Weekly Newsletter - March 16, 2020

Dear SURJ Bay Area community,
In light of the ever-changing directives and circumstances around COVID-19, we have decided to postpone upcoming SURJ Bay Area workshops and events. In times like these, we need to work to resist white supremacist culture of individualism. It is important that we stay connected as a community while practicing physical distancing; we believe this is the best way to keep each other safe. Things are evolving rapidly around us and we hope to have some remote/online events and actions to share with you in the coming weeks. COVID-19 is highlighting and exacerbating the vast inequities and injustices in our country and is hitting low-income, disabled, houseless, undocumented, incarcerated, and other vulnerable communities the hardest. We’re also seeing increases in racism and xenophobia in the wake of this crisis.

How do we show up in the face of this? SURJ Bay Area, with the help of our community partners, has compiled a list of resources so we can stay healthy while continuing to show up for racial justice in the face of COVID-19, and below, you’ll find some ways to take action remotely. Bay Rising has also compiled a toolkit to help us adapt our organizing.

This is a time for us to be in dialogue, to support one another, and to figure out how to continue to show up for our communities and for racial justice. Feel free to reach out to us at info@surjbayarea.org with ideas and additional information.
Given the impact that COVID-19 has on California's most vulnerable communities, please consider signing these petitions:
• More than 20 organizations are calling on Gavin Newsom to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 spread in state prisons.
• Join ACCE's call for Gavin Newsom to agree to an immediate memorandum on evictions and utility shutoffs so everyone is able to heed public health recommendations and act to stop the spread of COVID-19.
• Sign the #KeepFairHousing petition to say NO to Trump and Carson's proposed laws that roll back fair housing, rent control, common sense climate rules, and worker protections.
• A medical physician at UCSF is calling on Mayors Breed and Schaaf to support wage workers who are struggling to survive.

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.

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