’s surveillance equipment ordinance, enacted in 2018, which has the same provisions for use policies, Council approval and reporting. This ordinance fills a gap not addressed by policies on surveillance equipment, use of force, or the reforms adopted by the City Council this week.
  • Militarized equipment lacks transparency and civilian-directed decisions on acquisition and use policies. This ordinance creates a process for oversight and transparency about the acquisition and use of militarized gear.
  • BPD currently is not required to disclose what or how much equipment it currently has, the financial costs, adverse impacts, alternatives to the equipment, locations of use, whether use was connected to a warrant, whether equipment involves third parties, or number of times the equipment was deployed. This ordinance helps to remedy that lack of transparency.
  • The ordinance does not ban any equipment. Instead, it creates a process for civilian oversight and transparency. Oversight can include recommendations from the Police Accountability Board and decisions by City Council to exclude the use of specified weapons in Berkeley.
  • The Alameda County Labor Council issued a resolution last year in favor of this ordinance.

Oakland is also moving a similar ordinance forward. We expect it to be introduced in the Oakland City Council sometime soon.

68902
Moral Monday: Standing Strong with Bessemer Amazon Workers! @ Online
Mar 29 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm


Watch the national livestream

Next Monday marks the last day for Amazon workers in Bessemer to vote on the right to unionize. Following last week’s Moral Monday, when Rev. Barber joined the workers in-person, the PPC is keeping its focus there next week, when the drive to boost voter turnout will reach its peak. Tune in and be a part of this historic fight. We’ve also got three ways you can lend your voice below.

The Amazon union drive has major implications for California
“The Bessemer 6,000,” as Rev. Barber called the Amazon warehouse workers, represent the first viable attempt to organize at an Amazon facility in the US. They’re fighting for workplace dignity – for basics like the right to use the bathroom without harassment aand extended sick time after being infected with COVID-19 on the job. In California there are 153,000 full and part-time workers employed at Amazon facilities. A pro-union win in Bessemer would have an enormous impact here. With a nod to this national resonance, Rev. Barber said that “Bessemer is our Selma” and part of America’s third reconstruction.

Here’s how you can take action in solidarity with Amazon workers

  1. Call or email our US senators to demand they pass an immediate increase of the minimum wage for all workers to $15/hr, strengthen union rights and protect the right to vote. You can use this online call tool or this email tool.
  2. Create a solidarity video using these talking points. (Be sure to record your video in vertical mode if you’re using your phone.)
  3. Speak up on social media! Share your views and/or video on platforms with these hashtags: #PoorPeoplesCampaign #WeAreNotRobots #BAmazonUnion


68896
Mar
30
Tue
Banking for All – Press Conference and Kickoff @ Online
Mar 30 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Tune in to the AB 1177 Press Conference
on Facebook Live!

Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/californiapublicbankingalliance

Next week the next step in bringing public banking to California will be in the news. Since the passage of AB 857, several regions are moving ahead rapidly in establishing public banks to enable cities and local governments to better manage their finances and fund their priorities.

But another concern we have is to improve conditions for those individuals who are ‘unbanked’ or ‘underbanked.’ These folks, many of whom are low-income people of color, are outside the traditional economy, with little or no access to the financial services that most of us take for granted. They are exploited by the para-bank industry�the payday lenders, check cashing and money order services, even pawn shops and prepaid debit card providers—with exorbitant rates and fees.

New legislation, AB 1177, the California Public Banking Option Act, will be introduced next Tuesday, March 30, to address this need. BankCal will offer no-fee checking and savings accounts, educational services, and zero-cost bill pay, fund transfers and auto-deposit to all Californians, and especially the financially marginalized.

Join us for the online press conference as we kick-off this critical bill to bank the unbanked and underbanked!

Speakers include:

  • Trinity Tran, California Public Banking Alliance
  • Joseph Bryant, SEIU Local 1021 and SEIU California
  • Jyotswaroop Bawa, California Reinvestment Coalition
  • Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles)
  • Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles)
  • Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose)
  • Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson)
  • Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego County)
  • Sofia Lima, San Francisco McDonald’s worker
  • Maria del Carmen Bentancourt, Oakland McDonald’s worker
  • Rene Bayardo, SEIU California

If you represent an organization that would like to join the fight to bridge the racial wealth gap and bring equitable banking services to ALL Californians, click on the link below to add your group to our growing endorsement list.

Organizations: Endorse AB 1177

Individuals: Endorse AB 1177

We hope to see you at the press conference!

TUNE INTO THE LIVESTREAM ON SEIU CA OR CPBA’S FACEBOOK PAGE AT 10AM, TUESDAY MARCH 30:

https://www.facebook.com/SEIUCalifornia/ and

https://www.facebook.com/californiapublicbankingalliance

Digital Toolkit: Share and tweet your support for AB 1177.
The Alliance is gearing up for a big year! Between our local city/county initiatives, the California Public Banking Option Act bill we’re announcing soon with SEIU California and Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, and the (federal) Public Banking Act with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, public banking is going next-level in 2021! #PublicBanksNow
STAY TUNED!

Stay tuned for the groundbreaking launch of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Rashida Talib’s Federal Public Banking Act legislation which will pave a path for cities and states across the country to form public banks!
CaliforniaPublicBankingAlliance.org

68897
Climate Displacement: Intersection of Climate Emergency and Immigrant & Refugee Justice @ Online
Mar 30 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Climate Displacement: A Solutions-Based Panel

Host: Immigrant Justice and Climate Refugees Working Group at the UC Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law

More Info: https://belonging.berkeley.edu/climate-displacement-solutions-based-panel

RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd98IZo3mnfJ8464Ck5Er_QXZDsjd9ch2qbq7r5AcvAfGnKjg/viewform

Join us on March 30th as speakers from Earth Refuge, the International Refugee Assistance Project and Climate Refugees discuss the realities of climate-induced displacement in the US and globally. It is estimated that up to 1 billion people could be displaced by climate-induced change by 2050.

However, there are steps being taken to mitigate this crisis. Each organization will outline the steps it is taking internally and externally to address the issue, and what steps can be taken by wider society to do the same.

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68880
Sheriff Democracy and Diversity Act Press Conference @ Online
Mar 30 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

The Sheriff Democracy and Diversity Act (SB 271) strikes California’s long-standing law-enforcement requirement for those running for the office of County Sheriff. SB 271 reverses the restrictive 1989 law that added law enforcement experience and California peace officer certification as eligibility requirements. SB 271 has the potential to open the role of County Sheriffs to those with a progressive vision for our criminal-legal and immigration systems. By opening the candidate pool, SB 271 would allow us to begin diversifying the office of county sheriff and re-engage disillusioned community members in these critical yet overlooked local elections.

68904
Public Bank of the East Bay @ ONLINE, VIA 'ZOOM'
Mar 30 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

We meet over Zoom. If you’d like to join us, and aren’t on our organizers’ list, drop us an email and we’ll send you an invitation.

If you would like to join the meeting early and get an introduction to the concepts of public banking, or more locally to who we are and what we do, please email us and we’ll see you online at 6:30.

Donate to keep us moving forward

It is the mission of Public Bank East Bay to provide community oversight and stewardship in the formation and functioning of the Public Bank of the East Bay to base its decisions on the values of:

Equity

PBEB is committed to a public bank which acknowledges and attempts restitution of the  historical burdens carried by disenfranchised communities, including  communities of color and many other marginalized groups.

Social Responsibility

Decisions regarding who gets loans, what projects get invested in, and who benefits should take into account investing our money into the wealth and health of local communities and the environment.

Accountability

The bank is accountable to the  residents of the East Bay, who have a right to fully transparent explanations of  the Bank’s actions and choices.

Democracy

The bank will be governed using  democratic processes which consciously and intentionally adhere to the values/principles listed above.

JOIN A WORKING GROUP!

We have five committees working together to create a Public Bank in the East Bay:

  • Advocacy builds relationships with community groups and city governments.

  • Communications assists other committees with content creation and promotion.

  • Fundraising develops our organization’s budget and raises funds for our business plan.

  • Membership brings on new members and volunteers and organizes educational events.

  • Governance is responsible for operations and the execution of PBEB’s business plan.

Email us with your interests and we’ll help you find a way to get plugged in!

JOIN THE ALLIANCE

The California Public Banking Alliance (CPBA) is an organization of 12 member regions, not of individuals. You can join the CPBA mailing list (link at the Alliance website) to receive updates on state and sometimes national progress, which we will also include on this site.

68142
Mar
31
Wed
Is Your Bank Financing Climate Destruction?
Mar 31 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Register here

Is your bank financing climate destruction? Check it out in this important new report, Banking on Climate Chaos 2021. And tune into the Banking on Climate Chaos webinar.

This year’s report is the most comprehensive analysis on fossil-fuel banking produced to date.  It details the fossil-fuel funding and policies of the world’s 60 largest banks, which together have financed fossil fuels with $3.8 trillion since the Paris Agreement was adopted.

The report was published by our dear friends at the Rainforest Action Network, in collaboration with BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Reclaim Finance and Sierra Club. It has already been endorsed by more than 300 organizations from 50 countries — including Sunflower Alliance.

Banking on Climate Chaos scores banks’ fossil fuel policies and analyzes the recent wave of bank-financed emissions commitments. It explains that  commitments to reach “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions — while a welcome admission that banks are major culprits — are no substitute for immediate steps to phase out financing of fossil fuels.  It also points to the dangers of “net zero” schemes that violate human rights and Indigenous rights.

The report highlights case studies around the world where banks’ fossil fuel financing harms communities on the ground, from the Line 3 tar sands pipeline in Minnesota, to the EMBA Hunutlu coal plant in Turkey.

The report has so far been covered in outlets such as The Guardian and Bloomberg.

At bankingonclimatechaos.org you can download the report, interact with the data, read the case studies, and take action.

 

68906
Feet on the Street Community Safety Walk @ St. Mary's Center
Mar 31 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Brockhurst St. and nearby neighbors are walking for community safety. Join us in the parking lot at St. Mary’s Center and we’ll pick the route for the day!

We are looking for “hosts” for Wednesdays in April to bring friends & neighbors, and organize the walk. Interested?

68876
100 Strikers, 100 Stories @ Online
Mar 31 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

100 members of the Debt Collective are on strike, demanding that Joe Biden cancel ALL student debt within his first 100 days. We have 100 stories, and more than 100 ways that full debt cancellation will change our lives.

Join us for the second installment in our 100 Strikers, 100 Stories series with Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, the stories of strikers and special guests. This call will be held on March 31st @ 8 PM ET/7 PM CT/6 PM MT/5 PM PT! We’ll be live on this Facebook link.

And, be sure and check out our great first installment with Senator Nina Turner and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib here.

68903
Pelosi: Sign Pledge for Good Jobs for All @ Pelosi's office
Mar 31 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join Sunrise Movement in a Congressional recess action to tell Nancy Pelosi to sign the Good Jobs for All Pledge:

“I commit to doing everything in my power to pass legislation that guarantees good jobs for all, invests $10 trillion over the next decade to create millions of union jobs addressing the crises of climate change, economic inequality, and systemic racism, and puts money into the hands of people and communities, not the wealthy few.”

This event is part of a national Congressional-recess mobilization to demand that our representatives pass the real progressive legislation we need. Read more about the Sunrise mobilization for the Good Jobs for All Pledge here

RSVP

 

68900
Apr
1
Thu
Build Back Fossil Free in SF @ Civic Center Plaza, across from City Hall
Apr 1 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

WHAT: Build Back Fossil Free Solidarity Action
COVID safe event – please wear masks and practice social distancing.
RSVP: https://bit.ly/3czwFct

On April 1, frontline Indigenous youth and organizers from the Dakota Access and Line 3 pipeline fights will travel to Washington D.C. to demand Biden Build Back Fossil Free and stop these climate-destroying projects. On Thursday we will take to the streets of San Francisco in solidarity with their courage to demand that the Biden Adminstration use executive powers to immediately stop the Line 3 and Dakota Access pipelines, stop all federal fossil fuel permits, and protect our communities.

We’ll march to two nearby U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offices, to tell President Biden and VP Harris: End the Line 3 and DAPL permits and Build Back Fossil Free!

This is an all-ages, non-violent, outdoor action. We ask everyone in attendance to adhere to common public safety guidelines.

Join us! RSVP: https://bit.ly/3czwFct

68908
Don’t Be a Fool: Cancel Student Debt and Make College Free @ Outside US DoE Bldg
Apr 1 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Help show that our community demands full student debt cancellation.

Join us on Thursday, 4/1 @ 4 PM PST at the U.S. Department of Education office in San Francisco (50 Beale Street) to demand student debt cancellation.
Click here for more information & to RSVP!

Help show our local representatives and President Joe Biden that our community demands full student debt cancellation. We request all attendees follow covid safety protocols (wearing masks & practicing physical distancing). Together, we will win full cancellation!

**Feel free to bring offerings(waters, snacks) to share with others & any neighbors in the Beale Street area. Music, Dancing and Costumes strongly encouraged**

If you prefer to take action digitally, join the Debt Collective’s online rally on 3/31 @ 6 PM ET. RSVP for that here!

Warm Regards –
Bay Area Debtors Union

 

 

68871
Oakland Privacy Advisory Commission @ Online
Apr 1 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85817209915

Agenda Items of interest:

4. Sanctuary Contracting Ordinance – CPO – presentation of annual report – review and take possible action.
5. Surveillance Equipment Ordinance – DOT – Chinatown Camera Grant impact report and proposed use policy – review and take possible action
6. Mobile Parking Payment Systems for Parking Management and Enforcement – review and take possible action.
7. Surveillance Equipment Ordinance – OPD – presentation of Annual Reports – review and take possible action:
a. Cell-site Simulator
b. Live Stream Transmitter
c. Mobile ID
d. GPS Tag Tracker

68909
Community Democracy Project Orientation @ Online
Apr 1 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join us here

How do I become a member of CDP? How do I get on their mailing list? How do I get on their extra special contact list to get personalized text messages about upcoming events? When is CDP launching? What are they launching? What is participatory budgeting? Why do they want the residents of Oakland to decide the entire city budget? Who’s funding this project? Who’s leading it? Why should I join CDP? Do I get a prize or like…earn a badge for joining?

If you know the answers to ANY of these questions, join us at our new monthly CDP orientation to help us answer them when NEWBIES join! If you’re a supporter of CDP and want to know more, then join us for this informal Q&A session! If you follow us on social media and want to get MORE involved, then join us to learn about the first step to joining this revolution!

Once all of the questions are exhausted, and you feel fully oriented, our orientation will turn into what was our regularly scheduled Hella People Power Happy Hour where we play games, talk shit about shitty things, and/or do whatever you like!

68911
Apr
3
Sat
150 years since the Paris Commune @ Online
Apr 3 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
An online meeting streamed at wsws.org/live
On March 18, 1871, workers in Paris rose up to stop an attempt by the French army to steal cannons that had been purchased for the city’s defense in the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian war. The French government of Adolphe Thiers fled the city in panic, and power passed into the hands of the armed working class. Elections were held on March 26 that created the Paris Commune, the first workers state in history.

The Commune was an entirely new form of state power that set out to build a classless society based on equality. But in the infamous Bloody Week of May 21-28, Thiers and the French army stormed Paris with heavy artillery—indiscriminately murdering men, women and children suspected of having fought for, participated in or sympathized with the Commune.

At enormous cost in blood, the Commune lives on as a priceless experience for the international working class of today, whose lives, health, and living standards depend on their struggle for state power in every country.
The speakers will include David NorthAlex Lantier, and more to be announced.
68914
Silicon Values: The Future of Free Speech under Surveillance Capitalism @ Online
Apr 3 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

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What is the impact of surveillance capitalism on our right to free speech? The internet once promised to be a place of extraordinary freedom beyond the control of money or politics, but today corporations and platforms exercise more control over our ability to access information and share knowledge to a greater extent than any state. From the online calls to arms in the thick of the Arab Spring to the contemporary front line of misinformation, Jillian C. York charts the war over our digital rights. She looks at both how the big corporations have become unaccountable censors, and the devastating impact it has had on those who have been censored.

In Silicon Values, leading campaigner Jillian C. York looks at how our rights have become increasingly undermined by the major corporations’ desire to harvest our personal data and turn it into profit. She also looks at how governments have used the same technology to monitor citizens and threatened our ability to communicate. As a result our daily lives, and private thoughts, are being policed in an unprecedented manner. Who decides the difference between political debate and hate speech? How does this impact on our identity, our ability to create communities and to protest? Who regulates the censors? In response to this threat to our democracy, York proposes a user-powered movement against the platforms that demands change and a new form of ownership over our own data.

68857