Weekly Newsletter - January 22, 2018

Thursday, January 25 • 6:00 - 8:00 pm
People on the Move: Conversations on Forced Migration
This community conversation on global forced migration features Lara Kiswani of Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC), Cathi Tactaquin of National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights, and Elsadig Elshiekh of Haas Institute for a Fair & Inclusive Society. The event is moderated by Gerald Lenoir and Nunu Kidane of Priority Africa Network. Artwork by Melanie Cervantes of Dignidad Rebelde is featured.
Location: The Washington Inn, 495 10th St., Oakland • More info
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Thursday, January 25 • 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Hear Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Patrice Cullors Speak
Los Angeles-based activist and civil rights leader, Patrisse Cullors, will speak on the occasion of her new book release, When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir, co-written with award-winning author and journalist asha bandele, who will also appear. The powerful and inspiring evening, to benefit KPFA, will be moderated by KPFA UpFront co-host and APTP co-founder Cat Brooks. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
Location: First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St, Oakland • More info/Tickets

Friday, January 26 • 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Power Not Paranoia: Discussion on Discrimination & Surveillance 
The Ella Baker Center and The Center for Media Justice, in partnership with Wellstone Action, are hosting an evening of dialogue on 21st century policing, the impact on our community, and what we can do to protect ourselves and defend our rights. Panel includes Malkia Cyril of The Center for Media Justice, Virginia Eubanks, author of Automating Inequality: How High Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor, and
Tunisia Owens of The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.
Location: 1330 Broadway, Suite 300, Oakland • More info

Saturday, January 27 • 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Talking With Kids About Race - Nurturing Justice
Join SURJ San Francisco and Abundant Beginnings for an afternoon of discussion and learning about how to create environments for kids that nurture racial justice. Participants will practice concrete and developmentally supportive conversation starters, read-alouds, and games, as well as build community and learn from each other (and the kiddos)! For parents, caregivers, and educators of children 2-10 years old.
Location: S.F. Main Library, 100 Larkin St, San Francisco, California 94102 • More info/RSVP

Sunday, January 28 • 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
SURJ Difficult Dialogues Workshop
How do we approach the challenging conversations in our lives, whether it’s about confederate flags, Donald Trump, cultural appropriation, Palestine/Israel, or racism and racial justice in general? This workshop is an opportunity to dive in much deeper with structured time to practice a range of difficult conversations around highly-charged racial issues. We will be sharing some basic skill-building tools in how to approach conversations, and then explore scenarios relevant to the lives of participants. Tickets are sliding scale $15 - $25. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Location: Sierra Club, 2101 Webster St. Suite 1300, Oakland • More info

Thursday, February 1 • 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Restore the Vote: Overturning Voter Suppression Workshop
This engaging SURJ workshop will provide the context for the Voting Restoration & Democracy Act of 2018, including essential understanding of voter suppression history in the United States and California. Learn concrete actions you can take to help restore voting rights to 162,000 incarcerated and formerly-incarcerated individuals in California. This effort is led by Initiate Justice. Free but please RSVP.
Location: Warehouse, 955 7th St., Oakland • More info/RSVP

Sunday, February 4 • 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Cooperation & Solidarity: A Conversation with Kali Akuno of Cooperation Jackson 
Join East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE) and Center for Political Education in welcoming Kali Akuno of Cooperation Jackson to discuss his new book, Jackson Rising: The Struggle for Economic Democracy and Black Self-Determination in Jackson, Mississippi. Kali will be in conversation with Najari Smith of Cooperation Richmond and Jackie Byers of Black Organizing Project about the struggle for economic democracy and Black self-determination from Jackson to the Bay Area.
Location: First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St, Oakland • More info

Tuesday, February 6 • 7:00 - 9:00 pm
"The Long Shadow" with Filmmaker Q & A
In this powerful documentary, director Frances Causey investigates the roots of our current racial conflicts. A daughter of the South, Causey and her team passionately seek the hidden truth and untold stories that reveal how the sins of yesterday feed modern prejudice, which burns undiminished despite our seeming progress. By telling individual stories, Causey movingly personalizes the costs and the stakes of continued inaction. See the trailer here.
Location: The New Parkway, 474 24th St, Oakland • More info/Tickets

Saturday, February 10 • 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
SURJ Study & Action: 4-Week Intensive
Meets 4 Saturdays: 2/10, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10
Are you looking for a learning community to challenge racism? Do you want to learn more so that you can become a resource for your community? Would you like to find out how to take action locally and be accountable? Join us as we examine white supremacy and resistance movements to build skills to challenge racism and take action in our communities. Through weekly reading and facilitated groups, we study the histories and systems of that which we resist, we deepen our understanding of injustice, and learn to take strategic, effective action to dismantle white supremacy and support Black and people of color-led organizations fighting for for racial justice. Free but must RSVP as space is limited.
Location: Sent upon enrollment, East Bay • More info/RSVP

​Saturday, February 10 • 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Racial Justice Story Time
SURJ Bay Area's Youth and Families Committee and Rice and Beans Cooperative will be leading this Racial Justice Story Time which will engage the whole family with books and activities to help start conversations about race and social justice issues. The event is best suited for kids ages 2-8, but all are welcome. Snacks provided. Free but please RSVP as space is limited.

Location: Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College, Oakland • More info/RSVP
Sunday, February 11 • Two sessions: 10:15 am - 1:00 pm and 1:15 - 4:00 pm
SURJ Bystander Intervention Workshops 
We've all been there. Someone in a public place says or does something to another person that makes us feel uncomfortable or even scared for that other person. Learn how to intervene in those situations, including tactics from de-escalation strategies to some basic self-defense. This workshop will provide a baseline for reducing harm and acting in effective solidarity with people being harassed or assaulted. Tickets are sliding scale $10 - $20.
Location: Suigetsukan Dojo, 103 International Blvd., Oakland • Info on 10:15 session  Info on 1:15 session

​Wednesday, February 21 • 6:45 - 8:45 pm
Introduction to SURJ Meeting
Want to get involved with SURJ Bay Area? Come learn about our current work and activities! You'll also hear about SURJ's new 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.
Location: Sierra Club, 2101 Webster, Suite 1300, Oakland • More info

​Join the Campaign to Restore Voting Rights to People in State Prisons and On Parole!
Sign up for a shift with SURJ to gather signatures to get the Voting Restoration and Democracy Act on the California ballot in November 2018. The VRDA, spearheaded by Initiate Justice, would restore the right to vote to approximately 160,000 people in state prisons and on parole in California. Once you sign up for a shift, we'll email you a few days beforehand with the name and contact info for your team lead, as well as an exact meet-up location. We'll provide a brief on-the-spot training, but you can also read the 2-page talking points and instructions here. Feel free to bring friends.

Sign the Petition to End Berkeley's Participation in Urban Shield 
The Berkeley City Council will vote on whether or not to pull out of Urban Shield in February or March. Help us increase the pressure on the Mayor and City Council to hold them accountable to pulling out and voting against police militarization, racism and xenophobia. Sign the petition and share widely with Berkeley residents!

Justice for Kayla Moore
Kayla Moore, a Black trans woman with a mental health diagnosis, was killed by Berkeley police in 2013. Four years later, her family and community are still working to hold the City of Berkeley and Berkeley police accountable with a civil suit. Pack the court (check Facebook for updates) to support the Moore family and demand an end to the criminalization of and violence against Black, trans, and disabled people. You can also sign up for Text Alerts - text justice4kayla to 33222 to receive up to 8 updates a month. More info

Black Lives Matter Signs Available at Marcus Books
SURJ's Black Lives Matter window signs are now available at Marcus Books, an historic Black-owned independent bookstore that, since 1960, has specialized in titles by and about Black people. Pick up your window sign and shop for books for children, teens, and adults. Net proceeds from sign sales go to Black Lives Matter Bay Area. Marcus Bookstore is located at 3900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Oakland. More info

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 HERE or become a monthly sustainer HERE. Contributions are tax-deductible.