Weekly Newsletter - May 25, 2020

Sponsor an Asylum-Seeker
Sponsoring an asylum-seeker and bringing them into your home is a deep act of solidarity. It is a heartfelt act of resistance in the face of this country’s inhumane white nationalism. Over 35,500 migrants are imprisoned in U.S. detention camps for the "crime" of asking for asylum. They have fled perilous conditions, seeking safety, and instead they are imprisoned in overcrowded camps, separated from their families with little to no access to lawyers. In this time of COVID-19, those living inside these prisons have no ability to physically distance, and have little access to medical care, soap or water, let alone sanitizers, masks, or gloves.

Volunteer to be a Sponsor: If you are interested in being a sponsor for an asylum- seeker or joining a support team, tell us a little about yourself. One of our volunteers will be in touch with you soon.
Partner with a Sponsor: If you cannot house an asylum-seeker but would like to be a support to both the sponsor and the asylum-seeker.
Donate: Financial support is an essential part of sponsorship work. Funds directly benefit asylum-seekers to help with housing and household needs.

Tuesday, May 26
#ShutDownAimCo Online Day of Action #WetsuwetenStrong
#ShutDownAimCo in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en! #WetsuwetenStrong
Take a stand in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en nation as CGL and RCMP continue to illegally occupy sovereign Wet'suwet'en yintah. Their presence on the territory puts communities at risk; endangers Indigenous womxn, two-spirit, and non-binary people with the building of man camps along the pipeline route; and threatens land, water, climate, and air. AIMCo, a public pension fund manager in so-called Alberta, is set to finalize a deal with TC Energy at the end of this month to purchase a 65% share in Coastal GasLink pipeline alongside US-based investment firm KKR. Now is the time to join hundreds of thousands of supporters and tell AIMCo we are watching their investment in violent, colonial structures. Here's how you take action today and let AIMCo know loud and clear: This pipeline will never be built!

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.

Tuesday May 26 • 5:00 pm
Palestine, Zionism, and Racial Justice, an Introduction
SURJ-Faith is partnering with Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA), the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), and the Catalyst Project to offer a series of webinars on Palestine, Zionism, and Christian Zionism. This first webinar is an overview of Palestine, Zionism, and racial justice, and will be followed up in June with deeper dive into Christian Zionism as well as a gathering for Jewish folks to discuss Zionism. Click here to register and read more about the webinar.

Saturday, May 31 • 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Racism and Allyship During a Pandemic
Do you live in Marin County, CA? Are you a white person who wants to show up as an ally for People of Color during this pandemic? Back by popular demand, SURJ Marin is again offering our workshop called Racism and Allyship During a Pandemic. Join us online to explore the impacts of COVID-19 on disparate Marin communities and share ideas on how we, as white allies, can support equity and transformation throughout the county. Please register for this workshop at surjmarin.org/events.

Wednesday, June 18 • 6:45 – 9:00 pm
Intro to SURJ Virtual Meeting
Want to get involved with SURJ Bay Area? Join us at our first virtual Intro to SURJ meeting and learn about our current work and activities. SURJ moves white people to act for justice, with passion and accountability, as part of a multi-racial majority. You will hear about SURJ's pathways for engaging in the work, including 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. Click here to 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.

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 12:00 – 1:00 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.

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