Weekly Newsletter - June 8, 2020

List of Upcoming Bay Area Actions
​Learn about this week's rallies, protests, vigils, and other events throughout the Bay Area. In this political moment, there will be events all this week, and many ways to lend your support to the struggle. This SF Funcheap article also includes advice on how to show up to actions safely. Additionally, 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 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.

Tuesday, June 9 • 5:00 – 6:00 pm
SURJ National Webinar: White People's Work to End Racism
This is a webinar for folks who are newer to racial justice work and folks doing the work of bringing new white folks in. White people have an important role and responsibility for being part of a multi-racial movement to end racism and win collective liberation. Now is as good of a time as ever to join in this work or deepen your involvement in making the changes we so drastically need. More info and registration details.

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays all month • 12:00 – 1:00 pm
SURJ Hour of Lunch and Action
Feeling rage and deep sadness about police brutality but not sure what to do? Join us at lunchtime any Monday, Wednesday, and/or Friday 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. Sessions fill quickly, so register here to reserve your spot!

Saturday, June 13 • 11:00 am
Poor People's Campaign Town Hall: Everybody's Got a Right to Live!
In the context of the uprisings across the country against police killings of Black people and the devastation of COVID-19, people will come together across movements at a virtual town hall. Rev. Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, will be the keynote speaker. The town hall is part of the efforts of California PPC to expand the campaign in the state and build towards the Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington on June 20. RSVP today!

Saturday, June 13 • 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Celebrating Juneteenth! An Abolitionist Take on Black Liberation Movements
Critical Resistance is proud to present a virtual event and fundraiser with Charlene Carruthers and Marc Lamont Hill. During what’s sure to be an engaging evening, we will see Charlene and Marc in discussion about inspirational histories in light of contemporary abolitionist movements. We look forward to sharing space with you all during this important discussion to connect the movements of our past to the current political landscape in Oakland and beyond. Please join us and help spread the word. Learn more and register.

Wednesday, June 17 • 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Virtual Film Screening: We Cried Power
Join SURJ’s Queer and Trans (QT) Committee for a virtual screening and discussion of the short film We Cried Power which tells the story of a bold new social movement to end poverty in the United States, led by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis. The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival joins people to confront the interlocking evils of systemic racism, poverty, climate change and ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism. Registration and more info here.

Thursday, June 18 • 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Virtual Event - Understanding and Undoing Unconscious Bias
How can we interrupt implicit bias and create conditions for equity? We now know that in addition to police shootings, implicit bias plays a role in job interviews, hiring, suspensions from school, jury verdicts, sentencing to prison, and policies influencing housing, health care, and more. This interactive SpeakOut event with leading equity and diversity educator Hugh Vasquez, will increase your understanding of how implicit bias manifests, how it perpetuates, and you can do to interrupt it with a vision for changing both individuals and systems. Sliding scale $5 - 25. Learn more and register here to watch live or later.

Saturday, June 20 • 2:15 – 4:30 pm and Wednesday, June 24 • 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. Register for the Saturday or Wednesday session.

Support these key actions this week!

SIGN A PETITION:
Amazon: Cut Ties with Police & ICE – Amazon's anti-Black practices span its entire corporate empire, with inequity and oppression at the core of their business model. Demand that they cut ties with ICE and police today, and review this toolkit for more information.
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:
How White People Can Show Up to Support Black Lives - As thousands of white people join protests nationwide, it’s important to look at not just why people are showing up but also how.

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 Marcus Books, 3900 Martin Luther King Way, Oakland, Monday - Saturday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm and Sundays 12:00 – 4:00 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