More than two dozen ways to get involved
By Doug Porter
Congress will be taking a break next week to listen to their constituents, except for the 200 Republican members of the House of Representatives who refuse contact with the public.
By contrast, in the first two months of 2015, Republicans held 222 in-person events.
Donald Trump is already campaigning for 2020, and as was true with his last launch event, people are being paid to be there.
So what can you do? There’s plenty of local activism to support. Check out this week’s Progressive Calendar listings below. Following those listings are upcoming events of national importance.
Trump down to 38% in Gallup, in first poll entirely post-Flynn pic.twitter.com/d884tVCweY
— Nate Cohn (@Nate_Cohn) February 17, 2017
Get your event listed: I try to list the next 10 days or so of mostly non-commercial events I think our readers might find of interest. I source my material from social media listings and press releases.
Events that are listed on Facebook as ‘private’ or sold out are not listed. In cases where there are competing but similar events or campaigns of the progressive persuasion, I do my best to list everything.
Local and Regional Events
March in Solidarity with Immigrants, San Diego
Saturday, February 18, 11am
(Yes, We know rain is forecast,)
County Building
1600 Pacific Highway
For More Information
(Indivisible supporters are asked to meet up at the corner of Grape & Harbor, wear purple)
Rain or Shine! We are calling on all people to unite and march in support of Immigrants and Refugees.
While SD has the busiest border crossing in the world and has one of the largest immigrant and refugee populations in the country, San Diego Mayor Faulconer has taken no action to protect immigrants against Trump’s policies.
–We are demanding that Mayor Faulconer takes indisputable action to make San Diego a sanctuary for immigrants and refugees.
–We are demanding that Mayor Faulconer endorses SB 54, the California Values Act, which would prevent state and local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration authorities.
–-We are promising that if Mayor Faulconer takes a soft stance on protecting the hard working immigrants and refugees that live in his own city, he will have no political future in San Diego or California.
Here’s the line up for Saturday:
Emcee is Mohamed Abdallah,
ASL will be provided by Ingrid Salazar & Paul Lambert
Karina Frost will lead us in – “This Land is your Land” in English then in Spanish
11:30am at WATERFRONT PARK:
Shaira Alam, Rage Against Fascism Musings and Art
Ismahan Abdullahi
David Alvarez SD City Councilmember & Antonio Villaraigosa former LA Mayor
DACA/Dreamer Students from King Chavez High School
Imam Taha Hassane, Islamic Center of San Diego – ICSD
12:30pm at FEDERAL BUILDING:
Fernando Suarez
Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, CA State Assemblywoman
Kathy Stadler, Indivisible San Diego
Aisha Sharif, student at San Diego State University
Augustin Negrete
Nadia Contreras, People over Profits-SD
Shane Harris, NAN San Diego & Imperial Counties
Family Watch & Discuss ‘13th’ (Netflix Documentary)
Saturday, February 18, 9am
The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper
3619 College Ave.
Hosted by Black Women United San Diego
For More Information
BWUSD is inviting EVERYONE OF ALL SHADES to bring your family, and bring your friends!! THIS IS FREE and All ages are welcomed!! We are going to have some popcorn, and drinks, sit together and watch one of the best films ever made. 13th is a well put together documentary that opens Americans eyes to the ugly truth about the 13th Amendment. It explains how SLAVERY WAS NEVER LEGALLY ENDED IN THE US, how that continues to affect us today, and all the different transformations it has taken up to recent events with all the police brutality and the dangers of the mentality of both Clinton and Trump.
This isn’t your average put you to sleep Documentary. This film will not only Wake Up those who watch it, but it will also empower, inspire, and motivate them to do better for our future’s sake. We really hope everyone invites and brings as many people as possible, especially our teens! THEY are our future and need to know the truth that they are NOT teaching in our schools! After the movie we will take some time to discuss some of the emotions and lessons learned from the film and solutions that come to mind after this mind blowing film.
If you are out of town and can not make it in person, we encourage you to watch the Documentary on Netflix and join us on FB LIVE Saturday morning 2/18/2017 9am-11:30am and be a part of the Discussion for progress.
General Meeting of Women Occupy San Diego
Sunday, February 19, 1pm
Art Academy of San Diego
3784 30th St (North Park)
For More Information
Women Occupy San Diego is hosting a general mtg on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1pm. If you are an active member or just interested come by to hear about our work and discuss future work and actions.
Civil Rights Teach-In: Recognizing Intersectionality
Monday, February 20, 4:30pm
Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation
404 Euclid Ave
For More Information
This special event series was born organically when a small group of RISE Fellows got together to think and dream about what would be needed of us, and FOR us, in the year ahead in order to be prepared for the changes potentially coming to our city and our nation.
Scott Peters Townhall
Monday, February 20, 5pm
Islamic Center of San Diego
7050 Eckstrom Ave
For More Information
Facilitated by Indivisible La Jolla
Scott Peters and his staff have heard our calls for a community town hall. Mary Ann Pintar, his chief of staff, has arranged for one this Monday, February 20th at 5pm at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Imam Taha Hassane, of the Islamic Center has graciously agreed to host the event.
Also, mark down March 13th on your calendars. Given the huge demand for town hall meetings, and open lines of communication, Mary Ann has secured a very large venue for March 13th.
Not My President’s Day March
Monday, February 20
Los Angeles
Contact Info for Bus Transportation
issa fight jpg
Resist Trump Tuesdays
Tuesday, February 21
Duncan Hunter’s Office-10am
1611 Magnolia Ave, El Cajon
For More Information
Senator Feinstein’s Office- Noon
880 Front Street (Downtown)
For More Information
Emergency Townhall – Vista
Tuesday, February 21, 6pm
Jim Porter Recreation Center
1200 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista
For More Information
Congressmember Darrell Issa has been invited to this important event and declined, despite a crowdfunded full-page ad in the Union-Tribune. Rumor has it there will be a cardboard cutout of Issa on stage.
The event will be on February 21st at 6PM at the Jim Porter Recreation Center to learn and speak out against the reckless plan to repeal healthcare coverage and protections with no serious replacement.
Event Partners: Courageous Resistance Encinitas, Indivisible North San Diego County, Indivisible Ocean Hills, Indivisible San Diego North District 49, Our Revolution North County San Diego, Preserve Progress, Together We Will North San Diego County, The Wagon Circle, Service Employees International Union California (SEIU CA), Service Employees International Union 221 (SEIU 221), United Domestic Workers of America (UDW), Organizing for Action (OFA), American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP), Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest, San Diego Labor Council (SDLC), San Diegans for Health Care Coverage/CCHI, Health Access.
Climate Change Rally
Tuesday, February 21, 6pm
Edward J Schwartz Federal Building
880 Front Street (Downtown)
For More Information
San Diegans who believe Climate Change is not a hoax will gather Tuesday, February 21st at 6 p.m. at the Federal Building. We will call upon the President, House and Senate to implement a National World War II-scale Mobilization to transition the U.S. from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
The theme of the rally will be “Climate Change is not a Hoax and Make Your Voice Heard.” The San Diego Climate Mobilization Coalition is part of the Climate Mobilization http://www.theclimatemobilization.org/, a nationwide climate advocacy and environmental action organization based in New York City.
Speakers include:
Wesley Clark, Jr., Dakota Access Pipeline Activist and organizer of U.S. military veterans to support the water protectors of Standing Rock, South Dakota.
Diane Takvorian, Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition
Ruben Arizmendi, Chairman, San Diego Sierra Club
Cody Petterson, Vice President, Impact Assessment
Protest Mickey Kasparian at
Labor Council Delegates Meeting
Wednesday, February 22, 6pm
International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers
5150 Kearny Mesa Rd
For More Information
Sandy Naranjo, Isabel Vasquez and Anabel Arauz have filed lawsuits against UFCW Local 135 President Mickey Kasparian alleging harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Details can be found here, here, and here.
Mickey Kasparian is one of the most powerful people in labor in San Diego and it takes a lot of guts for these brave women to come forward.
We’re organizing a protest at the Labor Council’s Delegates Meeting to seek support for Sandy, Isabel and Anabel and to demand the resignation of Mickey Kasparian from the Labor Council and UFCW.
Challenging the Treatment Industrial Complex
Wednesday, February 22, 6:30pm
Border X Brewing
2181 Logan Ave (Barrio Logan)
For More Information
For-profit prison companies are moving into prison healthcare, forensic mental health, and community corrections programs which threatens to undermine the movement to end mass incarceration by “rebranding” private prison companies as humane providers of “rehabilitation” and “alternatives.”
This is the Treatment Industrial Complex.
The conversation will feature Emily Verdugo, program coordinator of the Criminal Justice Program of American Friends Service Committee Arizona, Mark Bartlett, organizer of People Over Profits-SD, and survivors of the TIC.
They will discuss how private prison companies are expanding into “community corrections”—including re-entry services like halfway houses, and “alternatives to incarceration” like GPS ankle bracelets, as described in AFSC Arizona’s latest publication, Community Cages: Profitizing community corrections and alternatives to detention.
The campaign’s goal is to raise awareness among advocates about the ways in which private prison companies are seeking contracts in states for re-entry programs, probation and parole services, and other “alternative” programs such as day reporting centers and intermediate sanctions facilities. Verdugo and Bartlett will offer concrete information on how to protect reform efforts against attempts to privatize these programs and expand contracts and profits for for-profit prison companies like GEO Group and CoreCivic (formerly Corrections Corporation of America), as well as how to connect with local struggles affecting Barrio Logan and Southeast San Diego communities. Hosted by: AFSC-San Diego & People over Profits-SD
How to Join Your Community Planning Group
Thursday, February 23, 6pm
Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center
3925 Ohio St
For More Information (RSVP)
Join Circulate San Diego and our partners for a panel and discussion on how residents of the City of San Diego can serve on their local community planning groups.
Community planning groups are an important mechanism for determining how San Diego will grow and develop. Circulate San Diego is encouraging a diverse group of committed San Diegans to participate in the City’s community planning groups.
Please make sure you RSVP. We have a LOT of interest, and we may have to cut off attendance to avoid overflowing the room.
Note: The January 21st event is sold out. This date has been added to accommodate the demand.
North County Black History Month Discussion
Friday, February 24, 6pm
Ideas Cabrera
732 East Vista Way, Vista
For More Information
Join the National Action Network San Diego and Imperial Counties for a Black History month mixer and discussion on “Civil Rights then and now”. The mixer will start at 6:00 PM with north county community members and at 7:00 PM a discussion with Civil Rights leader and President of NAN’s San Diego and Imperial Counties Reverend Shane Harris.
V Day Eve Ensler Reading at Old Town
Friday, February 24, 7-9pm
Grassroots Oasis
3130 Moore St
For More Information (Tickets)
Heartfelt Voices United is honored to produce well-renowned Eve Ensler’s Work compiled after the Vagina Monologues called “A Memory, Monologue, Prayer, and a Rant,” as a Stage Reading. The Monologues are intense, powerful, and empowering, centered on violence against women. Some of the pieces have been written by powerful poets such as Alice Walker and Maya Angelou, and other names such as Jane Fonda. For those who might miss the Vagina Monologues earlier in the month, we have one for you at the end of this month which celebrates V-Day and One Billion Rising. If you do get a chance to catch the Vagina Monologues earlier, then you can enjoy this different and engaging reading as well.
This Friday Event will be held near Old Town in a very personable venue. It will be directed by Warrior Woman Director, Suzanne Morse. The awesome cast will include both male and female readers/actors: Portia Gregory, Eileen Granet, Emily Candia, Karen Delia-Mendoza, Marc Sheetz, Michelle Norby, Davey Lee, and Suzanne Morse.
v day eve jpg
Stand Up for Healthcare
Saturday, February 25, Noon
Bernie’s Corner, Vista
(NE corner of Vista Village Drive and South Santa Fe Avenue)
For More Information
Over the week of February 19th to 25th, Congress will be in recess and Darrell Issa will return to his local office. With so much at stake, now is the time to let Mr. Issa know where you stand on the issues of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, the Affordable Care Act, and Universal Healthcare.
Bring yourselves, your signs, and your stories to Bernie’s corner in Vista, CA at the NE corner of Vista Village Drive and South Santa Fe Avenue on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from noon to 2:00 p.m. It’s across the street from the Vista Transit Center.
We’ll have some extra signs you may use if you don’t have time to make a sign that expresses your concern.
Chicano Park Day Fundraiser
Saturday, February 25, 5pm
Chicano Art Gallery
2117 Logan Ave
For More Information
2017 Chicano Park Day FUNDRAISER. Over 50+ Artists coming together to show their support for our beloved Chicano Park and Chicano Park Steering Committee. 100% ALL Sales and proceeds will go to the CPSC. Hope to see you all there.
Benefit Concert for NoDAPL
Saturday, February 25, 7pm
Pechanga Tribal Government Center
12705 Pechanga Rd, Temecula
For More Information
Benefit Concert for Standing Rock NoDAPL, featuring Jimmy Lee Young with Thana Redhawk,Rose Angel, Tsulan Cooper and more! Names will be added as they commit! Hosted by Cher LC and Rick Mora of “Twilight” Admission is 25 dollars at the door, and includes a Taco Dinner! Cash only, please- donations are welcome. All proceeds go to the benefit of the Standing Rock NoDAPL water protectors legal fund.
Adrian Legg at the GO
Saturday, February 25, 7:30pm
Grassroots Oasis
3130 Moore St
For More Information (Tickets)
Described by Audio magazine as a “kind of cross between Robert Fripp and Garrison Keillor,” Legg is a genuine entertainer who excels at not only painting pictures if not frescoes and telling stories with music but also wittily regaling his audiences with tales from his life and travels and his cogent and often oblique yet thought provoking observations on a spectrum of topics. It’s all part of his dedication to making his performances a full-blooded emotional experience. If you haven’t shared a laugh with someone, he insists, “you certainly can’t share a tragedy.”
So it’s no wonder that popular BBC radio personality Andy Kershaw says of Legg, Quite simply, there is no one else like him, citing his dazzling technique and equally large dollops of spirit, humor, passion, eclecticism and spontaneity. For his part, Legg appreciates all the praise, but views his mission as far more basic, and more than anything else an expression of his soul and humanity. I don’t see what I do as particularly eclectic; I see it as perfectly normal. In terms of the music that has gone before me, I simply reflect my forebears like every other musician. The results of that approach, however, are simply irresistible and unforgettable.
February Water Drop
Saturday, February 25, 8am-5pm
Border Angels
2258 Island Ave
For More Information (Must Read!)
With the help of volunteers like yourself, Border Angels leaves gallon jugs of water and bags of warm supplies in the desert along dangerous, high-traffic migrant paths. Why? Following 1994, when the US government implemented its most inhumane border enforcement policies ever, more than 11,000 human beings have died crossing the border. Their main cause of death? Fatal exposure to extreme heat and cold. Our supplies help reduce these tragic fatalities.
Transparency Matters
Monday, February 27, 1pm
City Administration Building
202 C Street (Downtown)
For More Information
Hosted by ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties
This past November, after years of community advocacy, the Public Safety & Livable Neighborhoods Committee received an independent report analyzing demographics on police traffic stops. San Diegans then learned what many of us already knew to be true: the San Diego Police Department treats drivers differently based on race and ethnicity. The report data revealed disturbing disparities between policing of White drivers and drivers of color – particularly Black and Latino drivers, who were found to be stopped, searched and questioned more frequently.
On Monday, February 27, the full City Council meets to received SDPD’s plan for addressing the biased policing documented in this report. Racial profiling is unjust, unjustified, and undermines community trust. Come join us at this important City Council meeting to hear how SDPD will address disparities in traffic stops, searches and field interviews; and to learn how SDPD will implement The Racial and Identity Profiling Act of 2015 (AB 953), the new state law intended to reduce discriminatory police practices.
Sips and Civility: Understanding Immigration
Monday, February 27, 6pm
San Diego Central Library (9th Floor)
330 Park Blvd
For More Information
Join the League of Women Voters at the San Diego Central Library to learn about our immigration system, how it works, and the lives it affects.
Conversation will center on the process of coming to the U.S. and what it takes to obtain legal status. We will hear from refugees, those applying for citizenship, DREAMERS and people with DACA status, immigration attorneys, and people who have delved into many issues related to immigration rights.
National and Ongoing Events
A Day Without a Woman (March 8)
From the Washington Post:
“In the spirit of women and their allies coming together for love and liberation, we offer a Day Without A Woman,” a statement from the organizers read. “We ask: do businesses support our communities, or do they drain our communities? Do they strive for gender equity or do they support the policies and leaders that perpetuate oppressions.”
The terms of the strike and how it would work are unclear, but organizers said they would be sharing more information and actions over the coming weeks.
In the wake of the Women’s March on Jan. 21 — when millions of women (and men) rallied around the world on President Trump’s first full day in office — the organizers have been releasing actions online for people to take in the first 100 days of the new administration.
Rise with Standing Rock! (March 10th)
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Indigenous grassroots leaders are calling on allies to peacefully March on Washington DC. We are asked to rise in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples of the world whose rights protect Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth) for the future generations of all.
The Ides of Trump – Send the President a Postcard.
On March 15th, each of us will mail Donald Trump a postcard that publicly expresses our opposition to him. And we, in vast numbers, from all corners of the world, will overwhelm the man with his unpopularity and failure. We will show the media and the politicians what standing with him — and against us — means. And most importantly, we will bury the White House post office in pink slips, all informing Donnie that he’s fired.
Each of us — every protester from every march, each congress calling citizen, every boycotter, volunteer, donor, and petition signer — if each of us writes even a single postcard and we put them all in the mail on the same day, March 15th, well: you do the math.
No alternative fact or Russian translation will explain away our record-breaking, officially-verifiable, warehouse-filling flood of fury. Hank Aaron currently holds the record for fan mail, having received 900,000 pieces in a year. We’re setting a new record: over a million pieces in a day, with not a single nice thing to say.
So sharpen your wit, unsheathe your writing implements, and see if your sincerest ill-wishes can pierce Donald’s famously thin skin. Prepare for March 15th, 2017, a day hereafter to be known as #TheIdesOfTrump
Write one postcard. Write a dozen! Take a picture and post it on social media tagged with #TheIdesOfTrump ! Spread the word! Everyone on Earth should let Donnie know how he’s doing. They can’t build a wall high enough to stop the mail.
Then, on March 15th, mail your messages to:
President (for now) Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
It might just be enough to make him crack.
Fire the Fool (April 1st)
On Saturday, April 1st 2017, we the people will unite at the National Mall in Washington D.C., and all over the world, to Fire the Fool. There is a San Diego event announced on their homepage, a few details are here.
This declaration rally imparts a satirical, symbolic, and powerful message of firing President Donald J. Trump.
This is about declaring loud and with strength that political attacks on the people of this country or other ally countries will be resolutely opposed. We will never surrender to tyranny, authoritarianism, xenophobia, or extreme nationalism.
Tax March (April 15)
Via the Guardian:
Since Donald Trump refused to release his tax returns during the campaign, thousands are marching on Tax Day to protest “the absolute unfairness of a man who is a billionaire president who might be not paying taxes while working folks are paying their fair share”, said Gwen Snyder, a community organizer and national organizer of Tax March.
At least 30 Tax Marches have been planned in solidarity around the country with several hundred thousand people expected. The Los Angeles event page shows 66,000 people who have expressed interest or attending. The New York march event page has nearly 40,000 interested or attending, and 37,000 people have said they are interested in the DC march, with over 7,000 clicking “attend”.
March For Science (April 22)
San Diego March for Science facebook page!
The March for Science is a celebration of our passion for science and a call to support and safeguard the scientific community. Recent policy changes have caused heightened worry among scientists, and the incredible and immediate outpouring of support has made clear that these concerns are also shared by hundreds of thousands of people around the world. The politicization of science, which has given policymakers permission to reject overwhelming evidence, is a critical and urgent matter. It is time for people who support scientific research and evidence-based policies to take a public stand and be counted. On April 22, 2017 hundreds of thousands of people will walk out of their lab coats and into the streets of Washington.
National People’s Climate March (April 29)
The Sierra Club and other environmental organizations have announced demonstrations in Washington DC and other cities for April 29, the 99th day of the Trump administration. Sign up for up dates here.
Immigrants March (May 6, Washington DC)
From the Guardian:
“I started organizing for the march the day that Trump … signed the executive order on the construction of the wall on the Mexican border,” said Erick Sanchez, whose father is Iranian and great-grandparents are Mexican. That was also the day a draft of Trump’s travel ban was leaked to the press.
The Immigrants March Facebook event page already has 163,000 people interested and 25,000 attending.
Sanchez, who works in public relations in DC, quickly secured permits for the National Mall for the weekend of 5-7 May. He noted that the permits were free and on a first-come-first-serve basis for anyone wanting to march on the mall, which is called “an incredible resource to have as American citizens”.
National Pride March (June 11)
Drawing inspiration from the Women’s March on Washington, a gay activist in New York City has announced plans for the National Pride March, a “mass” LGBT protest at the nation’s capital on June 11. Join the march’s facebook page here.
Things to Do
Sign Up For SwingLeft: Control of the House in 2018 will be decided by a handful of Swing Districts, places where the last election was decided by a thin margin. Find your closest Swing District and join its team to learn about actionable opportunities to support progressives—and defeat Republicans—in that district, no matter where you live. Check out SwingLeft here.
Sign Up for Indivisible. Over 35 groups locally, 6000+ nationally. All the cool kids are doing it. (Really!)
Sign Up for The Town Hall Project An unfunded, crowdsourced, Facebook-based project that researches “every district and state for public events with Members of Congress,” and makes the info available via a Google spreadsheet in the hope that people will engage their representatives face to face.
Sign Up for #ResistTrumpTuesdays A joint project of The Working Families Party, MoveOn, and People’s Action. Its goal is to turn large numbers of activists out every Tuesday to fight back against a different element of Trump’s agenda. Go here to find a local action .
San Diego Democratic Party Calendar Includes business meetings, chartered club meetings, voter registration events, election information, holidays, and other events of interest to Democrats.
Looking for some action? Check out the Weekly Progressive Calendar, published every Friday in this space, featuring Demonstrations, Rallies, Teach-ins, Meet Ups and other opportunities to get your activism on.
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