Calendar
Mayor Lee has been decidedly absent as we have sought dialogue with him about Chief Suhr’s inability to run a police force. Chief Suhr has created a culture of racism and brutalization that gave those five officers permission to assassinate Mario Woods. If he will not fire Chief Suhr, who refuses to step down, then we will let him know that he can go too. If we do not get justice, he will not get peace!!! We will be at the doors of San Francisco’s City Hall for the Mayor’s Inauguration not in celebration, but in protest!
Everyone please try to wear black. The mayor may be celebrating his re-election but we will turn it into a funeral march in honor of Mario Woods
#calltoaction #justice4mariowoods #mariowoods #shutdownSF #BlackLivesMatter #firechiefsuhr pic.twitter.com/18O61d9eck
— Justice4MarioWoods (@Justice4MWNow) January 2, 2016
Middle East – Justice First, Peace at Last
- The Communist Party USA (Oakland/Berkeley) invites you to a discussion: Middle East – Justice First, Peace at Last.
- Suggested Readings:
- Communist Party of Israel, ‘Palestinian & Israeli Protesters: “The Last Day of the Occupation is the First Day of Peace”’ http://maki.org.il/en/?p=6287.
- Uri Avnery, ‘ The Reign of Absurdiocy’. http://www.politicalaffairs.net/a-powerfful-isreali-critique-of-the-concept-of-international-terrorism-and-wars-without-end-against-it-by-norman-markowitz/.
- Salam Ali, ‘The Iraqi Uprising Against Corruption And Sectarianism, http://iraqiletter.blogspot.com/
The Baha’i community of Oakland is organizing this gathering for the community to connect, share prayers, writings and poems from all spiritual traditions, reflect and recharge and build coalitions interested in healing.
In April, it was two years since we started holding these prayer meetings at the Baha’i Center. Come share prayers, quotes, poems, and favorite passages from your scriptures with us. We will serve a simple breakfast.
- Despite unparalleled demonization, military threats, and sanctions the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) opens an unprecedented window into life in cities and countryside alike, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where the Cold War lives on, and how the country took a hitherto little-known path towards socialism.
- Gloria La Riva is a lifelong social activist and organizer with the ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. She visited North Korea in 1989 and 2015.
- Sharat G. Lin, PhD writes on global political economy, labor migration, and public health. He is a research fellow and former president of the San José Peace and Justice Center.
4:30 pm Program Part 1:
Issues Roundtable, Gitmo, misc. topics
6:00 pm Vegetarian Potluck Dinner
live music, Mike Rufo, Vic Sadot, Francis Collins
7:00-9:00pm Program, Part 2:
Joanna Macy: Keynote on “Active Hope”
Speakers/Facilitators
Harvey Wasserman and Jon Simon: Clean Elections and Voting Machines
Dennis Burnstein, KPFA host, poet
Donald Goldmacher, “Heist” filmmaker/producer: the new Berkeley Progressive Alliance
Linda Seeley, SLO Mothers for Peace: Shut Diablo Canyon Now!
Shahid Buttar, Bill of Rights Defense Committee/Defending Dissent Foundation: Privacy Rights, Surveillance
Cynthia Papermaster, No More Gitmos and Ann Fagan Ginger, Meiklejohn Institute: Shut Gitmo and Prosecute Torture
Anna Cecelia Blackshaw: SURJ (Standing Up for Racial Justice)
Susan Harman: Public Banking
Toby Blome, Codepink: Ending Drone Wars
George Lippmann: Berkeley Peace & Justice Commission, Police Accountability Civilize and De-militarize the police; stop police murders and brutality
John Lindsay-Poland, AFSC: Stop Urban Shield Audit the Pentagon, End U.S. Wars of Occupation and Plunder
Many activists are overwhelmed with the variety of issues needing their attention. The number of meetings, protests, and actions of various sorts are causing burnout, but worse, we are not seeing many victories and we need some victories to have hope and to keep going to make this world a just and healthy one.
This 2016 election year will be a real opportunity for change if we take advantage of the predicted huge voter turnout to turn the corporate-funded Republicans and Democrats out of office who are not protecting the environment, upholding the law, or legislating for citizens’ needs. Can we unite behind progressive candidates and elect them? We think so. We know it’s possible given the current disgust with the mainstream political parties, the gridlock in Washington, and the corruption that’s evident and literally killing us.
The hoped-for goal of the gathering will be to identify actions and strategies that are, or could, lead to victories on the local, state, national and international level.
Another goal is to cross-pollinate and enhance our limited resources by working together more, by sharing ideas, support and communication so we can better join our voices and creative actions for more clout and more effective results.
A behind the scenes look at the Emergency Room at Highland hospital in Oakland.
Please come support Nailah, a comrade who was part of last year’s uprisings and is having charges filed against her in the last days before her statute of limitations is up
Occupy Forum is an opportunity for open and respectful dialogue
on all sides of these critically important issues!OccupyForum presentsThe Militarization of Police:
Arming a Racist System and Killer Cops
Code Pink: Women for Peace is a grassroots, women-initiated, peace and social justice movement working to end U.S.-funded wars and occupations, to challenge militarism globally, and to redirect our resources into health care, education, green jobs and other life-affirming activities.
The Oakland Privacy Working Group is a coalition of Bay Area activists who originally came together to fight the proposed Oakland Police Department surveillance hub, the Domain Awareness Center (DAC). The DAC was a proposed, $10.9M Department of Homeland Security-funded, 24/7 surveillance center. The project had grown exponentially in scope since its inception and would have enabled law enforcement to engage in widespread warrantless surveillance of Oakland residents, using large numbers of surveillance cameras, license plate readers, thermal imaging devices, gun-shot detection sensors, toll payment tracking for those using electronic passes, and social media monitoring, along with other tools. It spawned a fierce groundswell of resistance, uniting a disparate coalition of impassioned residents who unwaveringly said “no” to government surveillance and the militarization of our community. OPWG continues to fight against the surveillance state and the technology that it uses.
After 5 years of persistent protests at Beale AFB, opposing drone killing and global militarization, and many dozens of arrests over the years with very few trials, the U.S. military & gov’t are now preparing to prosecute, as they grow weary of our continued resistance. Next week, 10 defendants will bring the illegal drone program to Sacramento courts again and welcome supporters!
January 12, Tuesday:
8:00 am – Anti-drone rally in front of courthouse, to include mock drone attack street theater
9:00 am – Arraignment, U.S. Federal Court, 501 I St., Sacramento
(8th Fl., Courtroom 27)
Mid-day, Anti-drone actions in Sacramento:
Full details to be determined, to include Anti-drone march thru Sacramento streets,
Congressional visits, and more.
FB event, sign up here:
www.facebook.com/events/1642557749341977/
WE WILL NOT BE MOVED! OR INTIMIDATED!….
Drone Protest continues at Beale AFB that afternoon, into Jan. 13, am.
On the same day as their arraignment:
The “Beale 10” and supporters will return to Beale AFB for 2 day protest. This will be a solidarity action in support of a protest planned in DC at the State Capitol, called The Real State of the Union. On the same day as President Obama’s State of the Union address (expected to be filled with the usual deception and misinformation), activists in DC and across the country will stage actions to publicly bring attention to the real crises facing our nation and the world, and the failed U.S. policies that contribute to them.
(details below) Solidarity protests are planned at Beale and Creech drone bases the same day, to call for an end to the U.S empire’s number one oppressive tool, armed drones, that mostly kill indiscriminately.
We now have 4 former drone operators and air force veterans speaking out, who have publicly unveiled the real truth about drone killing and how it is destabilizing the world:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43z6EMy8T28
January 12, Tuesday
3-5:00 pm: Vigil/protest, Wheatland Gate,
Intersection of South Beale Rd. & Ostrom Rd.
Evening: Potluck and No Drones Peace Encampment,
(hotel options also)
Main Gate, Beale AFB, end of N. Beale Rd., east of Marysville.
6:00pm: Tentative group viewing of State of Union Address
(in public venue/Marysville, TBD)
RALLY
The President will be delivering his State of the Union Address on Jan. 12th in the evening. Join with other senior and disability organizations, labor unions, and environmental activists to let the President know that California opposes the TPP (and let Congresswoman Pelosi hear us too!). Events like this will be happening around the country on this day –prior to the President’s speech. Stand up and be counted.
If you can’t attend the rally on the Jan. 12th – please be sure to make these calls: (you don’t need to wait until Jan. 12th to call)
STOP THE TRANS PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP (TPP)
It’s a Bad Deal for Seniors, People with Disabilities, and Medicare!
Call Senator Feinstein and Your Congressperson Today
Capitol Switchboard: 877-762-8762
The United States has concluded negotiations on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, and on November 5, 2015, President Obama released the text of the agreement. This started a 90-day period for public review before Congress can take an up or down vote. The agreement contains various provisions that could affect drug prices for all Americans, including seniors. These provisions would block patent reform and jeopardize the government’s ability to negotiate lower prices for drugs in public programs like Medicare. Here are some key talking points that you can use when talking with your elected officials and others about the dangers of the TPP:
Fewer jobs, lower wages
Voting for the TPP means fewer jobs and lower wages for American workers. This is because it fails to address currency manipulation; has incredibly weak rules of origin on autos and auto parts; and fails to level the playing field in terms of state-owned enterprises and labor and environmental standards.
All the rhetoric being used to pitch the TPP has been heard before. NAFTA and CAFTA were supposed to end undocumented immigration. The Colombia Free Trade Agreement was supposed to solve the long-standing issues of violent repression of labor unionists. And the Korea FTA was going to create 70,000 jobs. Not one of these promises has been fulfilled.
Higher Prescription Drug Prices
The Alliance for Retired Americans, Doctors Without Borders, AARP and Oxfam America agree: TPP contains extreme patent protections for name-brand pharmaceuticals that threaten to restrict access to cheaper lifesaving medicines in all TPP countries, including in the United States.
TPP contains a lengthy patent exclusivity period for certain types of drugs – including biologics, special drugs used to treat cancer and arthritis. This will make it more difficult for other companies to manufacture the cheaper generic versions of drugs – leading to higher costs for everyone.
TPP jeopardizes the government’s ability to list and price prescription drugs in public programs, like Medicare, which millions of seniors and disabled people rely on. More specifically, foreign corporations or subsidiaries will be able to challenge Medicare if drug pricing in these programs affects their profits. .
Finally, TPP could tie the hands of future Congresses to negotiate drug prices under Medicare or enact a Medicare drug rebate program, which would save Medicare $121 billion over 10 years.
Americans pay the highest prescription drug prices in the industrialized world, and last year drug prices went up by 13 percent. That’s more than eight times the rate of inflation in a single year! We think Congress should be working on ways to reduce drug costs, rather than making this problem worse. This is not the time to support an agreement that could further increase drug costs to consumers and the government while lining the pockets of the pharmaceutical industry.
Do you know about mental health resources in Alameda County? Learn more on Jan 13! RSVP https://t.co/dhxKdzr8Lb . pic.twitter.com/R4WGMsu2ua
— Keith Carson (@Keith_Carson) January 11, 2016
The Occupy The Farm documentary will be screened on the Sprouts grocery building @ 30th & Broadway today 6pm; protests outside store all day
— Occupy Oakland (@OccupyOakland) January 13, 2016
Go to grand opening of Sprouts grocery 30th & Broadway, #Oakland today & tell shoppers to boycott until company stops paving Gill Tract farm
— Occupy Oakland (@OccupyOakland) January 13, 2016
@OccupyOakland This event has been cancelled.
— Occupy Oakland (@OccupyOakland) January 14, 2016
Gil Tract Farm Slated For Development Against the Will of the Community: Local Berkeley and Albany Elementary School Children Speak out
Elementary School-aged students from Berkeley and Albany will speak out about the further development of the Gil Tract, located on the corner of San Pablo Ave and Marin Ave. in Albany. They will assemble to discuss their feelings about the development of this land which is one of the last viable pieces of farm land left in the East Bay.
Because of great public demand, we will provide an encore showing of “Lowrider Lawyers: Putting a City on Trial” this coming Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Brava Theater in San Francisco’s Mission district! If you attended the premiere, then you know how powerful of a film this is, both for its art and its honest evaluation of the Alex Nieto case. Now you can bring more friends or come for the first time. Read the reviews and know that you are in store for an unprecedented experience. Note, however, at the premiere, we were totally packed, so please get your tickets online to avoid the crowds and a sold-out sign.
Join the Facebook event page and blast this great news out to the world!
We combat injustice with community creativity, solidarity, y amor.
A Barrio Bushido and Maya Media Production
Click on the link to purchase tickets: https://apps.vendini.com/
Click on the link to view the trailer for “Lowrider Lawyers: Putting a City on Trial”: https://www.youtube.com/
Click the link to read all “Lowrider Lawyers” reviews and watch the trailer:
https://
Tim Redmond’s article in 48 Hills: Evidence in Nieto case casts doubt on police story:
http://www.48hills.org/
Click here to read a review of the film and event, “Lowrider Lawyers” Put the City on Trial”:
http://www.48hills.org/
Click here to read an article about the “Lowrider Lawyers” film premiere:
http://missionlocal.org/
“Lowrider Lawyers” Live Grand Premiere Show!
https://www.youtube.com/
“Lowrider Lawyers: Putting a City on Trial” trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/
Click on the link to read a critical article about “Lowrider Lawyers”:
Click here to listen to the “Hard Knock Radio” Lowrider Lawyers Interview that goes from 30:50 to 59:50: https://kpfa.org/player/
Click here to listen to the “La Onda Bajita” Lowrider Lawyers Interview:https://kpfa.org/player/
Click on the link to find out more about Alex Nieto: http://
In Lowrider Lawyers: Putting a City on Trial, the barrio community rises with creativity and amor for Alex Nieto, scholarship student security guard and beloved son, who was unlawfully killed by 48 bullets fired from the San Francisco Police Department on March 21, 2014 on top of Bernal Heights Mountain.
When the Homies discover that Alex, who had never even been arrested in his entire life, has been unjustly executed, they request that the heavy hitters handle the case. Caravanning with other fine rides, the Lowrider Lawyers lowride in a wine-colored 1966 Chevy Impala Convertible to the colonial courthouse, where indigenous danzantes drum out and stomp over evil spirits, and summon the truth into the justice system. A jury of peers, cholo homeboys and homegirls, listen intently to the evidence presented.
Using legal articulation, the Lowrider Lawyers begin with a clear, concise opening statement. They then move to critically examining the witness who actually saw the killing and contradicts the police narrative, a dog owner whose wolf-like dog attacked Alex, and the person, who without reasonable cause, called the police on Alex. The courthouse is then magically transformed into the barrio, where the last Lowrider Lawyer interrogates the police officer who killed Alex Nieto. Balmy Alley’s gentrification mural becomes the vibrant backdrop, and the Homies painted on the walls serve as the jury. Substantive answers from witnesses and the police are based on the actual San Francisco District Attorney’s Report, deposition testimony, and other true accounts.
Real footage of “Amor for Alex” marches and lowrider shows concludes this powerful, unprecedented type of film. Written and directed by Benjamin Bac Sierra and filmed and edited by Peter Menchini. Starring Homies from San Fran and around the Bay, San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ District Nine Candidate Edwin Lindo, national entertainer and singer Favi Estrella, and Stanford Law School graduate and international development consultant Adriana Camarena. Soundtrack by “Dr. Loco” (Jose Cuellar) and Favi Estrella.
Watch the Lowrider Lawyers trailer online at: https://www.youtube.com/
Box office opens at 6:00 p.m. doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Con Safos.
A film by Abigail E. Disney and Gini Reticker
The untold story of the everyday women who brought a warring nation to its senses, armed only with the courage of their convictions is an uplifting and inspiring as well as enraging story of a group of Muslim and Christian women, rich and poor, urban and rural, who bring peace to their beloved but war-torn Liberia. This unsung achievement is gripping suspenseful and ultimately incredibly satisfying. Touching and even funny this film will stay with you for years. In the words of Archbishop Tutu it “captures the power each of us innately has within our souls to make the world a far better, safer, more peaceful place.” A wonderful way for our congregation to bring in the New Year.
Sponsored by the BFUU Social Justice Cmte as part of our Conscientious Projector series.
Wheelchair accessible.
Come protest the new Sprouts “Farmers Market,” a racist, sexist, corporate, big box grocery store chain that has just moved into Oakland. Sprouts is NOT a farmers’ market, but in fact imports food from around the world and doesn’t treat their workers well. Stand against the gentrification of Oakland, in solidarity with Occupy the Farm and the Gill Tract Community Farm, and in support of local food economies and the real farmers markets and local markets owned and operated by the people of Oakland.
The newly emerging “Interfaith Committee in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter–Bay Area” is hosting a vigil and candle-lit funeral procession on the Friday afternoon preceding Martin Luther King Day weekend.
This solemn action will call on Oakland city officials and residents alike to see, connect with, and mourn the Black and Brown lives lost to police violence as well as the losses born by communities of color in Oakland as a result of over-policing, displacement, and gentrification. It will also put City Hall on notice that they can expect continued pressure from Oakland’s faith community to prioritize Black and Brown lives by reallocating money toward affordable housing and alternatives to over-policing.
If you can, please bring a small candle in a clear cup or glass to carry in the procession.
We will walk approximately 3/4 mile together.
*** This action is a response to the callout for 96 Hours of Direct Action to Reclaim King’s Radical Legacy.
PUBLIC PANEL DISCUSSION DANGERS OF TASERS
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE
Jeremy Miller, anti-Taser activist, Idriss Stelley Foundation
(moderator)
Aram James, activist and former Palo Alto Public Defender,
and expert on nation-wide dangers of Tasers
La Mesha Stelley, Idriss Stelley Foundation
Marion Jackson, founder Officers for Justice,
retired Inspector, San Francisco Police Department
Jennifer Friedenbach Executive Director,
Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco
Steve Zeltzer, United Public Workers For Action
Sponsored by
Idriss Stelley Foundation