Weekly Newsletter - December 9, 2019

Support Moms 4 Housing!
Moms 4 Housing is a collective of homeless and marginally-housed mothers who have come together to reclaim housing for community. On November 18th, a group of working mothers without shelter reclaimed possession of a vacant investor-owned house in West Oakland. Last week, they received an eviction notice from Wedgewood LLC, the company that has been holding the house vacant. The eviction is expected on December 17; follow along on Facebook for updates. To support, please sign this petition, donate what you can, and text 510-800-7810 to receive updates on other ways to support.

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

Saturday, December 14 • 4:00 – 7:00 pm
West Berkeley Shellmound Victory
Please come celebrate the incredible legal victory in the fight to save the West Berkeley Shellmound! We are one huge step closer in reclaiming this sacred piece of stolen land to Ohlone/Lisjan stewardship. Many thanks to the thousands of #ShellmoundDefenders over the years who have made art, prayed, sent letters, attended dozens of late-night City Council meetings, and done so much to make this historic grassroots victory possible. There will be t-shirt screen printing, dancing, a potluck, and more! All are welcome whether you are a long-time supporter or new to this struggle and want to learn more and connect.
Location: First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Oakland

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

January 17 – 20, 2020
5th Annual Reclaim MLK's Radical Legacy Weekend
Join the Anti Police-Terror Project and many other organizations to lift up the radical legacy of Martin Luther King all weekend long. We invite people and organizations to plan events all weekend, culminating in our 5th Annual Rally and March on Monday, January 20. We want to lift up the struggles against ICE and Concentration Camps, for Housing for all, against school closures and cops in the schools. We will continue to support the families and community against police violence. We support movements for land and growing our own food. And we fully support the Oakland Climate Strike and Resilient Village. Look for updates to specific actions here.
Location: Oscar Grant Plaza, 14th and Broadway, Oakland

SURJ Statement on the Housing Justice Village
On Sunday, November 24th, a coalition called Housing Justice Village set up a housing community in Oscar Grant Plaza. The City of Oakland decided that the community was in violation of an overnight camping regulation. Police tore down the tents and arrested 22 coalition members on charges of overnight camping and suspicion of resisting arrest. SURJ Bay Area stands with more than 4,000 unhoused members of our community who are struggling to survive in a city with the resources to allow all its residents to thrive. Read more.

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 more.

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