DEFUND OPD PHONEBANK: LAST CHANCE OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL

Tonight! July 6 | 6–8 p.m.

In case you missed it, the so-called "Equity Caucus" of the Oakland City Council rammed through a mid-cycle city budget that only shaved off less than 1% of the Oakland Police Department budget—a drop in the bucket of $250 million that should go towards refunding of services, housing, education, mental health services, and other social welfare programs that enhance Black lives and communities.

Councilmember Kaplan brought back the Oakland City budget for a vote to reconsider defunding the police. Sign up to phonebank city council members for another chance to defund OPD.

No experience is necessary to make calls. Making calls is easy, and there will be a zoom training before you start. This is a great event for anyone whether you're new to political campaigns or a seasoned organizer! Phonebanking is also a great activity you can do from the safety of your home, during COVID.

RSVP below to join the virtual phonebank at 6 p.m. for Thursday, July 16. You will need a microphone on your computer, as well as a phone to make the calls. Instructions will be provided once you join! Together, we will work to #DefundOPD.

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A PLANET TO WIN READING GROUP: FREEDOM TO LIVE

Tonight! July 16 | 7:30–9:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom–email [email protected] for info ♿

Anyone interested in discussing the Green New Deal is welcome to join.

This will be the final installment of our Planet to Win study group, tonight at 7:30. We will discuss the conclusion, "Freedom to Live" (20 pages), and reflect on the book as a whole.

Since this is the last chapter we also agreed to spend part of the time assessing how the study group went, with an eye towards greater inclusion in any future study groups.

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DEFUND OPD LAKE MERRITT FLYERING PARTY

Saturday, July 18 | noon–4 p.m.

Outside Lake Chalet, 1520 Lakeside Dr, Oakland ♿

We have one last chance this year to Defund OPD, and we will be flyering this weekend to raise the visibility of this fight in Oakland. We will meet outside of Lake Chalet near their front doors at noon. Flyers and supplies will be provided; plan to bring water, sunscreen and wear a mask. Do not come if you are feeling sick or running a fever.

In case you missed it, the so-called "Equity Caucus" of the Oakland City Council rammed through a mid-cycle city budget that only shaved off less than 1% of the Oakland Police Department budget—a drop in the bucket of $250 million that should go towards refunding of services, housing, education, mental health services, and other social welfare programs that enhance Black lives and communities.

Councilmember Kaplan brought back the Oakland City budget for a vote to reconsider defunding the police. Please join us to flyer in Oakland to defund OPD!

Can't flyer with us? Go out on your own or with friends and email [email protected] for flyer PDFs to print.

RSVP

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

Sunday, July 19 | 2–5 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ♿

See how your elected leadership works as we deliberate on current chapter issues. This meeting is open to all DSA members to observe the proceedings. Please RSVP for the ZOOM link.

Agenda is TBA.

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STRIKE FOR BLACK HEALTH AND VITALITY

Monday, July 20 | noon–2 p.m.

Highland Hospital, 1411 E. 31st St, Oakland ♿

Join workers walking out for Black Health and Vitality! Black healthcare workers, patients, and communities are on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even before the pandemic, mismanagement of our public hospital system was depriving workers of access to vital resources and proper staffing. Unequal health outcomes for Black patients continue to pose a significant threat to public well being. With lives on the line, health professionals and patients alike are demanding action. Alameda Health System must become accountable to the public and put an end to its racist health inequities. Hosted by Alameda County Coalition for Healthy Communities.

HOW WE STRIKE:

From Noon-2 p.m. healthcare workers will walk out from all AHS facilities, while community supporters rally outside Highland Hospital in East Oakland and Fairmont Hospital in San Leandro.

After walking out, we will lie down for 8 minutes and 46 seconds—the time in which George Floyd was suffocating under a police officer's knee—to honor George Floyd as well as the Black healthcare workers who have died from lack of PPE while fighting Covid-19. Black frontline healthcare workers and patients will speak on the urgency of these issues.

Featured Speakers: Boots Riley, Derrick Boutte, Allison Austin, Mawata Kamara

WHY WE STRIKE:

The dire situation of our public health system disproportionately affects Black communities.

Under the current unelected, unaccountable administration, Black patients and workers often receive inferior treatment in our AHS facilities, all while management tries to take away the rights, pay, and benefits of the Black unionized workers who are fighting to save lives.

Meanwhile, the county’s lack of solutions for the houselessness pandemic strains the public health system and poses severe threats to the safety of Alameda County’s most vulnerable residents. We call on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to take responsibility for our public health and unequal health outcomes for Black communities!

WHAT WE ARE STRIKING FOR:

We demand that the County Board of Supervisors regain control of AHS!

We demand fair contracts for frontline healthcare workers at AHS that recognize the invaluable services to the community!

We demand an increase in funding to AHS to improve the quality of care for our patients, the majority of whom are Black and Brown!

We demand equal treatment and representation within the Alameda Health System!

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RACIAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

Monday, July 20 | 7–9 p.m.

Online – contact [email protected] for info ♿

Join the Racial Solidarity Committee for our monthly meeting!

The Racial Solidarity Committee (RSC) is dedicated to fighting for the rights of BIPOC communities here in the Bay Area as well as around the world. We are committed to building a multiracial democratic socialist organization that reflects the diversity of the Bay Area working class. Our work ranges from immigration justice and open borders to workers' rights and access to fully-funded public education. In our general meetings, we hold political discussions and report on upcoming RSC campaigns and events. Join us and become a part of the fight for Racial Solidarity!

Racial Solidarity Committee is open to all, and we especially welcome self-identified BIPOC folx. BIPOC facilitators take progressive stack, and we maintain community agreements.

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INTRO TO DSA

Wednesday, July 22 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom ♿

Democratic Socialist politicians like Bernie Sanders, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are raising the expectations of millions of people across the United States and bringing them into a political awakening. The membership of DSA, the largest socialist organization in the United States, is rapidly growing by the thousands. Millions of everyday people are calling for Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, universal rent control, and more.

But what is democratic socialism? What does it mean to be a member of DSA?

Let's talk about it.

Join us to discuss what our political moment calls for, make new friends, and get plugged into our fight for democratic control of the things that we need for all of us to live a dignified life.

Join via Zoom

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THE ORGANIZER’S TOOLBOX: HOW TO HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE MEETING

Sunday, July 26 | 1–3 p.m.

Online via Zoom, password: MEC ♿️

In this training, we will discuss and practice the art of the one-on-one meeting. This is a powerful and foundational skill for any organizer—it helps us form a political relationship with somebody, understand more about who they are and what motivates them, and gives us an opportunity to make a concrete ask of them.

One-on-one meetings can help us develop political relationships with other working-class people, build leadership in your committee, and move people to action. Come to this training to learn the components of a one-on-one and get some real-life practice.

Note: While everybody is welcome, this training event is geared towards people who are already active in the Democratic Socialists of America or aligned organizations.

Due to social distancing, this event will happen virtually over Zoom.

Recommended readings

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TAX THE RICH TO FUND SCHOOLS AND SERVICES: PART 3 OF 3

Monday, July 27 | 7–8:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom ♿️

EBDSA members have the opportunity to help pass the largest tax increase in history on California's wealthiest commercial property owners, raising $10-12 billion per year for public education and social services. With the Movement for Black Lives uprising deepening into the call for defunding the police, it will be necessary to expand revenues required to build alternative, sustainable public services, and practices. Progressive taxation—especially taxing the rich—is an essential path to accomplish that goal.

"Schools and Communities First" (SCF), on the November 3 ballot, is backed by labor and opposed by the most reactionary sectors of capital. A three-part education series will provide background for EBDSA participation in the campaign. Part I reviewed the story of austerity politics and increasing inequality in California with Prop 13—which SCF proposes to reform—from 1978 to the present. Part II looked at the history of public-sector unionism and how a left-wing labor-community coalition won Prop 30, a 'tax the rich' ballot measure, in 2012. Part III will supply an overview of the SCF campaign, and explore how EBDSA members can plug in effectively. Biweekly on Zoom, beginning Monday, June 29, presented by labor historian Fred Glass for EBDSA Labor Committee.

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IT’S TIME TO KICK POLICE OUT OF OAKLAND SCHOOLS FOR GOOD

ONE UNION'S CENTURY-LONG FIGHT FOR JUSTICE