Calendar
United Nations special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan Mendez will engage with families of incarcerated prisoners in solitary confinement, students, faculty, and advocates/allies to explore: Is solitary confinement as practiced by the California Department of Corrections cruel punishment and torture?
This unofficial visit by Mr. Mendez, who has spoken out publicly about the use of solitary confinement in California prisons, presents an opportunity to engage all campus and community in a dialogue around the use of solitary confinement in our state’s prisons. While prisoners have suspended their historic hunger strike—which spanned 60 days in July and August 2013—communities continue to challenge solitary confinement as torture.
Other speakers:
Bernadette Rabuy, Human Rights of the Incarcerated at Cal
Danny Murillo, Phoenix Scholars Project
Marie Levin, Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition
Jonathan Simon, Adrian A. Kragen Professor of Law
Director, Center for the Study of Law and Society, Berkeley Law
map of UC campus centered on VLSB Bldg.
The Great 1970 Postal Strike, which shut down the mail system throughout the United States for the better part of a week.
This biggest Wildcat Strike in US history resulted in big gains for postal workers – from poverty-level job to a decent job. What were the conditions that gave rise to the strike? What are the lessons for today? Talk by postal union activist David Welsh, and a short film about the 1970 Postal Strike.
On October 19th, hundreds of people will align their bodies to create a human mural spelling out “FUKUSHIMA IS HERE” and then be photographed from the air. We want you with us.
We will arrange ourselves in 100-foot tall lettering. Our aim is to bring awareness to the continuing damage and mismanagement of Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Please arrive in the vicinity by 10:45 a.m. Helicopter overhead at noon sharp. Event finished by approx 12:15.
BRING:
A blanket or tarp to lie down on while we await the helicopter. Water to drink. All of your friends and family (friendly dogs are also welcomed). October weather is usually great, but you never know. Check the forecast and dress appropriately. (CAUTION: This forecast is for “inland” San Francisco. Conditions at Ocean Beach can be quite a bit colder and breezier.)
Stand up for your air, water, climate and community. The Global Frackdown will unite concerned citizens everywhere for a day of action, calling for a ban on fracking across the globe.
THE BATTLE FOR OSCAR GRANT PLAZA is a short documentary by Jacob Crawford about how the City of Oakland and its Police tried to shut down the budding “Occupy Wall Street” movement, turning downtown Oakland into a teargas filled war zone and injuring numerous people. Police video obtained in discovery in the National Lawyers Guild’s successful lawsuit and interviews with activists and journalists about their experiences, tell the real story of the disastrous Fall, 2011, police actions that pushed the troubled OPD to the brink of federal receivership. Co-produced by Dave Id, Indybay.org.
MANUFACTURING GUILT is a short film that appears as a Bonus Feature on our dvd MUMIA: LONG DISTANCE REVOLUTIONARY (www.firstrunfeatures.com/mumiadvd.html). The short takes on the colossus of Abu-Jamal’s contentious case, distilling a mountain of evidence and years of oft-repeated falsehoods to the most fundamental elements of police and prosecutorial misconduct that illustrate a clear and conscious effort to frame Mumia Abu-Jamal for the murder of patrolman Daniel Faulkner. Based on the actual record of investigations and court filings from 1995 to 2003 – evidence denied by the courts and ignored in the press – MANUFACTURING GUILT cuts through the years of absurdities and overt racism to produce a clear picture of how Abu-Jamal’s guilt was manufactured and his innocence suppressed beginning only moments after he and Faulkner were found shot in the early morning hours of December 9th, 1981. This historic and courageous film is the perfect companion to Long Distance Revolutionary – a film that is unequivocal in its force regarding Abu-Jamal’s innocence.
The films will be followed by a discussion with, among others, Adam & Jeralynn Blueford, parents of Alan Blueford.
Tickets can be purchased here.
What the new globalized, high-tech imperialism means for the class struggle in the U.S.
http://www.lowwagecapitalism.com/
2nd in series of three classes We will cover section 2 of 3 this week. If you missed session 1, no worries, you’ll be able to follow the discussion with no problem.
Our weekly open meeting for members and supporters to discuss the weeks tasks and projects. Come get plugged into ongoing housing defense work! We have abundant and varied work for all folks in any number of meaningful projects.
Rain location: SF Pizza, 1500 Broadway, Oakland
Our weekly open meeting for members and supporters to discuss the week’s tasks and projects. Come get plugged into ongoing housing defense work! We have abundant and varied work for all folks in any number of meaningful projects.
Rain location: SF Pizza, 1500 Broadway, Oakland
Meet at Berth 58, the SSA Terminal, at 5:00 AM!!
Port Truck Drivers have self organized and voted to shut down the port of Oakland on Monday morning at 5am! Solidarity requested! Support these workers who have been taking it on the chin and are fighting back!
From an email:
Yesterday a group of about 100 Port truck drivers voted unanimously to picket/strike/protest/shutdown the port on Monday morning at 5am.
Facebook page: More info & RSVP.
An Open Letter to the Community From the Port Truckers.
IMPORTANT LOGISTICS INFORMATION: There is parking on the Port at 7th and Adeline. Middle harbor park parking lot will be locked until daybreak. There are carpools from the Northwest corner of West Oakland BART (you can ride the bus there or park for free in the lot). Carpool drivers can be identified by the flashing light on their dashboard when they pull up to pick up riders. They will be driving people from the parking lot directly to the SSA terminal.
Please wear warm clothes! It is very cold in the mornings on the Port!
The NLG hotline will be up tomorrow! Please write the number on yourself in permanent marker! (415)285-1011
https://www.facebook.com/events/536144669809976/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
AFTER THAT WE WILL BE RE-CONVERGING AT 2 PM AT WEST OAKLAND BART FOR THE SOLIDARITY PICKET, POTLUCK AND ASSEMBLY TO ORGANIZE THE 5 PM PICKET OF THE SSA TERMINAL
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news%2Flocal%2Feast_bay&id=9294329
Solidarity Picket for BART Workers Strike and Assembly for Port Truckers! FREE STORE, ASSEMBLY AND POTLUCK AT WEST OAKLAND BART EVERY DAY OF THE STRIKE @ 2 PM
THIS EVENT IS A SOLIDARITY PICKET AT WEST OAKLAND BART – 2PM POTLUCK AND MUTUAL AID FREE STORE AND ASSEMBLY. At the assembly we will form committees to coordinate food/clothing – conflict mediation – medical – media – propaganda- action.
Bart workers are on strike and as we know an injury to one is an injury to all. They are trying to make an example and divide the working class but we have the potential right now for a GENERAL STRIKE! THE IBEW Local 6, AFSCME 3993, AFSCME, IUOE 39, CAPS, SEIU Local 1000
Inter-Union Organizing Committee at CDPH and the ILWU Local 10 made solidarity statements and/or passed solidarity resolutions.
Also see Occupy Oakland’s solidarity resolution for the BART workers.
We know that their is a master plan to divide the working class because people can’t get to work.
We must unite in solidarity with one another. Drop all internal conflicts and be accountable to each other. Don’t be oppressive! We must support each other in our daily struggles. With our skills and privileges shared we can provide all our needs!
UNITE THE WORKING CLASS AND POOR!
THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL IWW EVENT.
People are needed to keep up a presence at the Port of Oakland so that ILWU workers can have a picket line not to cross. Come out and support the Port Truckers’ attempt to negotiate fair working conditions.
People are needed at 5:30 SHARP!
The Post Office has put the Berkeley Post Office up for sale!! Come and help plan our next actions in defense of our post office and against privatization.
Two weeks ago we learned that perfidious Post Office Executives, who only the week before had sent a letter to the Berkeley City Council offering to negotiate until at least November 12th, had had CBRE (Richard Blum’s company) list the downtown Berkeley Post Office for sale.
Check out the video of Peter Byrne’s talk last week at our Save the Post Office Rally!
Occupy Forum Presents
The Fight for Homeless Rights
with:
Paul Boden – WRAP [Western Regional Advocacy Project]; founder of the SF Coalition on Homelessness and long-time organizer, hell-raiser, writer and inspiration for poor and homeless people like himself in their visionary and practical fight for civil rights and social transformation – speaking on the California Homeless Bill of Rights and homeless-led organizing in California and the West
Mike Zint – longtime OccupySF organizer and strong presence and force in the 24-hour Occupy at Bradley Manning Plaza and 101 Market; organizer of the Occupy the Sidewalks campaign actions against the illegal sit/lie and anti-‘lodging’ laws being used to scapegoat and harass poor and homeless people in San Francisco – speaking about the from-the-street fight for human and constitutional rights
Attend the Albany city council meeting on Monday, October 21st and tell them to delay the evictions until permanent, affordable housing exists. March from the Albany Bulb (1 Buchanan Street) at 6:30 to the city council meeting, which starts at 7:30.
A message from Oscar Grant’s uncle, Cephus Johnson:
If you are planning to go to Sacramento for National day against police brutality, repression, and criminalization of a generation, there will be a 45 seat bus at Oscar Grant Plaza at 8:00-8:30 am departing at 09:00 am. This is a free bus ride there and back, First come first serve until bus is full. Get their early to secure your FREE ride.
NO SCHOOL, NO WORK, NO BUSINESS AS USUAL UNTIL POLICE ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE MURDERS OF:
Oscar Grant
Alan Blueford
Idriss Stelley
Kenneth Harding
Kelly Thomas
Gary King
Manuel Diaz
Mario Romero
…
NATIONAL DAY AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY.
October 22nd is a day that people around the nation have mobilized every year since 1996 for a National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation. It is crucial that we bring forward a powerful National Day of Protest in cities and towns across the U.S. to challenge the ongoing violence against the people. This October 22nd, stand with thousands across the country to express our collective outrage, creativity, and resistance in response to the crimes of this system. On October 22nd, WEAR BLACK, FIGHT BACK!
Buses will leave for Sacramento at 8:00 – 9:00 AM from Oscar Grant Plaza.
A message from ‘Uncle Bobby’, Oscar Grant’s uncle:
f you are planning to go to Sacramento for National day against police brutality, repression, and criminalization of a generation, there will be a 45 seat bus at Oscar Grant Plaza at 8:00-8:30 am departing at 09:00 am. This is a free bus ride there and back, First come first serve until bus is full. Get their early to secure your FREE ride.
Stop Mass Incarceration website.
If you can’t make it to Sacramento on this 18th annual day of protest, you can still take action.
Wear Black! Hoodies Up!
If you couldn’t sleep when the verdict of Trayvon Martin’s killer came down…
If you burn with anger or agony living in such a society…
The countdown is on, just three days left til our big day! There’s already been a lot of media attention. We have had interviews with the Oakland Tribune, Oakland North, tomorrow on Hard Knock, Thurs on Kpfa’s Morning Show and several other local publications.
Now we just need to finalize some last minute logistical plans.
We have a meeting Wednesday where we’ll make posters, and the banner, at the Oakland Peace Center at 6:30 tomorrow… so please bring any cardboard and/or supplies you have lying around.
Noura, Lynn and Ali
(Also, there’s an important Berkeley Police Review Board meeting that Copwatch needs folks to come out to, at the same time as tomorrow’s meeting…so if you can’t be in Oakland, hope you can go to that. 🙂 Good luck Andrea & CopWatch!!)
Berkeley Copwatch has collected enough signatures to require the Berkeley Police Review Commission to hold a Special Meeting to hear from the public their concerns about what went wrong when Kayla died in police custody.
Please Come to the next Police Review Commission Meeting!
Read the just released People’s Investigation: In-Custody Death of Kayla Moore.
Join the demonstrations against “Urban Shield,” a war game and weapons show that will be held in the Bay Area from October 25th-28th. This convention brings together more than 150 local, state, federal, international and private sector partners defined as “first responders” to “critical events” in “our high-threat, high-density urban area.” They includes human rights violators such as police departments from BART’s to Bahrain’s, together with private security corporations and weapons manufacturers.
Join the Facing Urban Shield Action Network on October 25 to confront the weapons manufacturers and the local officials who are working with them as their exhibition kicks off in downtown Oakland, and let them know that Urban Shield is not welcome here. The last thing Oakland needs is a further militarization of the police in our neighborhoods. A real shield for our city would provide jobs, healthcare, affordable housing, and good schools!
What/when:
* Community witness/walking picket 9am to 5pm
* Rally 5pm
* March to Oscar Grant Plaza at 6:00 PM.
* “The Battle For Oscar Grant Plaza.” A new documentary by Jacob Crawford about 025 and N2, 2011, will be shown after it gets dark.
Who we are:
* The Facing Urban Shield Action Network consists of 30 Bay Area community organizations.
Why you should join us in taking action against Urban Shield:
* Urban Shield deepens the militarization of police in our neighborhoods, which results in harassment and violence, disproportionately against African-American, Latino and Arab/Muslim communities.
* Urban Shield provides training and information sharing among SWAT teams and international police forces, many of which are guilty of major human rights violations – including teams from Israel, Bahrain and Qatar among others.
* Urban Shield normalizes the use of ‘non-lethal’ chemical weapons, surveillance drones, armored cars and other military weapons against Muslims, people of color and peaceful protestors.
* Urban Shield spends up to $7.5 million of public monies – to fund big “defense” contractors that turn disaster and deadly conflict into profit. We see this trend in attempts to purchase tanks and drones by police forces and sheriffs across the Bay Area.
* Urban Shield targets people expressing their right of freedom of assembly and protest through scenarios presenting activists as a danger to public safety. By promoting fear of ‘terrorism’, Urban Shield justifies Islamophobia, stop and frisk, and other intrusions into our constitutional rights.
What you can do:
* Come out on October 25 and show your opposition to further militarization of the police.
* Join the Facing Urban Shield Action Network and help us make sure this is the last time Urban Shield comes to Oakland. Email us at beitconvivencia [at] gmail.com or facingteargas [at] warresisters.org