Civil Rights

Rally for Cannabis Equity at Mayor Gloria’s State of City Address — Wed., Jan.10

January 3, 2024 by Source

From ASA

San Diego Americans for Safe Access, a cannabis patient advocacy group along with San Diego Diversity Cannabis Group invites you to demand Mayor Todd Gloria get behind more cannabis collectives into the city of San Diego.

We are rallying at the Mayor’s State of the City address to support the proposed Cannabis Social Equity and Economic Development (SEED) program! This will be on Wed., January 10 @6PM at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. The goal of the program is to achieve greater access to medical cannabis for patients, especially in underserved areas

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Biden Issues Federal Pardon to All Americans for Marijuana Use, Including Those Never Arrested or Prosecuted

December 27, 2023 by Source

By Francesca Chambers / USA TODAY /December 22, 2023

President Joe Biden announced Friday, Dec.22, he’s issuing a federal pardon to every American who has used marijuana in the past, including those who were never arrested or prosecuted.

The sweeping pardon applies to all U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in possession of marijuana for their personal use and those convicted of similar federal crimes. It does not apply to individuals who have been jailed for selling the drug,

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‘As a lesbian in the Navy, I fought the good fight to eliminate the prejudice I experienced’

December 27, 2023 by Source

By Beth F. Coye / Op-Ed San Diego Union-Tribune / Dec. 26, 2023

The motivating factor behind my life has been protection and defense of America from all enemies. My dad, a World War II-decorated submarine skipper, instilled in our family that duty was above all else. So, it was no surprise to anyone that my adult career was spent as a naval officer, retiring as a commanding officer in San Diego, my birthplace.

I loved the Navy, I loved that we had a serious mission to protect and serve our country. I had always been so focused that the military’s raison d’etre was to protect against the enemy from without that it took me years to unravel that the military’s perception was that certain people were unfit to serve this mission, and I turned out to be one of those people.

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Ousted for Espousing Dialogue on Same-Sex Marriage After 17 Years as Pastor at Pt Loma Nazarene, Dee Kelley Files Last Appeal

December 18, 2023 by Source

By Paul Sisson / San Diego Union-Tribune / Dec. 17, 2023

Four months into a church disciplinary process, the possibility of reinstatement looks remote for Selden “Dee” Kelley, the San Diego pastor who lost his job after writing 1,218 words that called for a broader dialogue on same-sex marriage in the Church of the Nazarene.

Kelley, who led San Diego First Church of the Nazarene for 17 years before his dismissal on Aug. 14, said last week that a regional church court denied his initial appeal on Nov. 20.

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LA Times Editorial Board: ‘Trump wants to be the U.S.’ first dictator’

December 15, 2023 by Source

By The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board / Dec. 13, 2023

If you have tuned out the many crazy things that Donald Trump has said since he left the White House, it’s time to start paying attention.

The twice-impeached insurrectionist holds more than a 40-point polling lead over his closest rival in the Republican primary, and many Americans remain in denial about how close we are to returning an aggrieved and emboldened authoritarian to power. As former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) warned recently, the U.S. “is sort of sleepwalking into dictatorship.”

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‘Why MEChA Would Be Good for Point Loma Nazarene’

December 14, 2023 by Source

By Ava Bailey-Klugh / The Point – LomaBeat.com / Dec. 10, 2023

MEChA was founded in 1960 by college students across the United States to advocate for more representation of Hispanic and Latino students on college campuses.

Currently, the student-led organization, in San Diego some of the largest colleges such as University of California San Diego and San Diego State University have rapidly growing MEChA clubs. MEChA stands for “Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan” in Spanish, which translates to “Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan.”

F

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We Can’t Let Anne Frank’s Hopes and Dreams Die

December 11, 2023 by Ernie McCray

by Ernie McCray 

I’m remembering
walking up a stairway
in Amsterdam
through narrow doorways
looking into nooks and crannies
in Anne Frank’s hiding place,
an annex attached to a home
where she chronicled
in a diary
that stands as a gift to humanity,
the trials and tribulations
of her people,
Jews,

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ACLU Pushes for Transparency and Inclusion of Community Stakeholders in Hiring of Most Powerful Non-Elected County Position, Chief Admin Officer

December 8, 2023 by Source

Unelected CAO’s Powerful Role in the County’s Future Demands a Hiring Process Consistent with Our Shared Values as a Democracy

By Norma Chávez-Peterson, Executive Director, ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties

On December 5, I joined with several of our ISDF coalition partners to testify before the San Diego County Board of Supervisors regarding the process of hiring the county’s next chief administrative officer (CAO).

The nonprofit, nonpartisan American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has a 103-year legacy of protecting and expanding civil rights and ensuring full and equal access to education, jobs, housing, voting and more. The ACLU fights to guarantee that “We the People” means all of us.

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New Law Will Make It Illegal for Employers to Discriminate Against Workers for Off-Duty Pot Use

December 7, 2023 by Source

By Kristina Houck / Patch San Diego / Dec. 5, 2023

After the New Year, employment discrimination for off-duty cannabis use will be illegal in California. Assembly Bill 2188 and Senate Bill 700 amend the California Fair Employment and Housing Act to protect employment rights for people who use marijuana.

Beginning Jan. 1, it will be against the law under AB 2188, with certain exceptions, for California employers with five or more employees to discriminate against current or potential workers for cannabis use off the job and outside of the workplace.

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Pt Loma Nazarene Named as Unsafe for LGBTQ+ Students by Campus Pride – Again

December 7, 2023 by Source

By Ava Bailey-Klugh / The Point – LomaBeat.com / Dec. 6, 2023

An article from Campus Pride released on Oct. 2, 2023 named Point Loma Nazarene University once again an unsafe school for LGBTQ+ students.

Campus Pride, a website dedicated to making college campuses more safe for LGBTQ+ students, created a list called The Worst List in 2001.

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The Supreme Court May Be Poised to Kill the Voting Rights Act Once and for All

December 4, 2023 by Source

A federal court said only the government, not civil rights groups or individuals, can enforce the Voting Rights Act.

By Marjorie Cohn / Truthout / December 1, 2023

The Voting Rights Act, which Congress passed to enforce the 15th Amendment, has been targeted by the right wing since it was enacted in 1965. In the last few years, the Supreme Court has weakened the Voting Rights Act but has never ruled that civil rights organizations and aggrieved individuals could not sue to enforce its provisions.

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Judge Denies Request to Disqualify San Diego County DA from Unbalanced Protest Prosecution

November 20, 2023 by Source

City News Service – KPBS / November 17, 2023

On Friday, a judge denied a request from defense attorneys to remove the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office from the prosecution of a group of anti-fascists charged in connection with a 2021 Pacific Beach protest that broke out into brawls.

[Go here for background.]

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In Truth With His ‘Vermin’ Speech, Trump Threatens a New Civil War If Elected

November 17, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

By now many perhaps have heard about candidate Trump’s infamous “vermin” speech from last weekend. It was one of those clarifying moments that every American citizen needs to know about, one of those moments that explicitly defines the situation the country faces and finds itself in.

The Republican Party’s front-runner for president spoke at a Veterans Day speech in New Hampshire and in front of the microphone intentionally declared that if he became president he would “root out” his opponents – the left – calling them “vermin”, that they’re destroying America and represent the most dangerous and grave threat facing the country. It was not a spontaneous expression or off-the-cuff; it was deliberate and was repeated on his social media.

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Attorney Calls Out DA Stephan’s Political Bias Against ‘Antifascists’, Asks for Her Disqualification From Case Involving Pro-Trump March

November 15, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

If you were disturbed by candidate Trump’s recent “vermin” speech and have been concerned about the country ever since the coup attempt on January 6th, 2021. this story should interest you deeply.

This Friday morning in San Diego Superior Court there will be a hearing on a motion by a defense attorney accusing San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan and her office of being politically biased against anti-fascists and should be disqualified from a case where he’s defending a young man. The defendant – along with 10 others – are self-described anti-fascists accused by Stephan of participating in a violent altercation at a pro-Trump march 2 1/2 years ago in Pacific Beach. One of the charges is conspiracy on the basis of being alleged “antifa supporters.”

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As San Diego Readies to Approve New Street Light Surveillance System on Tues., Nov.14, — Here Are the Questions

November 13, 2023 by Source

Is this the right technology for San Diego, with the right partner companies, at the right cost, with the right protections?

by Seth Hall /Op-Ed Voice of San Diego/ November 10, 2023

San Diego’s streetlight surveillance drama is about to come full circle.

Over the years, the community coalition I am part of has attempted to work with members of the police department, the mayor’s office, the Privacy Advisory Board, and all members of two different City Councils to create sufficient protections for streetlight-mounted surveillance cameras to be used transparently and responsibly, if they must be used at all. I

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October 2023 Events from the Ocean Beach Green Center

October 9, 2023 by Source

Every Saturday 10:30 am. Climate Mobilization Coalition Meetings  October 28th.

October 27th Friday 8 am – 6 pm 2023 San Diego Green Building Conference & Expo BUILDING POSITIVE: CULTIVATING A REGENERATIVE FUTURE UC San Diego Park & Market 1100 Market St San Diego 92101 This is San Diego’s premier event for green building professionals from all fields of expertise to come together to share ideas, inspiration and connection. This year we are partnering with the World Woman Foundation’s Sustainability Forum taking place on Thursday, October 26th at UC San Diego Park & Market. Join both days of this exciting collaboration to hear from visionary leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, academics, artists, and policymakers. $135 to $275 More info:  https://www.sd-gbc.org/sdgbce23

October 28th Saturday 10 am – 2 pm Fall at the Farm Event by Wild Willow Farm We are excited to invite you to a day of fun and celebration At Wild Willow Farm, we are passionate about regenerative agriculture, education, and connecting with our local community. This event is our way of sharing the joys of farm life with you! This event is free and suited for all ages. More info:  https://www.facebook.com/events/710216361149527/?ref=newsfeed

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Why Wasn’t Racist Hate Crime Nature of Biker ‘Brawl’ in Ocean Beach Disclosed by San Diego Law Enforcement?

September 28, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

Now that the racist, hate-fueled attack against 3 African-American young men by a mob of local Hells Angels in OB back in early June has made national news (MSN, The Hill), several questions continue to linger.

Mainly, why weren’t the racist and hate crime elements of this vicious incident disclosed by law enforcement, the police or the press?

During the Monday, Sept 25 news conference splash announcing the indictments against 17 Hells Angels members and supporters, District Attorney Summer Stephan made this statement:

“In San Diego County, we cannot and will not tolerate violence and racism of any nature, “

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17 Hells Angels Indicted for Violent Racist Attack on 3 Black Men in Ocean Beach Last June

September 26, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

The big news coming out of OB this morning was the announcement Monday by District Attorney Summer Stephan of grand jury indictments against 17 alleged members and supporters of the Hells Angels biker group in connection with a violent racial attack against three Black men in Ocean Beach on June 6.

The attack occurred outside a bar on Newport Avenue near Bacon Street; one of the men was stabbed in the chest, his sternum cracked in the attack, another victim was knocked unconscious – and the third ran and was not injured. The victims — ages 19, 20 and 21 — were repeatedly called a racial epithet during the incident.

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Church of the Nazarene Votes to Remove Head Pastor’s Credentials for ‘False Teachings’ on Human Sexuality

September 22, 2023 by Source

By Elaine Alfaro / LomaBeat.com / Sept. 20, 2023

Senior pastor Dee Kelley at First Church of the Nazarene, located on Point Loma Nazarene University’s campus, stood trial within the Church of the Nazarene on Aug. 11, accused of spreading false teaching regarding human sexuality. The Regional Board of Discipline in the Church of the Nazarene determined him guilty and ultimately voted to remove his credentials.

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City Wants to Fix Law That Brought Oversight to San Diego’s Surveillance Technologies, Advocates Want More Input

September 19, 2023 by Source

By Lyndsay Winkley / San Diego U-T / Sept. 17, 2023

A hard-won ordinance that brought oversight to San Diego’s many surveillance technologies needs critical fixes, officials say, or day-to-day operations the city relies on could come to a standstill. The new law, unanimously approved by City Council last September, stemmed from public outcry over the city’s mishandling of a network of thousands of smart streetlights.

Community members learned years after the high-tech lights were installed that police could access video and other data they captured. Over the past year, putting the ordinance into practice has been hampered by delays and legal quandaries.

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Greenpeace Ship in Town to Shine Light on Human Rights Abuses in Seafood Industry – Especially By Bumble Bee

September 7, 2023 by Source

By Ken Stone / Times of San Diego / Sept. 6, 2023

Ten years after Greenpeace saw one of its ships seized by Russia, the same 166-foot icebreaker is docked at San Diego’s Broadway Pier.

The mission of the Arctic Sunrise is less dangerous this time.

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September 2023 Events from the Ocean Beach Green Center

September 1, 2023 by Source

All events are online and free unless stated otherwise

* Sept 7th, 14th and 21st Thursdays, 4 pm – 6 pm  demonstrations against the September Air Show

* Sept 7th Thursday 5:30 pm Webinar Seeding Connections by California Native Plant Society

* Sept 9th Saturday 5 pm -8 pm Fall Preview by San Diego Audubon Society Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center

* September 9th Saturday 11 am – 3:30 pm The Black in Front Summit
* September 9th Saturday 3 pm Amnesty International Group 137 San Diego.

* September 9th Saturday 7 pm Doors of Change Concert of Hope

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PLNU Pastor ‘Convicted’ by Church Jury of Support for Same-Sex Marriage – Controversy Offers View of Ugly Underside of Nazarene Views

August 28, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

Reporter Neal Putnam at the Beacon– affiliated media network has outlined the ugly underside of Point Loma Nazarene College in a recent article about how a Nazarene pastor — Rev. Selden Kelly — lost “his credential to preach after a church jury convicted him of supporting same-sex marriage, which is contrary to the Church of the Nazarene manual about human sexuality.”

“Kelley, who is in his 60s, has been senior pastor of First Church of the Nazarene for 17 years at Point Loma Nazarene University and is popular on campus.”

A 7-man and 2-woman church jury voted unanimously “to convict” Rev. Selden Dee Kelley III (above), of being “out of harmony with the Church of the Nazarene’s doctrine, teaching, beliefs, and practices.”

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OB Tenants Who Sued Michael Mills – the Short-Term Rental King – Can Remain in Their Homes

August 22, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

In a subscriber-only article in yesterday’s U-T, reporters Roxana Popescu, Lori Weisberg wrote that two OB tenants of vacation rental king, Michael Mills, who had sued him for unlawful eviction and rent raises, will be able to remain in their homes.

Tenants Damin Dixon and Alison Bradford are no longer facing eviction. “Both tenants are still living in their same units,” their lawyer, Parisa Ijadi-Maghsoodi, stated. The Rag covered the suit.

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San Diegan Strives For Equity in Local Cannabis Industry

August 11, 2023 by Source

By Katie Hyson / KPBS / August 8, 2023

Megain McCall tried hard to forget the day her life changed forever. It was around 2009, she said, when she was 28 years old. She was driving from San Diego with her aunt and mother to see her dying brother in Texas. At a Texas checkpoint, a patrol dog signaled the car. “I remember being super confident because I know I didn’t have anything,” McCall said.

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History Must Record Trump’s Plan for a Nationwide ‘Kent State’ Massacre

August 10, 2023 by Source

By Thom Hartman / Daily Kos and Economy for All/ August 4, 2023

Although it’s generally only mentioned in passing in the mainstream media, there are two particularly chilling passages in Jack Smith’s indictment of Trump.

Both, to my mind, invoke Kent State, but on a much larger scale.

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Slavery Was a Sin Against Humanity

August 8, 2023 by Ernie McCray

by Ernie McCray

There’s an unsound
idea going around
that slavery
benefited those held in bondage
by giving them the opportunity
to learn trades
like blacksmithing
and carpentry
and whatnot.
And in some places
there are intentions to teach this sham
about slavery being a “Job Skills Program”

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Finally! Trump Indicted for His Coup Attempt – This Is the ‘Most Important Criminal Prosecution in American History’

August 2, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

Finally, the Department of Justice has indicted Trump for his coup attempts, which included of course the armed insurrection and attack on the US Capitol by his supporters on January 6, 2021. The indictments also cover his and his cronies’ other efforts to overturn the election in various states.

No where in the indictment is the word “coup,” but we know what he did — we witnessed it on live television.

It was a federal grand jury that indicted Trump on Tuesday, August 1, for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Six unnamed co-conspirators were also indicted. Trump is charged with four counts:

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The Twists and Turns of Mayor Gloria Over Smart Streetlights and Homelessness

August 2, 2023 by Source

By Michael Smolens / San Diego Union-Tribune /July 30, 2023

A political heat dome is hovering over Mayor Todd Gloria on a couple of fronts. The mayor is supporting smart streetlights, with cameras and license plate reading technology, but has faced the ire of some privacy advocates, who point to his earlier comments about reining in use of surveillance tools.

Similarly, Gloria has been hounded about his approach to homelessness since almost the beginning of his administration two and a half years ago.

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Majority of City Council Approves Police Surveillance Tools — Smart Streetlights and License Plate Readers Getting Ready to Be Installed

August 2, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

In two separate votes, the San Diego City Council approved the Police Department’s smart streetlights and automated license plate readers proposals on Tuesday, August 1.

Seven council members voted in favor of the cameras, with Monica Montgomery Steppe and Sean Elo-Rivera voting no, and six council members voted for the license plate readers with Montgomery Steppe, Elo-Rivera and Vivian Moreno voting no.

These votes now authorize SDPD to obtain contracts with Ubiquia, a telecommunications company, for the cameras, and Flock Safety, for the license plate readers. Once the contracts are approved, police can install the network of 500 cameras –all equipped with automated license plate reader technology.

There are a few points worth emphasizing:

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