Thanks for a fun and productive meeting everyone.

1. We are more than half way to reaching our $2,000 goal to support “our” three races in Virginia this November (our Quiet Evening at Home brought in $1,200 in the end!). Everyone can watch our progress on the thermometer Andy is pinning at the top of our site and can encourage friends and family to contribute.
2. To help reach our goal we are planning a special event at the Grodin’s on Saturday August 24th with two parts, first an Origami lesson led by Anne Overton with refreshments (1:00-3:30, limited to 20) and then a sale of original prints created and donated by Janet Grodin (3:30-5:00, everyone welcome). We will put together an invite for everyone to send to their friends and a list of tasks for the event.
3. Jane was out canvassing for Harder on Saturday and told us about the improved democratic party app –which has some glitches. Good for her for being a test case for fixing it!
4. Bruce asked if we are ready to sign our group up as an official participants in the next stage of Indivisible planning and events, (starting in September) and we gave him the official OK. Bruce also gave us the results from a survey done after the debate and he will post them as one of his Thursday posting. Indivisible is not going to endorse in the primary (at least not for the foreseeable future).
5. We gave out postcards with our new logo. Those who need addresses and can’t get them on their own, email me. Time to start those pens flowing again.
6. At our next meeting we are going to finalize our plans for our August 24th event and then discuss 1) which groups are doing good jobs fighting gerrymandering and deserve our support and 2) I will share the new app I have been encouraging students to download which has info about where/when to vote and also gives the voting records of the your contacts. We started a lively conversation about the pros and cons of this type of app and will continue it next meeting.
7. Our next meeting is in two weeks July 28th, 4:30-5:45. NOTE: The following meeting will not be until Sunday August 25th (due to our family vacation).

On a July 9 webcast, Leah and Ezra gave an overview of the Indivisible 2-year strategic plan to take us through 2020: fighting Trump, ensuring a constructive Democratic primary, taking over the White House and Senate, and implementing a democracy reform agenda.  An essential vehicle for this effort will be the National Campaigns Network or NCN, an organizational structure for mobilizing critical actions in coming months. Indivisible groups are invited to join the NCN, commit to taking part in these actions, and if possible send representatives to the August 10-11 IndivisiNation Rising conference in Washington DC. The first national day of action will be timed for the September congressional budget vote. Details at our July 14 meeting.

I just learned of this super relevant, promising event: Apologies for the messed up formatting, but I didn’t know how to insert the flyer, so just tried to copy the text.

A Day of Progressive Organizing to Win in 2020

September 7, 2019
Berkeley City College
2050 Center St., Berkeley, CA 94704

Rock the Congress engages new and experienced activists and facilitates collaboration among
progressive grassroots groups leaders to win elections. In the 2018 cycle, RTC held successful
events in Marin, San Francisco, and Napa. Now Rock the Congress is coming to the East Bay.
WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH?
✔ To inspire all participants with the strength of our diversity and the power of our
unity as we head for victory in 2020
✔ To engage new activists, especially youth
✔ To provide opportunities for seasoned activists to deepen their commitment by
expanding their network
✔ To recharge grassroots event organizers and group leaders with learnings from
the 2018 electoral cycle, dialogue about work in progress, and calls to action for
victory in 2020
HOW WILL WE DO THAT?
✔ Keynote presentations, panel discussions, and breakouts featuring nationally
recognized leaders in electoral politics, issue-based advocacy, and more
✔ Content focused on:
o Diverse strategic approaches among key movement groups (including
Swing Left, Sister District, All on the Line, Flip the West, Indivisible,
Reclaim Our Vote, 350 Bay Area, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, and
more) to help us achieve our shared goals to expand the House majority,
flip the Senate, and flip the White House
o Local efforts to engage those eligible to vote, in CA and nationally
BRING ROCK THE CONGRESS EAST BAY TO LIFE!
Please contact Ogie Strogatz (ogstrogatz@gmail.com) or

Kook Huber (kook4ofa@gmail.com).

Just a quick reminder that due to our travels, our next meeting will be Sunday, July 14, 4:30-5:45. We are following the news closely from here and look forward to getting back to work when we return. If anyone is looking for action items, try:

􏰘A Community Discussion on Police and Deadly Force – AB 392: The California Act to Save Lives
Sunday, June 30, 2 pm
San Pablo Public Library, Wildcat Community Room, 13751 San Pablo Avenue, San Pablo Panelists include: Contra Cost District Attorney Diana Becton, Richmond Police Chief Allwyn Brown, and “Uncle Bobby” Johnson (Oscar Grant Foundation).

The event is free and open to all. Sponsored by Northern California ACLU, Berkeley/East Bay Chapter. Questions: btpr88@yahoo.com

Remembering 1619 Artistic Presentation
Tuesday, August 20, 6:30 – 9 pm
SFJazz Center, 201 Franklin St., San Francisco
The Marcus Shelby Orchestra, Joanna Haigood and Zaccho Dance Theatre, actor Steven Anthony Jones, The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol, directorial consultant and dramaturg Kim Euell, and film producers Cheo Tyehimba Taylor and David Goldberg present the debut of a stirring work about 400 years of struggle, triumph, grief, excellence, and resilience experienced by people of African descent here in the United States. The Equal Justice Society’s year-long Remembering 1619 observance marks the 400th anniversary of the advent of slavery in the United States. (see article below.) More information here.

“Slavery’s bitter roots: In 1619, ‘20 And odd Negroes’ arrived in Virginia,” The Washington Post, August 24, 2018.
The first documented Africans to arrive in the English-speaking colony of what would become Virginia arrived in August 1619 on the “White Lion,” a Dutch man-of-war ship carrying enslaved cargo from the West Coast of Africa.

The arrival of the ship was reported by colonist John Rolfe who wrote: “About the latter end of August, a Dutch man of Warr of the burden of a 160 tunnes arrived at Point-Comfort, the Commandors name Capt. Jope. He brought not any thing but 20 And odd Negroes, w[hich] the Governo[r] and Cape Merchant bought for victuals.”

The “20 And odd Negroes” had been captured in 1619 from “the Kingdom of Ndongo” in Angola. They were packed with more than 350 enslaved Africans aboard the Sao Joao Baustista, a Portuguese slave ship that set sail from the coast of Africa, bound for what then was called Vera Cruz, on the coast of Mexico. Read full article here.

􏰘

ACTION ITEMS

The Mueller Report Book Club

Thousands of Americans are committed to reading the Mueller report — cover to cover — together. Join us! Sponsored by The March for Truth.

2

ACLU Monitoring Local Government If you’re concerned about the Trump administration’s actions and the loss of our civil liberties, but need a way to do SOMETHING without uprooting your life, we have some easy ways you can help protect our rights. Much of the help we need can be done from your home and/or computer with just a few clicks.

The Berkeley/North East Bay Chapter of the ACLU is seeking your help. We are looking for local volunteers who would like to get more active in their communities by keeping abreast of what elected officials are doing and by monitoring, observing, and participating in meetings of city councils and local boards making important policy decisions.

Here are a few ways to get involved in this effort: 1. Look at the agendas for specific public meetings. These agendas are posted on-line on a regular basis (usually, but not always, weekly). Then notify our chapter when an issue is scheduled that deals with the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

2. Attend or watch local public meetings. Often these meetings are also broadcast live on cable television and/or streamed live or archived for internet viewing. Then notify our chapter when discussions deal with the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

3. When the ACLU identifies an issue of concern we can amplify our voice by having several volunteers attend particular meetings and provide public comment. (Note: Please do not represent yourself as an associate of the ACLU unless you have coordinated with the ACLU Chapter Board or ACLU staff.)

4. Express your views on issues by meeting, calling, e-mailing, or writing to your representative.

Note: Please do not represent yourself as an associate of the ACLU unless you have coordinated with the ACLU Chapter Board or ACLU staff.)

If you are interested in participating in this effort, please e-mail barbara dilts (bdilts@redshift.com) with your contact information and which of these activities interest you.We will provide you more information and support for your involvement.

IMMIGRATION

􏰘Donate to Provide Emergency Legal Aid for Children in Camps

Holly Cooper, Co-director of the Immigration Law Clinic at UC Davis, is one of the few attorney with legally mandated access to some of the worst facilities where the children are being held. Her team is doing vital work, investigating, advocating and suing to help the children. Over the weekend has already been an outpouring of support for this work, and now we can add ours too. We can click here to donate to Together Rising’s fight for the rights of children in Detention camps. Information here. – From Rogan’s List, June 25

􏰘From National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)

Donate to NIJC’s Emergency Response Fund Your donation to the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) helps fund life-changing legal services for families who face separation, community outreach to make sure our neighbors know their rights, and lawyers and legal staff to get parents out of jail and to reunite children with their families. Give now.

Represent immigrants and asylum seekers

3

As a pro bono attorney you help give voice to immigrants and refugees who are without representation. NIJC provides excellent support and guidance to attorneys who represent immigrants pro bono including asylum seekers, detained individuals, and families who were cruelly separated at the border. Learn more about being a pro bono attorney.

Contact your members of Congress

Ask your congressperson to cut funding to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These agencies use billions of taxpayer dollars to separate parents from their children, lock up 52,000 immigrants–including asylum seekers–in an abusive detention system, and terrorize our communities. Congress has the power to cut off funding to stop mass incarceration and family separation. Take action now.Be an interpreter

Most individuals whom NIJC represents require the an interpreter to prepare a detailed affidavit or to translate foreign language documents. If you are fluent in another language and would like to help, please email us. Support immigrants in detention

Immigrants in detention facilities around the United States are subjected to unjust confinement, leaving them isolated from their families and support systems. Help support detained immigrants and refugees by volunteering with the Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants (ICDI). Invite your friends and family to join you in writing letters of encouragement, visiting immigrants in local detention centers, and assisting recently-released immigrants. Learn more.

Stay informed Sign up for NIJC’s e-updates and action alerts to stay informed about the issues and be alerted when your voice is needed most.

Spread the word

Follow NIJC on social media. Trustworthy information is critical right now and you can help share it.

From Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG)

􏰘Contribute to the Project Corazon Travel Fund so we can send more lawyers (particularly Spanish-speaking immigration lawyers) to the detention centers and refugee camps where help is desperately needed. We’ve already sent 37 and we can send dozens – even hundreds – more with your support.

􏰘Donate Frequent Flier Miles. Pledge your frequent flier miles to help get more lawyers to the border. If you have unused airline miles, you can pledge your airline miles to help the cause thanks to L4GG’s partnership with Lawyer Moms of America. We use these miles to help cover travel costs for pro bono attorneys. Click here to pledge your airline miles to the travel fund.

􏰘Immigration lawyers. If you’re an immigration lawyer and would be willing to donate your time to help asylum seekers in remote locations (but can’t afford the associated travel expenses), click here to apply for travel funding. 􏰘Law firm pro bono help. If you’re a lawyer at a large law firm, ask your pro bono coordinator whether your firm is part of Project Corazon. If your firm is already a Project Corazon partner, there may be immediate opportunities for you to volunteer for our remote CFI and/or remote bond projects. If your firm would like to learn more about partnering with us, please ask your pro bono coordinator to email us at corazon@L4GG.org.

Project Corazon Immigrant Rights Seeks Spanish-Speaking Interviewers Without representation, the chances of asylum seekers passing a Credible Fear Interview, the first step towards being awarded asylum, could be as low as 5-10%. With the help of volunteer lawyers the odds increase to about 50%. We’ve been able to help nearly 1,000 families through Project Corazon, with lawyers traveling to the border, lawyers representing immigrants in remote proceedings, lawyers doing research, and soon, lawyers representing immigrants in bond hearings. Lawyers for Good Government Foundation make its mark in the fight against immigrants, with much, much more room to grow. We’re looking for Spanish-speaking volunteers to conduct remote intake interviews (by phone) with detained asylum-seekers.

4

Volunteers will be asked to sign up for shifts (each shift will be approx. 4 hours) during which you will be “on call” to handle intake interviews. Sign up here.

The Dream and Promise Act The Dream and Promise Act, which was recently introduced in Congress, could protect and provide a roadmap to citizenship for millions of undocumented people, including recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). More information here. – From National Immigrant Justice Center.

􏰘Family Reunited Through HIAS/M4M Partnership Miles4Migrants is an organization that uses donated airline reward miles to help relocate and reunite families of refugees and asylum seekers.

“Missing Neighbors” Poster Campaign Information here. Sponsored by HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society).

National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)NIJC’s Ambassador Toolkit

NIJC’s volunteer interpreter corps.View open jobs at NIJC.

Write to Detained Migrants here. RiseStronger compendium of information and resources here.

How To Help Immigrant Kids Who Are Taken From Their Parents At The Border – Equal Justice Society article here.

Donation Opportunities

Latino Immigrant Families Together (LIFT) Fund – Donate here. RAICES is the largest immigration legal services provider in Texas. Donate here.

Temple Emanuel of McAllen, Texas is accepting donations via Paypal or by check (send to 4300 Chai St., McAllen, TX 78504). Please note “Refugees” on the check memo line.

Support Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley Respite Center through their ‘ Go Fund Me page.

*Border Kindness provides migrants, refugees, and the displaced with comprehensive services that include food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Our programs and interventions are designed to identify, protect and nurture the most vulnerable – including women, children, elderly and families.

*Border Angels advocates for human rights, humane immigration reform, and social justice with a special focus on issues related to issues related to the US-Mexican border. Border Angels engages in community education and awareness programs and serves San Diego County’s immigrant population through various migrant outreach programs.

LEGAL HELP NEEDED AT THE BORDER RAICES Needs Volunteers. Use this form to sign up for more information.

Lawyers Needed for Humanitarian Relief to Migrants From Good Ally Collaborative

No More Deaths Lawyers: Volunteer with SIFI (Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative, led by the Southern Poverty Law Center)

Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG)

Sign up to volunteer remotely or in-person.Attorneys and Paralegals Needed to Help Immigrants Oppressed by ICE

CARA Family Detention Project American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). More Information here.

5

GUN CONTROL ADVOCACY

March for Our Lives Students Gun Safety Policy Indivisible California StateStrong Guide for Preventing Gun Violence.

OrganizationsEvery Town for Gun Safety

Sandy Hook Promise Students Demand Action

Moms Demand Action The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

Giffords Guns Down

RECURRING EVENTS

Voter Registration for New Citizens Swearing In Ceremony

Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, OaklandWednesday, July 17, 10 am – noon

Wednesday, July 17, 2 – 4 pm Help brand new Americans activate their citizenship by registering to vote. From countries all over the world, they pour out of the Paramount Theater after taking the oath of allegiance to their new homeland. We welcome them with an offer to register to vote. Look for a row of ironing boards on both sides of the entrance. No experience is necessary – we will train on site.

Please plan to arrive on time for the session you signed up for so we can do a training and distribute the volunteers between the two stations. NOTE: If you plan to drive, allow 30-45 minutes to look for parking which fills up very early. The Paramount Theatre is 1/2 block from the 19th St. BART station. This is an outdoor standing event so please be prepared to stand for up to 2 hours and dress according to the weather (casual is fine)

Register here. Make sure you are picking the morning or afternoon session you want to attend. You can sign up for either or both.

Indivisible Group Meetings

Indivisible East Bay All Member Meeting Last Sunday of the month, 1-3 pm, Sports Basement, 2727 Milvia Street, Berkeley

Information here.

Indivisible Berkeley Monthly General AssemblyCertain Sundays of the month, 7:30-9 pm

Berkeley Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut St, Berkeley Information and next meeting information here.

Indivisible SF General Meeting

Some Sundays, 3:30-5:30pm Manny’s, 16th and Valencia Streets, SF

Indivisible SF information here. Check their events page for meeting dates.

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) ACLU Voter

Nationwide voter mobilization effort through phone banking and texting. Sign up here.

Berkeley/North East Bay Chapter Monthly meeting-Third Wednesday of most months, 7 pm

6

Sweet Basil Thai restaurant, 1736 Solano Avenue, Berkeley

Come early if you’d like to eat dinner with us. Barbara Dilts bdilts@redshift.com More information about this and chapter here.

Know Your Rights trainings by Antonio Medrano, Chair of the Berkeley/North East Bay Chapter – For schedule of trainings go to Chapter Facebook page.

List of other ACLU chapters here.

Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club Meeting Fourth Thursday of themonth, 6-9 pm (potluck at 6, meeting at 6:45) Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland Information here.

Barbara Lee Staff Office Hours Every 1st & 3rd Thursday, 2-5 pm 1470 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland. Staff only – Rep. Lee not in attendance.

Week to Week Politics Roundtable and Social Hour – Mondays, 5:30 pm wine-and-snacks social, 6:30 pm program The Commonwealth Club of California, 110 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, Dates, information and tickets ($0 members-$20) here.

PHONE BANKS, TEXT BANKS, POSTCARDS AND OTHER THINGSA report from a meeting with Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris by a member of 13 Pages, Oakland Indivisible Group: Calls from constituents help our senators fight for justice. Every call is tallied by zip code. We can call several times a day and each call is tallied separately. The more we call, text. and e-mail the louder our voices are heard. We can speak about more than one issue in the same call. Sen. Dianne Feinstein email, (415) 393-0707; DC: (202) 224-3841) Sen. Kamala Harris email, (415) 355-9041; DC: (202) 224-3553

Democracy Action phone banks on current issues. Information here.

Action Checklist for Americans of Conscience (Jen Hoffman) weekly Action Checklist. Rogan’s List/RiseStronger – A comprehensive weekly digest of news and actions. Sign up here.

Wall of Us – Four concrete acts of resistance curated and personalized for you each week. Sign up here.

One Thing You Can Do (OTYCD) Postcards for America website. Postcards for America Facegroup here.

Indivisible Berkeley page lists actions you can take from the comfort of your home! We recommend making a habit of taking one action per day or one action per week.

Action for Introverts. https://resistancelabs.com/volunteer/text/

DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROTESTS North Berkeley demonstration demanding higher taxes for the super-rich & big corporations

Mondays 5-6 pm, near the top of Solano Ave by the Oaks Theater, Berkeley

Come sing with OCCUPELLA or just hold a sign. RAIN CANCELS!

The Dignity Not Detention coalition sent this request

Here is how you can join us in demanding California’s complete divestment from companies who profit off the incarceration of our communities!

• Read and share our statement 
• Sign petition to denounce private prison 
• Support AB32 by signing your organization in support 
• Join us to pack Sacramento Hearing Tuesday 6.02.19 @ 1:30pm email svalenciano@ciyja.org 

This is an opportunity to help an asylum seeker get out of detention and does not involve housing or any financial or practical commitment. Please consider helping out. Reply directly to Esperanza. Julie

From: Esperanza Cuautle <advocate@pangealegal.org>
Date: Wed, Jun 26, 2019 at 1:56 PM
Subject: Do you know anyone who may be able/willing to sponsor a Trans girl?
To: 

Hi everyone,
I hope this email finds you all well. I, alongside another community organizer, are putting together a bond packet to request a bond with the immigration court for “Brittany”. She is an immigrant from Guatemala and is currently detained in Texas. Brittany doesn’t have an attorney, so she is representing herself. 
Brittany has a friend in Daly City who can house her upon release, however, the friend can’t sponsor Brittany because she doesn’t have legal status either. We had a volunteer who initially offered to sponsor Brittany but has gone MIA.
Hence, I’m reaching out to community members to ask if there is someone out there who can sponsor Brittany. I want to disclose that being a sponsor for Brittany entails giving personal info to ICE, writing a letter of support stating the sponsor will make sure she attends all her hearings, and provide tax returns to show ability to sustain Brittany. However, the sponsor won’t need to cover any of Brittany’s expenses because she will be moving in with her friend in Daly City. If bond is granted, I will help Brittany’s friend fundraise to pay the bond.
Let me know if anyone comes to mind who can help or help Brittany by spreading the word to your networks. I’m available via phone or email if any potential sponsors have additional questions before committing. Thank you so much in advance for any help you can provide!
Warmly,Esperanza__________________________Esperanza Cuautle VelazquezDirector of Operations Pangea Legal Services 
350 Sansome St, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94104

855 Lenzen Avenue, San José, CA 95126
Office: (415) 254-0475  Fax: (415) 593-5335

The Supreme Court will decide tomorrow as to whether or not to include a citizenship question on Census 2020. In response, the Alameda County Complete Count Committee is holding a press conference TOMORROW at noon. We invite individuals and organizations to attend and stand with us in affirming the importance of getting counted on Census 2020.We need a strong presence of supporters! If you can attend, PLEASE RSVP ASAP to benjamin.ulrey@acgov.org.Press Conference in Support of Alameda County Immigrant CommunitiesTOMORROW, June 27, at NOON at Alameda County Courthouse, 1225 Fallon Street in Downtown Oakland (please arrive a few minutes early!)Speakers: Alameda County Supervisors Wilma Chan and Nate Miley, a representative from Congresswoman’s Barbara Lee’s office, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, and multiple representatives from the immigrant community. Optional: Wear clothing that represents your organization (such as t-shirts or hats) or traditional attire that represents your ethnicity or culture.We will provide signs reading: “Our Community Counts. Our Community Belongs.”For more information, call Ben at 510-846-2066In partnership,Alameda Census Office Casey Farmer, Executive Director Alessia Simmonds, Outreach Manager Ben Ulrey, Communications Coordinator

Tell your member of Congress to vote NO on additional funding for Trump’s deportation machine. Next week, the Democratic controlled House will vote on a bill to provide additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security. The Senate will vote on its own bill, which will contain nearly $5 billion for DHS. We need our members of Congress to stand up and refuse to give Trump more money to terrorize communities and lock up families.

Check out our updated impeachment toolkit at Impeach.indivisible.org. Our campaign page is updated with new resources to help keep the pressure on Congress this Fourth of July to do its job and hold Trump accountable.

Check out Indivisible’s new Presidential Engagement Playbook and prepare for next week’s debates by downloading Indivisible’s June Debate Guide

 

Register for NPNA’s Family Protection Network Field Webinar tomorrow 6/21

Trump’s recent threats about a new surge of deportations are raising alarms across the country, and it is critical that Indivisibles do everything we can to stand with immigrant communities.

Our allies at the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), together with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) and others are hosting a webinar tomorrow, June 21 at 1pm Eastern Time / 10am Pacific Time to discuss the NPNA Family Protection Network and the local rapid response strategies. Speakers will highlight local and statewide public funding wins to expand community protection and access to counsel, how to work with employers to protect workers, and share strategies to build partnerships with private law firms.

Indivisible national survey results are in and were published this week. 80% of Indivisibles favor launching an impeachment investigation into Donald Trump.  Read the details here.

An Indivisible Statement to Congress is up on the national website calling on our elected members of congress to begin an in-depth, public impeachment inquiry.  This began as an initiative of Indivisible South Bay, has spread like wildfire, and is now gathering signatures of Indivisible groups nationwide. Read it here, but skip the sign-on—we’re already signatories based on our discussions Sunday.

#ImpeachTrump National Day of Action is this Saturday, June 15.  The nearest rally is in Oakland at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building. Go if you can—advance signups here are recommended.