Thee Intercept is coming to San Francisco!

Join me for a discussion on the progressive political movement at Book Passage Nico Pitney, my former colleague at HuffPost and co-founder and senior director of More Perfect Union, a nonprofit advocacy journalism organization, will moderate the conversation. Attendance is free and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

During the event, I will be discussing my new book,“The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution,” which explores the history and future of the progressive movement and takes a deep look at the role of AIPAC and the super PAC Democratic Majority for Israel in shaping the contours of political debate on Israel–Palestine.

I’m proud of it and I know that as a reader of The Intercept, it’s a book you’ll be glad you read. (I can’t guarantee you’ll enjoy it, though.)

I look forward to seeing you there.
Ryan Grim
D.C. Bureau Chief

Email strike.debt.bay.area@gmail.com a few days beforehand for the online invite.

For our February meeting we will be reading the first half (Chapters 1 -6) of How Infrastructure Works, Inside the Systems that Shape our World by Deb Chachra.  (MIT Press) For our March meeting we will finish reading the book.

“A new way of seeing the essential systems hidden inside our walls, under our streets, and all around us.

Infrastructure is a marvel, meeting our basic needs and enabling lives of astounding ease and productivity that would have been unimaginable just a century ago. It is the physical manifestation of our social contract—of our ability to work collectively for the public good—and it consists of the most complex and vast technological systems ever created by humans.

A soaring bridge is an obvious infrastructural feat, but so are the mostly hidden reservoirs, transformers, sewers, cables, and pipes that deliver water, energy, and information to wherever we need it. When these systems work well, they hide in plain sight. Engineer and materials scientist Deb Chachra takes readers on a fascinating tour of these essential utilities, revealing how they work, what it takes to keep them running, just how much we rely on them—but also whom they work well for, and who pays the costs.

Across the U.S. and elsewhere, these systems are suffering from systemic neglect and the effects of climate change, becoming unavoidably visible when they break down. Communities that are already marginalized often bear the brunt of these failures. But Chachra maps out a path for transforming and rebuilding our shared infrastructure to be not just functional but also equitable, resilient, and sustainable. The cost of not being able to rely on these systems is unthinkably high. We need to learn how to see them—and fix them, together—before it’s too late.”

Strike Debt Bay Area hosts this non-technical book group discussion monthly on new and radical economic thinking. Previous readings have included Doughnut Economics, Limits, Banking on the People, Capital and Its Discontents, How to Be an Anti-Capitalist in the 21st Century, The Deficit Myth,  Revenge Capitalism, the Edge of Chaos blog symposium , Re-enchanting the World: Feminism and the Politics of the Commons, The Optimist’s Telescope, Mission Economy: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism, Exploring Degrowth, The Origin of Wealth, Mine!, The Dawn of Everything  A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things, Beyond Money, Less is More,  Cannibal Capitalism,  Debt, the First 5000 Years , Poverty, By America, End Times, Jackson Rising Redux and The Feminist Subversion of the Economy.

Speaker: José Luis Granados Ceja

Our program is about the México Solidarity Project (https://mexicosolidarityproject.org/), which recognizes the 2018 presidential election of Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) as a watershed moment. AMLO and his progressive Morena party offer the first opportunity to end the corruption, impoverishment, and subservience to US interests that has marked the 70 years of neoliberal dominance.

The project offers critical support for Morena, a left-leaning populist political party rooted in anti-neoliberalism and a staunch defender of national sovereignty. It is immersed in the social movements in México struggling for basic rights for workers and people in all marginalized groups. These voices for radical change sometimes line up with Morena and sometimes, as with the Zapatistas, do not. The project’s most basic goals are to promote people-to-people understanding across borders and to concentrate efforts to oppose the US dominance that undermines México’s national sovereignty.

Our speaker, José Luis Granados Ceja, is with the México Solidarity Project and is on the staff of Venezuelanalysis (https://venezuelanalysis.com/) and formerly with TeleSUR. He was born in Mexico City and spent his life migrating throughout the Americas. It was his experience as a migrant that led to his development of class consciousness at a young age. In 2005 he would travel to Venezuela to participate in the World Festival of Youth and Students, an experience that would change him forever and instill in him a passion for resisting imperialism and defending popular power.

In 2018, he realized his dream of returning to Mexico as writer and photojournalist to produce stories about the people of Latin America: workers fighting to improve the lives of their families and communities, thinkers teaching the world about how to secure justice, and activists on the frontlines of social change putting their beliefs into practice every day.

Some of José Lius’s articles:
Venezuela, Non-Aligned Movement Condemn Israel’s ‘Illegal’ Assault on Gaza, https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/venezuela-non-aligned-movement-condemn-israels-illegal-assault-on-gaza/.
Protests Against AMLO’s Reforms Reveal the Strongholds of Mexico’s Ancien Régime,
https://www.thenation.com/article/world/protest-mexico-amlo-ine/.
Latin American Leaders Reject US-Imposed Migration Policies at Palenque Summit, https://truthout.org/articles/latin-american-leaders-reject-us-imposed-migration-policies-at-palenque-summit/

LOGIN INFORMATION

Our Zoom room will be opened up as usual at 10:15 am for anyone to join and discuss technical matters, catch up with each other, say Hi, etc.. The program (and recording) will begin at 10:30 am and will end at 12:30pm.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89531900427?pwd=mXg1rSZe3ONl4pfWlALW4ornc32Eez.1

Ken Hammond is professor of East Asian and global history at New Mexico State Unive rsity. He holds a PhD in History and East Asian Languages from Harvard University. He lived in Beijing from 1982-1987, and has taught and travelled in China many times over the ensuing years. From 2007 until 2017 he was co-director of the Confucius Institute at New Mexico State. He has written numerous books and articles on early modern Chinese intellectual and cultural history, and is most recently the author of China’s Revolution and the Quest for a Socialist Future.

The talk will explore China’s efforts to achieve the stated objective of building an “ecological civilization” as part of the global struggle with climate change and planetary warming. I will discuss China’s achievements in alternative energy development and carbon emissions and the country’s commitments to meaningful environmental goals. I will also consider the problems facing the leaders and the people of China as they pursue these goals, including the efforts of the U.S. government to slow or stall China’s economic development, the questions surrounding population trends, and the balancing of raising material living standards while striving to reduce fossil fuel use, especially coal.

—————————

Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88083342274

Meeting ID: 880 8334 2274

+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k39IUnw59

Ken Hammond is professor of East Asian and global history at New Mexico State University. He holds a PhD in History and East Asian Languages from Harvard University. He lived in Beijing from 1982-1987, and has taught and travelled in China many times over the ensuing years. From 2007 until 2017 he was co-director of the Confucius Institute at New Mexico State. He has written numerous books and articles on early modern Chinese intellectual and cultural history, and is most recently the author of China’s Revolution and the Quest for a Socialist Future.

The talk will explore China’s efforts to achieve the stated objective of building an “ecological civilization” as part of the global struggle with climate change and planetary warming. I will discuss China’s achievements in alternative energy development and carbon emissions and the country’s commitments to meaningful environmental goals. I will also consider the problems facing the leaders and the people of China as they pursue these goals, including the efforts of the U.S. government to slow or stall China’s economic development, the questions surrounding population trends, and the balancing of raising material living standards while striving to reduce fossil fuel use, especially coal

Green Sundays are a series of free public programs & discussions on topics “du jour” sponsored by the Green Party of Alameda County and held on the 2nd Sunday of each month. The monthly business meeting of the County Council of the Green Party follows at 7:00 pm, after a 30-minute break. Council meetings are open to anyone who is interested.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88083342274

Meeting ID: 880 8334 2274

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 STUDENT & COMMUNITY PANEL
Presented by: Hong Seng Campaign, Grad Students for Justice in
Palestine, People’s Park Berkeley, & Blackstone Divestment Campaign

Where is our tuition money going?
Learn about the UC’s unethical investments
and what WE can do about it.

The University of California, Berkeley is admired worldwide as a bastion of innovatiion and a hub for progressive thought. Far less known are the university’s roots in plunder, warfare, and the promotion of white supremacy. As Tony Platt shows in his latest book, The Scandal of Cal, these original sins sit at the center of UC Berkeley’s history.

Tony Platt is the author of thirteen books dealing with issues of inequality, power, and justice in American history. Platt, a longtime activist, is currently a Distinguished Affiliated Scholar at Cal Berkeley’s Center for the Study of Law & Society.

LOGIN INFORMATION

Our Zoom room will be opened up as usual at 10:15 am for anyone to join and discuss technical matters, catch up with each other, say Hi, etc.. The program (and recording) will begin at 10:30 am and will end at 12:30pm.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89531900427?pwd=mXg1rSZe3ONl4pfWlALW4ornc32Eez.1

NOTE: Our programs are all recorded and a link will be placed on our website soon after they are finished.

Join the Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8759275991

Have you ever wondered how socialists should engage with elections? With the threat of Trump back in office in 2024 and a Democratic Party insistent on sacrificing Palestinian lives even if it means losing the presidency, the question has never been more urgent.

This Night School is a 101- and 201-level dive into the way socialists approach running for office and governing, which we call class-struggle elections. It’s geared toward new members and old heads alike. Bring a coworker, a mentee, or a friend! We’ll be joined by NYC DSA’s Zohran Mamdani from the New York State Assembly, plus EBDSA-endorsed Oakland School Board member Valarie Bachelor, who will talk about how they use their offices to build movements.

We encourage everyone to do the readings, but everyone is welcome regardless of whether they’ve done the readings.

Readings:

Class-Struggle Politicians Are Organizers First, Legislators Second, by Jack McShane, 2019 – https://socialistcall.com/2019/08/01/class-struggle-politicians-dsa-elections/

How a Grassroots Movement is Building Political Power: Notes From Richmond, California, by Mike Parker, 2020 – https://www.counterpunch.org/2020/11/26/how-a-grassroots-movement-is-building-political-power-notes-from-richmond-california/

Mike Parker on Political Action, 2021 – https://socialistcall.com/2022/01/20/mike-parker-electoral-strategy/

Palestine, labour activism and the US presidential elections, by Neal Meyer, 2024 – https://links.org.au/palestine-labour-activism-and-us-presidential-elections-interview-neal-meyer-bread-roses-dsa

Join us for a lively and informative discussion at the ROE V WADE: PROTECTING ABORTION RIGHTS PANEL event.

Our panelists, Liberty Crochet Mural Artists, TEACH (Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare) and other activists/practitioners will delve into the history, current status, and future of abortion rights in the US. Get ready to hear diverse perspectives and engage in thought-provoking conversations.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn and connect with others who are passionate about this important issue.

PANELISTS:

Flor Hunt (TEACH)

Kathryn Vercillo (Liberty Crochet Mural)

Ujjayini Sikha (WOMEN RISING Artist)

Tisha Kenny (Artist, activist and health care practitioner)

Dr. Cynthia Farner (OB/GYN)

More info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roe-v-wade-protecting-abortion-rights-panel-tickets-859205295167

This Friday, March 22nd from 3-7pm we are excited to do a soft launch of The People’s Clinic!

The People’s Clinic is an abolitionist wellness and recovery center for people impacted by state/police violence and frontline organizers taking action against genocide.

(1/3) pic.twitter.com/aN3uXvzkrf

— Anti Police-Terror Project (@APTPaction) March 21, 2024

Start this weekend off with a distinguished and lively group of activists for disability rights. This is the fifth in a series of special gatherings co-hosted by the One Payer States group.

The event will focus on what the disability community needs from a single-payer system and how single-payer health care can benefit an important part of our population,

Register here for the Zoom link.

The summit features:

• Keynote speaker Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-6), co-chair of both the Medicare for All and Bipartisan Disabilities caucuses in Congress

• Facilitator Patricia Chadwick, co-founder of the Disability Social History Project

• Special guests including disability, medical, indigenous, and youth activists

Health Care for All – California

Speaker: Basudev Nag Chowdhury, People’s Brigade, India

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89531900427?pwd=mXg1rSZe3ONl4pfWlALW4ornc32Eez.1

Neoliberalism began in the last quarter of the 20th century, when the accumulated capital in the G-7 was allowed to penetrate much of the world that had closed its doors to foreign capital: Eastern Europe, Russia, China, Vietnam. India, Africa and Latin America.  These are the countries which together today have the vast majority of the global low wage working class in numbers. Yet, only after a decade and a half, the economic crisis returned in 2008. It was then postponed by a huge expansion of credit. But as is evident by new wars and tensions rising between major powers of the world, the economic crisis of capitalism has not been overcome. Yet, there is no mass movement of workers as yet on the horizon against capitalism even when a majority of the world’s workers today are unable to make ends meet.

The presentation will briefly explain the definition of Neoliberalism as the current capitalist era of ‘Temporal mode of production’ (speculative futures trading of stocks); against conventional economists, Marxists, who describe Neoliberalism as a set of policies. The presentation will then focus on explaining the significant change in class-correlation (capitalists vs. petit bourgeoisie, better paid workers and proletarians) on the basis of Marx’s fundamental theory and the origin of the cyclic crises of this new-age capitalism. We will compare our analyses against two major recent theoretical contributions: one by Utsa Patnaik and Prabhat Patnaik, and the other by Yanis Varoufakis. We will further explain the origin of right-wing opportunism pervaded through the majority of the existing Communist Parties. Finally, we will briefly discuss the nature of new-age fascism and the tactics that should be adopted by the Left forces.

Our speaker, Basudev Nag Chowdhury, is a young activist, organizer and agitator and an organic intellectual. He is a physicist by education. He is a leader in a new Marxist-Leninist Communist Party based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, called ‘The Workers’ Brigade’, which he among others helped form in the past few years, after the CPI-Marxist was routed from West Bengal by Trinamool Congress, a bourgeois political party, led by a fiery orator, Mamta Banerjee. The Workers’ Brigade has organized the Bidi workers in West Bengal state in tobacco and in other industries. (NOTE:    Bidi is a rolled tobacco leaf, smoked by very low wage majority women workers � i.e. proletarians)

Basudev Nag Chowdhury is writing a new book, still in progress, titled: ‘Neoliberalism, the stage of Irresolvable Contradictions of Capitalism’. He lives and works in Kolkata, India.

In partnership with the Wellstone Club:  a viewing of Abortion and Women’s Rights 1970. This film serves as a powerful reminder of the conditionsand demands that inspired the movement for abortion rights fifty years ago, and speaks to the need for safe, legal abortion and the broader fight for reproductive justice today.

• Abortion and Women’s Rights 1970
  • Directed by Catha Maslow, Jane Pincus, Mary Summers, and Karen Weinstein
• Sunday, March 24 at 7:00 PM
• On Zoom
• Introductions by Kate Harrison and Karen Weinstein

Karen Weinstein made this film with three other activists over 50 years ago and would have hoped that it would be irrelevant today. But it isn’t. They made this film when most of the legislators were male, and there were few women’s voices being heard. They wanted those voices to be heard.

ACLU NorCal is pleased to partner with Colmena Consulting to offer From Awareness to Action, a three-hour workshop designed especially for you, our donor community.

You’re aware of racial inequity. You know what inclusion is. You consider yourself anti-racist. But you’re wondering: Now what? What else can I actually do, day-to-day and over the long-term, to make a concrete change?

From Awareness to Action is an interactive, virtual workshop that takes you through a unique process to arrive upon tangible steps – designed for you by you – to make the most of everything you can give to this work.

Zoom (log-in details provided upon registration)
RSVP NOW

Colmena Consulting is a radical consulting cooperative of change-makers with systematically marginalized identities and social justice values, seeking to create change through new models of work.

Awareness to Action is a workshop they’ve fine-tuned, especially for ACLU NorCal supporters. It helps translate political beliefs into personal actions. The focus of this workshop is not ACLU NorCal’s racial justice program or work. It’s about you.

Accessibility is important to us. Live captioning will be provided, and we welcome other accommodation requests. Please use the RSVP form to share any accommodation requests or email us at events@aclunc.org.

Space in this workshop is limited and will likely fill up. To learn more and claim your spot, register today. RSVPs will be accepted until the workshop is full or 3/21.

Mark your calendars, we hope to see you there!

ACLU of Northern California