Weekly Newsletter - December 2, 2019

Wednesday, December 4 • 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Movement Lessons Since the 1999 Battle of Seattle
Join The Center for Political Education and Reimagine! Movements Making Media for a panel discussion reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the shutdown of the World Trade Organization (WTO) conference in Seattle. On November 30, 1999, more than 40,000 activists spanning organized labor, climate justice, migrant justice, Indigenous organizing, the peace movement, and the global justice movement, joined forces to disrupt the trade negotiations scheduled to take place at the Seattle WTO conference. This event will take stock of the movements and alliances that grew out of that mobilization, and draw lessons from the past two decades that will set our movements up for more decisive wins. Admission is free.
Location: Greenlining Institute, 360 14th St., Oakland
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Wednesday, December 4 • 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Celebrating Resistance Story Hour
Join Political Research Associates for inspiring stories, food and drink, dancing and great company to raise funds and celebrate the 100th Issue of their Public Eye magazine, which provides critical research and analysis to social justice movement groups fighting the Christian Right, white nationalists, and corporate oligarchies - whether vigilante or organized within the halls of power. This fundraiser will feature Zahra Billo, CAIR - SF, Janetta Johnson, TGIJP, Vanessa Moses, Causa Justa/Just Cause, and Sophia Yen, Pandia Health. Tickets are $50 but sliding scale options are available. More details.
Location: Azúcar Lounge, 299 9th St. San Francisco

Saturday, December 7 • 12:30 - 2:00 pm
SURJ San Francisco Human Billboard
Join SURJ San Francisco for a human billboard outside the Ferry Building, demanding justice for immigrants. Meet at the intersection of Market and Embarcadero near the Ferry Building - look for the yellow SURJ banner. The human billboard will take place from 1:00 - 2:00 pm, with participants holding up signs denouncing the inhumane immigration policies carried out in our name, policies that lock asylum seekers in cages and separate thousands of children from their families. There will also be a brief de-escalation training at 12:30pm for anyone who is interested.
Location: Ferry Building, Embarcadero and Market, San Francisco

Saturday, December 7 • 2:00 – 7:00 pm
Abundant Beginnings Fundraiser - Let's Get Free!
Support Abundant Beginnings, a community education and empowerment initiative that is re-imagining how communities can grow learners who think critically, live responsibly, and create meaningful change. This is an all-ages fundraiser Day Party with DJ, dancing, auction, a healing center, and more. Support these radical, powerful young activists and freedom fighters!
Location: 7th West, 1255 7th Street, Oakland

Saturday, December 7 • 10 am - 5 pm & Sunday, December 8, 11 am - 3 pm
MECA Palestinian Holiday Crafts Bazaar
This 17th annual crafts bazaar, sponsored by the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA), supports projects for Palestinian children and their families. Find a unique array of gifts from Palestine - award-winning olive oil, pottery, olive wood products, embroidery, shawls and scarves, olive oil soaps, keffiyehs, children’s toys and clothing, jewelry, kitchenware, rugs and books – plus delicious Arabic food. Bring friends and family!
Location: MECA, 1101 8th St. Berkeley

Sunday, December 8 • 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Howard Zinn Book Fair: Strike! Discovering Our Power!
The 6th Annual Howard Zinn Book Fair draws upon the legacy of legendary historian Howard Zinn by gathering together over 60 publishers, booksellers, and community groups, and dozens of author readings, panel discussions, and workshops, all to explore the ways people can take collective action to build a better future. This year's theme, “Strike! Discovering Our Power,” celebrates the ways everyday people can take collective action to preserve their homes, protect life on earth, respect indigeneity, shut down the machinery that produces racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and inequality, and build movements that are strong enough to last.
Location: City College of San Francisco Mission Campus, 1125 Valencia St. San Francisco

Wednesday, December 11 • 5:45 - 9:00 pm
Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
Join the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival for the 7th stop of the We Must Do M.O.R.E. (Mobilize, Organize, Register and Educate) national tour that will culminate in Washington DC on June 20, 2020. Gather at San Francisco City Hall (1 Dr Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.), then march through at 6:00 pm to Glide Memorial Church where a Mass Meeting kicks off at 7:00 pm. Speakers include people directly impacted by systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the corrupt moral narrative. Poor People's Campaign Co-Chairs Rev. William Barber and Rev. Liz Theoharis will also address the gathering.
Location: S.F. City Hall to Glide Memorial Church, 330 Ellis St. @ Taylor, San Francisco
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Wednesday, January 1 • 12:00 – 4 :00 pm
11th Annual Oscar Grant Vigil
This annual vigil remembers the life of Oscar Grant, killed by BART police New Years Day 2009. The gathering will also lift up others who have lost their lives in community violence, including a family who lost their son on the same day as Oscar. There will be youth speakers, poets, community leaders and activists, lawyers and educators, all coming together to commemorate the life of Oscar Grant.
Location: Fruitvale BART Station, 3401 E 12th St. Oakland

Tuesday, January 14, 2020 • 6:45 - 9:00 pm
Intro to SURJ Meeting
Want to get involved with SURJ Bay Area? Come learn about our current work and activities. SURJ moves white people to act for justice, with passion and accountability, as part of a multi-racial majority. You'll will hear about SURJ's pathways for entering the work, including Study and Action groups as well as committee work, upcoming workshops, and events. We'll answer your questions and share how you can get involved in the movement for racial justice. ASL will be provided if requested by 5 PM on Monday, January 12
Location: First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley

Latest SURJ Blog: "Success! End of Year California Legislature Bill Results"
In the latest blog from SURJ Bay Area, members of the chapter’s Policy Committee share news about seven bills that SURJ supported this year that were signed into law. The victories come after working in collaboration with a number of People of Color-led partner organizations that work on legislative advocacy. Now that this year’s legislative cycle is over, we’re celebrating successes, as well getting ready for next year! Read the blog here.

Sign the Petition: No Militarized Police Equipment
Oakland Police Department currently uses militarized equipment on Oakland's Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities with no oversight or regulation. SURJ Bay Area has joined the fight to give power back to the people of Oakland to decide if, when, and how cops can use and acquire militarized equipment. Two easy ways for you to show up and support the ordinance to regulate military police equipment in oakland are: Sign and widely share this petition, and sign up to volunteer at farmers markets to collect post cards from community members.

Stand With Lakota Youth for Civil Rights, End Police Brutality
SURJ affiliate South Dakotans Against Racism is asking for support for #TwoLakotaGirls, middle schoolers who were fighting when they were assaulted by a police officer and experienced martial artist who used brutality and excessive force to ”break up" their fight. Both Lakota girls have been charged with assault. Supporters are asking that the charges be dropped - criminalizing children leaves no room for healing and reconciliation. Sign the petition here.

Demand the University of Alabama Rehire Dr. James Riley
The University of Alabama has seemingly pushed for the resignation of its Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President — a Black man who had been in the job just seven months — for past tweets that made honest, straightforward statements about racism in America. The University of Alabama needs to rehire Dr. Riley immediately and make clear it will stand up for the rights of Black students, faculty, and employees. Learn more and sign the Color of Change petition to reinstate Dr. Riley.

Fire LAPD Officers Lee and Robles for the Murder of Grechario Mack
Sign and share the petition to fire the Los Angeles police officers who murdered 30-year-old Grechario Mack, father of two daughters. On April 10, 2018, Mack was in the midst of a mental health challenge inside the the Crenshaw-Baldwin Hills Mall when LAPD Officers Ryan Lee and Martin Robles shot him and then stood over him – he was still alive – and fired two more rounds into his body, killing him. Black Lives Matter Los Angeles is calling on LAPD Police Chief Michel Moore to fire the two police. Learn more about the case and sign the petition here.

SURJ Bay Area Chapter - Join us! Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability. Learn more at www.surjbayarea.org. SURJ Bay Area is one of 150 chapters and affiliates nationwide. Learn about SURJ National and our mission, vision, and values HERE.

Want to support our work? You can make a donation for SURJ's organizing and educational efforts with over half of what we raise going to Black and people of color-led partner organizations. Make a one-time donation or become a monthly sustainer HERE. Contributions are tax-deductible.

Follow SURJ Bay Area on Social Media: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Bay Area c/o PO Box 22748, Oakland CA 94609