Calendar
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
It will be two years to the day since Oakland Police tear-gassed, beat and dragged Occupiers from Oscar Grant Plaza, then later in the day shot Scott Olsen in the head with a bean-bag round and then flash-bang-grenaded his rescuers.
Join Urban Shield protesters and Occupy Oakland peeps at a rally at the Marriott Hotel to protest the Urban Shield convention – aka warrior cops loose on our streets. Urban Shield promotes the use of so-called “non-lethal weapons” against peaceful protesters, the same weapons that nearly killed Scott Olsen and have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries here in the US.
Cephus Johnson (“Uncle Bobby,” Oscar Grant’s uncle) will be speaking. OtherSpeakers are TBA, and may include Scott Olsen.
“There will be a walking picket/public witness all day from 9:00AM-5PM in front of the Marriott where the giant gun show will be taking place (see the listing for the Urban Shield protest earlier in the day).
After the rally we will march to Oscar Grant Plaza, symbolically retaking it. At the amphitheatre we will perhaps have a few brief talks, definitely food (roast suckling pig as our entree), and likely music.
We will be showing “The Battle For Oscar Grant Plaza.” A new documentary by Jacob Crawford about 025 and N2, 2011, after it gets dark.
Food provided will be limited. We are asking those that can to please bring a dish, salad or dessert. (aka pot-luck)
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Half Sheet Posters, right click to download PDF
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See Urban Shield Day of Protest and Rally Against Police Violence: Facing Urban Shield and OO for events happening earlier in the day and more details.
Gather at OGP for food and serious discussion about police violence.
We will be showing “The Battle For Oscar Grant Plaza.” A new documentary by Jacob Crawford about 025 and N2, 2011, after it gets dark.
Food provided will be limited. We are asking those that can to please bring a dish, salad or dessert. (aka pot-luck)
ONYX Organizing committee is once again doing are FTP program on October 27th.
We will be taking donations.You will able to donate if you wish. We would also love if you are low on monetary funds volunteer. We will be handing out bag lunches and hygiene products. Help help the homeless by helping us hand these basic necessities out to the under privileged. We are also looking for people that do not mind interacting with people having conversations. handing out political and community information.
Fracking for dirty oil in California is a major threat to our climate. Yet, Governor Brown–an advocate of action to avert catastrophic climate change–has given Big Oil a green light to frack our Golden State. We just learned that on Monday, Gov. Brown will be in San Francisco to sign a climate change agreement with the governors of Washington and Oregon and the British Columbia Premier. Will you join MoveOn members and our allies with Californians Against Fracking for an emergency rally outside the signing ceremony to tell Gov. Brown: “Climate leaders don’t frack?”
STOP THE KILLING! STOP THE LIES. ANDY LOPEZ DID NOT HAVE TO DIE!
The march will have 2 meeting places. At 12pm, people can either meet at The Old Court House Square or Santa Rosa Junior College. Those that choose to go to the Court House will begin marching to the SRJC at 1 pm. Those that choose to protest at the SRJC will meet at 12 and rally while they await the arrival of those marching from the Old Court House Square. Once the two parties are united, we will all march toward the Sheriffs Department. There, we will have another protest with both parties and those who can join at the Sheriffs department around 3pm.
Addresses:
Santa Rosa Junior College(12pm): 1501 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, Ca, 95401
Old Courthouse Square (12pm): Old Courthouse Square Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Sheriffs Department (3pm): 2796 Ventura Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Huffington Post article on the killing.
The Alan Blueford Center For Justice will be joining the March For Andy Lopez.
AN INJURY TO ONE SHOULD BE THE CONCERN OF ALL!
Press Conference and Action to release a report, titled “Wells Fargo Spreads Cash, Our Communities Lose: How Wells Fargo’s Political Spending Harms California Communities” highlights the millions spent by Wells Fargo to influence legislation and lobby politicians to keep the current property tax system. This is revenue that should go towards funding our schools and vital public services. Join ACCE Home Defenders as we deliver the report to Wells Fargo Headquarters in Downtown San Francisco.
CCSF Student Labor Action Project (SLAP) will be hosting a screening of “Default” and a panel discussion on student debt for Campus Equity Week!
Please join us and spread the word, dinner will be provided!
Screening and discussion, with pizza. Meiklejohn Hall 2031 Showing of the film FOR PROFIT, a Solo-Play written & performed by Aaron Calafato. The film version of the performance provides a wonderful opportunity for students, faculty, staff and community members to discuss a wide range of current issues in higher education—not just the for-profit college industry, but also the broader “for profit” mindset towards higher education today that is behind so many problems facing us, our students, and our society’s educational future. followed by discussion and pizza party.
Demonstration.
Say NO! to Veolia Union Busting! Defend the Boston School Bus Union 5!
STOP VEOLIA UNION BUSTING! HANDS OFF THE BOSTON SCHOOL BUS UNION 5!
HALLOWEEN ACTION at the OAKLAND AIRPORT!!
Ghosts and zombies are scary – organizing your workplace shouldn’t be!
Non-union fast food workers at the Oakland Airport are fighting for the right to organize without fear. They want their restaurants to sign card check agreements – so they can decide freely whether to join a union, without retaliation or intimidation from their bosses. This Halloween, come stand with them!
Costumes not required, but highly encouraged!
Featuring face painting and Halloween snacks!
For questions or rides, contact Sarah Norr at 510-502-5344 or snorr@unitehere.org.
Come check out the Alan Blueford Center for Justice (photos, video, music) and our street table full of literature as we interact with the readily available masses of people, spreading the word about JAB’s upcoming work & direction, which is to:
•continue to raise awareness about what Masso did to Alan & the associated coordinated cover-up
• mount a campaign demanding Kamala Harris to prosecute Masso
• oppose Gallo’s proposed youth curfew
• educate the community & help build JAB’s base of support
• standing in solidarity w/local labor struggles such as the imminent (as of this writing) BART strike.
Justice 4 Alan Blueford website.
Come out for a day of solidarity and family fun with Port Truckers. Meet the families affected by the conditions and compensation of the drivers and hear their stories. There will be food, fun for kids, and a speakout. Bring food to share if you can. Show the billionares that profit from the port and the city that governs it that the truckers have our support. We will not rest until their demands have been met.
Credit: Artwork image by Susie Cagle.
November is social justice month, and the Revolutionary Poets Brigade is hosting this event to explore some key questions. What is Social Justice? What is Social Injustice? Speakers include Jack Hirschman, former SF poet laureate, Ethel Long-Scott of the Women’s Economic Agenda Project, John Curl, author of For all the People, and poets Sarah Page, Sarah Menefee, Ayat Jalal-Bryant and Aja Couchois Duncan.
Join Critical Resistance for Dreaming Wildly, Fighting to Win. This event will feature a rare West Coast appearance by acclaimed poet Martín Espada in conversation with Angela Y. Davis and will be moderated by Melanie Cervantes of Dignidad Rebelde. Dreaming Wildly, Fighting to Win will encourage audience members to envision a world free of the prison industrial complex and inspire us to take steps toward making those visions real. Espada and Davis will be joined by other culture workers and movement leaders to lift up the spirit of liberation and self-determination. All proceeds will benefit Critical Resistance.
The Movement Action Plan:
A Model for How Successful Movements Work
with JoAnn McAllister
Even through grassroots activists and their social movements have been powerful and often successful throughout history, most activists believe they are powerless and feel their movement is ineffective and failing. These beliefs can become self-fulfilling prophesies that create a chain reaction of hopelessness, low energy, burnout, dropout, declining numbers, and disastrous strategies and tactics. Without a guiding framework that explains the step-by-step process of social movement success, activists are unable to set appropriate long- and short-term goals, develop appropriate strategies, tactics and campaigns; and avoid common pitfalls. The Movement Action Plan Model provides tools of analysis and action, and offers great hope to those working to change society.
JoAnn McAllister is the Director of the Human Science Degree Program at Saybrook University in San Francisco. JoAnn develops programs for community-based organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies, and participated in numerous social movements over the last 30 years. She is the co-author of Doing Democracy: The MAP Model of Social Movements, developed by non-violent activist and trainer Bill Moyer who began working for social change with the American Friends Service Committee in the 1960s and then as staff with Dr. Martin Luther King, and participated in or trained activists in almost every major social change initiative over the succeeding forty years.
Participants will be invited to begin analyzing the stages of the Occupy movement and the roles that citizens – activists, rebels, change agents, and reformers – are playing in bringing about systemic change.
Time will be allotted for Q&A, discussion and announcements. Donations to Occupy Forum to cover costs are encouraged; no one turned away!
March to The District Attorney’s Office, 600 Administration Drive, Room 212 J Santa Rosa.
WE HAVE ONE DEMAND, for now. We demand Erick Gelhaus be immediately fired, arrested, and Indicted for the Murder of Andy Lopez. We will march to the District Attorney’s OFFICE on this coming Tuesday, the 5th, planning to leave downtown around 1:30. We need everyone that can be there, there. Justice cannot wait!
To all students: Do not let people attempt to quite your voice. It is your voice that is fueling this fight for Andy. It is your voice that has the power to lead to change. It is your voice that needs to be heard!!!
The District Attorney is the one that will decide if Gelhaus is to be arrested. For that reason, we must unite, and stand on the shoulders of “outside agitators” and take our message to the doorstep of the D.A., Jill Ravitch, “Jailhouse for Gelhaus !!!!”
JOIN US IN SANTA ROSA ON TUESDAY NOV 5TH, AS WE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE FOR ANDY LOPEZ. HIS MURDERER STILL FREE ON THE STREETS AS ANDY’S FAMILY’S LIFE IS FOREVER SHATTERED BECAUSE ERICK GELHAUS DID NOT EVEN GIVE ANDY 10 SECONDS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING BEFORE HE WAS MURDERED IN HIS OWN NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE DEMAND A MURDER INDICTMENT FOR ERICK GELHAUS!! THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY JILL RAVITCH IS FACING RE-ELECTION – MAKE SURE SHE UNDERSTANDS HER FAILURE TO PROSECUTE ERICK GELHAUS WILL BE THE END OF HER CAREER!!
The Oakland City Council will soon consider whether to endorse Richmond’s strategy to use eminent domain as a tool to fight foreclosure and study whether it should do the same. The council will take up the issue at a 4:30 p.m. special meeting on Nov. 5 that was requested by Council members Desley Brooks, Larry Reid and Noel Gallo.
Richmond’s effort to do something constructive about mortgage relief for large numbers of homeowners in Richmond is being supported by Strike Debt Bay Area (Facebook and webpage) and ACCE.
For background check out this article by two Strike Debt Bay Area peeps, Can a Small California City Take on Wall Street—And Survive?.
Come and show your support for a city willing to take on Wall Street and demand that Oakland do the same.
Representation for the People, a coalition of East Bay activists, is sponsoring this town hall meeting. The coalition opposes the policies and actions of Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley and Sheriff Greg Ahern. These elected officials continue to run unopposed yet espouse policies and views that progressives find unacceptable. The coalition is therefore organizing to explore ways of getting rid of our sheriff and district attorney.
Speakers:
- Wilson Riles: Former Oakland Councilperson, speaking on the importance of electoral politics to a progressive agenda.
- Dan Siegel: Civil Rights Attorney, speaking on the violations of civil rights that the current District Attorney and Sheriff routinely commit.
- Brooke Anderson: Labor activist, arrested October 25th, 2011. Spent many hours in horrible conditions in the Santa Rita Jail (which the Sheriff is wholly responsible for)
- Reverend Buford: Pastor at the Allan Temple Baptist Church.
The public will be invited to provide input. Please mark your calendar and bring a friend. The senior center is located near the Ashby Bart station.
Just a few things a new District Attorney could do:
– Investigations into wage theft, abuses by creditors, foreclosure fraud and environmental crimes.
– Voice support for improved crime labs, removal of police from schools
– Refusal of prosecution for drug possession or use.
– Voice opposition to curfews, arrests of school children, solitary confinement of children.
– Independent investigations of police misconduct.
– Keeping costs down by not keeping low level offenders in jail awaiting prosecution decisions
Just a few things a new Sheriff could do:
– No cooperation on ICE raids and no use of ICE holds.
– Abandon the pursuit of the acquisition of drones.
– Refusal to participate in homeowner evictions.
– Keeping costs down by using ‘cite and release’ to keep low-level offenders out of jail
– An independent, unbiased Coroner’s Office.