Weekly Newsletter - March 23, 2020

Monday, March 23 • 6:00 am – 8:30 pm
Shutdown KKR Online Day of Action #WetsuwetenStrong
Want to get out a little rage on the internet on Monday? Here's a day of online action for you to support the land defenders of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation in BC Canada who are fighting the building of 417-mile, multibillion-dollar Coastal GasLink pipeline, despite having rights and title to their land since time immemorial. Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR) is one of the major investors in the pipeline project and if enough people tell KKR that people across Canada and the U.S. won’t let the pipeline be built and lean into their partnerships principles, they could pull out of the deal. Get the online toolkit here for sample emails, social media posts, graphics, research and more. Click here to sign on to a letter to KKR executives.

Tuesday, March 24 • 5:00 – 6:30 pm
SURJ Webinar - Free Them All: Decarceration in the Time of COVID

Learn how you can support efforts to decarcerate across the country and in your own community. Join this interactive webinar to learn about the inspiring work of JusticeLA getting hundreds of people released from the L.A. jails in response to the threat of the spread of COVID-19. While the right is well-practiced in disaster capitalism and taking advantage of moments like this to push systemic far-reaching changes that will have lasting impacts, we have a chance and responsibility to push for both the immediate needs of people most impacted to be met, and also to push our own transformative long-term demands forward. Register here.

Tuesday, March 24 • 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Online Panel - What Are the Root Causes of Forced Migration?

This panel discussion marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Saint Oscar Romero, a seminal event that plunged El Salvador into a civil war. U.S. movements to protect refugees from that war gave rise to sanctuary cities and the precursor program to TPS, the Temporary Protected Status Program. The legacy of destruction, poverty, and ongoing U.S.-imposed neo-liberal economic policies have contributed to Salvadorans being the largest population of TPS holders. Now the Trump administration is canceling TPS for more than 400,000 people from 13 countries. Discussing this situation are panelists from Centro Latino Cuscatlan, the Association of Hondurans in Northern California, Haiti Action Committee, African Advocacy Network, and Arab Resource and Organizing Center. Learn more and get the Zoom link here to attend this online event.

Thursday, March 26 • 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Webinar - The Struggle is Too Real: Cultivating a Spirit of Resilience in Pandemic Times

In the face of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, how are we supposed to bring our best selves to the work we do for more just and equitable communities? The second in a series of online SpeakOut Ed Talks features Rahuldeep Gill, an award-winning educator, author, and intercultural specialist. His online workshop, tailored for the current crisis, will provide a safe space where participants can learn to deepen their resilience and grow as agents for change in trying times. Register and you can watch live or later. $5 donation. More info and to register.

Saturday, March 28 • 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Online Townhall Discussion on Anti-Asian Racism
In these unprecedented times with COVID-19, there has been a rise in anti-Chinese and anti-Asian discrimination and many efforts to combat it during this public health crisis. Asian American organizers, and other people of color we are in community with, will facilitate a conversation on race, struggle and solidarity in the time of a global pandemic. This online townhall will be hosted by Kuttin Kandi and Gregory A. Cendana. Register here.



Sunday, March 31 • 7:00 pm
Livestream - Linda Sarsour: We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders
Berkeley Arts & Letters presents a livestream event with Women's March co-organizer Linda Sarsour for her memoir, We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders, about how growing up Palestinian Muslim American, feminist, and empowered moved her to become a globally-recognized activist on behalf of marginalized communities across the country. Sarsour is an award-winning civil rights activist, community organizer, and mother of three, born and raised in Brooklyn. She is a founding member of Justice League NYC, a leading force of activists, artists, youth, and formerly incarcerated individuals committed to criminal justice reform through direct action and policy advocacy. Purchase tickets here.

Wednesday, April 1 • 5:00 – 6:30 pm
SURJ Webinar - Sheriffs, White Supremacy & Organizing for Collective Liberation
Join this important conversation about the role of sheriffs in upholding white supremacy and the strategic need to run local campaigns that can hold them accountable, or kick them out of office in our work for collective liberation. The guest speakers are from Political Research Associates and Sheriffs for Trusting Communities. Register here.

Thursdays April 16 - May 21 • 6:30 – 9:30 pm
SURJ Study & Action 6-Week Online Series
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'll study the histories and systems of that which we resist, 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 racial justice. Learn more and register here.


Stay Connected While Physical Distancing

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. 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. ACCE has a list of extensive resources for communities in Oakland, San Francisco, Contra Costa County, among others. California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance has a list of resources for undocumented Californias.



Show Up By Supporting These Calls for Action
Given the impact that COVID-19 has on California's most vulnerable communities, please consider supporting these efforts:

• Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP) is calling on San Francisco city officials to implement a just criminal legal system COVID-19 response plan. Read and sign here BEFORE 3:00 pm on Monday, March 23.

• Join ACCE's call for Gov. 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. Read more and sign here.

• Help disabled people in the East Bay meet their needs met during this crisis. Fill out this form from the Disability Justice Culture Club to donate resources (such as hand sanitizer, food, money, your time).
• The faith community and others are calling upon all public officials to work together and do everything possible to mitigate a potential outbreak in Santa Rita Jail and ensure adequate care for anyone who is infected with the virus. Read more and sign this petition here.
• The Oakland Unified School District has set up a donation system to support it's a system of food distribution at school sites around Oakland - to which they are adding emergency cash distribution for the most vulnerable families (described here). Donate here to OUSD’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund for Oakland Students and Schools.

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

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