Calendar
On July 12, activist organizations, migrant rights groups, and community members will mobilize at Palantir’s HQ in Palo Alto at 4:30 PM. Palantir’s contracts w/ ICE make our mass detention of migrants in concentration camps possible. We demand justice NOW! #CloseTheCamps #AbolishICE #LetThemAllIn
Join us to kick off the national day of action to close the migrant and refugee concentration camps in the United States.
Coalition partners: Silicon Valley De-Bug, SIREN Coalition, Serve the People San Jose, Jewish Voice for Peace Bay Area, PSL San Francisco, Bay Area Tech Workers Coalition, Anakbayan Silicon Valley.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/6FrRzrNDKPSX8qWVA
WHY PALANTIR?
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612335/amazon-is-the-invisible-backbone-behind-ices-immigration-crackdown/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/13/tech-workers-palantir-immigration-protest-github
https://wearyourvoicemag.com/news-politics/companies-profit-migrants-detention
Please join us THIS FRIDAY, JULY 12, 5 PM at Oakland City Hall – Vigil Gathering for Immigrant Children. Children should not be put in cages. Threats of mass deportation, deaths at our borders, and the inhumane detention conditions of children are unacceptable. #CloseTheCamps pic.twitter.com/k7bavmo9UF
— Supv. Keith Carson (@Keith_Carson) July 8, 2019
PLEASE JOIN US EVERY FRIDAY
“BASTA FREE CHELSEA AND JULIEN ” VIGIL DEMO POTLUCK MUSIC (7PM AFTER PARTY/MEETING ) FRUITVALE & MACARTHUR OAKLAND
WE HOPE TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO OUR ON GOING CAMPAIGNS IN THE BAY ARE here is a link to the bay area action for julien which includes CHELSEA SUPPORT PLEASE SIGN UP
https://bayaction2freeassange.org
Ok, folks, here’s the deal: the Main stream media (MSM) is so full of lies, it’s got the masses confused!! There’s only a few places we can get the truth.
Chelsea and Julian, were two of the most important WHISTLE BLOWERS to tell the truth about USA’s illegal, immoral WARS. That’s why our “US leadership” wants them dead. USA is the largest TERRORIST country in history, killing, wounding, and forcing immigration on millions of folks all over the world!!
To us, saving Chelsea and Julian is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! They told us the truth about the wars! And all the NEW MACARTHYISM. is due to blaming Julian for being a puppet of Russia. So much of all our issues stem from the honesty of Chelsea and Julian!! That’s why our govt. wants to kill them!
Please join us Fridays at our vigil/demo/music/potluck at MacArthur and Fruitvale, and if you know other organizations around the state and the country, contact them and encourage them to organize to protect Chelsea and Julian as well!! We have some pretty good posters, but also bring your own. Thanks. gg and Orion
VIRAL CHELSEA 2 MIN VIDEO TO ABOLISH ICE
https://youtube/R7qpQGGQqa8
AFTER U WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TO CHELSEA (only hand written and no post cards no pictures do not write any thing on the outside of the letter to Chelsea Elizabeth Manning
William G. Truedale Adult Detention Center
2001 MILL ROAD
ALEXANDRIA VA 22314
Our Mission: FREEDOM.
Lights for Liberty: https://www.lightsforliberty.org/
We are a coalition of people, many of whom are mothers, dedicated to human rights, and the fundamental principle behind democracy that all human beings have a right to life, liberty and dignity.
We are partnering with national, regional and local communities and organizations who believe that these fundamental rights are not negotiable and are willing to protect them.
On Friday July 12th, 2019, Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps, will bring thousands of Americans to detention camps across the country, into the streets and into their own front yards, to protest the inhumane conditions faced by refugees.
Meeting in San Francisco’s Market Street at the Powell St. Cable Turnaround, San Francisco can join other cities across the country in this effort.
“GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR, YOUR HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE.” – Inscription on the Statue of Liberty
Please join us for this candlelight vigil to stand in solidarity with immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and in protest of detention and family separations. Together let’s be the change and stand up for compassion and human rights.
Check event page for more and updated details.
On July 12, 2019, thousands of people across the country will pour into the streets and into their own front yards to protest the inhumane conditions faced by migrants, all as part of Lights for Liberty: A Nationwide Vigil to End Human Detention Camps.
Indivisible East Bay is proud to join the wide coalition of groups presenting Lights for Liberty events! We will co-host an event on the evening of Friday July 12 with Together We Will-Albany Berkeley and El Cerrito Progressives.
We will gather on the University Avenue pedestrian bridge in Berkeley, over I-80. Please bring a candle for the vigil. (We have a few.) Large signs are preferred so cars on the freeway can read them until it gets dark. Signs should reflect the inhumane conditions of refugees, detentions, and camps. After dark, we will light our candles against this darkness in our country.
Worldwide event website: https://www.lightsforliberty.org/
Green New Deal Mobilization 101 11am – 1pm
Come, join other activists from community organizations which support the Green New Deal
l Speak your piece l Tell it like it is l Move the process forward
Sponsored by BFUU Social Justic Committee
Contact : Gene Herman | genebh@lmi.net | 510-684-1491
Break bread together – lunch provided by BFUU – 1 – 2pm
l Build Community l Conspire l Reminisce l Schmooze
Sponsored by BFUU Hospitality and Membership Committees
Contact : Jeff Palmer | jeffpalmer123@comcast.net
Music to dance to by Moses Canales and Soul Rising 2 – 4pm
l Bring your dancing shoes l Music of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s
Sponsored by BFUU Music & Social Justice Committees and BFUU Social Justice Ministry Task Force
Contact : Dr. Susan T. Mashiyama | music@bfuu.org
Context: The current price of commodity coffee is below $1 and does not cover the cost of production for most producers, especially smallholder farmers. These producers are at the risk of starvation, lack school fees and healthcare funds and some are risking illegal immigration to the U.S. or switching to illegal crops. What can be done to help? But first, are consumers even aware of this coffee crisis given the cost of a cup of coffee is rising or not considered cheap.
Event: This event will seek to raise awareness and educate consumers of the coffee crisis and its impact on marginalized communities, especially women, people of color and migrants.
Format: Panel (20 minutes discussion) + Q&A (20 minutes) + Social and complimentary coffee
Venue: Red Bay Coffee, Saturday, July 13th at 11am to 1pm
Organizers: Red Bay, Fair Trade, Kahawa 1893
Hosted by SURJ – Oakland/Bay Area
Yes to Asylum Seekers! Sanctuary for all! No to White Supremacy! Join us as we line the streets and create a human billboard calling for human rights for all asylum seekers. We are outraged at the deaths at the border, the caging and kidnapping of children and the horrific conditions inside the detention centers. We call for an end to family separation, an end to detention centers and an open border for all those seeking asylum.
The mobilization is part of national protests, Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps, which will mobilize thousands of people to detention camps across the country.
Most migrants to the U.S. risk a tortuous journey, arrest, detention and family separation because they face even greater dangers at home. The tragic photos of migrants who have died pursuing asylum also show us their love for family, the desperation they feel, their courage and resolve, and the humanity we share. They are leaving their homes because of brutal conditions including violence, poverty and climate change. The US has a long and ugly history of destabilizing progressive governments in Central America and around the world while empowering tyrants to do its bidding. The US created the conditions which the migrants are fleeing. And now those same powers are implementing even crueler ways to deter and deport as many asylum seekers as possible. To Trump and his base “make america great again” translates to “make america white”.
Gather with us on July 13th. Bring your signs and your energy!
Please also join our Art Build on Sunday 7/7. Email for location, time and more information about the Art Build: mobilization@surbayarea.org
The US & Global Fight Against Privatization & Outsourcing
The destruction of our public services and privatization of public education is a serious issue for all working people. The US Post Office, Social Security, the FAA, NRC, and many other Federal and State agencies are threatened with privatization and outsourcing.
In San Francisco, the privatization of SF City jobs and the outsourcing of public jobs at UCSF and UC is an ongoing battle for workers and their unions.
This conference will discuss how workers from all public service unions can come together for education and a national political education campaign to stop privatization and outsourcing.
This is not just a US issue but a critical issue as well for working people throughout the world. The world corporate economic institutions, including the IMF and World Bank, both controlled by the US government, have demanded that countries privatize their public services and deregulate their economies in order to get loans.
This conference will have reports on privatization and outsourcing in San Francisco, the US, and around the world.
Sponsored by UPWA.info
https://laborfest.net/event/the-us-global-fight-against-privatization-outsourcing/
Join us for Print Pubic’s closing reception with t.w.five’s Mural Walk Tour and Sergio De La Torre & Chris Treggiari’s The Sanctuary City Print Shop!
MURAL WALK TOUR @ SAN PABLO AVENUE
t.w.five’s murals aim to inspire and connect people. For Print Public they installed three outside murals along San Pablo Avenue. and a gallery installation with quotes of unity and love from various sources including lyrics from East Bay musician/poet Michael Franti.. In their own words they describe their project and process: “… like everywhere else in the Bay Area changes in demographics are also present. Finding random empty wall spaces here and there, we felt that they were perfect canvas to leave a visual impact in colorful palettes and messages. Hopefully people who pass or drive by will feel like these pieces are inspiring surprise elements in their daily paths.” Their murals are located at Flooring Alternatives (2901 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley), Art’s Automotive (2871 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley) and Bob’s Machining Company (2735 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley).
THE SANCTUARY CITY PRINT SHOP @ FLOORING ALTERNATIVES
Sergio De La Torre and Chris Treggiari’s The Sanctuary City Print Shop is an ongoing project looking at Sanctuary Cities, ICE raids and their effect in the Bay Area immigrant community. Through conversations with local nonprofits and their constituents, this new iteration created pop-up printing events at various locations along San Pablo Avenue and in the expanded Bay Area. The project’s goal is to amplify these voices – using posters to get these messages out up and down San Pablo Avenue. In the Kala gallery, messages are directly silkscreen-printed on the wall with a timeline video showing qualitative and quantitative research surrounding the sanctuary ordinance and immigration issues beginning in 1989, when San Francisco became a sanctuary city, until present day. They also installed a banner “The Country of The Immigrant is Here” on the side wall at Flooring Alternatives (2901 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley), directly across the street from the Kala Gallery where they will be facilitating printmaking activities.
CHECK BELOW FOR LOCATIONS OTHER THAN FOR 7/6 and 7/7
SF Mime Troupe’s play – Using the classic pirate novel Treasure Island as its inspiration the show is the story of Hawkins, a civil servant in San Francisco, who accidentally stumbles upon the plans of a developer, L.J. Silver. Through bribery, and label brutality, Silver is overriding all the clear health, safety, and human concerns regarding developing Treasure Island for his own greed.
Written by Michael Gene Sullivan with Ellen Callas, Marie Cartier, Keiko Shimosato Carreiro.
Music by Michael Bello, Lyrics by Daniel Savio.
Co-Directed by Wilma Bonet with Lisa Hori-Garcia.
TREASURE ISLAND features Mime Troupe veterans Lizzie Calogero, Keiko Shimosato Carreiro, Michael Gene Sullivan, as well as returning performers Andre Amarotico and Brian Rivera
Other East Bay dates and locations:
- Frances Willard/Ho Chi Minh Park
Sat, Jul 13th @ 2:00 PM (Music 1:30)
Sun, Jul 14th @ 2:00 PM (Music 1:30)
Hillegass Ave. & Derby St., Berkeley
Ticket Info: FREE (Suggested donation $20)
Post show discussion on 7/13
- Lakeside Park / Lake Merritt
Wed, Jul 31st @ 7:00 PM (Music 6:30)
Thu, Aug 1st @ 7:00 PM (Music 6:30)
Edoff Memorial Band Stand, Oakland
Ticket Info: FREE (Suggested donation $20)
In front of the Edoff Memorial Band Stand - Live Oak Park
Sat, Aug 3rd @ 2:00 PM (Music 1:30)
Sun, Aug 4th @ 2:00 PM (Music 1:30)
Shattuck Ave. & Berryman St., Berkeley
Ticket Info: FREE (Suggested donation $20)
Post show discussion on 8/3
- Our medical debt erasure campaign with RIP Medical Debt is doing well (but needs more signal-boosting). We joined another Alameda County campaign, and together we’re more than two-thirds of the way to our minimum goal. Our donation page is here. The online version of our flyer, with live links, is here. Our FAQ is here. We can also link you to a printable version of the flyer if you have places to hand them out. Press release: press-release-after-1m-raised-final
- Continuing our discussion group on new economic thinking., which began by reading and Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth, continued with Take Back the Economy by Gibson-Graham et al, and for our August meeting will read the introduction and first chapter of Ellen Brown’s latest book, Banking on the People: Democratizing Money in the Digital Age. The book group discussion will take place immediately following the Strike Debt Bay Area meeting.
- Organizing for public banking in the East Bay! Public Banking East Bay (which overlaps significantly with our group) is also an active member of the California Public Banking Alliance. The Green New Deal envisions financing through public banks! AB857, which will pave the way for local and regional California public banks, is in committee hearings next week in Sacramento.
- Supporting student debt resistance, working with our sister organization, The Debt Collective. At the end of last year, the Debt Collective won a huge victory against Betsy DeVos and the Trump Department of “Education.”
- Supporting the progress of bail reform law, better than the 2018 California law (including the new end of cash bail policy in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Charlotte’s county), while also fighting modern day debtors’ prisons and exploitative ticketing and fining schemes
- Organizing for Tiny Homes, better sanctioned encampments than Oakland is now currently creating, and other ways to help homeless people get housing and support
- Promoting the concept of universal basic income
- Helping out America’s only non-profit check-cashing organization (an Oakland institution) and fighting against usurious for-profit pay-day lenders and their ilk
- Advocating for postal banking, now a national conversation because of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s bill to restore it to U.S. law
- Fighting the current proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, while promoting single-payer / Medicare for All to end the plague of medical debt
- Bring your own debt-related project!
If you are new to Strike Debt and want to come early, meet one or two of us and get a briefing on our projects before we dive into our agenda, email us at strike.debt.bay.area@gmail.com
Strike Debt – Principles of Solidarity
Strike Debt is building a debt resistance movement. We believe that most individual debt is illegitimate and unjust. Most of us fall into debt because we are increasingly deprived of the means to acquire the basic necessities of life: health care, education, and housing. Because we are forced to go into debt simply in order to live, we think it is right and moral to resist it.
We also oppose debt because it is an instrument of exploitation and political domination. Debt is used to discipline us, deepen existing inequalities, and reinforce racial, gendered, and other social hierarchies. Every Strike Debt action is designed to weaken the institutions that seek to divide us and benefit from our division. As an alternative to this predatory system, Strike Debt advocates a just and sustainable economy, based on mutual aid, common goods, and public affluence.
Strike Debt is committed to the principles and tactics of political autonomy, direct democracy, direct action, creative openness, a culture of solidarity, and commitment to anti-oppressive language and conduct. We struggle for a world without racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and all forms of oppression.
Strike Debt holds that we are all debtors, whether or not we have personal loan agreements. Through the manipulation of sovereign and municipal debt, the costs of speculator-driven crises are passed on to all of us. Though different kinds of debt can affect the same household, they are all interconnected, and so all household debtors have a common interest in resisting.
Strike Debt engages in public education about the debt-system to counteract the self-serving myth that finance is too complicated for laypersons to understand. In particular, it urges direct action as a way of stopping the damage caused by the creditor class and their enablers among elected government officials. Direct action empowers those who participate in challenging the debt-system.
Strike Debt holds that we owe the financial institutions nothing, whereas, to our friends, families and communities, we owe everything. In pursuing a long-term strategy for national organizing around this principle, we pledge international solidarity with the growing global movement against debt and austerity.
Reading for June 15th Meeting: Introduction and First Chapter of ‘Take Back the Economy.’
Reading for July 13th Meeting: Fourth Chapter: Take Back the Market.
What can we, as individuals do, to seek a more just, sustainable and equitable world?
“Take Back the Economy dismantles the idea that the economy is separate from us and best comprehended by experts. Instead, the authors demonstrate that the economy is the outcome of the decisions and efforts we make every day. The economy is thus reframed as a space of ethical action – something we can shape and alter according to what is best for the well-being of people and the planet.
“The book explores what people are already doing to build ethical economies, presenting these deeds as mutual concerns: What is necessary for survival, and what do we do with the surplus produced beyond what will fulfill basic needs? What do we consume, and how do we preserve and replenish the common – those resources that can be shared to maintain all? And finally, how can we invest in a future worth living in?”
Strike Debt Bay Area hosts this economics-oriented, non-technical book discussion group, meeting approximately once a month. The first month’s discussion was about the introduction to and first chapter of ‘Take Back the Economy’ by J K Gibson-Graham, Jenny Cameron and Stephen Healy. The second month’s discussion is about Chapter 4 of the book: Take Back the Market. It’s easy to catch up, the Intro and First Chapter are easy reading. All are welcome!
The book is available via online (e.g. Minnesota Press), the introduction is available via ‘Look Inside’, and a few copies exist in local libraries.
Bring your questions, comments and intellectual curiosity!
“Take Back the Economy is the single most farsighted and practical work enlightening us on the path to a steady transition toward a genuine postcapitalist world…” – Arturo Escobar, University of North Carolina
Monthly interfaith prayer meeting, held on second Sundays, dedicated to healing.
The Bahá’í 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.
Come share prayers, quotes, poems, and favorite passages from your scriptures with us. Simple breakfast will be served.
Doors open: 10:00 AM
Refreshments served: 10:00-10:30 AM
Prayers: 10:30-11:30 AM
Discussion and socializing: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
“Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.” ~ Bahá’u’lláh
“Remember the saying: ‘Of all pilgrimages the greatest is to relieve the sorrow-laden heart.'” ~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Help create stand-out visuals for a key rally in the campaign to get coal out of Richmond! And get this classy t-shirt! On July 18 we need a huge crowd to tell the Planning Commission to approve the proposed ordinance to phase out all coal handling in Richmond in three years. Banners and signs and more, oh my!
All volunteers get this classy No Coal in Richmond t-shirt (soon to be seen on TV) while supplies last, on the condition that you wear it to the rally.
Sun, Jun 16, 2019: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Cuba”s Democracy
Constitutional Referendum and grassroots political processes.
Cuba is always described as a “dictatorship” by the mainstream media and the U.S. government, thus providing a pretext for the economic blockade and talk about regime change. But Sharat G. Lin found a remarkable democratic process in the recent Constitutional Referendum in Cuba and months of nationwide discussions involving millions of voters. (Awaiting confirmation)
Sun, Jun 30, 2019: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Fascism What It Is and How To Fight It
“Fascism: What It Is and How To Fight It” – a two part talk including a historical overview of the events leading up to the rise of fascism in Europe leading up to WWII, and a political analysis of the failures of the communist movement at the time in preventing it. This all in light of the current rise of white supremacy and fascist movements in the U.S., Europe and Latin America and the lack of a united left movement to fight it. Supplemental handouts will be available, including a timeline. Presented by Peoples Alliance members Bill Bowers and Tova Fry (both former WWP) : Bill leading with the historical overview and TovaFry following with the political analysis, largely based on Trotsky’s work of the same name.
Sun, Jul 7, 2019: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Reading Capital
This is part of a continuing discussion of Capital, reading, paragraph by paragraph from the Penguin edition (1967). We’ve finished Chapter One (after one year) and are now working our way through Chapter 2: The Process of Exchange, p. 178.
Sun, Jul 7, 2019: 12:45-1:45 pm
Planning Session
We get together after the morning session on the first Sunday of every month to discuss things in general and plan the schedule for our Sunday Morning at the Marxist Library forums. This is an open meeting. Everyone is welcome to help plan our future sessions. Please come with suggestions and concrete plans. Also, please review our web site to familiarize yourself with our current proposals. Newcomers and Old Timers welcome.
Sun, Jul 14, 2019: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
General Elections in India:
Modi’s Fascism vs. Social Democrats and the Left
Modi has completed 5 years in power, with his BJP having a majority in the Indian Parliament. In 2014, Modi won on the slogan of “Be with everyone, development for everyone” in the background of major corruption scandals in the last 5 years of the 10 years that Congress Party ruled (2004 thru 2014), with Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi as the Congress Party President.
Modi moved rapidly to consolidate power in his hands, ousting or sidelining veteran leaders in his own Party. Under his 5 years of rule, “cow protectors” have become emboldened. Several incidents of lynching of Muslims have taken place, religious bigotry is openly practiced, and assassinations of several public intellectuals, all secularists, have taken place while he mostly sat silently over such egregious violations of civil rights. Further he has tried to create a militarist posture and sought to portray himself as a strong PM, who is willing to take on the terrorists based in Pakistan aggressively. His policies of “demonetization” of 1916 created a great deal of small business distress. Unemployment is at 45 year high and farm distress and farmer suicides continue. But the mass media, now privately owned, and funded by big capital has helped create him as a “the man of the people”.
Raj Sahai will present his views on what is beginning to boil under the surface of a seeming “all is well” scenario presented in India in the mass media and projected and globally.
Sunday Morning at the Marxist Library
Sun, Jun 30, 2019: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Fascism: What It Is and How To Fight It.
“Fascism: What It Is and How To Fight It” – a two part talk including a historical overview of the events leading up to the rise of fascism in Europe leading up to WWII, and a political analysis of the failures of the communist movement at the time in preventing it. This all in light of the current rise of white supremacy and fascist movements in the U.S., Europe and Latin America and the lack of a united left movement to fight it. Supplemental handouts will be available, including a timeline. Presented by Peoples Alliance members Bill Bowers and Tova Fry (both former WWP): Bill leading with the historical overview and TovaFry following with the political analysis, largely based on Trotsky’s work of the same name. Questions and comments will follow the presentations with time limits as needed to ensure that as many people as possible can express their views or ask their questions.
Sun, Jul 14, 2019: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
General Elections in India:
Modi’s Fascism vs. Social Democrats and the Left
Modi has completed 5 years in power, with his BJP having a majority in the Indian Parliament. In 2014, Modi won on the slogan of “Be with everyone, development for everyone” in the background of major corruption scandals in the last 5 years of the 10 years that Congress Party ruled (2004 thru 2014), with Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi as the Congress Party President.
Modi moved rapidly to consolidate power in his hands, ousting or sidelining veteran leaders in his own Party. Under his 5 years of rule, “cow protectors” have become emboldened. Several incidents of lynching of Muslims have taken place, religious bigotry is openly practiced, and assassinations of several public intellectuals, all secularists, have taken place while he mostly sat silently over such egregious violations of civil rights. Further he has tried to create a militarist posture and sought to portray himself as a strong PM, who is willing to take on the terrorists based in Pakistan aggressively. His policies of “demonetization” of 1916 created a great deal of small business distress. Unemployment is at 45 year high and farm distress and farmer suicides continue. But the mass media, now privately owned, and funded by big capital has helped create him as a “the man of the people”.
Raj Sahai will present his views on what is beginning to boil under the surface of a seeming “all is well” scenario presented in India in the mass media and projected and globally.