Calendar

The racism of police violence, climate change, sexism and homophobia, war, economic inequality.  The injustices of American society stang exposed for everyone to see.  Yet the many apologists for capitalism claim that whatever its defects there is no alternative to a system that puts corporate greed ahead of human need.  We disagree!  Join the International Socialist Organization and discuss what socialism is and how you can get involved today in the struggle to change the world.

Organized by the International Socialist Organization

After many months of appearances, Dante is accepting a felony plea deal. Let’s show up to send him onward to probation and moving forward with his life! The sentencing appointment was specific to the minute, so be on time! That is not, of course, a guarantee that the courts will be prompt.

Check the anti-rep website and Facebook for any change or postponement before going!

A few weeks ago you may have signed a petition demanding an investigation be conducted in the death of an inmate, Mario Martinez, at Santa Rita County Jail. We invite you to come out and support our rally at the Corizon office. Corizon is the healthcare provider at Santa Rita County Jail who is partially responsible for Mario’s death on July 15, 2015.

We will meet at 10:30AM at 1130 Ballena Blvd in the city of Alameda. We will march from this location to 1150 Ballena Blvd. where Corizon’s office is located. The event will begin at 11:30 AM promptly.

Please RSVP and let me know if we can count on you to join the rally. Thank you for signing the petition, your support and your time, Have a great day.

The event formerly known as the Mission Takes the Planning Commission, has expanded! We make history on 9/10 at 11am!

11 AM :: RALLY/ACTION
:::: Activities/Actions throughout the DAY ::::

((( THUR. 9/17 is ROUND 3 )))
Save the Date :: Details TBA soon!

Build Affordable Housing • Stop the Evictions • Preserve SF Arts and Culture • Just Cause Evictions 2.0 • YES on I • YES on F • Don’t Supersize SOMA • No Beast on Bryant • Save Yerba Buena Island Community

Organized by ACCE • Bayan NorCal • Calle 24 Latino Cultural District • Causa Justa :: Just Cause • The Cultural Action Network • Gabriela SF • Our Mission No Eviction • Plaza 16 Coalition • San Francisco Antidisplacement Coalition • SoMa Action Committee • and many more!

__________________________________________
SIGN THE PETITION http://tinyurl.com/BeastOnBryant
SIGN UP FOR MORE INFO http://goo.gl/forms/3AjSq0lMtK

FOR UPDATES throughout the day on 9/10: follow on Twitter: @CulturalActNet @PlazaSixteen or follow our Facebook pages

– Please RSVP and stay tuned on the event page.

Please turn out for this and bring 10 friends!

#NoBeastOnBryant

On Thursday Sept. 4th a Black man who was attempting to make a purchase with his EBT, was beaten and bloodied by armed security guards at the Lake Merritt Whole Foods. This man was left unconscious in a large pool of his own blood out front of the store, while employees called for more back-up rather than sending for paramedics.

This inhumane beating adds to the national narrative around a crisis of anti-Black violence. Currently, every 28hrs a black person is murdered by police, vigilantes, or security guards.*

This latest brutality is also in context of many ongoing discriminatory practices and anti-Black policies engaged by Whole Foods:

**Whole Foods materially supported the state violence in Baltimore**
During the Baltimore protests, Whole Foods distributed free water bottles to the National Guard and created a photo opportunity, rather than providing any food/water donations to the Baltimore children left hungry by the forced school closures.

**Whole Foods depends on Prison Labor**
WF uses exploitative prison labor in Colorado to supply products to their stores nationally.

*Whole Foods has a poor labor record**
WF is known for their union-busting and anti-worker labor practices.

*Whole Foods was a significant gentrifying force in Oakland*
WF only opens locations in areas that meet their median income standards. The Lake Merritt location was an exception to this policy; in 2007 this store was opened based on a projected rise in income. Meaning WF both fostered and depended on the gentrification of this area in particular.

On Thursday Spet 10th, we are calling for a picket at Whole Foods with the following demands:

1. Disarm all security guards at the store
2. Compensate for the pain, suffering, and humiliation of the attack victim
3.Issue a public apology
4. Suspend all managers on duty that night, as well as the employees who called for more backup rather than calling the paramedics.
5. Provide discounts and giveaways for EBT customers, in solidarity with the working families being displaced from the area.
6. Require on-going staff training on how anti-Black racism functions within customer service

Please turn out with SIGNS and BANNERS for a two-hour picket line out front of the Whole Foods. This violence against our community has to stop!! And we will not support a business that promotes these acts of brutality!!

~This event is being hosted by members of black.seed and the Anti-Police Terror Project~

*This statistic comes from Malcolm X Grassroots Project annual report, Operation Ghetto Storm.

“Cowspiracy-The Sustainability Secret” is a ground breaking feature length environmental documentary on the most destructive industry on our planet today. The intrepid filmmakers investigated the cattle industry and its impact on climate change and global warming. Don’t miss this exciting, shocking yet humorous film. It is as eye-opening as it is inspiring. Find out why the nation’s leading environmental organizations are afraid to talk about this seemingly obvious issue.

Doors open 6pm. Refreshments served.
Wheelchair accessible.

Protest Alameda County Sheriff Ahern’s

militarized police exhibit and exercises

Urban Shield is the largest SWAT training & war-weapons expo in the world. We will gather on September 11th, across communities, to end it & resist police militarization around the world!

Join the Stop Urban Shield Coalition to say NO to policing, militarization and state violence!

While Urban Shield is just one front in the fight against the state’s attempt to militarize every aspect of our lives – from its war-making here and abroad, to the increasing presence of police in our schools, to the systemic murder of Black and Brown people at the hands of police – stopping Urban Shield would be a major victory against this growing trend of militarization in cities everywhere, from Oakland to Ferguson to Baltimore.

Join us in resisting violence against our communities and in fighting for genuine visions of justice, safety, and self-determination.

Organized by American Friends Service Committee, Arab Resource & Organizing Center, Bay Area Latin America Solidarity Coalition, Civilize the Cops, Code Pink, Critical Resistance, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Justice for James Rivera, Million Hoodies, Oakland Privacy Working Group, Oscar Grant Committee, Palestinian Youth Movement, Restore the 4^th, San Leandro-SAFE, School of the Americas Watch-Oakland & San Francisco, UAW Local 2865, War Resisters League, Xicana Moratorium Coalition

There is an event in Oakland.

THE ANASTASIO PROJECT RETURNS TO OAKLAND
The widely acclaimed multidisciplinary arts project brings to life  local stories of state violence

WHEN: September 11 – 13 and 18-20, @ 8:00 pm

Across the country, the #blacklivesmatter movement has forced to the surface a conversation that has been happening under the mainstream radar in communities of color for centuries. Today, America can no longer ignore the epidemic of state violence that she is enacting on Black, Brown and poor communities by her various law enforcement agencies.

For two weekends – September 11-13 & 18-20 – in partnership with Eastside Arts Alliance, José Navarrete and Debby Kajiyama of NAKA Dance Company surface these conversations once more by returning to the stage their acclaimed production of the The Anastasio Project; a multidisciplinary performance investigating race relations, state brutality and border violence.

Combining interactive video, original music, a large-format mural, spoken word and dance, The Anastasio Project draws on personal experiences of violence endured by people of color living in Oakland to create a profound and moving community event.

Prior to the performance, audience members are encouraged to explore the art galleries where pieces by various local artists will kick start conversations on the impacts of state violence in communities of color. For the complete list of artists, visithttp://nkdancetheater.com/anastasio/.

The Anastasio Project was inspired by the tragic story of Hernandez-Rojas, a Mexican national who was beaten to death by a dozen customs and border patrol agents at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2010.

“When we saw the cell phone footage of the beating of Hernandez-Rojas, we were devastated as we watched the Border Patrol inflict so much pain on another human being,” said Kajiyama in an interview with The Triangle Lab. “People were screaming at the Border Patrol to stop; Anastasio was asking for clemency; but nothing stopped the officers, and they continued to beat him.”

These are the kinds of stories flooding the daily airwaves and social media platforms of America and why the return of The Anastasio Project is so timely and critical. “The youth that we’ve worked with at Eastside Arts Alliance are not afraid to tell the truth and have themselves become the vehicles for social change,” said Navarrete. “We are concerned about their future, and the legacy that we leave for them. Most people from East Oakland are people of color, and youth are likely targets for racial profiling and police brutality. We want to learn from them; we want to share their perspectives.”

The Anastasio Project asks how we can avoid repeating the tragedies of Hernandez-Rojas, Sandra Bland, Mike Brown, Natasha McKenna, Tamir Rice and thousands like them in cities across the country.

Three of the performances will include pre-show conversations with community activists and organizers including Bertha Gutierrez & Families of San Diego (9/12), Cat Brooks of the Anti Police-Terror Project (9/13) and Mujeres Unidas y Activas with Matt Gonzalez from the SF Public Defenders Office (9/19). These dialogues will explore the complexities of state sponsored terror: ICE, the police, FBI, the military and their supporters. All conversations begin at 4:00 pm and will be followed by a light reception prior to the performance.

Development of The Anastasio Project is supported by: The MAP Fund, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; William & Flora Hewlett Foundation; City of Oakland Cultural Funding; The Kenneth Rainin Foundation; The East Bay Community Foundation’s East Bay Fund for Artists; The Open Circle Foundation; the Center for Cultural Innovation Investing in Artists Grant; EastSide Arts Alliance; Theatre Bay Area’s CA$H Grant; the Zellerbach Family Foundation; the Akonadi Foundation; the Della Davidson Prize; the California Arts Council Creating Places of Vitality Grant, California Shakespeare Theater’s Triangle Lab, Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, and many generous individual donors.

NAKA Dance Theater and Eastside Arts Alliance present the return of The Anastasio Project

TICKETS: To purchase tickets online visit brownpapertickets.com.

For more information visit nkdancetheater.com or eastsideartsalliance.org.

FREE Lecture: Chile at La Peña

The Political Affairs Discussion Group sponsored by the Communist Party (Oakland/Berkeley) invites you to a discussion of:

If Black Lives Don’t Matter, Whose Do?
Class Struggle and the Fight Against White Supremacy

Background readings:
Jarvis Tyner, ‘Black Lives Matter! The Struggle Against Police Murders, Brutality and Abuse
http://www.politicalaffairs.net/black-lives-matter-the-struggle-against-police-murders-brutality-and-abuse/
Jake Halpern, ‘The Cop’ New Yorker Profile of Darren Wilson
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/08/10/the-cop

Come support the Perez family in their continuing quest for Justice for their son, Pedie, shot and killed, unarmed, by a Richmond Police Officer one year ago. Learn about new developments in the ongoing lawsuit.

There may be a short march after the BBQ.

*Who*: You–at ANY level of skill (newbs encouraged to attend)!
*What*: Work Party (fun, learning, labor, love)! — Also see TASKS list below!!!
*When*: *Sat 9/5 @ 12 noon* (And Every Saturday, FOREVER)!
*How*: With our bare hands, feet, noses, etc — plus tools and stuff!
*Why*: Omni Commons needs some serious elbow grease to get ship-shape, for the safety, accessibility, and delight of all!

*TASKS*
* Doors (re-hanging and installing closers)
* Carpentry in the basement
* Plumbing, tile, and other water-related activities
* Drywall ’til you drop
* Felt the feet of our ballroom furniture
* Protect our building from confused critters like pigeons!
* General cleaning / tidying / arranging / creativity / expression / explosions / excitement / activity!!!!!!!
* much much much more!

Please join your fellow volunteers, especially the zany and rambunctious
Building and Maintenance Working Group (woooohooooooooooooooooooooo)!

THE ANASTASIO PROJECT RETURNS TO OAKLAND
The widely acclaimed multidisciplinary arts project brings to life  local stories of state violence

WHEN: September 11 – 13 and 18-20, @ 8:00 pm

Across the country, the #blacklivesmatter movement has forced to the surface a conversation that has been happening under the mainstream radar in communities of color for centuries. Today, America can no longer ignore the epidemic of state violence that she is enacting on Black, Brown and poor communities by her various law enforcement agencies.

For two weekends – September 11-13 & 18-20 – in partnership with Eastside Arts Alliance, José Navarrete and Debby Kajiyama of NAKA Dance Company surface these conversations once more by returning to the stage their acclaimed production of the The Anastasio Project; a multidisciplinary performance investigating race relations, state brutality and border violence.

Combining interactive video, original music, a large-format mural, spoken word and dance, The Anastasio Project draws on personal experiences of violence endured by people of color living in Oakland to create a profound and moving community event.

Prior to the performance, audience members are encouraged to explore the art galleries where pieces by various local artists will kick start conversations on the impacts of state violence in communities of color. For the complete list of artists, visithttp://nkdancetheater.com/anastasio/.

The Anastasio Project was inspired by the tragic story of Hernandez-Rojas, a Mexican national who was beaten to death by a dozen customs and border patrol agents at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2010.

“When we saw the cell phone footage of the beating of Hernandez-Rojas, we were devastated as we watched the Border Patrol inflict so much pain on another human being,” said Kajiyama in an interview with The Triangle Lab. “People were screaming at the Border Patrol to stop; Anastasio was asking for clemency; but nothing stopped the officers, and they continued to beat him.”

These are the kinds of stories flooding the daily airwaves and social media platforms of America and why the return of The Anastasio Project is so timely and critical. “The youth that we’ve worked with at Eastside Arts Alliance are not afraid to tell the truth and have themselves become the vehicles for social change,” said Navarrete. “We are concerned about their future, and the legacy that we leave for them. Most people from East Oakland are people of color, and youth are likely targets for racial profiling and police brutality. We want to learn from them; we want to share their perspectives.”

The Anastasio Project asks how we can avoid repeating the tragedies of Hernandez-Rojas, Sandra Bland, Mike Brown, Natasha McKenna, Tamir Rice and thousands like them in cities across the country.

Three of the performances will include pre-show conversations with community activists and organizers including Bertha Gutierrez & Families of San Diego (9/12), Cat Brooks of the Anti Police-Terror Project (9/13) and Mujeres Unidas y Activas with Matt Gonzalez from the SF Public Defenders Office (9/19). These dialogues will explore the complexities of state sponsored terror: ICE, the police, FBI, the military and their supporters. All conversations begin at 4:00 pm and will be followed by a light reception prior to the performance.

Development of The Anastasio Project is supported by: The MAP Fund, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; William & Flora Hewlett Foundation; City of Oakland Cultural Funding; The Kenneth Rainin Foundation; The East Bay Community Foundation’s East Bay Fund for Artists; The Open Circle Foundation; the Center for Cultural Innovation Investing in Artists Grant; EastSide Arts Alliance; Theatre Bay Area’s CA$H Grant; the Zellerbach Family Foundation; the Akonadi Foundation; the Della Davidson Prize; the California Arts Council Creating Places of Vitality Grant, California Shakespeare Theater’s Triangle Lab, Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, and many generous individual donors.

NAKA Dance Theater and Eastside Arts Alliance present the return of The Anastasio Project

TICKETS: To purchase tickets online visit brownpapertickets.com.

For more information visit nkdancetheater.com or eastsideartsalliance.org.

Kerie Campbell is a fiercely devoted mother of two who has been waging an agonizing and expensive battle to regain legal custody of her children, lost originally because she reported a biased custody evaluator for violating her medical confidentiality. In July of this year she and her lawyer prevailed and her legal rights were temporarily restored. There is one final hearing in January 2016 to solidify the court’s order. Things look good for Kerie to keep her rights, but the legal bills are piling up.

Let’s pull together as a community and show Kerie that she doesn’t have to do this alone. Money should not be the barrier standing between her and what’s best for her kids.

Brunch buffet (suggested donation $10-20)
A la carte items priced individually
Silent auction – art, crafts and jewelry

If you can’t attend the café but still would like to help, you can donate directly to Kerie’s legal fund here.

Discuss the criminalization and murder of Black Women in America. Can police ever create public safety for black women? What are our alternatives? What is the next step for the movement for Black Lives and the Oakland Collective?

Unist’ot’en Camp Report Back, Film Screening & Fundraiser

The Unist’ot’en Camp is an Indigenous homestead located in the far north west of so-called Canada, where the people (Unist’ot’en), who have always lived there, are occupying and utilizing their traditional territory, as they have for centuries.

Numerous companies, including Chevron and TransCanada, are illegally encroaching on the Unist’ot’en’s territory, attempting to push forward the proposed pipeline project that threatens the Unist’ot’en’s traditional territories, clean water, and generations to come. As well, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s presence is currently forcing the camp to remain on high alert.

At this report back, two supporters of Unist’ot’en Camp will screen films about the camp. Artwork and CDs will be available for sale, to raise funds for the camp. Discussion very welcome and we hope to hear from people in the Bay Area, on Ohlone Territories, who are working on on fighting environmental racism, resource extraction and colonialism, to build connections and solidarity!

This event is being hosted on Ohlone homelands. We will also hear about upcoming events to protest the cannonization of Junipero Serra and more, at this event.

Accessibility info: La Commune Cafe and Bookstore is wheelchair-accessible on the ground floor. There is a lift to the bathroom through the Ballroom.

OTU’s Mission

The Oakland Tenants Union is an organization of housing activists dedicated to protecting tenant rights and interests. OTU does this by working directly with tenants in their struggle with landlords, impacting legislation and public policy about housing, community education, and working with other organizations committed to furthering renters’ rights. The Oakland Tenants Union is open to anyone who shares our core values and who believes that tenants themselves have the primary responsibility to work on their own behalf.

Monthly Meetings

The Oakland Tenants Union meets regularly at 7:00 pm on the second Monday evening of each month. Our monthly meetings are held in the Community Room of the Madison Park Apartments, 100 – 9th Street (at Oak Street, across from the Lake Merritt BART Station). To enter, gently knock on the window of the room to the right of the main entrance to the building. At the meetings, first we focus on general issues affecting renters city-wide and then second we offer advice to renters regarding their individual concerns.

If you have an issue, a question, or need advice about a tenant/landlord issue, please call us at (510) 704-5276. Leave a message with your name and phone number and someone will get back to you.

A lot has been happing behind the scenes in Alameda County over the summer: we have been pushing for transparency around the county’s criminal justice spending, uncovered a secret plan to expand Santa Rita jail, and joined our allies in demanding #Justice4Mario.

Next week, the Board of Supervisors will resume their regular meetings and we want you to join us and our allies as we flood their meeting.

We hope to see you next Tuesday, September 15th at the park across from 1401 Lakeside Dr. at 9:45 a.m.

We will join longtime Ella Baker Center Books Not Bars member Sheri Costa to seek justice for her nephew Mario Michael Martinez, who died in the custody at the Santa Rita jail in July of an asthma attack as the deputies stood by and watched.

Mario’s death is a reminder of the continued injustices of the prison system, and the need to move resources away from it.

Stand with us and our allies at the Alameda County Criminal Justice Reform Coalition and CURB as we voice our opposition to the Alameda County Sheriff’s secret plans to expand the jail, and demand that the Board of Supervisors increase transparency and involve the community in the way they spend public safety realignment funds.

The Board of Supervisors needs to know that we are united, that we are powerful, and that we demand that things change. We will no longer remain silent as business goes on as usual. Please come out and support #JobsNotJails.