Calendar

AFF presents: Migration, displacement, hope: Refugee Stories (special program) This year we received multiple submissions from filmmakers from around the globe documenting stories of displacement. From the gut-wrenching to the experimental to the hopeful, we are honored to share these stories with you. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster, struggling to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.

Far from a one-size-fits-all marking of “experience” so often depicted on Western media outlets when it comes to the plight of the refugee, this program of 5 powerful short documentaries spotlight the multitude of hues that should be considered when discussions of the refugee experience are had. From the Yarmouk and Ain El-Hilweh camps, to the streets of Berlin: Refugee Stories shows what it takes to hold onto one’s dreams amidst devastating circumstances.

The shorts include the following:

Here You Are (2017)

Tyma Hezam

USA/Syria, 5 minutes

Engages the post-traumatic stress experienced by refugees after their arrival to their destination.

The Pianist of Yarmouk (2017)

Vikram Ahluwalia

Syria/Palestine/Germany, 14 minutes

Meet Aeham: a classically-trained musician attempting to escape the war in Syria for safety in Europe.

After the Spring (2017)

Mathilde Babo

Germany/Syria/France, 4 minutes

On the streets of Berlin, Ahmad recounts the early days of the Syrian revolution.

A Man Returned (2016)

Mahdi Fleifel

Lebanon/Palestine, 30 minutes

Reda is 26 years old. His dreams of escaping the Palestinian refugee camp Ain El-Hilweh in Lebanon ended in failure after three years trapped in Greece. He returned with a drug addiction to life in a camp torn apart by internal strife and the encroachment of war from Syria. Against all odds he decides to marry his childhood sweetheart; a love story, bittersweet. Winner of the Silver Bear Jury Prize (short film) at the 2016 Berlinale.

Through My Eyes: Hani’s Journey (2017)

Zahra Mackaoui

Lebanon/Syria/Canada, 30 minutes

Follows the journey of blind Syrian refugee Hani Al Moliya from the camps in Lebanon to Canada. Told through his photos, it is a story of triumph against adversity, set against the backdrop of the Syrian war.

After the program there will be a panel discussion with members of the International Rescue Committee.

The Erotic Service Provider Legal Education and Research Project appeals from the district court’s dismissal of its action challenging the constitutionality of Cal. Penal Code § 647(b), which criminalizes the commercial exchange of sexual activity.

The case is ESPLERP v Gascon, which seeks to strike down California’s prostitution law as unconstitutional.

— Mike Chase (@mikechaseRights) October 18, 2017

Background:

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9.30.2016
Contact: Maxine Doogan
415-265-3302, info@espu-usa.com

Sex Workers File Appeal For Decriminalization Of Sex Work
ESPLERP Files Brief With Ninth Circuit Appealing District Court’s Dismissal Of Challenge To California’s Anti-Prostitution Statute; Seeking Decriminalization Of Sex Work.

San Francisco, CA – The Erotic Service Providers Legal Education Research Project (ESPLERP) today filed a brief in the United States Federal Ninth Circuit appealing against the Northern California District Court’s judgement dismissing ESPLERP v Gascon, which challenged California’s anti-prostitution law Penal Code 647(b) on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.

“The District Court Judge’s decision was deeply flawed,” said Maxine Doogan, President of ESPLERP. “He acknowledged that Lawrence v Texas defined a constitutional right to privacy in individuals’ sexual conduct, and also acknowledged that morality was not a basis to deny that right, but then found flimsy legal arguments to deny that right. He also ignored the recommendations of international organizations like Amnesty International, the World Health Organization, the Lancet, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Global Commission on HIV and the Law, all of which call for the decriminalization of sex work.”

“Lawrence v Texas made it clear that governments may not intrude into the private lives of consenting adults by criminalizing their sexual behavior” said Mike Chase, longtime human rights activist. “It is time that the courts fully recognized those rights.”

ESPLERP’s court case is mostly funded by individuals making small contributions, but our opponents (the State of California and various District Attorneys) have very deep pockets – essentially using our taxpayer dollars to deny us our rights. Contributions to support the court case can be submitted through our crowd fundraiser – www.litigatetoemancipate.com.

The Erotic Service Providers Legal, Education and Research Project (ESPLERP) is a diverse community-based coalition advancing sexual privacy rights through litigation, education, and research.

Most Recent:

UPDATED PRESS ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 4, 2017
Contact: Maxine Doogan
415-265-3302, info(AT)esplerp.org

Date for Oral Arguments Set Before the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Constitutional Challenge to California’s Prostitution Law

Sex worker group argue prostitution laws infringe on adults’ constitutional right to private consensual activity

Over two years ago, in March 2015, the Erotic Service Providers Legal, Education and Research Project (ESPLERP) filed a complaint in US District Court claiming that California’s outdated anti-prostitution statute known as California Penal Code 647(b), unfairly deprives adults of the right to private consensual activity, criminalizes the discussion of such activity, and unconstitutionally places prohibitions on individuals’ right to freely associate.

The court case known as ESPLERP v Gascon case number 16-15927 is now before the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Oral Arguments have been set for Thursday October 19th at 9am. The case is supported by amicus briefs from over thirty civil rights and LGBTQ organizations, including the ACLU, the First Amendment Lawyers Association, the Free Speech Coalition, Transgender Law Center, and the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. Each side will be allotted 20 minutes to make its case.

The named defendants are San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, Marin County District Attorney Edward S. Berberian, Jr. and Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch, together with Kamala Harris, then Attorney General of the State of California, all in their official capacities. Kamala Harris is now a US Senator, and it is assumed the new Attorney General, Xavier Becerra, will continue to act in the same official capacity.
The court case has been primarily funded by small individual donations from supporters and allies through crowdfunding sites such as Crowdrise – for example litigate-to-Emancipate

WHAT: Oral Arguments before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals challenge to California prostitution laws.

WHO: Sex workers, allies and supporters – including the Erotic Service Providers Legal, Education and Research Project (ESPLERP).

WHEN Thursday, October 19th, 2017. Press conference to follow immediately after conclusion of Oral Arguments – which start at 9 AM.

Rally to Save Temporary Protected Status for  Immigrants

The Trump administration is threatening to remove Temporary Protected Status from hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans, Hondurans,Nicaraguans and Haitians and deport them. Many of these people have been here for years, even decades, coming to the United States during wars or natural disasters. This will tear families apart. It will be a major human rights disaster sending people back to situations of life-threatening violence where there are continuing conflicts or economic instability.

Bay Area Coalition to Save TPSRENASE- Red National Salvadoreña en el Exterior;

AHNCA- Asociaciòn de Hondureños  de Norte California;

Bay Area Chapter of Committee in Solidarity of People of El  Salvador (CISPES);

SF Living Wage Coalition;
African Advocacy Network;

CARECEN- Central American Refugee Center;

Immigrant  Legal Resource Center;

SEIU United Service Workers West.

RSVP for address

Through art, photos, music, poetry and video, native artists help to educate the public about indigenous peoples’ efforts to recognize and protect their lands and rights. With work by many native artists, Dignidad Rebelde &#HonorNativeLand.

Support Black Trans Liberation! SURJ Queer and Trans Committee House Party to Benefit TGIJP

Save the Date! The Queer and Trans Committee of SURJ Bay Area is throwing a party, and you’re invited!

Please join us in eating, drinking, and dancing to support TGI Justice Project. We’ll be celebrating and fundraising to support the critical work TGI Justice Project does to make our communities safer for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex folks of color. We’ll also be discussing what white folks can do to be in solidarity with Black Trans Liberation — and how important it is for us as white people to move our resources and make reparations to support this work — so invite your friends!

Please RSVP here: http://www.surjbayarea.org/qt_houseparty

Can’t make it? Please donate here: http://www.tgijp.org/donate.html

More details to come! Please email queertrans@surjbayarea.org with accessibility questions.

Read more about TGI Justice Project’s work here: http://www.tgijp.org/

Are you interested in direct action but just don’t know how to go about it? Are you ready to know the ins and outs of participating in blockades and protests while also learning about how to handle police interactions? Do you want to learn how to be at actions in a way that is accountable to and working in solidarity with people of color- led groups?

Now is an important moment in the movement. The white supremacists are openly mobilizing in the Bay Area and the state has an active strategy of criminalizing dissent. This is a critical time to develop our skills and be in community with each other.

Join SURJ Bay Area in our Direct Action Training workshop dedicated to teaching you the framework and the hard skills needed to participate in direct actions for racial justice. This interactive workshop is designed to give you real-time experiences of being in an action and dealing with police and white supremacist interactions. It also aims to build an understanding of direct action from the perspective of white people centering Black and POC voices in the movement for racial justice.

Space is limited to 60 people per workshop and you must pre-register to attend.

Cost: The workshop has a suggested donation of $10 – $25 to cover event expenses, and support future organizing within SURJ Bay Area and our partner organizations. No one turned away for lack of funds – please contact mobilization@surjbayarea.org with ticket requests or questions. Lunch and light snacks will be provided.

Materials: Please take a moment if you have not already done so to familiarize yourself with the SURJ Mission, Vision and Values (http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/about). Also, another document that guides a lot of our work is the BASAT Protocol and Principles for White People Working to Support the Black Liberation Movement (https://baysolidarity.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/protocolandprinciples/).

Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair accessible. Bathrooms are ADA compliant. Please refrain from wearing perfume or heavily scented products our of respect for people with chemical sensitivities. There will *not* be sign language interpretation during the workshop, however, HOH folks will be accommodated with prioritized seating during group discussions and participatory activities. Inform people from our SURJ team, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

COME OUT to Sproul Plaza this Sunday to hear from Jovanka Beckles and fellow progressive candidate Nurse Dotty Nygard who is running for Congress in CD 10!

On the same steps where CAL Berkeley students launched the Free Speech Movement in the 1960’s, Richmond Vice Mayor Jovanka Beckles and Congressional District 10 candidate Nurse Dotty Nygard will talk about the powerful momentum the progressive movement has built here in California. United across the state, progressive candidates are in positions to bring true change to the State and Country!

Folk musicians around the country are holding simultaneous themed fundraising concerts to support needed causes. The cause for this concert is Racial Justice, and the Ella Baker Center has been selected as the beneficiary. Lineup includes: Faye Carol, KTO Project, MoToR/dance, Austin Willacy, Cascada de Flores, Oakland Youth Chorus.

We are excited to announce our Fall Film Series at the Ecology Center! In an effort to open up our space to the community, while providing an accessible format for fostering discussions around the various climate issues we cover, we will be hosting free monthly screenings of select films at our Ecology Center store.

Check out a new film, or one of your favorites, with other members of the community for a fun-filled and family-friendly evening. All screenings are free and open to the public (and include free popcorn!).

—
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Rated PG-13
Runtime: 2:13

Kicking off the Ecology Center film series is Princess Mononoke, from legendary Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli team. This A classic animated film that explores the relationship between human activity and the environment through heavy symbolism to highlight the need for sustainable practices and greater consideration of the environment in day-to-day life. Miyazaki crafts a captivating tale of man vs. nature, where the exploitation of natural resources leads to the manifestation of deadly beasts that threaten an all out war between a mining village and the creatures of the forest.

Themes: Sustainability

Preview Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OiMOHRDs14

Future Showings and Event Links:

October 22nd: Chasing Ice

November 19th: King Corn

December 17th: Wall-E

In commemoration of the centennial of the Russian Revolution, Liberated Lens is hosting a viewing of the classic feature film October by Sergei Eisenstein.  October was commissioned in 1927 for the tenth anniversary of the world-historic 1917 workers’ revolution and is based on the first-hand account of American journalist John Reed’s book, Ten Days That Shook the World.

Liberated Lens is committed to bringing to the conscious public the very best films available to stimulate your intellect, lift your spirits, and stiffen your backbone. As usual, there will be a discussion following the film.

$5 notaflof, but this event will also be a fundraiser for our collective.  Dinner and drinks will be sold starting at 6:30pm, film starts at 7:30pm. Please buy dinner in advance if you can, so we can prepare: visit our Eventbrite page. If you can’t attend in person but would like to help with our fundraising effort, we also have a “donation” ticketing option. Thank you!

The movement for Medicare for All in California continues! Join us in Sacramento on October 23^rd and 24^th to rally in support for SB 562 at the State Capitol during the Select Committee Hearing on Healthcare.

Instead of moving SB 562 forward,  Speaker Rendon has blocked the democratic process by stalling the bill, and created a “Select Committee on Health Care Delivery Systems and Universal Coverage,” with absolutely no legislative authority. The first select committee hearings will be held on these 2 days in Sacramento with apparently little time scheduled for public comment.

We will hold rallies on the North Steps of the State Capitol building from 11am  12pm to urge legislators move SB 562 forward without delay. Join us and bring a friend or two!

On October 23rd, ninety-two of the world’s largest banks will meet in São Paolo, Brazil to discuss policies on the climate and Indigenous People’s rights to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). These banks include Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) financiers such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, and many more. Mazaska Talks is calling on indigenous people and allies everywhere to join us for 3 days of mass global action that make it clear to the banks: Financing climate disaster and the abuse of Indigenous Peoples will result in a massive global divestment movement.

Join us in a prayer circle in front of Oakland city hall at 11:30 a.m. where we will gather together for a teach in, round dance, and a prayerful walk with opportunities for people to divest from banks. Please come with positive intentions and willingness to learn about the importance of divestment and a refresh about the Standing Rock movement.

Idle No More SF Bay, DOME (defenders of mother earth) Huichin, SF Defund DAPL and others including around the globe invites you to join us October 23rd for an afternoon teach in and prayer walk to #DivesttheGlobe

Are you still waiting on the right moment to divest yourself from these banks? This action will give you that opportunity to divest yourself as we will be having a “bank of shame” walk to Citibank, Wells Fargo, and JP Morgan Chase banks to do so. We are here to support you during this transition and will have members from credit unions and benifical banks from Oakland to teach us more about these community based banks.

On October 23rd, ninety-two of the world’s largest banks will meet in São Paolo, Brazil to vote on a policy that upholds indigenous people’s right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent  (FPIC) to allow or disallow projects on their lands. These banks include Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) financiers such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, and more. As Energy Transfer (the company behind DAPL) made clear in their lawsuit against Greenpeace and others,

DIVESTMENT WORKS.

There is a coalition working on divestment in Huichin (East Bay of San Francisco). Join us in a prayer circle outside of the plaza in front of Oakland city hall. Many active environmental/social justice members and organizations will gather together for a teach in, round dance, and a prayerful walk with opportunities for people to divest from banks listed above that day.

For more information please contact inmsfbay@gmail.com

Sing songs with Ocupella and hold signs, use a sign created by Tax the Rich or create your own on the GOP-Trump tax plan.

Join this open grassroots conversation about 2018 elections and the role of activists, if any, in this space. We need your input.

Hosted by Community READY Corps

http://www.msnbc.com/nerding-out/watch/america-s-fraught-history-with-puerto-rico-494366787773