Weekly Newsletter - May 18, 2020

Justice for Breonna Taylor
​Breonna Taylor was an award-winning EMT in Lousiville, KY who loved helping her patients and her community. Breonna survived the frontlines of a pandemic that disproportionately kills Black people, only to have her life stolen by police. On the night of March 13th, the Louisville Metro Police executed a warrant, looking for drugs they never found, reportedly trafficked by a person who did not live with Breonna or in her complex-and whom they already had in custody. They sprayed her home with 20 rounds, shooting Breonna 8 times, killing her in her bed. All too often, Black women face police harassment and violence at the hands of bloodthirsty racist cops who see no value in Black lives. We must demand that the police officers be held accountable for murdering Breonna. Learn more, and sign this petition to have the officers responsible fired.

Monday, 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 will include 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.

Tuesday, May 19 • 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Intro to SURJ Marin
Come learn about SURJ Marin and how you, as a white person, can get involved in the movement for racial justice here in Marin County even during this national emergency. Learn what we do, how our committees operate, and actions you can take to fight injustice. This event will take place online via Zoom. Register today to receive the Zoom link by email.

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.

Sunday, May 30 • 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Virtual CRCAA Workshop: 5 Methods to Weaponize White Privilege
Across the United States, majority-Black counties have three times the COVID-19 infection rates of majority-white counties. CRC Allies & Accomplices (CRCAA) is calling on white folks to join us to talk about how to effectively fight against the persistent re-establishment of white supremacy in this moment by incorporating the 5 methods in your life, work, and organizing. We know that white supremacy is the status quo, and that if we do not actively combat it, white supremacy will persistently re-establish itself – no matter where we are. We believe that to effectively combat white supremacy, white people must divest of our power and weaponize our privilege. Learn more and register.

Supporting these key actions takes about 5 minutes!SIGN A PETITION:
Justice for Breonna – Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was in her home in Louisville, KY on March 13th when officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department 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 fired.

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.

Sponsor an Asylum-Seeker – Learn more about how you can support asylum-seekers during the COVID-19 crisis by learning about the asylum and sponsorship process and financially supporting sponsorship work.

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.

LUNCH & ACTION:
Monday Lunch & Actions (ongoing) – Overwhelmed by your inbox? Want to support racial justice actions but having a hard time plugging in? SURJ Bay Area is hosting weekly, virtual Lunch & Actions where we gather asks from our POC-led partners into a digestible agenda and come together to take action in virtual community. You can join the next Lunch & Action, on Monday from 12-1 PM, by registering 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.
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