Category: Civil Rights

Rag Writer Signed Up for Nonpartisan Voter Assistance

By JW August

3:18 p.m.  Kearny Mesa Rec Center

Much more activity compared with other stops.  Can’t say if it’s the time of day or location. All 5 check in spots are busy. Small line of voters on occasion.

My Common Cause Partner Jo Curcio is watching the check in desk. Monitoring the exchanges. They all have praise for the county registrars hotline

Site manager Olena tells me her parents were from the Ukraine.  She speaks passionately about the war and its toll.   “They are dying, they want to be able to vote as we do.” To be able to vote.

One poll worker smiled and nodded “we are ready for November. Hope the country is.”

2:27 p.m. San Diego – At Islamic Center of San Diego

When we arrived it looked like election day coverage as its supposed to be. Lots of people moving around.

But then I find out their midday service just ended.

Nearly 100,000 Impacted in San Diego County; 665,000 in California

New federal rules will go into effect Monday, requiring some San Diego County residents who receive CalFresh food benefits to meet work or volunteer requirements to get or keep benefits.

State-wide, the updated CalFresh work rules impact approximately 840,000 recipients, with state officials estimating that up to 665,000 Californians are at risk of losing their food benefits if they do not meet the new requirements.

The updated federal rules apply to certain Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, or ABAWDs, who are applying for or renewing CalFresh benefits. Those affected are individuals who:

• Are between 18 and 64 years old;
• Are not living with a child under 14;
• Do not meet a federal exemption;
• Are physically and mentally able to work; and
• Are not pregnant or disabled.

VOTE TODAY

VOTE TODAY

With Election Day upon us and uncertainty in the governor’s race, let’s recap some common election questions to prepare you.

[Go here for all links from below, at Times of San Diego]

Why are so many people running for governor?
It’s a wide-open field in part because the big names in the Democratic Party — former Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla — passed on running for governor. Democratic voters in early spring appeared to be coalescing behind former Rep. Eric Swalwell, but he withdrew from the race following allegations of sexual misconduct.

by Ernie McCray

Turning on my TV
and hearing news
that there had been a shooting
at the Islamic Center of San Diego
caused my heart to grieve immensely
and my breathing
didn’t come easily
as the first thoughts
that came to my mind
were of my many visits there
and how I would be met
with a “Hello, my good brother”
kind of greeting at the door
by a friendly guard
who I heard had been killed
along with two other members of the center’s staff
and I nearly crumbled

By Corey Washington / Patch San Diego / May 31, 2026

Just days before voters will cast their ballots in California’s contentious primary election, a record 23.1 million Californians have already registered to vote, according to figures released on Friday by the Secretary of State’s Office.

The latest Report of Registration, released by Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, found that 23,155,447 eligible Californians were registered to vote as of May 18, the highest total in state history.

“California’s record voter registration numbers show that our democracy is alive and well, powered by millions of Californians who are excited to take part in shaping both the future and values that strengthen our state,” Weber said in a statement. “Our voters are not only staying engaged, they are stepping forward with purpose.”

Democrats continue to make up the largest share of the state’s electorate, with nearly 10.4 million registered voters, or 44.9 percent of the total. Republicans account for about 5.8 million voters, or 24.96 percent, while 5.28 million voters, or 22.82 percent, are registered with no party preference.

Every Saturday at 10:30 am. San Diego Climate Mobilization Coalition Meetings.  June 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th.
Every Saturday 10 am – 12 pm Peace Vigil for Palestine:
Every Sunday 1:30 pm – 3:15 pm Otay Mesa Vigil Otay Mesa Detention Center

June 1st Monday 12 pm – 1 pm Interfaith Vigil for Earth Justice Event by Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice  U.S. District Court building
June 2nd Tuesday — Primary Vote Day

June 3rd 10 am – 3:45 pm Youth Summit Recommended by MidCity Can
June 3rd, 17th and 24th Wednesdays 4 pm – 5:15 pm Resist Trump Flash Banner Action –
June 4th Thursday 6 pm – 8 pm  Women+ In Green & Green Drinks Mixer
June 4th Thursday 5 pm Online film Premiere of “An Ordinary Insanity” Recommended by Peace San Diego

This is a brief summary of David Garrick’s piece at The San Diego Union-Tribune, published May 26-27, 2026, entitled “Here’s who’s drawing the most money in San Diego City Council races”. Our primary focus is on District 2, and Garrick’s review was primarily on the candidates drawing the most money.

Josh Coyne

Josh Coyne — who’s a Democrat (as are all the D2 candidates except Bailey) has been receiving strong financial support — “more than $200,000 — from an independent committee led by Local 89 of the Laborers International Union of North America.”

In terms of positioning for a future campaign should he be one of the winners in the Primary, Coyne has “essentially nothing — he has $30,000 in cash on hand but a matching $30,000 in unpaid bills,” reports Garrick.

However, all the top Democrats in this race expect party and labor help for whichever of them wins in the Primary.

Nicole Crosby

Nicole Crosby, is also getting labor support, mainly from the largest labor union for city workers — the Municipal Employees Association

By Katie Anastas / KPBS /  May 28, 2026 

On an April morning in downtown San Diego, Elizabeth Johnson and a half-dozen other parents with children in the San Diego Unified School District gathered to protest.

Johnson stuck letters onto a piece of cardstock to spell “teachers over tech.” Other signs read “less screens, more humans” and “ed tech is the biggest grift in education.”

The group is part of the local chapter of Schools Beyond Screens.

They stood in front of the Manchester Grand Hyatt outside of a sold-out conference, where school district leaders, college presidents, tech executives and startup founders were speaking about the latest in artificial intelligence and educational technology.

Johnson and a growing number of other parents are asking the district to reevaluate the role technology plays in its classrooms. They’re concerned about kids’ learning, attention spans, eyesight, privacy and social skills.

A resolution on the issue could go before the school board as soon as next month.

Winners Part of C-SPAN’s Annual Student Cam Competition

by Dave Schwab / Peninsula Beacon – Times of San Diego / May 27, 2026

Correia Middle School students were honored for their prize-winning documentaries in C-SPAN’s annual Student Cam competition.

C-SPAN, a public affairs network created in 1979 as a nonprofit public service, and Cox Communications run the annual Student Cam competition, which presents awards and recognizes winning students, grades 6-through-12, and their teachers, who serve as the StudentCam advisers.

In recognition of the United States’ 250th anniversary, C-SPAN, in cooperation with its cable and satellite television partners, challenged middle- and high-school students across the country to examine the enduring power and relevance of the Declaration of Independence.

For the challenge, students had one of two options: They could explore the Declaration of Independence’s influence on a key moment from America’s 250-year history, or focus on the Declaration of Independence’s impact on them or their community.

Through this project-based learning experience, students competing in the StudentCam competition conduct in-depth research, critical analysis, and original storytelling to explore matters of both personal and national importance.

On May 19 at Correia Middle School, Rachel Katz of C-SPAN recognized prize-winning students for their work.

From Voice of San Diego / May 27, 2026

When Mayor Todd Gloria first proposed eliminating grants that support arts institutions and community programming in the city’s budget, many of us in the arts community were deeply concerned. The proposed $11.8 million reduction to arts funding—an 86.6% cut—would have a significant impact on organizations and programs that serve hundreds of thousands of San Diegans each year.

Arts and culture contribute so much to the economic vitality and civic life of our region, but these proposed cuts threaten the ability of arts organizations to continue to play that role into the future.

When the mayor later released his revised budget in May, however, no funding was restored for arts and culture. Indeed, as funds were found for other areas of the budget, the arts were left behind. For many in the sector this was profoundly discouraging and intensified fears about the future stability of arts programming. It raises significant concerns about the city’s priorities and our collective future.

City arts and culture funding does not bankroll lavish galas or extravagant productions. It supports community theater in neighborhoods that otherwise have little access to the arts. I

Voice of San Diego / May 27, 2026

Tonight, Wednesday the 27th, the San Diego City Council will hold a public hearing on this year’s proposed budget, which seeks to close a $118 million deficit. Tonight’s public hearing will be held in Council Chambers starting at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting is the latest deliberation following Mayor Todd Gloria’s May revision. He restored some library and recreation center hours after Councilmembers pushed back, saying those cuts pose a threat to public safety.

But there are still some tense conversations ahead.

by Ernie McCray

Attending a
Community College league of California
Trustees Conference
with Maria, my querida,
a trustee,
I happened upon
a session that very much interested me,
one regarding
protecting campuses
from ICE
who a while back
became a concern
to Santa Barbara Community College
when agents, nevertheless,
although they didn’t harass or arrest
any students,