WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - JUNE 25, 2018

FEATURED EVENT • Saturday, June 30 • NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION
On this day, people are rallying in Washington, D.C. and around the country to demand an end to the Trump Administration's cruel immigration policies. Join Bay Resistance, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, Faith in Action, SURJ, and other Bay Area social justice groups to protest human rights abuses at the border and lift up the ongoing work of immigrant-led organizations. Here are some of the local actions:

• Oakland: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm Family-friendly Event at Lake Merritt Labyrinth, 500 Bellevue Ave. with activities for children. Sponsored by Alphabet Rockers, Abundant Beginnings, Destiny Arts Center & others • More info
• Oakland: 4:30 - 6:00 pm Human Billboard, intersection of Harrison St. and Grand Ave. Sponsored by SURJ Bay Area • More info
• Richmond: 11:00 am Rally at West Valley Detention Center, 5555 Giant Hwy. Sponsored by Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, Kehilla Community Synagogue & others • More Info
• Berkeley: 12:00 - 4:00 pm Rally at Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Sponsored by National Domestic Workers Alliance, ACLU, Indivisible & others • More Info
• San Francisco: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm March from Mission Dolores Park (19th & Dolores) to rally at City Hall, Sponsored by Indivisible SF, Women's March & others • More Info
• San Leandro: 9:00 am March from City Hall (35 E. 14th St.) to rally at Root Park • More info
• Concord: 10:00 am Protest, Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Rd. • More info
• Alameda: 12:00 noon Human Billboard & Vigil, Intersection of Park St. & Santa Clara Ave. Sponsored by Alameda Progressives & Alameda Justice Alliance • More infoFind a #FamiliesBelongTogether Event Near You

Tuesday, June 26 • 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Detention Center Day of Action
Protest at the only ICE detention facility in the Bay Area. Operated by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, it detains some 200 immigrants on any given day. Community groups, labor unions, and immigrant rights groups will be protesting Trump's cruel immigration policies as well as the racial disparities in our justice system that contribute to mass incarceration of people of color, particularly African Americans.
Location: West Valley Detention Center, 5555 Giant Hwy. Richmond

Thursday, July 12 • 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Reviving Our Democracy with Rev. William J. Barber
Join the country’s preeminent civil rights leader Rev. William J. Barber, architect of North Carolina’s Moral Monday movement and co-chair of the national Poor People's Campaign, in conversation with Mother Jones' senior reporter Ari Berman about the current state of civil rights and democracy, and how we can energize both.
Location: First Church Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley

Saturday, July 14 • 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
A Day in Court Training with Silicon Valley Debug
Every day, in county courts across the state, decisions are made that dictate the size, scope, and demographic make-up of incarceration in California. It's at these first court appearances where one of the most important decisions are rendered — whether someone will be released while going through the court process or asked to pay bail for their freedom. Come get trained by Silicon Valley Debug and learn about the bail system in California, how to provide court support, and concrete ways that you can help expose how exploitative money bail is in our state. Sponsored by SURJ Bay Area's Policy Working Group.
Location: Sierra Club, 2101 Webster St. Suite 1300, Oakland

Saturday, July 14 • 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Oakland Hands Around Lake Merritt
Come to Lake Merritt to encircle it with clasped hands and honest hearts in celebration of the power of a united equitable Oakland. We are joining in a circle of compassion and clarity to uplift our commUNITY members, especially the marginalized children, women and men among us who are experiencing targeted oppression, housing and food insecurity. Sponsored by Anti Police-Terror Project, Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, SURJ Bay Area & others.
Location: Meet at the Arches/Pergola on Lake Merritt, Oakland

Sunday, July 15 • 3:00 - 6:00 pm
How to NOT call the PoLice (Sheriffs & Kkkorts) Ever Workshop
Following recent news about BBQ Becky, Starbucks employees, and other white people calling the police on Black and Brown people, learn how to NOT call the police from POOR Magazine and others. This workshop will look at how to redefine a western white supremacist notion of security and hold each other through trauma into a true definition of interdependent safety. Hear speakers from Idriss Stelley Foundation, Krip Hop Nation, Sogorea Te Land Trust, and POOR Magazine.
Location: First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St. Oakland

Saturday July 29 • 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Antidotes for White Fragility Workshop
Do you sometimes get "triggered" or shutdown in stressful, racially tense situations? This workshop, facilitated by White Noise Collective, will explore how the brain and body respond to these perceived threats, help you manage guilt and shame that can arise in learning about race and racism, and build skills that enable greater resilience in moments of challenge. Tickets are sliding scale $15 - $25. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Location: Sierra Club, 2101 Webster St., Oakland, CA 94612

Tuesday, August 14 • 6:45 - 9:00 pm
August Introduction 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 hear about SURJ's pathways for entering the work, including Study and Action groups as well as committees, upcoming workshops, and events. We'll answer your questions and share how you can be part of the movement for racial justice.
Location: Movement Strategy Center, 436 14th St. Suite 500, Oakland

A Dozen Things You Can Do Right Now To Help End Trump’s Family Separation Policy
Looking to channel your outrage over the Trump administration's horrific immigration policies? His Executive Order is a smokescreen and a distraction — we have to keep up the pressure. Immigrant families are still suffering due to his administration's "zero tolerance" policy which criminalizes immigrants including asylum-seekers. Turn your anger into action. Here are some ways how.

Sign the Pledge to Build a World Without Police
National SURJ is inviting white people across the country to examine our relationship to policing, especially given the increasing numbers of incidents of white people calling the police to report Black people for doing all manner of things, including sitting in a Starbucks, having a barbecue, sleeping in their own dorm, renting an AirBnB, eating at Waffle House, golfing, walking through their own neighborhood, being an 8 year old selling bottles of water, being a firefighter doing his job, and much more. We invite you to take action — whether that's educating yourself about the history of policing in the U.S., examining alternatives to policing, or pledging to not call the police. Learn more here.

Join the Fight to Expand Rent Control and Repeal Costa-Hawkins!
The Affordable Housing Act, which would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act and allow cities and towns to pass stronger rent control laws, will officially be on the ballot this November! Landlord associations are preparing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to sink this ballot initiative. Join the grassroots campaign organized by our partners at the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) to speak to voters about the ballot initiative and advocate for stronger rent control legislation. To get involved, please email SURJcanvassing@gmail.com

Join the SURJ - Faith National Campaign
SURJ - Faith is a national effort aimed at organizing congregations and faith communities to take action for racial justice and to support the Movement for Black Lives. This campaign has a tool kit and resources that people can share with their faith communities. Learn more about the campaign 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.
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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.

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