Call our senators to see if you can get the staff on record as supporting the filibuster carve-out Biden announced today. Talking Points Memo (among others) is tracking the responses.

Padilla: 202-224-3553

Feinstein: 202-224-3841

FAX: in case no luck with phone 202-228-3954

For those of you who do not want to join the other protests (Oakland protest is 5:00 at Frank Ogawa Plaza), some of us are gathering at College and Ashby at 5:00 to distribute info about getting involved in elections. Join us if you are free and in the neighborhood.

Lots of juicy stuff to discuss, the CA primary, the fall of Sheriff Ahern, the hearings, and more! Andy will analyze the primary results (from several other states as well) then short presentations on readings will begin with Naomi on important book Politics is for Power by Eitan Hersh — everyone is invited to talk about something they have read recently on politics. 

Then we will discuss our action agenda, including canvassing plans. Hopefully the primary and the hearings will have motivated everyone to roll up their sleeves and get moving. Everyone welcome. 

Due to Covid exposure concerns on top of other issues, we are cancelling our meeting for today. We will meet next Sunday May 8th for a gala re-charge for the election season. At the meeting we will celebrate the fact we helped get Mallory McMorrow elected in the first place (with Sister District), Bruce will lead a discussion of a complex political issue, Naomi will release her first Twelve Angry People production and Andy will look into his crystal ball to tell us about the future. Please stay safe during this period of continuing Covid challenges and collect your favorite slogans/memes/rants for our next meeting.

Postcards available in the Little Free Library and printed out Vote Forward letters on request. See everyone May 8th.

Thanks for a lively A+ meeting! Based on our spirited discussion of the current state of the world, we have decided to add to our usual plans (postcards, letters, etc.) a new level of action. [Postcards are available in our Little Free Library along with URLs to obtain addresses.] We are going to give social media a try—with the hopes of reaching younger voters.

Homework:

1. Watch the Lincoln Project ads at lincolnproject.us
2. Check up on what Rachel Bitecofer is arguing at her PAC.
3. Ask young people they thoughts about the most effective social media platforms and send in the results (either as a comment below or an email).

We will meet again on April 10th 4:00–5:00 for the next stage in unveiling our new action plan.

Twelve Angry Persons/People/Elders (name is in progress)

I have turned my Little Free Library into a political out-reach tool, loading the top shelf with postcards and posting info about how to get addresses. We’ll see how this goes.

Lots to talk about Sunday including the tragic war in Ukraine and its reverberations in American politics, Clarence Thomas’ problems, Supreme Court pandering to Republicans, and political activities from SisterDistrict, Indivisible and East Bay Activists Alliance.

Due to a number of conflicts, today’s meeting is being postponed. We will meet again on Sunday, March 27th 4-5:00 pm. Meanwhile good luck to Judy with her move and if anyone wants to hear Andy’s presentation on his JStreet trip (Sunday, March 20th, 4:00 our house) please RSVP. Finally, here are some places to donate to support the Ukrainian people:

https://kse.ua/support/donation

Razom for Ukraine

Credit card, SWIFT, check, crypto, PayPal Non-profit organization supporting the people of Ukraine in their pursuit of a democratic society https://razomforukraine.org/donate/ https://www.facebook.com/RazomForUkraine

International rescue committee

Credit card, PayPal, check

Crisis in Ukraine

https://help.rescue.org/donate/ukraine-web

Kyiv School of Economics humanitarian aid campaign

Credit card, PayPal, bank transfer, SWIFT, crypto

The Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), together with Ukrainian businesses and state-owned companies, have launched a humanitarian aid campaign for Ukraine. The aim is to provide food supplies, transportation, refugees help for Ukrainian citizens affected by the war and purchase necessary medicines, first aid and protective kits for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Ukrainian Paramedic Association, and the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces to shield them against Russian aggression.

Thanks for a great meeting. Time to get to work. Next meeting Sunday March 13th 4-5:00

FIRST links to donate to help Ukraine

NGO that arranges life-saving equipment for Ukrainian soldiers: https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate

Hospitallers working at the frontline: https://www.facebook.com/hospitallers/posts/2953630548255167

NGO that assists internal refugees: https://unitedhelpukraine.org/

NGO that aids traumatised children: https://voices.org.ua/en/

Foundation that assists healthcare and education in eastern Ukraine: https://razomforukraine.org/projects/zhadan/

NEXT Our three main political links discussed at the meeting

1. https://sisterdistrict.com  The best site for info and links to help down state races in swing state. Check out the State Bridges programs on Wednesdays at 5:00 pm.

2  https://www.activateamerica.vote   Great site to find activities, get postcard addresses etc.

3. https://airlift.fund     We are fund-raising for this group. Find out more about them by attending one of their event such as March 15th event with the founder of Movement Voter Project. Encourage friends to donate.

We have also started writing Vote Forward letters. Let us know if you want to pick up postcards from our porch, get pre-printed Vote Forward letters, more QR codes for our thermometer, etc.

Andy will write on Israel separately. California political news: Bryan Osorio has abandoned his Congressional race in CA–22. Rudy Salas will be the Democrat against Valadao. Adam Gray is a State Assembly member trying to upgrade in Josh Harder’s former district (now CA–13). He’s a Conservadem. Phil Arballo, who formerly took on Devin Nunes, is also running and has the SEIU endorsement. Major effort is going into re-flipping the three SoCal seats: besides Valadao, Eric García, and Michelle Steele.

We also had a spirited conversation about the new leader of the Western world, former clown Volodymyr Zelensky. He is energizing resistance groups who want to strengthen democracies all over the world, including our group. Amazing to watch.

During a grim week what better than to gather with friends and get active? We’ll have reports on what various groups are up to, supplies for our activities and a few notes from Andy about his travels with the Congresspeople. Grab a friend and let’s get to work!

We will resume in-person meetings (Covid willing) on Feb. 27th when Andy returns from his trip. Meanwhile

1. Airlift is sponsoring a very interesting event with Katie Porter this Tuesday, February 15th at 6:00.

2. Vote Forward is starting its first campaign.

3. Someone took all the postcards and the box[!] from our porch but we are putting new ones out. Please click on the Activate America link to get some addresses and scripts.

4. Besides postcards, we will put out the little cards with QR codes that take a browser to our website or ActBlue page, that you can share with your friends who want to donate.

5. We are over $6,000 on the thermometer for Airlift. On to $10,000.