Weekly Newsletter - January 20, 2020

TODAY! Monday, January 20 • 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Reclaim MLK's Radical Legacy Rally and March
The Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) will lead a mass mobilization of people from across the Bay Area for this 6th annual event to lift up Dr. King's radical leadership and his stands against war, capitalism, empire, poverty, and white supremacy. This year's demands are: Housing is a Human Right, Close the Camps, No School Closures, End Police Repression, Climate Justice, and No More War. Bring your family and friends to help us make a commitment to build just and equitable communities that Dr. King would be proud of. Want to join the SURJ Contingent? Meet us at 11:30 am in front of Unify Credit Union on the plaza.
Location: Oscar Grant/Frank Ogawa Plaza, 14th and Broadway, Oakland

Saturday, January 25 • 12 – 3 pm
Global Day of Protest: No War Against Iran!
San Francisco will join with cities across the globe to protest against a new war in the Middle East. The Trump administration is leading the U.S. straight into another disastrous war that will likely engulf the whole region and could quickly turn into a global conflict of unpredictable scope with the people of Iraq and Iran suffering the gravest consequences. Join with Arab Resource Organizing Center (AROC) and dozens of endorsing organizations to say no to militarism and war.
Location: Market and Powell Street, San Francisco

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 • 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Forum on Census and Elections: Reclaim Your Power in 2020!
Find out why being counted in the 2020 Census is critically important - every person counted brings $10,000 to help build schools, health centers, and affordable housing! Learn about what's at stake in the 2020 elections and what you can do to fight for fair elections for voters in communities of color in swing states. More than 1 million voters have had their voter registration cancelled -- most are voters of color. This free public forum is co-sponsored by Ella Baker Center and Reclaim Our Vote. Food, childcare, and Spanish translation will be provided. Learn more and RSVP here.
Location: COLORS Restaurant (ROC the Bay) 1419 34th St. Oakland

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

Monday, February 10 • 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Intro to SURJ San Francisco
The San Francisco chapter of SURJ invites you to join them to learn more about how you can show up for racial justice in the city. Learn about SURJ’s organizing principles and philosophy and some of the paths you might take in going deeper into this work to move white people to act responsibly as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability. Lots of work to do in San Francisco and you are needed!
Location: Alley Cat Books, 3036 24th St. San Francisco

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)

Support Moms 4 Housing
Last week, Alameda County sheriff's deputies evicted Moms 4 Housing, a group of working mothers without shelter who reclaimed possession of a vacant investor-owned house in West Oakland in November. Deputies also arrested two of the moms and two supporters in the heavily- militarized eviction that included AR15s and armored vehicles. 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. Check out the story from AJ+. 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.

Read the Latest SURJ Blog, "Unsheltered Oakland: A Tale of Two Cities"
In the wake of the militarized eviction of the Moms 4 Housing, longtime Oakland resident and SURJ member Liz Jacobs reflects on the city's massive housing crisis. "Today I barely recognize my chosen hometown," she writes. "Inequity has created a tale of two cities; one for the poor and unsheltered and another for the high income affluent. How can Oakland, which is one of the top twenty cities in the US for median household, turn its back on our less fortunate neighbors?" Read the blog here.

Show Your Solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation
Stand in solidarity with the people of the Wet’suwet’en nation in British Columbia, Canada, as they resist -- through Unist’ot’en Camp and Gitdumt’en Checkpoint -- the Coastal Gaslink (CGL) pipeline project, an unwelcome and illegal encroachment on Indigenous lands. CGL is pushing through a 670-kilometer fracked gas pipeline that would go from Dawson Creek, B.C. to a processing plant in the coastal town of Kitimat. Demand Canada and British Columbia stop trampling on Indigenous rights in favor of private oil and gas interests and the criminalization of land defenders. Find out more about this important Indigenous struggle here and learn what you can do - get the Wet’suwet’en Supporter Toolkit.

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