Calendar
On March 30, Israeli occupation forces murdered at least 13 Palestinians and injured more than 1,200. using live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, and huge quantities of tear gas. The massive protests in cities across Gaza — the world’s largest open-air prison — were held on Land Day and were the start of a six-week long mobilization leading up to al-Nakba Day, May 15, which commemorates the expulsion of more than 750,000 Palestinians from their homeland in 1948 to make way for the state of Israel. The protest is called the Great March of Return, and demands that the expelled Palestinian be allowed to return to their land.
The Israeli occupation forces, while attempting to turn reality upside down by claiming to have been acting in “self-defense,” reported suffering zero casualties.
Join us to protest this latest atrocity by the Israeli occupiers and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Initiated by the Palestine Action Network
Tomorrow in SF – Emergency protest of Israeli massacre in Gaza. Join us to protest this latest atrocity by the Israeli occupiers and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. #GreatReturnMarch #GazaReturnMarch pic.twitter.com/WJasVtKGcd
— AROC (@AROCBayArea) March 30, 2018
The finale in the US Postal Service’s lawsuit against the City of Berkeley for rezoning the downtown Historic District, which includes the Post Office Building on Allston & Milvia, in late 2014 to prevent it from being used for most commercial purposes should it be sold, as the Post Service intended to do beginning back in 2013.
There will be two hours of oral testimony, one hour allocated to each side.
Federal District Court Judge William Alsup, who presided over a previous lawsuit by the City of Berkeley in its attempt to prevent the Postal Service from selling the property in 2014, will preside.
Berkeley activists from Berkeley Post Office Defenders, First They Came for the Homeless and Save the Berkeley Post Office have been fighting against the sale of the downtown Berkeley Post Office and the privatization of the US Postal Service since 2013. Twice the Post Office exterior was “Occupied” and numerous rallies have been held on its steps.
Demand D.A. O'Malley Charge Mateu with Murder of Sahleem Tindle
🚨 #Oakland Monday, April 2, at 3:30 p.m.
"The Tindle family will be meeting with Nancy O'Malley and we want to let them know we support them." @APTPaction#Justice4Sahleem #OMalleyChargeMateuhttps://t.co/VerGmeY22i— Indybay (@Indybay) March 29, 2018
Wednesday April 4, 2018 will mark the 50th anniversary of the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It will also mark the 51st anniversary of his visionary speech, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” delivered at the Riverside Church in New York City. Dr. King’s words were precautionary and prophetic, providing both a diagnosis and a cure – “a true revolution of values” – for our society’s gravest illnesses, “the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism.” Today his words remain as timely and relevant as ever.
Please join diverse members of our community for a public participatory reading of Dr. King’s “Beyond Vietnam” speech. We will do three readings of the complete speech, at 12 noon, 1 pm and 2 pm. We have divided the speech into 16 sections, so we can accommodate a total of 48 readers. You can read the speech at https://tinyurl.com/
Initial co-sponsors : Western States Legal Foundation, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), East Bay and San Francisco branches; Asian-Americans for Peace & Justice; Ecumenical Peace Institute/CALC; Bay Area Labor Committee for Peace & Justice; Nafsi ya Jamii.
For planning purposes, please let me know which hour(s) you are available to read. PLEASE RSVP TO:
Jackie Cabasso
wslf@earthlink.net
(510) 839-5877
On March 18, 2018, Stephon Clark was gunned down in his backyard by the Sacramento Police Department. The Sacramento Community has been organizing and mobilizing to get #justice4stephon.
BLM Sacramento has called for a national day of action!
Oakland is responding to that call with a show of solidarity. We’ve rented vans to support them in Sacramento. If you want to ride with APTP, email us to reserve a seat: aptpinfo at gmail.com
4/4 is also the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
STAND UP FOR STEPHON!
#kingslegacy
https://www.facebook.com/events/1827314840…
Join Anti Police – Terror Project, @blmsacramento and Justice Network for a national day of action April 4th in honor of the 50th anniversary of MLK’s assassination. pic.twitter.com/V9MSawaS0q
— Women's March (@womensmarch) April 3, 2018
Hear Bobby Seale speak on Police Accountability on Wednesday April 4!
An Evening of Free Speech
With Bobby Seale and Tony Platt
Doors open at 5:30 pm
Tony Platt 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Bobby Seale 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Bobby Seale is an activist working toward police accountability. He
previously co-founded and was Chairman of the Black Panther Party.
Tony Platt is a Distinguished Affiliated Scholar at the UC Berkeley
Center for the Study of Law and Society. He is the author of ten books
and 150 essays and articles dealing with issues of race, inequality,
and social justice in American history. His upcoming book “Behind
These Walls: Rethinking Crime and Punishment in the United States”
will be released by St. Martin’s Press in January 2019.
They will be speaking on police misconduct and accountability in
general, and specifically about the voter initiative to create an
elected Police Accountability Board with full authority over the
Berkeley Police Department.
There is no charge to attend. Any questions call 510-485-6044.
Media please contact us so we can reserve space for you and any
equipment you might bring.
Long, Bitter and Beautiful Struggle for Freedom
A conversation with Vijay Prashad
What does it mean to live in a democracy where guns are more important than ending poverty? On April 4, 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made a powerful argument that the mass movement for racial and economic justice needed to break its silence on the US wars raging abroad. King’s words echoed those of other radicals who argued that understanding the relationship between war, imperialism, and exploitation abroad and violence, racism, and impoverishment at home would imbue people’s struggles with stronger connections and broader horizons, toward deeper social and economic transformations. Our own times call for a reinvigoration of such connections and commitments.
On the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King, join CPE for a conversation with Vijay Prashad, director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, on resisting war and building freedom.
Eric Clanton’s next pre-trial court appearance is at Rene C. Davidson courthouse (the one by the lake) at 9am in Department 11.
Eric was the target of a harassment and smear campaign led by neo-nazis last Spring which resulted in police raiding two bay area homes. Four felony charges were brought based on the accusations circulating on 4chan, and other parts of the right wing net.
This is Eric’s seventh appearance, the last several of which have been a series of date changes. There’s hope that a heavy show of support this time may push the judge towards accepting a favorable deal and keeping Eric free.
***A few known fascists protesters and right wing bloggers still show up to Eric’s hearing with relative frequency so consider taking steps to conceal your identity.***
Agenda
1. 5:00pm: Call to Order, determination of quorum
2. 5:05pm: Review and approval of February meeting minutes
3. 5:10pm: Open Forum
4. 5:15pm: Introduction of new commissioners
5. 5:20pm: Presentation by UC Berkeley School of Information – CRIMS Privacy Assessment. Possible Action – Accept report; make recommendations to the City Council.
6. 5:45pm: Review and take possible action on Sanctuary City Contracting Ordinance
7. 5:55pm: Review and take possible action on Cell Site Simulator Annual Report
8. 6:10pm: Community Inquiry into Landlord Tax Audit/Business Revenue Data Requests (presentation by Strauss, Keenan). Possible Action – make recommendations to the City Council.
Transition Berkeley presents:
“Tomorrow” Film & Discussion
6:30 pm refreshments, 7 pm event
Please join us for a showing of the French documentary “Tomorrow “(Demain), a globetrotting documentary focused on solutions to our environmental crisis, by actress Melanie Laurent and eco-activist Cyril Dion.
“Tomorrow” provides a comprehensive look at ways in which activists, organizers and ordinary citizens are trying to make the world a better, more sustainable place.
Tomorrow shows communities taking power back from governments and corporations a form of grassroots activism which may be the best way to undo the top-down policies that have set us on the fast track to destruction.
How can we incorporate these ideas and make positive change happen here in Berkeley?
Event is hosted by Transition Berkeley and the Social Justice Committee of the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists.
Please join us for a showing of the French documentary Tomorrow (Demain), by actress Melanie Laurent and eco-activist Cyril Dion, a globetrotting documentary focused on solutions to our environmental crisis.
Tomorrow provides a comprehensive look at ways in which activists, organizers and ordinary citizens are trying to make the world a better, more sustainable place. It takes an optimistic view of the future and visits every corner of the earth to meet with men and women who are taking concrete, positive action for the planet.
Tomorrow shows communities taking power back from governments and corporations — a form of grassroots activism which may be the best way to undo the top-down policies that have set us on the fast track to destruction.
Come at 6:30 for meet and greet and bring vegetarian snacks or drinks to share if you can. Film begins at 7:00. Discussion will follow the film.
Sponsored by Transition Berkeley and BFUU Social Justice Committee.
Wheelchair accessible.
Sacramento police murdered Stephon Clark in his grandmother’s backyard on March 18. The killer cops shot him in the back 8 times. Protesters have taken the streets of the state capital nearly every day since.
Police kill more people in the United States than in any comparable country. Disproportionate numbers of those killed are Black, Latinx and Native American people. Kayla Moore, Shaleem Tindle, Jesus Adolfo Delgado-Duarte, Mario Woods, Yuvette Henderson, Alan Blueford, Oscar Grant. These are the names of just a few of the black and brown people who have been killed by the police in and around the Bay Area.
Join the International Socialist Organization for a discussion of police brutality, and what it will take to put an end to police terror and racist gun violence.
A Public Forum with
Christine Hong, Michael Klare, and Andrew Lichterman
A forum on the dangers of war in Korea, options for a peaceful solution, and prospects for a movement leading to that outcome.
Christine Hong is Associate Professor of Literature and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies at UC Santa Cruz and is the author of the forthcoming book, The Price of Inclusion: Race, Militarism, and the Pax Americana in Cold War Asia and the Pacific.
Michael T. Klare is the Five College Professor of Peace and World Security Studies and the defense correspondent of The Nation. He is the author of The Race for What’s Left (2012), Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet (2008), Blood and Oil (2004), and Resource Wars (2001).
Andrew Lichterman is a policy analyst and lawyer with the Oakland, California, based Western States Legal Foundation.He has represented peace and environmental activists and engaged in environmental litigation relating to nuclear weapons.His current work focuses on US nuclear weapons programs, global disarmament efforts, and the global economy.
This forum, convened by the East Bay Area chapter of Historians for Peace and Democracy, is co-sponsored by the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club and the Peace Caucus of East Bay Democratic Socialists of America. These views do not necessarily reflect the official views of EBDSA or its Local Council.
For further information, contact:
Barbara Epstein (bepstein@ucsc.edu) or Tony Platt (amplatt27@gmail.com).
The housing crisis in the Bay Area and beyond is a wholly preventable disaster, created and maintained by the notion that housing is a commodity and not a human right.
Join DSA in the campaign for the Affordable Housing Act — a proposed ballot initiative that that will give our cities and counties the power to adopt rent control necessary to address the state’s housing affordability crisis by repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.
Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act upholds landlord interests, and — in tandem with the housing crisis — has deeply exacerbated social disparities, displaced longtime communities, driven homelessness, and dealt a blow to working class power by making housing ever more insecure and inaccessible.
This canvass will be the first of many! Come learn more about repealing Costa-Hawkins, and then we’ll hit the streets to talk with our neighbors about housing justice and gather signatures for the Affordable Housing Act!
The Peace and Freedom Party presents
We didn’t cross the border, the border crossed us!
The Peace and Freedom Platform states: “We call for open borders. Full rights for all immigrant workers. No human is illegal. Stop ICE raids. Stop jailing and deporting immigrants.” We have four speakers to discuss immigration issues: Bree Bernwanger, Staff Attorney, Lawyers Committee for International Human Rights; Yvette Felarca, Middle School Teacher, By Any Means Necessary (BAMN); Eugene Ruyle, former PFP Congressional Candidate, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology, CSULB; Antonio Trossero, political refugee arrested by the Peronist government in 1976, exiled to the United States after spending five years in jail during the military dictatorship.
This is part of our on-going Socialist Forum Series on the first Saturday of every month. Doors open at 2 pm and the program will start promptly at 2:30 pm. The forum will end by 4:30 pm, but folks can stay and talk as long as you like. Speaker’s affiliations are listed for identification only. The opinions expressed do not reflect the official views of the Peace and Freedom Party.
The Peace and Freedom Party, born from the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 1960s, is committed to socialism, democracy, ecology, feminism, racial equality, and internationalism.
http://www.peaceandfreedom.org
At the same time, a McCarthyite hysteria has been created against Russia, intended to prepare the people here for new and extremely dangerous provocations against that country. Overseeing the huge military build-up is Secretary of “Defense” James Mattis, who will be speaking in San Francisco on Sat. April 14. Join us to say;
– No new war against Korea or Iran – End all U.S. wars around the world!
– Shut down all foreign bases & Bring all troops home!
– End the anti-Russia hysteria before it leads to war!!
– Stop the nuclear weapons build-up!
– Fund healthcare, housing, schools & jobs, not militarism!
In the wake of Bay Area ICE raids, the feds suing California, and a shutdown of CIVIC’s weekly visits to detainees, join the community circle to protest at Richmond’s West County Detention Center (WCDF)! Those detained right in our midst are our loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, and classmates. The impact of these racist, cruel separations has enormous economic and social impact on our communities. And the same is true for the general population in jail, who are also unfairly criminalized and detained for lengthy periods before trial.
• HEAR samba band Sistah Boom
• GET UPDATES from families of detained folks
• SHOUT with the Let Our People Go community circle
• AND MORE TO BE ADDED SOON
LET OUR PEOPLE GO is a youth-and-elder-friendly action that opposes the immorality of detentions/deportations and mass incarceration with activist debriefs, music, art, stories, poetry, interactive small groups, and representation from various faith communities and faithless humanists. Accessible site with parking, plus bathrooms right inside in the visitors waiting room.
The monthly Let Our People Go protests were initiated by members of Kehilla Community Synagogue on the 2nd Sunday of every month at 11am, modeled in part on the first Saturday vigils held by our partners at Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. A grassroots effort, Let Our People Go is organized by volunteers from Kehilla’s Immigration Committee. The ongoing participation from Bend the Arc Bay Area Solidarity activists, Congregation Beth El, and other regular attendees is what creates a powerful community circle, a sustained message of resistance to the powers that lets detainees and their loved ones know that estamos en la lucha con ellos. **If your school, network, affinity group or congregation is interested in getting involved, contact us at letourpeoplego@kehillasyna
A one-hour protest, Let Our People Go is a way for our communities—especially those with citizenship privileges—to stand up for our peoples and bring more attention to this immoral site of internment right in our community. We aim to convey a sustained message of resistance to the right wing’s racist, xenophobic, anti-Muslim, ableist, transphobic, homophobic, misogynist ramp up of authoritarian policing, mass incarceration and deportation practices—if not now, when?
Sunday Morning at the Marxist Library
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, 2018:
#METOO WORLD-WIDE AND ACROSS SOCIETIES,
FROM HOLLYWOOD TO PRISONS IN THE U.S.
Whether in Iran demonstrating against the compulsion to wear head scarves, or in Poland threatening the regime posed to pass the most draconian abortion law, or in the U.S. leading the largest opposition to Trump and Trumpism, women’s sustained actions strive to bring about a new world. Every aspect of women’s struggle is reflected and deepened in the experiences and ideas of women prisoners. Does Marx’s view that the man/woman relation is the most fundamental speak to today’s reality?
Speaker will be Urszula Wislanka, Marxist Humanist activist with California Coalition for Women Prisoners and Pelican Bay Hunger Strike Support Coalition.
Many Muslims and allies have been asking about the role bystanders can play in protecting targets of hate crimes since the election. The tragedy in Portland, where two heroes were killed while protecting two women who were being attacked, really brought that question to the forefront again.
The bystander effect is a psychological phenomenon that often prevents people from intervening on behalf of victims of harassment, assault, or other criminal activity. Through training in non-violent intervention methods and role playing in practice scenarios, trainees learn the methods and techniques to circumvent the powerful social pressure to stay silent.
This is a great opportunity to learn vital skills for intervening in harassment situations at this important time, as well as a chance to build relationships across faith communities.
The training is capped at 50 people. RSVP
Questions? Please contact Emily Galpern at emilygalpern@gmail.com