Weekly Newsletter - November 25, 2019

A Racial Justice Guide to Thanksgiving for Educators and Families
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and for many among us, this holiday is not a celebration about turkey and the Mayflower. The Center for Racial Justice in Education has compiled a list of resources for educators and families to discuss Thanksgiving by keeping Native narratives central to the discussion, and to help navigate difficult conversations about Thanksgiving. These resources are useful in the classroom and beyond. This resource will be continually updated.

Tuesday, November 26 • 5:00 pm
Come out to Support Housing Activists at Oakland City Council Meeting
Join housing activists from The Village in Oakland and the East Oakland Collective to demand an immediate end to evictions of curbside communities, demolitions of homes and other acts by the city's anti-homeless "Encampment Management Team.
Location: Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Room 201, Oakland

Friday, November 29 • 12:00 – 3:00 pm
20th Anniversary Emeryville Shellmound Gathering
Come out for the 20th Anniversary of the Emeryville Shellmound gathering, where we'll be gathering/praying/sign-waving and giving out information to the public about this sacred site that has been destroyed for the development of Bay Street. This was the largest of all 425+ shellmounds (burial sites) in the Bay Area. Please bring cookies or other snacks to share. The event is family friendly.
Location: Corner of Shellmound St. and Ohlone Way, Berkeley

Wednesday, December 4 • 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Movement Lessons Since the 1999 Battle of Seattle
Join The Center for Political Education and Reimagine! Movements Making Media for a panel discussion reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the shutdown of the World Trade Organization (WTO) conference in Seattle and drawing lessons for our movements today.
Location: Greenlining Institute, 360 14th St., Oakland

Saturday, December 7 • 2:00 – 7:00 pm
Abundant Beginnings Fundraiser - Let's Get Free!
Support Abundant Beginnings, a community education and empowerment initiative that is re-imagining how communities can grow learners who think critically, live responsibly, and create meaningful change. This is an all-ages fundraiser Day Party with DJ, dancing, auction, a healing center, and more. Support these radical, amazing, powerful young activists and freedom fighters! Come dance with us!
Location: 7th West, 1255 7th Street, Oakland

Tuesday, January 14, 2020 • 6:45 - 9:00 pm
Intro to SURJ Meeting
Want to get involved with SURJ Bay Area? Come 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'll will hear about SURJ's pathways for entering the work, including Study and Action groups as well as committee work, upcoming workshops, and events. We'll answer your questions and share how you can get involved in the movement for racial justice. ASL will be provided if requested by 5 PM on Monday, January 12
Location: First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley

Sign the Petition: No Militarized Police Equipment
Oakland Police Department currently uses militarized equipment on Oakland's Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities with no oversight or regulation. SURJ Bay Area has joined the fight to give power back to the people of Oakland to decide if, when, and how cops can use and acquire militarized equipment. Two easy ways for you to show up and support the ordinance to regulate military police equipment in oakland are: Sign and widely share this petition, and sign up to volunteer at farmers markets to collect post cards from community members.

Unhoused Provisions Drive - It's Cold in these Streets!
The nighttime temperatures have dropped significantly, and so many of our unhoused brothers and sisters are not ready for this change. The city of Oakland isn't providing adequate shelter to the hundreds of unhoused people, and it's getting cold. Find information about what is needed and how you can help.

Stand With Lakota Youth for Civil Rights, End Police Brutality
SURJ affiliate South Dakotans Against Racism is asking for support for #TwoLakotaGirls, middle schoolers who were fighting when they were assaulted by a police officer and experienced martial artist who used brutality and excessive force to ”break up" their fight. Both Lakota girls have been charged with assault. Supporters are asking that the charges be dropped - criminalizing children leaves no room for healing and reconciliation. Sign the petition here.

Demand the University of Alabama Rehire Dr. James Riley
The University of Alabama has seemingly pushed for the resignation of its Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President — a Black man who had been in the job just seven months — for past tweets that made honest, straightforward statements about racism in America. The University of Alabama needs to rehire Dr. Riley immediately and make clear it will stand up for the rights of Black students, faculty, and employees. Learn more and sign the Color of Change petition to reinstate Dr. Riley.

Fire LAPD Officers Lee and Robles for the Murder of Grechario Mack
Sign and share the petition to fire the Los Angeles police officers who murdered 30-year-old Grechario Mack, father of two daughters. On April 10, 2018, Mack was in the midst of a mental health challenge inside the the Crenshaw-Baldwin Hills Mall when LAPD Officers Ryan Lee and Martin Robles shot him and then stood over him – he was still alive – and fired two more rounds into his body, killing him. Black Lives Matter Los Angeles is calling on LAPD Police Chief Michel Moore to fire the two police. Learn more about the case and sign the petition 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