Calendar
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.
Despite SF's sanctuary policy, SFPD raided the @occupyicesf camp early this morning–when local media wouldn't be around to document. A few injuries.
TOMORROW: Demand the SF Board of Supervisors support #AbolishICE and break up with any bank that finances private prisons pic.twitter.com/KA1OZKTJDt
— SF Public Bank Coalition (@sfpublicbank) July 9, 2018
The Ella Baker Center will host a mail night at our office to respond to the increasing amount of correspondence we’ve been receiving from people in prisons and jails across the country. We are getting lots of questions about prior ballot initiatives including Prop 47 and 57, advocacy support, requests for pen pals and the Ella Baker Center’s work at large. We will also be sending information to people inside about how they can get involved with our priority bills.
Please RSVP to Eric@ellabakercenter.org
#occupyicesf is back baby!!! @occupyicesf pic.twitter.com/6tctGyAX7v
— BITCOINTELPRO (@LiaOffLeash) July 10, 2018
KPFA Radio 94.1 FM presents
Advanced Tickets: Pegasus Books (3 stores), Books Inc (Berkeley), Moe’s, Walden Pond Bookstore, East Bay Books, Mrs. Dalloway’s
What does a middle-class democracy look like when it falls apart? When – after forty years of economic triumph – the country’s fiscal winners persuade themselves that they owe nothing whasoever to the rest of the country? With his exceptionally sharp eye for detail, Thomas Frank takes us on a wide-ranging tour through present day America, showing us a society in the final stages of disintegration, and describing the
worlds of both the winners and the losers—the sprawling mansion districts as well as the daily lives of fast-food workers.
Rendezvous with Oblivion is a collection of interlocking essays examining exactly how grotesque inequality has manifested itself in our cities, in our jobs, in the way we travel, and of course in our politics, where in 2016, millions of anxious ordinary people rallied to the insulting presidential campaign of a billionaire who had only contempt for them.
These accounts of folly and exploitation are brought together in this volume, unified by Frank’s distinctive voice, sardonic wit, and fresh, anti-orthodox perspective. They capture a society where status signifiers are hollow, where the allure of mobility is merely another con job, and where rebellion too often yields nothing. For those who despair of the future of this country, Rendezvous with Obliviion is a booster shot of energy, reality, and welcome moral outrage.
“Thomas Frank combines two things absent from most liberal commentary: muckraking reporting and satiric wit.” — New York Times’ Book Review
Thomas Frank is the author of the New York Times’ bestselling What’s the Matter with Kansas? as well as Listen, Liberal, and Pity the Billionaire, and The Wrecking Crew. A former columnist for The Wall Street Journal and Harper’s, he is the founding editor of The Baffler, and writes regularly for The Guardian.
Kris Welch is a veteran, very popular KPFA on-air host, a mother, and a devoted grandmother.
KPFA benefit
Join a live Q&A via Skype with Ken Ward, one of the valve turners who shut off oil pipelines in October 2016. This discussion of the valve turners’ multi-state civil disobedience action will follow a screening of the documentary film “The Reluctant Radical.” The film follows Ward as he confronts his fears and puts himself in the direct path of the fossil fuel industry to combat climate change.
Join Sunflower Alliance for two fundraisers for the valve turners’ legal defense fund.
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT BROWN PAPER TICKETS (sliding scale)
Richmond: https://bpt.me/3483033;
Oakland: https://bpt.me/3489485
Check out “The Reluctant Radical” trailer here
A climate change film like no other, THE RELUCTANT RADICAL is an intimate character portrait of valve turner Ken Ward, who puts everything on the line in his fight to stave off climate change. Using cinéma vérité storytelling, the film reveals both the personal costs and also the fulfillment that comes from following ones moral callingeven if that means breaking the law.
The film follows Ken for a year and a half, culminating with his participation in the coordinated action that shut down all the U.S. tar sands oil pipelines on October 11, 2016 and the ensuing trial that threatened to put him behind bars for twenty years.
There are many fronts in the vast climate fight; this film highlights the personal struggles and victories of one daring path. -Bill McKibben, Climate Advocate and Founder of 350.org
He was told he was crazy, but crazy is sitting idly by as disaster for young people is knowingly locked in. -Dr. James Hansen, Climate Scientist
ll are welcome to join East Bay DSA’s ongoing Socialist Night School for this special evening on housing politics, in connection with our chapter’s campaign to repeal Costa-Hawkins and win universal rent control & social housing in California.
READINGS HERE: https://www.eastbaydsa.org/resources-readings-socialist-school-2018-summer-session-1
Aside from a short opening lecture, the bulk of class time will be spent in small group discussions where we’ll talk the housing crisis in the East Bay from a socialist perspective, the goal of social housing, and how fighting for Costa-Hawkins can help us unite a mass working-class tenant movement able to systemically kick landlord butt.
All participants are asked to read the readings before class. East Bay DSA members and non-members of any experience/knowledge level on housing politics are all warmly invited.
>>ABOUT SOCIALIST NIGHT SCHOOL<<
Socialist Night School is a rolling open course that provides opportunities for East Bay DSA members to ground their political work in the rich theoretical and historical traditions of the socialist left.
Classes are down-to-earth, inclusive spaces that give East Bay comrades a chance to grow their politics together, regardless of background knowledge or affiliation. You don’t have to have been to a night school before and you don’t have to RSVP to join us! You don’t even have to be a member of East Bay DSA — everyone is welcome.
>>ABOUT EAST BAY DSA’S SOCIAL HOUSING CAMPAIGN<<
Join your neighbors in the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America as we organize to win the Affordable Housing Act, universal rent control, and beautiful social housing for everyone.
Our homes should be homes, not investments for Wall Street and corporate landlords. By organizing our neighbors, standing up to prevent evictions, and winning elections, we are building a mass movement for a housing system that puts people over profit.
Nearly two years after Election Day 2016, Americans’ rights are under siege across the nation, from voter suppression and gerrymandering to police violence and attacks on immigrants. Yet there has also been a surge in civic action to protect these rights, and it is gathering dramatic momentum as we near the midterm elections.
Join America’s preeminent civil rights leader Reverend William J. Barber, architect of North Carolina’s Moral Monday movement and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, and Mother Jones’ senior reporter Ari Berman for an in-depth discussion about the current state of civil rights and democracy, and how we can energize both.
Books will be available for sale; book signing to follow the main program.
Sponsored by Ben & Jerry’s, the San Francisco Foundation, and FreeSpeechTV.
Timothy Faust is a single-payer activist with the Democratic Socialists of America. Over the past year, he has driven 10,000 miles to speak about single-payer to groups of activists, medical students, law students, and general assemblies—32 states so far. With his partner, he hosts HEAVYxMEDICAL, a podcast about health policy and metal music. His book Health Justice Now: Single Payer and What Comes Next will be published by Melville House in 2019.
Join us for a discussion about the need for single-payer healthcare, why this issue is a fight critical for democratic socialists, and what the political landscape looks like.
RSVP
Join a live Q&A via Skype with Ken Ward, one of the valve turners who shut off oil pipelines in October 2016. This discussion of the valve turners’ multi-state civil disobedience action will follow a screening of the documentary film “The Reluctant Radical.” The film follows Ward as he confronts his fears and puts himself in the direct path of the fossil fuel industry to combat climate change.
Join Sunflower Alliance for two fundraisers for the valve turners’ legal defense fund.
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT BROWN PAPER TICKETS (sliding scale)
Richmond: https://bpt.me/3483033;
Oakland: https://bpt.me/3489485
Check out “The Reluctant Radical” trailer here
A climate change film like no other, THE RELUCTANT RADICAL is an intimate character portrait of valve turner Ken Ward, who puts everything on the line in his fight to stave off climate change. Using cinéma vérité storytelling, the film reveals both the personal costs and also the fulfillment that comes from following ones moral callingeven if that means breaking the law.
The film follows Ken for a year and a half, culminating with his participation in the coordinated action that shut down all the U.S. tar sands oil pipelines on October 11, 2016 and the ensuing trial that threatened to put him behind bars for twenty years.
There are many fronts in the vast climate fight; this film highlights the personal struggles and victories of one daring path. -Bill McKibben, Climate Advocate and Founder of 350.org
He was told he was crazy, but crazy is sitting idly by as disaster for young people is knowingly locked in. -Dr. James Hansen, Climate Scientist
Friday July 13th 2018 will mark three turbulent years since our sister Sandra Bland was found dead in a Texas Jail cell. We all know the brutal details of her story and thousands of our fellow Americans have suffered her fate since that mournful day. We will be commemorating Sandra’s life with a silent candlelight vigil this Friday evening in Oakland, gathering at 7:30 pm, followed by a criminal justice reform rally at 8pm. Please take a moment out of your busy schedules to join community activists and leaders, who will be addressing the state of the the movement and a vision for the future.
All criminal justice reform advocates are welcome to attend. Please bring a candle for yourself and bring a friend. California Assembly Candidates Jovanka Beckles, Maria Estrada and James Ellia will be speaking out on why we need to lead a Progressive platform with criminal justice reform. They will be joined by local CJR activists and community leaders. They will be sharing their perspectives on the issues and their vision for the future.
Many allies have become awakened to the suffering our black and brown brothers and sisters face on a daily basis as members of “The Other America” where the simple act of walking with color has grave consequences under the oppressive boot of a corrupt criminal justice system. Many of those Allies have stepped up to become accomplices in the moral awakening of a nation, split into Two Americas.
This issue has galvanized millions across our country to stand up and be counted on the right side of history. This is the Civil Rights issue of our generation. This is our Edmund Pettus Bridge. Do your part by showing up for racial justice. Many hands make light work. This is what Democracy looks like.
Join us as we talk to residents and ask for their support for SB 562, the bill that would establish a single payer, Medicare-for-All healthcare system in California.
We’re turning up the heat across the state to educate the public and continue to build the powerful grassroots support for SB 562. Join us on Saturday July 14 at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland to talk to our neighbors about what Medicare-for-All could do for their lives and ask for their support.
Thanks for joining us in this fight for justice!
Come get trained by Silicon Valley Debug on how you can show up at court in support of those facing a bail hearing. You’ll learn about the bail system in California, how to provide court support, and concrete ways that you can help expose how exploitative money bail is in our state.
Everyday, in county courts across the state, decisions are made that dictate the size, scope, and demographic make up of incarceration in California. It’s at first court appearances where one of the most important decisions is rendered — whether someone will be released while going through the court process or asked to pay bail for their freedom. Because bail amounts are often impossible to reach for many, over 60% of our county jail beds in California are occupied by those who haven’t been convicted of a crime, but rather are there simply because they could not afford the bail amount.
Silicon Valley Debug has been at the forefront of the fight to end money bail in California. One tactic is by witnessing, documenting, and sharing stories about the bail system in our state as part of a statewide campaign called “A Day in Court”.
Observing Arraignments and Bail Hearings can be extremely useful for two key reasons:
1. The courtroom dynamics change and is more accountable when community is present.
2. Monitoring and sharing the activities of court actors across the state can give the public an informed snapshot of the California Court System.
Childcare is available during this event. For those in need of childcare services please email policy@surjbayarea.org for more information.
Silicon Valley De-Bug is a community organizing, advocacy, and a multimedia storytelling organization based out of San José, California. Since its’ inception in 2001, De-Bug has been a platform for Silicon Valley’s diverse communities to impact the political, cultural, and social landscape of the region, while also becoming a nationally recognized model for community-based justice work.
We are meeting at the Lake Merritt Pergola. We are joining in a circle of compassion and clarity to announce that FAMILIES BELONG TOGETHER! #endICE
Co-Sponsors/Endorsers Include:
Anti Police-Terror Project
Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice
SURJ – Oakland/Bay Area
The East Oakland Collective
Youth Together
Spectrum Queer Media
The Center for Political Education
Join your comrades for the upcoming July general meeting! We’re back to our regularly scheduled programming of chapter decision-making after having our massive convention in April and are ready to put our nose back to the grindstone and get business done in our fight for socialism!
There will be non-violent direct action training in West Oakland.
This training will take participants through the strategies and tools used in non-violent direct action. It will include a a know your rights training.
This training will be an important place to get plugged into for upcoming street actions around the Global Climate Action Summit in September.
Diablo Rising Tide calendar of events for summer and fall 2018: http://diablorisingtide.org/take-action-diablo-rising-tide-calendar-of-direct-action-events-and-trainings/
For more information, email diablorisingtide@riseup.net
Join the African American Museum & Library at Oakland for a screening of Stanley Nelson’s inspirational documentary, Freedom Riders, the first feature-length film about this courageous band of civil rights activists.
Strike Debt is building a debt resistance movement. We believe that most individual debt is illegitimate and unjust. Most of us fall into debt because we are increasingly deprived of the means to acquire the basic necessities of life: health care, education, and housing. Because we are forced to go into debt simply in order to live, we think it is right and moral to resist it.
- Presenting debt and inequality related topics at forums, workshops and in radio productions.
- Promoting single-payer / Medicare for All to end the plague of medical debt
- Money bail reform and fighting modern day debtors’ prisons and exploitative ticketing and fining schemes
- Tiny Homes and other solutions for the homeless.
- Student debt resistance. Check out the Debt Collective, our sister organization
- Helping out America’s only non-profit check-cashing organization and fighting against usurious for-profit pay-day lenders and their ilk
- Working on debarring US Banks that have been convicted of felonies from municipal contracts, and divesting from the Wall St. banks
- Promoting the concept of Basic Income
- Advocating for Postal banking
- Organizing for public banking in Oakland! We made the first steps happen… now there’s a spinoff group
- Bring your own debt-related project!
If you are new to Strike Debt and want to come early, meet one or two of us and get a briefing on our projects before we dive into our agenda, email us at strike.debt.bay.area@gmail.com
Strike Debt – Principles of Solidarity
Strike Debt is building a debt resistance movement. We believe that most individual debt is illegitimate and unjust. Most of us fall into debt because we are increasingly deprived of the means to acquire the basic necessities of life: health care, education, and housing. Because we are forced to go into debt simply in order to live, we think it is right and moral to resist it.
We also oppose debt because it is an instrument of exploitation and political domination. Debt is used to discipline us, deepen existing inequalities, and reinforce racial, gendered, and other social hierarchies. Every Strike Debt action is designed to weaken the institutions that seek to divide us and benefit from our division. As an alternative to this predatory system, Strike Debt advocates a just and sustainable economy, based on mutual aid, common goods, and public affluence.
Strike Debt is committed to the principles and tactics of political autonomy, direct democracy, direct action, creative openness, a culture of solidarity, and commitment to anti-oppressive language and conduct. We struggle for a world without racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and all forms of oppression.
Strike Debt holds that we are all debtors, whether or not we have personal loan agreements. Through the manipulation of sovereign and municipal debt, the costs of speculator-driven crises are passed on to all of us. Though different kinds of debt can affect the same household, they are all interconnected, and so all household debtors have a common interest in resisting.
Strike Debt engages in public education about the debt-system to counteract the self-serving myth that finance is too complicated for laypersons to understand. In particular, it urges direct action as a way of stopping the damage caused by the creditor class and their enablers among elected government officials. Direct action empowers those who participate in challenging the debt-system.
Strike Debt holds that we owe the financial institutions nothing, whereas, to our friends, families and communities, we owe everything. In pursuing a long-term strategy for national organizing around this principle, we pledge international solidarity with the growing global movement against debt and austerity.
UnB2 Launch Party
California Progressives, this is how we do it!
Join us and hundreds of our closest friends for the official launch party for
Unbought – Unbossed (UnB2):
an incubator for the next generation of political disruptors.
It’s time to bring a few more folding chairs to the decision-making tables!
Please join us for our regular biweekly meeting of the Sunflower Alliance. We’ll discuss ongoing campaigns and plans for the future. Newcomers and old friends welcome — we need your participation and your voice.