Calendar
There are 53 recommendations for improvement of the Bart Police Oversight Citizen Review Board system. Oscar Grant family would love to hear your concerns and will be happy to talk about the details once you’ve had a chance to review the recommendations. https://drive.google.com/
These will be on the agenda for the Bart Board of Directors meeting on August 10th (this is an evening meeting starting at 5 pm) and on the Bart Police Oversight Citizen Review Board committee meeting agenda for August 14th (starting at 4 pm). It would be helpful to hear your thoughts about the recommendations and answer any questions you may have about how/whether we might implement the recommendations. There is no immediate plan for the Directors to vote on implementing anything until we can take a closer look at what’s actually possible and what resources would be needed to put any these changes into place. The August 10 meeting is an opportunity for the Directors to begin discussions about the report and to ask any questions they may have of Mr. Gennaco and Mr. Zisser, who helped in the recommendation for improvement, and hear the community concerns. There will also be an opportunity for public comment on the agenda item. https://drive.google.com/
1992 Jerrold Hall – Murdered
1997 Robert Greer – Murdered
2001 Bruce Seward – Murdered
2008 Kenneth Carrethers – Excessive Force
2009 Oscar Grant – Murdered
2010 13 yrs – attempted to Tase
2010 Fred Collins – Murdered
2010 Jason Johnson – Tased
2011 Charles Blair Hill – Murdered
2014 James Nate Greer – Murdered
2014 Tommy Smith – Murdered
2014 Robert James Asberry – Tased
2014 Nubia Bowe – Excessive Force
2016 Andrea Appleton – Excessive Force
2016 Michael Smith – Excessive Force
Film Showing & Discussion
At 8:15 am, on August 6, 1945, a blazing, million-degree fireball suddenly appeared just above the Japanese city of Hiroshima, instantly killing, burning alive, or vaporizing tens of thousands.
The U.S. had just exploded the first nuclear bomb over the center of a city of 350,000. killing between 140-150,000. Three days later, on August 9, the U.S. dropped an even more powerful nuclear bomb on Nagasaki, destroying the city and murdering another 70,000 people.
WHITE LIGHT/BLACK RAIN reveals the unimaginable destructive power of the bombs, the inconceivable suffering and extraordinary human resilience. Director Steven Okazaki tells the amazing, shocking and inspiring stories of fourteen survivors.
WHITE LIGHT/BLACK RAIN stands as a powerful warning that, with enough nuclear weapons to equal 400,000 Hiroshimas, we can’t afford to forget what happened on those two days in 1945. We also can’t forget that the US is the only country that has ever used nuclear weapons in war, that the US government has never said it was wrong to use them against Japan, and that to this day, it has a policy justifying first use of nuclear weapons in future wars.
This is especially true now under the Trump/Pence fascist regime with Trump’s finger on the nuclear button. In just the past weeks, Trump/Pence have threatened millions around the globe by deploying attack aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines to the Korean Peninsula, setting up the THAAD anti-missile defense system in South Korea and threatening Iran and other countries.
Next opportunity to turn out against Urban Shield!
Socialist Action presents Rebel Films. This week’s film is the John Pilger documentary entitled “The Coming War on China.” Pilger, an incisive critic of Western economic and military power, documents the American military bases now encircling the world’s newest superpower. This is both a warning and an inspiring story of people’s resistance to war.
You can join Sunflower Alliance in gathering petition signatures at the Our Power event in Richmond on August 12th. Come by our table.
On this statewide day of action, join volunteers across California in hosting Petition-Gathering Events at our local farmers markets, grocery stores, shopping centers, and community events. You will:
1) Hand out fact sheets to raise awareness about the gargantuan amounts of money the oil industry is spending to continue to drilling and polluting in California,
2) Collect as many petition signatures as possible to demand that our legislators stop taking dirty oil money and start prioritizing public health over industry profits. That petition is here.
To sign up to host an event in your community and get more information and materials to print out, start here.
If you haven’t had the chance to sign and share the Oil Money Out petition, please add your name here. Thank you for everything you are able to do to help us spread the word about the petition and our upcoming petition-gathering events.
This skillshare will be focused on radical first aid/first responce. The facilitator will share information regarding protecting yourself at actions and protests, treating the effects of “less-than-lethal” technologies, and give a report back about their work at Standing Rock.
Indivisible SF stands with nonviolent protesters against white supremacy all over the country, particularly in Charlottesville, Virginia, the city where violent white supremacists attacked innocent people last night and today.
President Trump has condemned violence “on many sides,” without specifically naming white supremacists, leading them to feel supported by his statement. We want statements from all of our elected officials that clearly, expressly condemn white supremacists.
Please join us this evening, August 12 at 8:30 PM, at Union Square for a peaceful silent candlelight vigil to protest white supremacy, white supremacist violence, and Trump’s silence.
You do not need to be a member of Indivisible SF. Please cover your mouth with your hand or with tape (no masks, please) and remain silent for the duration of this nonviolent action. Please bring a candle (electric preferred) if you have one.
We stand with Charlottesville.
Local organizer, Effie Rawlings, will share stories, video and art from one of the world’s largest and oldest social movements, Movimento Sem Terra (MST): The Landless Worker’s Movement of Brazil. Learn more about how the MST is helping to heal deforestation and displacement through direct action – occupying land and redistributing it to landless people, who, through the process of fighting for and holistically managing land, cultivate a deep political identity. The MST’s commitment to the well being of the planet and the development of social consciousness through the careful tending of community, soil, and self will be described both structurally (diving into the nuts and bolts of the movement’s mechanisms) and anecdotally, letting the stories of the individuals that make up the movement speak for themselves.
The presentation will be followed by Q&A, refreshments, and a silent auction of items handcrafted by members of the MST.
More on the MST: http://www.mstbrazil.org/
Green Sunday
Don’t miss this riveting discussion!
Speakers:
Meleiza Figueroa and Juno Amy Rosenhaus
OCCUPELLA kicks off the event with two songs!
John Torok emcees.
Will there be strong non-violent resistance to the Alt Reich?
This topic was chosen for Green Sunday because alt-right rallies, featuring known violent instigators, are scheduled at UC Berkeley on Aug 19 and Sept 14 and downtown Berkeley on Aug 27. Mayor Jesse Arreguin asks us to avoid the Civic Center area that Sunday, but “If you do choose to attend and violence breaks out, we ask that you… Stand back, separate yourself from the violence, and don’t get baited by provocateurs… Inciting violence and making threats against certain groups is NOT a constitutionally protected right and will be dealt with immediately.”
While most of the right wing protesters just want to peacefully demonstrate their right to publicly express support for Trump, white supremacists, some with arms, have been attending these “Free Speech” rallies in multiple cities. Over 1000 non-violent protesters stood up to a KKK rally in Charlottesville Va. They expect 4000 lefties for a peaceful show of force when neo Nazis return.
Discussion follows the speakers, then potluck refreshments and break out groups re Green organizing.
Speakers:
Meleiza Figueroa is a PhD Candidate in Geography at UC Berkeley, Press Director for the Stein/Baraka 2016 Presidential campaign, and Executive Producer of the Green News Network. Her experience in progressive media includes over a decade as a staff producer for the Pacifica Radio Network, and lead researcher for the 2005 documentary “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price.” She is an on-air correspondent for Free Speech TV’s “Rising Up With Sonali,” and is a print contributor to Truthdig.com, Against the Current, and New Politics. She has been a longtime political educator and organizer, involved in a wide range of movements for social and environmental justice in California. She talks about the threat of fascist incursions/organizing on college campuses, and is part of the newly forming Campus Antifascist Network at UC Berkeley.
Juno Amy Rosenhaus co-founded the Bay Area Queer Anti-Fascist Network. She is an andro-queer feminist, activist, drummer, and portrait, art, and documentary photographer who rose up in New Jersey, worked and played in San Francisco for over 20 years, and now thrives in Oakland. Her creative passions are realized through Juno Rosenhaus Photography and Queer Artists Social Media, where she serves as Executive Director.
Breakout Groups
We were thrilled by your enthusiasm in Breakout Groups at prior Green Sundays. To grow that energy, we’re trying Breakout Groups at the beginning of the County Council meetings after the 15 minute refreshment break that follows our Green Sunday programs. Which group will you roll with?
1. ELECTIONS (including endorsements, campaigning, ballot drives, voter guide…)
2. More CONVERSATION re anti-fascism, AND Green Party ORIENTATION
3. OUTREACH (recruiting, social events, networking with other groups…)
4. TECH (website, social media, newsletter, recording/broadcasting our events…)
5. OPERATIONS (including Green Sunday plans, fundraising, working with state and national GP…)
SPONSOR: Green Sundays are a series of free programs & discussions sponsored by the Green Party of Alameda County on the 2nd Sunday of each month.
The monthly business meeting of the
County Council of the Green Party of Alameda County
follows at 7:45 pm
Council meetings are always open to anyone who is interested.
Please visit our web site:
https://acgreens.wordpress.com/
Express your green ideas and “like” us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/greenpartyofalamedacounty/
Participation and/or donations appreciated! https://acgreens.wordpress.com/donate/
FLIER to print, post, distribute please:
https://acgreens.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/acgpca_gs-e1498775299182.jpg
To connect with people who offer empathy to everyone at alt right and other events:
http://www.EmpathyTent.com
What’s coming: “No to Marxism, Berkeley Civic Center Park Aug 27”:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1356598631088305
8/27 morning Rally Against Hate – Unite for Freedom from Right Wing Violence in the Bay Area:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1554573591279582/
The Empathy Tent on Aug 27:
https://www.facebook.com/events/834385300073508
Come celebrate 24 years!
— free t-shirt raffle
— silk screen your own t-shirt – bring a blank shirt
— celebratory food items
— tell funny stories
There will be cake & a t-shirt raffle/ give away!
http://www.thelonghaul.org
We are coming together because we are needed.
We are coming together because we will not accept what happened in Charlottesville, VA this weekend as the “new normal”.
We are coming together to support and honor our comrades in Cville who bravely stood up to Nazis, Fascists and Klansmen–even at the cost of their lives.
We come together to show that we will not be silent or cowed by so-called “Alt-Right” terrorists.
Please come and bring a candle or a flashlight. Sunset is is around 8pm on Sunday, so let us light up the night sky in front of City Hall to show our resolve and our unity.
No permits. Just come.
#NoTrump #NoKKK #NoNazis #NoFascistUSA
TONIGHT! Candlelight vigil for #Cville.
Meet: Finnish Hall 7:30p 1970 Chestnut St, #Berkeley, march to Civic Center Park by 8. Details later— Indivisible Berkeley (@IndivisibleBerk) August 13, 2017
Don’t believe the Debt Vultures.
Social Security is Alive and Well!
BUT WE NEED TO FIGHT TO PRESERVE, IMPROVE AND EXPAND IT.
Occupella organizes informal public singing at Bay Area occupation sites, marches and at BART stations. We sing to promote peace, justice, and an end to corporate domination, especially in support of the Occupy movement.
Music has the power to build spirit, foster a sense of unity, convey messages and emotions, spread information, and bring joy to participants and audience alike. See spirited clip of an action at BART. Check out the actions calendar and come add your voice. There are lots of ways to participate and everyone is welcome.
The money bail system is one of the main feeders of mass incarceration. Yet, few people know what the money bail system is, let alone how it all works or why we need to do away with it.
That’s why Brave New Films’ has produced a new short film compilation about America’s broken bail system — The Bail Trap: American Ransom. This ongoing short-film series includes: Breaking Down Bail, unpacking the myths and the history of bail, and Tai’s Story: College or Bail?, a documentary about a young woman and the $100,000 price-tag put on her freedom.
The reality is that 70% of people in jail are there for one reason: living in poverty. Low-income Americans are sitting in jails for days, months, and even years simply because they can’t afford to pay high bail amounts. All the while, private companies are profiting in the billions each year. This must end. Sign up to host a house party or screening of The Bail Trap: American Ransom today!
Coming soon: Deal with The Devil, a cautionary film about the dangers of plea deals, and How Much is Your Freedom Worth?, a compilation of spoken-word poetry performed by artists who have been formerly incarcerated.
Together, we will take action against money bail and help end mass incarceration!
BaySec is the meetup for anyone interested in security and cryptography. There’s no sponsor, agenda, or talks, but feel free to buy a new friend a drink. It’s almost always on the third Tuesday of each month at Patriot House in San Francisco.
#Baysec is Tuesday the 15th, 7-10ish pm at Patriot House (2 Embarcadero Center, SF). Info at https://t.co/5WCHUUinra
— Root Labs (@rootlabs) August 13, 2017
The Platypus Affiliated Society hosts a weekly informal discussion on Politics, The Left, the Platypus Review, and upcoming Leftist events & Platypus activities in the area.
All are welcomed to attend regardless of whether or not you participate in the discussion. Sometimes certain articles or events are points of discussion, email PlatypusBCC [at] gmail.com to find out.
This week we will be discussing “Organization, political action, history, and consciousness: on anarchism and Marxism” by Chris Cutrone
Organization, political action, history, and consciousness: on anarchism and Marxism
http://www.facebook.com/platypusberkeley
The Platypus Affiliated Society, established in December 2006, organizes reading groups, public fora, research and journalism focused on problems and tasks inherited from the “Old” (1920s-30s), “New” (1960s-70s) and post-political (1980s-90s) Left for the possibilities of emancipatory politics today.
Anyone who has been in the Bay Area in recent years knows that the tech industry plays an outside role in our daily lives. We feel it in our rent, in the price of our drinks—regardless of whether we work in the industry or not. That’s why Catherine Bracy, a co-founder, has created a new Oakland-based organization to try to generate widespread opportunity for all.
Join Ars Technica editors Annalee Newitz and Cyrus Farivar in conversation with Ling at the next Ars Technica Live, at Eli’s Mile High Club in Oakland.
Bracy will discuss her experiences with Code for America and Obama for America, as well as helping to make Oakland a better place. There will be plenty of time for audience questions, too. Doors are at 7 PM and the event starts at 7:30.
Catherine Bracy is a civic technologist and community organizer whose work focuses on the intersection of technology and political and economic inequality. She was previously Code for America’s Senior Director of Partnerships and Ecosystem where she grew Code for America’s Brigade program into a network of over 50,000 civic tech volunteers in 80+ cities across the US. She also founded Code for All, the global network of Code-for organizations with partners on six continents.
Annalee Newitz is the Senior Tech Culture Editor at Ars Technica, and Cyrus Farivar is the Senior Business Editor. Ars Technica Live is a monthly series spotlighting people who are working at the cutting edge of technology, science, and culture. It’s held the third Wednesday of every month at Eli’s.