Weekly Newsletter - May 11, 2020

Justice for Ahmaud Arbery
​The brutal murder of Ahmaud Arbery highlights how white supremacist violence is bolstered by people in positions of power, and closely tied to police and the courts. White people need to see this as yet another urgent call to action. Ahmaud's murder demonstrates the ongoing link between police departments and white supremacist violence. One of his killers, Gregory McMichael, is a former Glynn County police officer and a former investigator with the local district attorney's office. We must call for the removal of District Attorneys George Barnhill and Jackie Johnson and demand justice for Ahmaud. A modern-day lynching has occurred, and white people must speak up.

Wednesday, May 13 • 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Webinar: Preventing Online Recruitment of Youth into Hate Movements
Any child or teenager spending hours a week online has almost assuredly been exposed to white supremacist propaganda, whether they know it or not. During the global pandemic and quarantine, many youth are spending greater amounts of time online while not in school, and may be dealing with the effects of fear, isolation, loneliness, and even trauma. Knowing this, hate groups see prime targets for recruitment. This panel will discuss how online recruitment of youth into hate movements operates and suggest some topics of discussion for parents and others who work with youth on this topic. The panel will also be discussing some broader issues related to supporting youth dealing with trauma and depression under the global pandemic, and how families and youth workers can watch for mental health challenges and support youth at this time. Tickets $20.

Sunday, May 17 • 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Racial Justice Book Club: When They Call You a Terrorist
Join SURJ Marin for our May Book Club. We will be discussing When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir of one of the co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, Patrisse Khan-Cullors. Necessary and timely, Cullors' story asks us to remember that protest in the interest of the most vulnerable comes from love. In this meaningful, empowering account of survival, strength, and resilience, Cullors seeks to change the culture that declares innocent Black life expendable. The event is free. Register today.

Wednesday, May 18 • 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Quest for Democracy Day
Quest for Democracy Day is a day when formerly incarcerated and convicted people and their family members come together to raise their voices in Sacramento. This year, the event is moving entirely online. The slate of bills they'll be focusing on is still being finalized, but they'll be lobbying in support of voting rights for people on parole, the removal of involuntary servitude, and funding for reentry housing. RSVP to join and find more information about bills and policies.

Tuesday, May 19 • 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Webinar on Black-Palestinian Transnational Solidarity
In this powerful SpeakOut-hosted conversation, activist-scholars and authors Noura Erakat and Marc Lamont Hill reflect on the historical legacies of the Black-Palestinian solidarity movements, highlighting lessons learned as well as challenges. In the face of the current health crisis, this solidarity is all the more significant given how Black and Palestinian communities are more vulnerable to COVID-19 due to structural racism. Sliding scale $5 - $25. Learn more and register to watch live or later.

Thursday, May 21 • 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Intervention & White Nationalism: A CRCAA Webinar
Emboldened by the election of Donald Trump and agitated by the COVID-19 crisis, White Nationalists with genocidal aspirations against Black, Muslim, and Immigrant people are recruiting, organizing, terrorizing, and advancing an extreme Right-wing agenda. It’s important for us as anti-racist white people to understand how the white nationalist movement developed historically and to pay attention to the messaging and tactics being used by that movement today, so that we can effectively counter-organize our folks for racial justice and a peaceful future. How can we increase our capacities to intervene against white supremacist activity in our communities? Join CRC Allies and Accomplices - CRCAA for a virtual community teach-in! Learn more and register today. Attendance is free.

Tuesday, May 26 • 1:30 – 2:00 pm
Webinar - Dying of Whiteness: The Politics of Racial Resentment
In his bestselling book, Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing America’s Heartland, Dr. Jonathan Metzl set out to answer the question: why do working class and struggling white Americans often vote against their own interests? In this SpeakOut webinar, he explores this question in the context of the current health and economic crisis. He looks at what it will take to build a movement for justice and overcome the politics of white resentment . Tickets sliding scale $5 - $25. Learn more and register to watch live or later.

Monday, May 31 & Tuesday, June 1 • 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Statewide Tenants’ Rights Counselor Training
Sign up for this 2-day training with Tenants Together, California's statewide organization for renters' rights (based in San Francisco). Volunteers work alongside over ten thousand California renters as they learn and fight for their rights. Learn invaluable skills to help your community and become part of the fight for housing justice, including timely information like the impacts of the COVID-19 State of Emergency on tenants and our communities and how best to support. Counselors help tenants fight against evictions, rent increases, uninhabitable living conditions, and the wholesale displacement. Learn more and sign up here.

Supporting these key actions takes about 5 minutes!SIGN A PETITION:
Petition to Protect Oakland's Essential Service Workers - We are depending on frontline, essential service workers like grocery clerks, delivery drivers, and janitors to provide us with what we need to survive during the shelter-in-place, yet many have insufficient – or no – paid sick days to stay home if they get sick. Demand that Oakland City Council take action!

SUPPORT MUTUAL AID:
Support Black Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Community Members (TGIJP) by donating to help provide housing, food, money, and supplies like masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer to community members coming our of CA prisons and SF jails. If you can help with meal delivery or laundry pick-up and drop off to a laundromat wash & fold service, please contact queertrans@surjbayarea.org.

Help Provide Hotel Rooms for Our Unhoused Neighbors - Support The Village and East Oakland Collective's efforts to move Black elders, veterans, and other vulnerable people into hotel rooms across Oakland and provide hot meals, groceries, and personal hygiene supplies along with access to volunteer medical professionals, life coaches, and onsite coordinators.

Support East Bay Disabled People - The Disability Justice Culture Club, a collective of disabled and/or neurodivergent queer people of color in East Oakland, is working tirelessly to meet community needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Fill out this form to donate resources (such as hand sanitizer, food, money, your time) and this form if you are a disabled person with needs that aren't being met.

Support SURJ Bay Area's Racial Justice Emergency Relief Fund - Thank you for your support so far! 100% of donations will go directly to local organizations providing critical immediate aid to our most vulnerable communities.

MAKE A CALL:
No New Funding for Sheriff Ahern - The Alameda County board of supervisors is scheduled to vote on Sheriff Ahern's proposal for $106 million/year in additional jail funding this Tuesday, May 12th. Call and email the Board of Supervisors to demand that the sheriff receive no new funding!

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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Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Bay Area c/o PO Box 22748, Oakland CA 94609