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Since the murder of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri in August 2014, protests have spread to every major city in this country and cities around the world. In the Bay Area, we have witnessed and participated in almost two straight weeks of freeway takeovers, mass marches and, more recently, student walkouts.
Now, as these displays of rage continue with no end in sight, and as we quickly approach the Millions March, the questions before us are both extraordinarily simple and incredibly complex: Where do we go from here? How do we sustain the power we have built in the streets while working toward stronger coordination and organization between ourselves, our communities and other cities around the country?
We wholeheartedly believe that this ongoing movement presents exciting possibilities for new forms of revolutionary activity to emerge. But while we remain largely inspired by the recent wave of rebellious actions, it is our opinion that the time is now to collectively strategize how to expand and intensify our efforts.
As a small step, we invite any individuals or groups who want to discuss these and other related questions to meet at 2:00pm in Oscar Grant Plaza on December 14, 2014.
We encourage all participants to come prepared to collaborate in serious, principled reflection and debate on the events of the past two weeks. Proposals will be welcomed. Although we realize that such discussions will be unavoidably messy and contentious, we ask that all who attend to please refrain from personal or sectarian attacks and avoid rumor spreading or speculation. Also, we request that individuals and groups respect the need for the fullest possible participation from all those who wish to do so, and be mindful that they do not monopolize discussion time or conduct themselves in a way that discourages others from contributing.
If you or your group would like more information, or would like to help with facilitation and other logistical tasks, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Edge City, Oakland
Please come out for Court Support on Monday at 2pm at Wiley Manuel for:
– The Ferguson 3, who have pre-trial in Dept 115. The Ferguson 3 are three comrades who were arrested the night of the Mike Brown Verdict. They have court at 9 am.
AND
– Two comrades who have court in Dept 112 at 2:00 PM.
Please come and support!!!
Please check here for the most up-to-date-info before going, as court times and dates often get pushed back and postponed.
Keep up the fight against the privatization of the Post Office and the destruction of hundreds of thousands of living wage jobs.]
See Stop Staples and the American Postal Workers’ Union website
Berkeley Post Office Defenders, First They Came for the Homeless and Save the Berkeley Post Office support this fight.
A comrade, Ezra was tazed and arrested last night in Oakland during the protests. He has court Monday at 9am at Hayward Hall of Justice (24405 Amador Street) Dept 502. He is facing serious charges so we really need to pack the courtroom!
Please check here for the most up-to-date-info before going, as court times and dates often get pushed back and postponed.
Ezra was arrested on December 13, 2014 during an anti-police demonstration in Oakland, CA. He is currently facing 2 felony charges and 3 misdemeanors and is set to be arraigned on 12/15 at 2pm, with the bail set at $87,500. We are hoping he will be released, however given the severity of the charges, we are preparing to bail him. All money raised in excess will be donated to the Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee Bail Fund. Ezra is a local muralist and plays in multiple Bay Area bands. He has volunteered with Food Not Bombs for a number of years and is currently a student at Laney College. He is active in both San Francisco and Oakland communities and also supports his family back home. Let’s get him out of jail!
Please check here for updates as to court support times or cancellations on Tuesday for three comrades arrested Saturday night.
There are 3 people who got arrested Saturday night who were not cited and released. They have arraignments on Tuesday at Wiley Manuel and 9am in 107 and 2pm in 112.
We need space for anger.
We need space for protests.
We need space for healing.
We need space to mourn.
We need US.
Join us on Monday @ 5:00 pm at Lake Merritt for a vigil for those who have lost their lives to police terrorism.
We will meet in three places:
1) the pillars at Embarcadero and Grand
2) lakeside drive across from snow park
3) grassy amphitheater on Lake Merritt blvd.
We will walk in a single file line in both directions until we have encircled the lake.
We will collectively hold space to mourn the lives stolen from us and create a circle of healing for families who have lost their children to police violence.
We recognize a need for community to gather and families to bring their children and we will hold this space as such.
Please bring candles. And we will engage in a silent procession around the lake.
OccupyForum Presents…
Pia Mancini on DemocracyOSÂ
(Democracy Operating System)
Information, discussion & community!
Monday Night Forum!
Occupy Forum is an opportunity for open and respectful dialogue
on all sides of these critically important issues!
“Occupy Wall Street. Arab Spring. Greek Riots. We’ve been experiencing a great crisis of representation these past decades, regardless of our location, ethnicity or culture. The political system insists in excluding most of us from the spaces where the decisions are made that impact our lives. The internet has changed everything: the way we share and consume culture, how we engage in commerce, and how we communicate with others. But the internet has failed to change in one key area of our lives: politics. Democracy is in great need of a serious upgrade.
“We are working on a user-friendly, open-source, vote and debate tool, crafted for parliaments, parties and decision-making institutions that will allow citizens to get informed, join the conversation and vote on topics, just how they want their representatives to vote. A tool that will transform the noise we create during protests into a signal that has a clear, direct and strong impact on the political system. Our vision is that DemocracyOS will become the operating system of a more open and participatory government.”
— DemocracyOs.org (Go to www.DemocracyOS.org for more information.)
Come hear Pia Mancini speak via Skype from Buenos Aires, Argentina, about the
exciting new development called DemocracyOS (Democracy Operating System).
Since Buenos Aires is 5 hours ahead of us, it will be 11pm there when we
start here at 6pm, so please be on time!
Study up beforehand (or after the fact) at these sites:
Link to Huffington Post article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thierry-
dufay/democracy-20-the-power-of_b_5964188.html
Link to Wired Magazine article: Â http://www.wired.com/2014/05/democracy-os/
Link to Pia Mancini TED talk on YouTube: Â https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=NXfYNdapq3Q
Preview YouTube video Pia Mancini: How to upgrade democracy for the Internet era
Pia Mancini: How to upgrade democracy for the Internet era
THE POSTAL SERVICE HAD THE BERKELEY POST OFFICE “UNDER CONTRACT.” !!!!!!!!!!!
THE POSTAL SERVICE WANTED TO SELL THE POST OFFICE TO HUDSON-MCDONALD DEVELOPMENT GROUP. HUDSON-MCDONALD BACKED OUT OF THE DEAL LAST WEEK.
THE CITY OF BERKELEY SUED THE POST OFFICE TO STOP THE SALE. A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER WAS IN PLACE UNTIL DECEMBER 17th, BUT WAS LIFTED BY THE JUDGE WHEN HUDSON WITHDREW.
There was a hearing in Federal Court on December 11th.
Come learn about continuing developments and help us plan our next steps in opposition to this theft of our public commons.
Get an overview of the sale announcement here.
Here’s a good more general overview piece.
Davic Rovics gave a concert on the Post Office steps recently. Check out pictures and video of him playing.
Also CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE. and the Save the Berkeley Post Office website, and First they Came for the Homeless Facebook for updates.
BPOD is an offshoot of Strike Debt Bay Area, which itself is an offshoot of Occupy Oakland and a chapter of the national Strike Debt movement, which is an offshoot of Occupy Wall Street.
This week we’re peeling back the mysteries of how banks work – or don’t – in the real world.
Chapter 3 of Tom Sgouros’ Checking the Banks.
Black Lives Matter in Berkeley : Emergency Community Rally to end racial profiling and the militarization of the Berkeley Police Department.
Berkeley Copwatch is hosting a rally at MLK/Civic Center Park (MLK & Center St.) at 5:30pm on December 16th prior to the final city council meeting of the year. We will be holding healing space for police brutality survivors, protestors, and community organizers to share their stories and strategic visions. We will be centering Black and Brown voices at this event.
If you are interested in speaking or need more info, please call (510) 548-0425 or send us an email at berkeleycopwatch@yahoo.com
Please share this event!
“After hearing from people injured by police batons and projectiles, and those who suffered from tear gas during several days of protests in Berkeley, the Police Review Commission voted unanimously Wednesday night to ask the City Council to temporarily ban tear gas, the use of projectiles and over-the-shoulder baton swings as crowd-control measures, until an investigation has been completed.”
All out to the City Council meeting Tuesday the 16th at 7pm!
Two articles on the Police Review Commission action Wednesday night:
http://www.dailycal.org/2014/12/11/police-review-commission-supports-restricting-use-tear-gas-crowd-control-techniques/
http://www.insidebayarea.com/breaking-news/ci_27118581/berkeley-panel-seeking-temporary-police-ban-tear-gas
NOTE: the meeting is not at Old City Hall. It has been moved to Longfellow Middle School to accommodate expected large turnout.
Please come out tomorrow to Wiley Manuel at 9am for a court hearing in Dept 104. Let’s support our comrades!
I just received this message: #OUSD #WalkOut is scheduled for this Wednesday. #Oakland. pic.twitter.com/4rDq0FcEZz
— Pendarvis H. (@OGpenn) December 15, 2014
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
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…