Calendar
On January 8th, the city of San Leandro will have a public meeting.
There will be a presentation displaying the “tank” (armored personel carrier – a Lenco Bearcat) at 5:00 pm. The City Council meeting runs from 6:00pm to whenever.
The San Leandro Police Department will receive $200,000 towards the purchase of a Lenco Bearcat Medevac Tactical Armored Vehicle. The funds come from a $1.6 million “Homeland Security Grant for disaster assistance and overall management of regional emergency response activities.”
Military equipment in urban and suburban police departments have introduced a wide range of problems and concerns including crackdowns on legal protest activities, increased profiling, and police attacks on unarmed black men and women.The armored vehicle has “steel armor plate certified to defeat multi-hit attacks from 7.62 AP / .50 Cal BMG, while ceilings and floors provide enhanced blast and fragmentation protection.” according to the company web site. It also features “a roof hatch with a gunner’s stand” and “gun ports.” There is also a military version of the vehicle, but the agenda item doesn’t indicate which version San Leandro is getting.
Come to the meeting to say that small suburban towns like San Leandro don’t need armored personnel carriers and serving and protecting the community is different than terrorizing the community with war machines.
: : : : : : Reclaiming King’s Legacy : : : : : :
“This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
There is a state-sponsored war on Black lives in the United States and people across the country are demanding that it comes to an end. As long as it remains business as usual to gun down Black women, men and children in the streets of this country, there will be no business as usual anywhere or for anyone. Shut. It. Down.
Oakland’s Anti Police-Terrorism Project is calling a bay area wide spokescouncil to plan and coordinate actions for the upcoming Martin Luther King Day weekend (1/16-1/19). Let’s carry forward and amplify the struggle, together!
PLEASE SAVE THE FOLLOWING DATES for upcoming meetings in your calendar. Before your first meeting, please make sure to attend an orientation!
> Monday Jan 5th, 7pm orientation and kickoff meeting, CNA Offices
> Thursday Jan 8th, 6pm orientation, 7pm meeting, OMNI Commons
> Saturday Jan 10th, 10am orientation, 11am meeting, OMNI Commons
> Monday Jan 12th, 6pm orientation, 7pm meeting, (Location TBA)
> Wednesday Jan 14th, 6pm orientation, 7pm meeting, OMNI Commons
> Saturday Jan 17th, 11am meeting, OMNI Commons,
What is a spokescouncil?
A spokescouncil is a collective framework for direct action mobilizations, where large masses of people organize themselves into smaller teams called “affinity groups”. Affinity groups plan their actions independently with the intention of advancing the larger goal of the spokescouncil. Affinity groups are represented by at least one person (“a spoke”) at the meetings, where they are able to share resources and coordinate their actions with other groups.
Why a spokescouncil?
We propose the spokescouncil as a solution to many of the shortcomings of unstructured mass assemblies. We intend to provide a highly structured organizing space with clear tactical and messaging guidelines, that empowers participants to organize independently and in parallel. We intend to inspire a multitude of diverse actions and awaken the massive potential we have as a community engaging in direct action.
* The Anti Police-Terrorism Project is a project of the ONYX Organizing Committee in coalition with individuals and organizations like The Alan Blueford Center for Justice, Healthy Hoodz, Community Ready Corps, Idriss Stelly Foundation and more
** for questions or more information about the spokescouncil please contact aptpspokescouncil@gmail.co
Every Thursday in January is the Black Lives Matter Film Series:
“People Under the Stairs” (1990) Horror in a ghetto narrative
Election spending nearly reached $4 billion in 2014. No wonder 72% of Americans want anti-corruption laws and money out of politics. California Common Cause is committed to getting big money out of our democracy by overturning Citizens United and calling upon the 114th Congress to take action.
We have our work cut out for us: much to do, much to learn. Tha’ts why we are delighted to invite you to see the new documentary Pay 2 Play: Democracy’s High Stakes, on January 8 in Berkeley.
PAY 2 PLAY follows filmmaker John Ennis’ quest to find a way out from under the Pay 2 Play System, where Politicians reward their donors with even larger sums from the public treasury through contracts, tax cuts, and deregulation. The documentary features Robert Reich and California Common Cause Executive Director Kathay Feng! View the trailer here.
CityCamp is an unconference focused on innovation and collaboration for municipal governments, community organizations and citizens.
CityCamp Oakland aims to:
- Bring together local government officials, municipal employees, experts, developers, designers, citizens and journalists to share perspectives and insights about their cities
- Create outcomes that participants will act upon
- CityCamp is a national movement that brings together local citizens to build stronger communities where they live.
MEDIC TRAINING: People’s Community Medics will be hosting a training.
: : : : : : Reclaiming King’s Legacy : : : : : :
“This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
There is a state-sponsored war on Black lives in the United States and people across the country are demanding that it comes to an end. As long as it remains business as usual to gun down Black women, men and children in the streets of this country, there will be no business as usual anywhere or for anyone. Shut. It. Down.
Oakland’s Anti Police-Terrorism Project is calling a bay area wide spokescouncil to plan and coordinate actions for the upcoming Martin Luther King Day weekend (1/16-1/19). Let’s carry forward and amplify the struggle, together!
PLEASE SAVE THE FOLLOWING DATES for upcoming meetings in your calendar. Before your first meeting, please make sure to attend an orientation!
> Monday Jan 5th, 7pm orientation and kickoff meeting, CNA Offices
> Thursday Jan 8th, 6pm orientation, 7pm meeting, OMNI Commons
> Saturday Jan 10th, 10am orientation, 11am meeting, OMNI Commons
> Monday Jan 12th, 6pm orientation, 7pm meeting, (Location TBA)
> Wednesday Jan 14th, 6pm orientation, 7pm meeting, OMNI Commons
> Saturday Jan 17th, 11am meeting, OMNI Commons,
What is a spokescouncil?
A spokescouncil is a collective framework for direct action mobilizations, where large masses of people organize themselves into smaller teams called “affinity groups”. Affinity groups plan their actions independently with the intention of advancing the larger goal of the spokescouncil. Affinity groups are represented by at least one person (“a spoke”) at the meetings, where they are able to share resources and coordinate their actions with other groups.
Why a spokescouncil?
We propose the spokescouncil as a solution to many of the shortcomings of unstructured mass assemblies. We intend to provide a highly structured organizing space with clear tactical and messaging guidelines, that empowers participants to organize independently and in parallel. We intend to inspire a multitude of diverse actions and awaken the massive potential we have as a community engaging in direct action.
* The Anti Police-Terrorism Project is a project of the ONYX Organizing Committee in coalition with individuals and organizations like The Alan Blueford Center for Justice, Healthy Hoodz, Community Ready Corps, Idriss Stelly Foundation and more
** for questions or more information about the spokescouncil please contact aptpspokescouncil@gmail.co
This meeting will be for soil preparation and more general discussion. Also: please start seedlings and cuttings to bring for planting on January 17th!
The Material Basis for Revolutionary Optimism Today
The Political Affairs Readers Group of the Communist Party, USA (Elizabeth Gurley Flynn Club) invites you to a talk by:
Wadi’h Halabi, a member of the Economics Commission of the Communist Party, U.S.A. He is a long-time participant/observer with various organizations in the People’s Republic of China
Monthly interfaith prayer meeting, held on second Sundays, dedicated to survivors and victims of violence and police terror in Oakland.
We are 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.
Please feel free to bring quotes or passages to share
All are welcome
We will serve simple breakfast.
This is the third in a series of meetings described below.
This meeting will continue the reflection and conversation around support and long-term strategy and goals of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
Report backs are encouraged which can help inform as well as provide networking opportunities.
This might also provide opportunity to form affinity groups as people find others interested in similar pursuits.
*Meeting logistics:
1. This is an inclusive event. Please spread the word, create flyers, or any other means you wish.
2. We want everyone to be heard so please be mindful to allow space and time for as many to speak as possible. 2 minute time limit and, please, no lectures.
3. Please feel free to post suggestions for agenda items.
4. Some have expressed an interest in helping plan this or future meetings. It would be great to form a facilitation committee. If interested, please contact me at theeabbynormal@gmail.com
5. Finally: The Omni Oakland Commons have graciously made their space available for this and many other local events. Contributions are needed to keep this space going so we’ll be passing a hat. *please note – there is no obligation, but it doesn’t hurt to ask, right? 🙂
Hope to see you there!
~~~
Link to previous meetings:
https://www.facebook.com/
Come gather at Omni Commons for a night of feast, performances and fellowship! This monthly gathering and potluck brings together the Omni Commons community as well as anyone else in the surrounding Oakland/Bay Area. Strictly positive vibes all night!
Please bring a food dish between 6pm and 7pm.
We will break bread by 7!
Come with a friend, an instrument, or just a smile!
OccupyForum presents
Information, discussion & community! Monday Night Forum!!
Occupy Forum is an opportunity for open and respectful dialogue
on all sides of these critically important issues!
President of the Board of Trustees, San Francisco City College,
John Rizzo
The City College of San Francisco board of trustees met for the first time since losing power a year and a half ago after the state’s accrediting body threatened to strip CCSF of its accreditation. “This is the first opportunity in a year and half that the board will be together officially and having discussions,” John Rizzo said. “There won’t be any decisions made, but it will be a time for the board to actually start talking about things.”CCSF trustees lost their power in 2013, when Robert Agrella was named a special trustee following the decision by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges to revoke the school’s accreditation the following year. In July, Agrella’s position was reinstated through July 8, 2015.
CCSF remains open and fully accredited as it awaits a judge’s decision next month following a trial over ACCJC’s alleged unfair evaluations of the school.
Separately, CCSF will find out, likely in January, whether it will qualify for restoration status, which would give it two more years to meet accreditation requirements.
Come learn about continuing developments in the battle save the Berkeley Post Office and the Postal Service from privatization, support our Occupiers and help us plan our next steps in opposition to the theft of our public commons.
THE POSTAL SERVICE WANTED TO SELL THE POST OFFICE TO HUDSON-MCDONALD DEVELOPMENT GROUP. HUDSON-MCDONALD BACKED OUT OF THE DEAL IN EARLY DECEMBER. 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.
Get an overview of the sale announcement here. Here’s a good more general overview piece.
There was a hearing in Federal Court on December 11th.
THE FEDERAL JUDGE WILL DECIDE WHETHER THE LAWSUIT WILL CONTINUE OR BE DISMISSED – HE’LL DECIDE SOMETIME AFTER MARCH 19th.
THE POSTAL POLICE HAD BEEN RAIDING THE OCCUPATION INTERMITTENTLY IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING. BUT THE OCCUPIERS ARE NOT LEAVING! Read about one of the eviction attempts here. There haven’t been any raids since a few days before Christmas, but they might start up again with the holidays over.
Stay tuned for a possible new Chalkupy and the new Community Gardening event at the Post Office.
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.
: : : : : : Reclaiming King’s Legacy : : : : : :
“This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
There is a state-sponsored war on Black lives in the United States and people across the country are demanding that it comes to an end. As long as it remains business as usual to gun down Black women, men and children in the streets of this country, there will be no business as usual anywhere or for anyone. Shut. It. Down.
Oakland’s Anti Police-Terrorism Project is calling a bay area wide spokescouncil to plan and coordinate actions for the upcoming Martin Luther King Day weekend (1/16-1/19). Let’s carry forward and amplify the struggle, together!
PLEASE SAVE THE FOLLOWING DATES for upcoming meetings in your calendar. Before your first meeting, please make sure to attend an orientation!
> Monday Jan 5th, 7pm orientation and kickoff meeting, CNA Offices
> Thursday Jan 8th, 6pm orientation, 7pm meeting, OMNI Commons
> Saturday Jan 10th, 10am orientation, 11am meeting, OMNI Commons
> Monday Jan 12th, 6pm orientation, 7pm meeting, (First Presbyterian Church)
> Wednesday Jan 14th, 6pm orientation, 7pm meeting, OMNI Commons
> Saturday Jan 17th, 11am meeting, OMNI Commons,
What is a spokescouncil?
A spokescouncil is a collective framework for direct action mobilizations, where large masses of people organize themselves into smaller teams called “affinity groups”. Affinity groups plan their actions independently with the intention of advancing the larger goal of the spokescouncil. Affinity groups are represented by at least one person (“a spoke”) at the meetings, where they are able to share resources and coordinate their actions with other groups.
Why a spokescouncil?
We propose the spokescouncil as a solution to many of the shortcomings of unstructured mass assemblies. We intend to provide a highly structured organizing space with clear tactical and messaging guidelines, that empowers participants to organize independently and in parallel. We intend to inspire a multitude of diverse actions and awaken the massive potential we have as a community engaging in direct action.
* The Anti Police-Terrorism Project is a project of the ONYX Organizing Committee in coalition with individuals and organizations like The Alan Blueford Center for Justice, Healthy Hoodz, Community Ready Corps, Idriss Stelly Foundation and more
** for questions or more information about the spokescouncil please contact aptpspokescouncil@gmail.co
On Monday the 12th, the Peace & Justice Commission will create specific proposals for the Berkeley City Council to review at its upcoming meetings. The draft attached above is a starting point. It needs your input and participation in Monday’s discussion to shape it into a truly transformational platform. We look forward to hearing your ideas about changes to Berkeley’s policies on policing and accountability, along with an investigation of police practices.
There will be time for extensive public comment on specific proposals for changes in city policy and practice. Please prepare by reviewing the attached draft document before the meeting (see below). We have arranged for a larger room, so please feel free to spread the word!
In 2014 the community made our anger felt about the uncounted police killings of African American and Latino youth, and we declared the apparently radical notion that Black lives matter.
Now it’s 2015, and time to make real change in Berkeley.
This month the city government will be discussing how to rein in the outrageous police attacks on non-violent demonstrations. We must be allowed to demonstrate safely against the killings of people of color by state authorities.
See Councilmember Jesse Arreguin’s three specific proposals, including wording changes to several BPD General Orders, in items 27, 28, and 29 in the upcoming January 20 Council agenda at:
But this is not enough. Let us remember what brought us out in the streets in December. Black lives are devalued here in Berkeley as across the country. Kayla Moore is dead because our society favors “command and control” over compassionate mental health care.
We must keep the focus where it belongs. We can end racial profiling and impunity for those who kill under color of authority. We can turn around the militarization of local police, the collaboration with national security intelligence sharing, and begin to overturn the racial disparities that ravage communities of color in Berkeley.
Transforming policing and racial justice in Berkeley
DIRECT ACTION TRAINING: The Ruckus Society will be hosting a training Monday eve (1/12) immediately following the spokescouncil meeting (~8:30pm-10pm), at the First Presbyterian Church at 27th and Broadway. This training is for any and all participants in MLK weekend actions!
Tomorrow @ @ucdavislaw I'm talking about the things NSA does in the name of surveillance that make us *less* secure. pic.twitter.com/RMCM2bbVfj
— Jennifer Granick (@granick) January 13, 2015