Weekly Newsletter - June 1, 2020

Week of Action in Defense of Black Life and to End White SilenceThe Movement For Black Lives and organizers from across the country invite you to take part in a National Week of Action in Defense of Black Life. From street protests to social media, from car caravans to making phone calls and signing petitions - there are many ways you can be engaged. Across the nation, SURJ is using this week to focus on Ending White Silence. In this moment, white silence is being used to justify the unjustifiable, and we need as many people in action as possible. This is about George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, and the centuries of violence against Black people and communities of color by the police. See below in the Take Action section to find out the things you can do this week in addition to the Calendar listings.

Monday, June 1 • 11:00 - 12:30 pm
Kneeling 4 Justice to Honor George Floyd
Wealth and Disparities in the Black Community has been fighting for justice for Black people since the 2015 killing of Mario Woods by San Francisco police. Join them for a socially-distanced protest (outside, 6’+ apart, wearing masks) to demand that charges be brought against all four Minneapolis police who murdered George Floyd, that the head of Minneapolis Police Union step down, and that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors hold the SFPD accountable to overturn its own racist practices. Learn more.
Location: S.F. City Hall, 1 Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., San Francisco (outside Polk Street side)

Monday, June 1 • 12:00 - 1:00 pm
SURJ Hour of Lunch and Action
Fellow white folks: Feeling rage and deep sadness about police brutality but not sure what to do? Join us at lunchtime any Monday in June to take immediate action and build community. We’ll meet over Zoom to provide concrete steps you can take - calling elected officials, signing petitions, etc. - to demand an end to police violence against Black people and other communities of color. Register here.

Monday, June 1 • 4:00 pm
George Floyd Student-led Solidarity March
Join this Oakland Tech student-led, non-violent march to show solidarity with George Floyd’s family and the Black community who fall victim to systemic racism and the barbarity of the police. This is a march for everyone who is opposed to the racism of our society. This is a march to say, “Oakland stands with you!” Please wear a mask, bring water, snacks, and maintain 6 feet of distance at all times. Learn more.
Location: Meet at Oakland Tech, 4351 Broadway. The march will go to the Oakland police department at Broadway and 7th St. downtown

Thursday, June 4 • 1:00 - 2:00 pm
White Immunity: Working Through the Pitfalls of Privilege
“How can poor white people be privileged?” How many times have you encountered that question in a discussion on white privilege? In this engaging SpeakOut webinar, scholar and author Nolan Cabrera offers a new framework – “White Immunity” – for the social inoculation that white people experience as a result of being white in a systemically-racist society. Cabrera links the history of racial oppression and whiteness to contemporary times, looking at the current uprisings against police killings of Black people. Tickets sliding scale $5 - $25 to watch live or later. More details and register here.

Friday, June 5 • 12:00 - 1:00 pm
SURJ Hour of Lunch and Action
Fellow white folks: Feeling rage and deep sadness about police brutality but not sure what to do? Join us at lunchtime during this National Week of Action to take immediate action and build community. We’ll meet over Zoom to provide concrete steps you can take - calling elected officials, signing petitions, etc. - to demand an end to police violence against Black people and other communities of color. Register here.

Monday, June 8 • 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Palestine and Racial Justice: Reflection Space for Jews of SURJ
Join this national SURJ webinar for folks who identify as Jewish to talk about ways to show up for the Palestinian struggle for liberation and self-determination. Speakers include Lee Gargagliano, a member of Catalyst Project and the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, and Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, who is on the rabbinical council of Jewish Voice for Peace. This will be an opportunity to process the things that come up around supporting Palestinian-led organizing so that people can show up powerfully and accountably to the work. More info.

Wednesday, June 18 • 6:45 – 9:00 pm
Intro to SURJ Virtual Meeting
Feeling anger and sadness about the continued killings of Black people by the police and vigilantes and don't know what to do? Come learn about SURJ Bay Area at a virtual introductory meeting and find out how SURJ moves white people to act for justice, with passion and accountability, as part of a multi-racial majority. Hear about our current work and activities including SURJ's pathways for engaging in the work such as Study & Action, committee work, upcoming workshops, and events. We'll answer your questions and share how you can get involved in the movement for racial justice. Click here to register.

Things you can do as part of the National Week of Action In Defense of Black Life and To End White Silence

MAKE A CALL:
Call Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to defund the Minneapolis Police Department, who murdered George Floyd.
Call Hennepin County (Minneapolis) District Attorney Mike Freeman at (612) 348-5550 and ask him to charge the remaining police officers responsible for George Floyd's murder.

SIGN A PETITION:
Justice for Breonna – Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman and award-winning EMT was in her home in Louisville, KY, on March 13th when Louisville Metro Police officers barged in without a warning, fired off more than 20 bullets, and ultimately took Breonna’s life. Sign this petition to demand that the officers responsible are arrested and charged for her murder.

READ AN ARTICLE:
5 Things White People Can Do Right Now - Read this brief article from National SURJ on five ways white people can take action in response to white and state-sanctioned violence.

DONATE:
Donate to Local Black Groups in Minnesota - Reclaim the Block is a coalition demanding investment in community-led safety initiatives (and divestment from policing) in Minneapolis and Black Visions Collective is an arts collective advocating and organizing for transformative justice and liberation by and for Black Minnesotans.

Donate to SURJ Bay Area - 100% of donations made during the National Week of Action will go to support local Black, Indigenous, and people of color groups doing critical work at this time.
PUT UP A BLACK LIVES MATTER SIGN:
SURJ has Black Lives Matter lawn and window signs available for free. Pick them up at Laurel Cyclery, 3715 MacArthur Blvd. (in the Laurel District), Oakland, Tuesday - Sunday, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. Take some to give to your neighbors and friends too!

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