Weekly Newsletter - January 13, 2020

MOMS 4 HOUSING NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT! The court ruled in Wedgewood's favor, and the Moms received an eviction notice. To support, sign up for text alerts at 510-800-7810 and follow along on social media.

Tuesday, January 14 • 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. More details, accessibility information, and RSVP here. ASL will be provided if requested by 5:00 pm on Monday, January 13.
Location: Loper Chapel, First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley

Thursday, January 16 • 5:30 – 9:00 pm
CURB Budget Advocacy Training
Join Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) for an in-depth training on how our state budget works in preparation for the 2020 legislative budget cycle. Every year, California increases its corrections budget despite declines in prison populations. To live up to its progressive values, California must advocate for prison closures and an increased investment in community-based systems of care. Learn how you can join efforts to make meaningful changes in state government, plus tips on how to speak publicly about issues that matter, and where to plug in to the work.
Location: Ella Baker Center, 1419 34th Ave. Oakland

Friday, January 17 • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Oakland Climate Strike and Resilient Village
Join Oakland youth for a community Resilient Village to raise awareness on climate resilience and how youth can stand up for climate justice, with youth performances, an open mic, hands-on workshops on herbal making, civic engagement, art, water catchment, and more. This event will provide youth with strategies for addressing climate change within their families and communities and ways to work for climate justice on a local and global scale. This action is youth led and co-hosted by YVA, Mycelium Youth Network, Planting Justice and others.
Location: Oscar Grant/Frank Ogawa Plaza, Broadway and 14th St. Oakland

January 17 – 20, 2020
6th Annual Reclaim MLK's Radical Legacy Weekend
Join the Anti Police-Terror Project, SURJ, and other organizations to lift up the radical legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. all weekend long, culminating in the 6th Annual Rally and March on Monday, January 20. We will lift up the struggles against ICE and concentration camps, housing for all, against school closures and cops in the schools. We will continue to support families and the community against police violence. Here are some activities taking place over the week-end (get updates here):

• Friday, Jan. 17 • 7:30 – 9:00 am - Join SURJ's Mobilization Committee for our annual "Wake-Up Call." We'll be calling commuters in with inspiring MLK speeches, an invitation to Monday's march, and info on alternatives to calling the police.
Location: MacArthur BART station, 555 40th St. Oakland
• Saturday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 19 • 10:00 am – 5:00 pm - Join TheVillageInOakland.org to upgrade an established self-organized East Oakland encampment into "The Right to Exist" Curbside Community. No building experience necessary.
Location: East 12th and 14th Ave in East Oakland
• Sunday, Jan.19 • 10:00 am – 12:00 pm - Join CRC Allies & Accomplices (CRCAA) for a workshop on 5 Methods for white people to divest of power and weaponize privilege, and how to incorporate these 5 methods into life, work, and organizing.
Location: 2501 International Blvd. Oakland
• Sunday, Jan.19 • 2:00 – 5:00 pm - Alternatives to Policing: How Not to Call the Cops Ever is part of an ongoing series of workshops. This one is hosted by First Congregational Church of Oakland, APTP, and Jewish Voice for Peace.
Location: First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St. Oakland
• Monday, Jan. 20 • 11:00 am - Join the SURJ Contingent at the main rally and march. Meet in front of Unify Bank at 11:00 am. Bring your family and friends!
Location: Oscar Grant/Frank Ogawa Plaza, 14th and Broadway, Oakland

Saturday, January 25 • 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Introduction to SURJ Marin
Have you been looking for a space to do racial justice work in Marin County? Are you wanting to connect with other Marin residents who are working against racism? Come to this introductory meeting to learn about the work of SURJ’s Marin Chapter, its values, mission, what they've been up to in Marin, and how you can get involved in the local movement for racial justice. Please register here.
Location: St. John's Episcopal Church, 14 Lagunitas Road, Ross

Sunday, January 26 • 2:00 - 6:00 pm
Challenging White Male Supremacy Workshop

Are you (or do you know) someone who benefits from white male privilege and is willing to contribute to racial, gender, and economic justice? Join STAND for an afternoon to explore how white men can show up with integrity, imagination, and their whole selves. There will be discussion of ways white men can leverage their position to help create a world that’s more equitable and less oppressive. The workshop will also explore the costs and benefits of enforced gender roles, white supremacy, patriarchy, and intersectionality, wealth inequality and the economic pyramid, and ways white men can take a stand for social justice. Please register for this free event, though they will be collecting donations for Sagorea Te' Land Trust.
Location: Sierra Club, 2101 Webster St. #1300 Oakland, CA 94612

Saturday February 8 • 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Showing Up for Racial Justice Through the Power of Public Policy
Join SURJ Bay Area’s Policy Committee for a legislative strategy session and workshop that will demystify the legislative process, build our collective legislative capacity, and highlight the legislative priorities and strategies of SURJ’s people of color-led partners. This workshop is the first of a two-part series (the 2nd workshop is on Feb. 22) for anyone who is passionate, curious, or wants to learn more about the ways that policy combined with grassroots organizing can be used as a tool in the movement for racial justice and collective liberation. Also hear from Kristine Boyd, Community Organizer at Initiate Justice, on their 2020 legislative campaign. Reserve tickets $0 - $10 to benefit Initiate Justice.
Location: YWCA, 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley

Saturday February 8 • 7:00 - 9:30 pm
All Are Welcome: Migrant Solidarity from the Border to the Bay
As the Trump administration escalates its xenophobic war in the Middle East, it continues its brutal war on immigrants. Thousands of migrants await justice in shelters, border camps, and private detention facilities across the U.S and México. In spite of the inhumane immigration policies, people are still arriving at the border seeking asylum and 25,000 migrants are waiting in Mexico to begin their asylum process. Find out how you can support asylum-seekers! Join the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), the Interfaith Movement 4 Human Integrity (IM4HI), and SURJ Bay Area for an evening of sharing, solidarity and action. Tickets $10-$25; no one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds will benefit Al Otro Lado.
Location: South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. Berkeley

February 13 • 5:00 – 6:30pm
No Fascist USA! SURJ Webinar
We are excited to announce another webinar in the SURJ "Connecting the Dots" series. Authors Hilary Moore (a SURJ Leadership Team Member) and James Tracy will discuss their new book, No Fascist USA! The John Brown Anti-Klan Committee and Lessons for Today's Movements. This book will be a great way to start 2020 as we continue our brush with the current administration's fascist tendencies in this important election year. Click here to register. For more information, and to invite your friends, click here.

End U.S. War and Militarism in Iran!
How we can prevent the Trump regime from launching full scale overt war against Iran? SURJ Affiliate Catalyst Project has provided a great frame to better understand what’s happening in this moment, and Organizing Upgrade is providing analysis and strategy framing. National SURJ is making the links between war and white supremacy, noting that police departments across the country are using this act of aggression to further justify violence, surveillance, and profiling towards Iranians, Iraqis, Palestinians, and people who appear to be Arab, Middle Eastern, and/or Muslim. We must be vigilant and prepare to act: Here are some helpful resources:
• Catalyst Project’s study guide: “No War-No Sanctions”
• Statement from Justice Before Peace, a Black and POC-led anti-militarist organization  
• MPower Change petition to Congress against war with Iran (please sign and share)
Read the Latest SURJ Blog: Victims of Terror, revisited

SURJ blogger Micki Luckey looks at a new novel by Jeanine Cummins, American Dirt, that follows a fictional mother and child making their way from Mexico to the U.S. border to escape violence and death threats. The underlying question, “How would I manage if I lived in a place that began to collapse around me?,” is woven throughout both the book and Micki's review, exploring not only the "whys" that force people to migrate but also ways you can lend assistance. Read the blog here.

Support Moms 4 Housing
Support Moms 4 Housing, a group of working mothers without shelter who reclaimed possession of a vacant investor-owned house in West Oakland on November 18th. A judge is reviewing their case after a hearing last week. See the informative post-hearing press conference here. The house, which has sat empty for two years, is owned by Wedgewood Inc., one of the country’s biggest “fix & flip” corporations that has profited significantly from the housing crisis and is driving displacement and gentrification. To get updates, send a text to (510) 800-7810 and follow Moms 4 Housing Eviction Defense. Visit their website to learn more about their struggle. Sign this petition and make a donation here.

Tell the University of North Carolina to Stop Funding White Supremacy
The University of North Carolina (UNC) is currently providing financial support for the headquarters of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a certified hate group. UNC also gave the Sons of Confederate Veterans $2.5 million to keep its “Silent Sam” Confederate statue after students and other university supporters removed it last spring. This funding came at the expense of two university centers: the Center on Poverty and Workforce Development and the Center for Civil Rights. Sign this Color of Change petition demanding the Board of Governors stop funding white supremacy with state university dollars. Sign and learn more here.

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