Calendar

We’re taking the repeal of the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act to the ballot!!!

Strong Rent Control and Just Cause Eviction laws are the way to keep people in their homes now, while we work to get more (truly) affordable housing built.  In order to have strong Rent Control laws, we need to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a state law which ties the hands of local government. Costa-Hawkins prevents\ cities and counties from applying rent control to apartments built after 1995 or to single-family rental units.  It also allows landlords to raise the rent as much as they want when a unit becomes vacant.

Our signature goal is 585,000 by the end of April, and well over 25% have been collected so far.  We can do this, but we need all hands on deck!!!

• Come out for a community kick-off event & signature gathering, followed by lunch.
• Endorse the Affordable Housing Act & get your petitions for your organization to help repeal Costa Hawkins & allow the expansion of strong rent control.

  CHIAPAS SUPPORT COMMITTEE

Home of the Compañero Manuel blog on the Zapatistas & Mexico

The next Waffles & Zapatismo class, with an open membership meeting after class from 12 Noon to 1pm. This first class of a series begins with the origins of the EZLN: the formation of the FLN, its entry into the Lacandón Jungle, its interaction with the indigenous communities and the formation of the EZLN. There is discussion after the presentation and from 12-1 there will be an open members meeting and an opportunity for folks to become activist members of the Chiapas Support Committee.

Zapatista News & Analysis
!. 3 Dead in Oxchuc, Chiapas violence – Armed with high-powered weapons, supporters of the mayor-in-exile attacked supporters of an Indigenous movement that wants to oust the political bosses and govern by tradition in an indigenous Chiapas municipality.

En español: http://www.proceso.com.mx/520205/miles-de-pobladores-exigen-justicia-para-indigenas-caidos-en-ataque-armado-en-oxchuc

2.  EZLN: 24 years of dignity and ethical congruence – López y Rivas reminds us that when the EZLN rose up in arms on January 1, 1994, it spoke of a genocidal war. Now, he says, that war has worsened until making Mexico the 2nd deadliest country in the world, after only Syria. During all these years, the EZLN has been the incorruptible critical conscience vis a vis the State and society.

En español: http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2018/01/12/opinion/017a2pol

3. The word of Marichuy – María de Jesús never speaks in her own name, but rather in the name of the peoples that elected her. “She doesn’t use the word I, but rather we.”

En español: http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2018/01/23/opinion/017a2pol

4. The strategy of the 1% and ours – The preferred tactic of the 1% is electoral fraud. The 1% has has the power of money, legal and illegal weapons and the communications media.

En español: http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2018/02/02/opinion/019a1pol
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Chiapas Support Committee/Comité de Apoyo a Chiapas

In a single generation, Oakland’s black population has dwindled from 44% to an estimated 26%.
At this event we’ll watch YOU A NOMAD, a 20-minute documentary deconstructing the systemic roots of gentrification.
Then we’ll discuss possible SOLUTIONS. Confirmed panelists:
– Khafre Jay of HipHop4change
– Wanda Stewart, Food Justice Activist
… and more to come.
Don’t miss this event — LIKE and SHARE!!!

Doors open at 4:30 pm

Presented by Liberated Lens Film Screenings at Omni Commons

“No Eviction Without Representation”

Dean Preston is an attorney and founder/executive director of the tenant rights organization “Tenants Together”.  He’s one of the authors and organizers of the SF petition drive to create an SF ballot measure for: “No Eviction Without Representation”.

Jen Snyder is a leader of Democratic Socialists of America-SF and is the field director of the “No Eviction Without Representation” campaign.

On January 26, 2018, the San Francisco “No Eviction Without Representation” campaign submitted 21,946 petition signatures (which is more than double the number needed) to the SF Department of Elections, to qualify a tenant protection initiative for the June 5, 2018 San Francisco ballot.  Passage of this ballot measure would make SF the first city in California, and the second in the nation, to provide a right to counsel to tenants facing eviction. On February 25, hear directly from the organizers of “No Eviction Without Representation” about the causes of the housing crisis in SF and what San Franciscans can do this year to reduce the impact of that crisis in our city.

UPDATE! On MONDAY Feb 26th 9 am come out to Hayward to support Aunti Frances as she begins her EVICTION TRIAL against this unjust loophole eviction! Let Aunti Frances know that she is not alone in her fight to stay in Oakland. See more info @ https://t.co/s4QKhymS06 pic.twitter.com/8xCAUZHWKT

— Defend Aunti Frances (@defendauntif) February 23, 2018

Come out to Hayward to support Aunti Frances as she begins her EVICTION TRIAL against this unjust loophole eviction! M Let Aunti Frances know that she is not alone in her fight to stay in Oakland.

TRIAL WILL GO ALL DAY BUT FEEL FREE TO COME JUST FOR A FEW HOURS at any point in the day to show your support.

WEAR BLUE to show Aunti Frances your support.

On 2/21 Aunti Frances went to her first settlement hearing, and the Morphys (her landlords) failed to give her a fair or just settlement offer. Now the eviction jury trial is starting, and we as her community need to bring all the love, support and people power out to the court house to remind them that you can’t evict community power!

NOTE: this is a court proceeding, not a demonstration. Come prepared to sit in silence for extended periods of time. Please abide by all court rules and do not attempt to interact with the jury, witnesses, or any party to the case.

CARPOOL
This event is at the Hayward Hall of Justice, which is 1.2 miles from Hayward Bart. Comment on the Facebook event page if you need a ride, or if you can offer a ride. Include: where from & how many people.

PROCEEDINGS
In instances where there is a dispute surrounding factual allegations, citizens have the right to a trial by jury in an eviction. Once this right is asserted, a landlord must prevail in order to legally evict a tenant. If the tenant wins the trial, they stay in their home. If the tenant loses, the landlord may order the Sheriff’s office to carry out an eviction.

ACCESS INFO
There are bathrooms including ADA accessible bathrooms in the court house however you must go through security to enter the building. There will not be ASL interpretation at this event. It is requested that you come fragrance free, however there will likely be chemical fragrances within the court.

BACKGROUND
https://defendauntifrances.org/
Aunti Frances is a beloved Black disabled activist, elder, Black Panther and community leader who has lived in North Oakland/South Berkeley her entire life. She now faces a no-fault eviction by a notorious loophole in Oakland renter protections.

Our mission is to convince Aunti Frances’ landlords, Natalia Morphy and Morphy’s parents, to end the eviction proceedings and instead support Aunti Frances in staying in her community. We need as much community support as possible to insist that the Morphys drop this eviction. We aren’t going anywhere, because you can’t evict community power!
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CONTACT US
For any questions, please contact info@defendauntifrances.org
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Thank you for your support of Aunti Frances, this campaign, and all communities organizing against gentrification!
#DefendAuntiFrances

https://defendauntifrances.org/

OccupyForum presents

Information, discussion & community! Monday Night Forum!!
OccupyForum is an opportunity for open and respectful dialogue
on all sides of these critically important issues!

Authoritarian Tactics: U.S. Immigration Policy and Race
with Professor George Wright

Designation of “the Other”, and scapegoating people for the deep problems in the state are classic authoritarian tactics. Currently, the Trump Regime plans to publish a weekly list of crimes allegedly committed by immigrants; ICE claims that those targeted in a raid have criminal records. But people who have had arrests or convictions have endured profiling in a justice system with shocking racial and class disparities.

George Wright will analyze U.S. immigration policy and race, and trace the history of scapegoating, incarceration, and deportations of “the Other” in the United States. He will include other instances of this tactic in dictatorships, and ways the citizenry fought, and won, the eventual legal freedom of their brothers and sisters.

George Wright taught Political Science at California State University, Chico between 1969 and 2003.  He also taught History at Skyline Community College between 2004 and 2013.   His major research includes United States Politics, International Political Economy, and the Politics of International Sport.   He has a Ph.D. from the Department of Politics at the University of Leeds (UK).

Time will be allotted for announcements.

Join the UC Berkeley Haas Institute for, Race & Inequality in America. The Kerner Commission at 50, a conference exploring race, segregation, and inequality 50 years after the release of the historic Kerner Commission Report.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors will be considering Sheriff Ahern’s request to accept funding from the Department of Homeland Security for Urban Shield, 2018.

On Tuesday, February 27th, the Stop Urban Shield Coalition will be rallying to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors meeting where we anticipate a presentation and vote on Urban Shield. The coalition continues  to demand investments in life affirming resources that will support us in emergencies, while Sheriff Ahern continues to press for the militarized policing program and weapons expo known as Urban Shield.

TIME:   10 am to 1 pm – people are needed the entire time, try to come at 10 am but if not come when you can during those hours.  Signs will be available to hold.

Please go to the Facebook page and mark yourself as going  Use it to invite others you think might be able to turn out

CAN’T COME ON 2/27?  CALL YOUR ALAMEDA COUNTY SUPERVISOR.  Call-in days are targeted for Thursday, 2/22 and Monday, 2/23 but you can call anytime that is convenient for you.

Contact your Supervisor and tell them to vote NO on Urban Shield. Find your district here: http://acgov.org/ms/addresslookup/

District 1: Supervisor Haggerty // shawn.wilson@acgov.org (510) 272-6691

District 2: Supervisor Valle // christopher.miley@acgov.org (510) 272-6692

District 3: Supervisor Chan // jeanette.dong@acgov.org (510)272-6693

District 4: Supervisor Miley // anna.gee@acgov.org (510)272-6694

District 5: Supervisor Carson // amy.shrago@acgov.org (510)272-6695  (Berkeley)

FACEBOOK PAGE

https://www.facebook.com/events/1581712215246344/

Save our Kids – Join the Rally!

The EPA wants to repeal the Clean Power Plan, a critical policy which could prevent 4,500 early deaths and 90,000 pediatric asthma attacks EVERY YEAR by 2030.

We can’t let this happen and must demand that EPA protect public health. Health professionals are encouraged to wear white coats or scrubs.

Emergency rally in SF at the ICE building. ICE has arrested more than 150 people in Northern California in the past few days. Donald Trump’s deportation force is threatening our neighbors and families with mass raids. This is nothing less than political repression against sanctuary cities, which are defending human rights! Are you ready to take a stand against Trump’s naked racism? Join us tomorrow and check this page for updates.

Transition Berkeley presents:
Protect Our Oak Woodlands & Water Future

Did you know that Napa has the highest concentration of oak woodlands of any county in California? And that the Napa River is the second largest fresh water source emptying into San Francisco Bay? Meet the two dynamic authors of a June 5^th initiative to protect these treasures  Mike Hackett and Jim Wilson. Watch their film that tells the story of the Napa Valley watershed and the initiative they created to protect it – the Napa County Watershed and Oak Woodland Protection Initiative of 2018.  Also special guests from Forests Forever will share their work. Find out how you can help protect the forests, oak woodlands and watershed of Napa Valley from the ever-expanding wine industry.

Event is hosted by Transition Berkeley and co-hosted by The Ecology Center, Sierra Club SF Bay Chapter and the Social Justice Committee of the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists.

Bring: An earth-friendly, vegetarian potluck dish to share at 6:30pm if you like! 7 pm event begins
Info: click here

Join the picket line with SEIU Service Employees Union EVERY FRIDAY.
STOP DEPORTATIONS and harassment of immigrants and refugees.

​Also…​

SF Labor Council Calls for a Clean Dream Act Now,
No Compromises;
Urges Labor Movement to Take Action!

[Resolution Adopted Unanimously by the Feb. 12, 2018, Delegates Assembly of the San Francisco Labor Council]

� For a Clean Dream Act Now and a Path to Citizenship for all Undocumented Youth!

� Not One More Deportatioon!

� No Funding for the Wall of Shame!

� No More Funding for Immigration Enforcement!

• Stop the I-9 Audits!

� No Workplace Raids!

� Defend Our Sanctuary Cities!

� Maintain TPS!

Whereas, on Feb. 9, 2018, both houses of the U.S. Congress adopted a budget for the upcoming fiscal year that does not include any protections for the close to 800,000 undocumented youth (Dreamers) brought to this country when they were children;

Whereas, United We Dream and thousands of undocumented youth organized actions and lobbied Congress in support of a Clean Dream Act — that is, continued protections and a path to citizenship for the 800,000 undocumented youth, WITHOUT any funding for the Wall of Shame and WITHOUT any further funding for ICE immigration enforcement;

Whereas, March 5, 2018, has been set as the deadline by the Trump administration for the adoption of any legislation that would extend DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals);

Whereas, House Speaker Paul Ryan — taking his lead from the Trump administration — has stated that any protection for undocumented youth, would require, in exchange, millions of dollars more to build the Wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and millions of dollars more for immigration enforcement;

Whereas, Sanctuary Cities — particularly in California — are under increased attack by the Trump administration;

Whereas, on Nov. 20, 2017, Trump’s Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke cut off Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for 60,000 Haitians and for more than 240,000 other immigrants from 10 nations (mainly from Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua);

Whereas, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that 77 I-9 audits took place in Northern California at the end of January 2018 — audits that are expected to increase and become workplace raids and deportations if and when a deal is struck on protections for undocumented youth in exchange for increased immigration enforcement and funding for the Wall; and

Whereas, undocumented youth — just like all 11 million undocumented immigrants, and just like all hundreds of thousands of TPS recipients — are part of the U.S. working class and deserve protections and a path to citizenship through a just immigration reform; in particular, they deserve the labor movement’s protection and support.

Therefore be it resolved, that the San Francisco Labor Council reaffirms its stance in support of the following demands: “For a Clean Dream Act and a Path to Citizenship for all Undocumented Youth! Not one More Deportation, No Funding for the Wall of Shame, No More Funding for Immigration Enforcement! Stop the I-9 Audits! No Workplace Raids! Defend Our Sanctuary Cities! Maintain TPS!”

Be it further resolved, that the San Francisco Labor Council will work closely with our community partners to call on our elected representatives to take a firm and unwavering stand for a Clean Dream Act Now; and

Be it finally resolved, that the San Francisco Labor Council calls on the California Federation of Labor and the national AFL-CIO to issue statements in support of a Clean Dream Act Now and to call for mobilizations, where possible, in alliance with our immigrant sisters and brothers and their organizations, to promote the above-stated demands.

Respectfully submitted by:

Olga Miranda, SEIU Local 87; member SF Labor Council Executive Committee; Rudy Gonzalez, IBT 856, member SF Labor Council Executive Committee; Susan Solomon, UESF, member SF Labor Council Executive Committee; Alan Benjamin, OPEIU Local 29.