Check out all our “Watch Party” videos here.
- Today’s MOST SHAREABLE: The Cursed Platoon – How Hannity and Trump made a murderer into a hero
- Recently added: “What defund the police” really means.
- Recently added: Suppressed: The Fight to Vote – Full Film
3 events to prepare for today!
“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; It must be demanded by the oppressed.” ~ MLK
- We’re putting up information on local protests and actions by others we’re finding from informal sources. These listings are not endorsements nor guarantees as to time/place/type of protest or participant safety. Events can and have already been cancelled without notice.
- Protest safely in the time of pandemic and police overreaction: Go here for resources on camera apps, equipment, what to know if you’re stopped by police.
Action #1: EVEN IF YOU DON’T LIVE IN CAMARILLO – Ventura County leaves no one behind.
Tell this brave young woman and all those involved in this march that you stand behind them in a TANGIBLE way. Write email letters in favor of Black Lives Matter to the Camarillo City Council July 8th meeting. (Time requirement for letter – ±10 minutes)
UPDATE!: As per usual, right-wing opposition is out-emailing the resistance by 5 to 1. (Side note: When we ask people to call their legislators, it’s because the hard-right is outcalling us by at least that much. Frightened people call and write more than people who just assume their elected officials are doing the right thing..)
On July 8th, the Camarillo City Council will discuss:
- A proclamation stating that Black lives matter and
- A decision to review the contract with VC Sheriff’s for Camarillo policing.
Camarillo City Coucilmember Charlotte Craven published this article stating that, at their meeting on June 10th, fellow Councilmember Susan Santangelo proposed to “defund” the police department. Craven is asking her followers to send in letters opposing both these propositions and the local GOP is jumping in right behind her, publishing a list of unsubstantiated talking point facts.
Councilwoman Susan Santangelo NEVER mentioned “defunding the police” in the council discussions. No matter your stance on this, the bottom line is that Craven is using that phrase as a way to justify NOT reviewing the local Police Contract the city has with the VC Sheriffs – which is nearly 50% of the city budget ($18M). (VC Cities – police budgets) It is gross negligence NOT to scrutinize such a large portion of the budget and the contract that dictates that much spending, ESPECIALLY in the time of COVID and economic distress. Do not let her use this whistle to dilute the ACTUAL call to action: Review the contract! Without getting that first step passed by the council, there can be no reform in the coming months.
The Council is receiving HUNDREDS of emails supporting Craven’s racist rhetoric, over 500 at last count. WE NEED TO SEND EMAILS TOO- this is ALL HAND ON DECK! Here’s a model you can use. Read LULAC’s letter here. Feel free to personalize your letter with your own experiences. Email your letters here:
(If you do not live in Camarillo – you can still send an email as a concerned citizen (we need to call out racism, injustice and ineptitude wherever it exists – your zipcode does not dictate if you voice matters), AND we would appreciate if you share the message with your Camarillo/Somis/Channel Islands friends (since the Cam Department is the one that serves them and the “other side” is reaching out to those communities as well).
Action #2: GET READY – plan your shopping needs! Tomorrow (7/7) – is the Nationwide Economic Blackout
Go to https://www.blackoutday.org for more information. (Time requirement – 0 minutes)
CALL TO ACTION: Although this movement is exclusively targeted at empowering and uplifting black people all over the world, we welcome ALL people of color to stand with us in solidarity. Black people alone account for an estimated 1.2 trillion dollars or more of spending in the economy annually. Together we have 3.9 trillion dollars in economic spending power. While we welcome allies who choose to stand with us, we make absolutely no apology for the fact this movement is FOR US & BY US.https://www.youtube.com/embed/aHzT8EfPOgU?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Action #3: GET READY: Tuesday 7//7 ONLINE – WRITE email letters and comments for the removal of the Junipero Serra Statue
Read about this issue here, here and tangentially here. / Go here for information about the meeting which is happening Tuesday, July 7th, at 6:00 pm.. (Time requirement for letter/petition – ±10 minutes)
UPDATE: “The Ventura Historic Preservation Committee determined on Wednesday, July 2, 2020, at a special meeting that the bronze statue of Father Junipero Serra standing in front of City Hall is not a historic landmark because it’s a replacement of the original. To view the HPC meeting, watch it here under available archive videos.”
What you can do right now before the meeting on July 7:
- Write email letters here.: council@cityofventura.ca.gov and cityclerk@cityofventura.ca.gov There are templates out there but it’s best to personalize your response.
- Write your comment on the city site here. Scroll down the topic menu and select “Public Input: Father Serra Statue.” There is a character limit on this form. You can upload and append a document.
- Sign the petition here to remove the statue and change the name of schools referring to him.
- Watch and participate: Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. Join the virtual meeting https://bit.ly/2NvYlRX or by phone 1(408) 418-9388 and use access code: 126 228 9208
For “Actions Happening Soon”, continue down past “Petitions”
Petitions
Additional petitions here.
HOLD THE US ARMY ACCOUNTABLE: Justice for Vanessa Guillen
Sign the petition here.
Help save the US Postal System!
Use the #Mailedit today!
Facebook: Take Trump’s racism as seriously as his Nazi ads.
Petition here. Facebook, you were right to take down ads from the President of the United States using a Nazi concentration camp symbol — less than 24 hours after massive public outcry.
(What is up with the Trump campaign? If the fuss over an $88 baseball (instead of the more usual $89.99) seems odd, “88” is one of the most common white supremacist symbols.)
But why did you leave up hundreds of similar ads, all spreading dangerous lies about millions of Americans protesting the murder of George Floyd? And why have you let Trump continue to call for violence against Black people?
It’s past time for you to take anti-Black racism as seriously as you take Nazi imagery. Bigotry and disinformation are dangerous to our lives and democracy, period.
A gofundme has been organized for the the farm workers now in quarantine.
“An outbreak of COVID-19 has left at least 176 residents and staff members infected at a farmworker housing facility in Ventura County. Of the 216 tests administered to people affiliated with the facility, more than 80% returned positive.” (LATimes)
Proceeds will be used to aid the farm workers who are now unemployed & receive no benefits. They will have medical expenses and bills to pay. They have picked the food that sits on our tables, now we can help put food on theirs.
OUR GENTE NEEDS US!!! SIEMPRE UNIDOS!!! Link here.
Extend COVID-19 Emergency unemployment relief.
MoveOn petition, read about/sign here. “…nearly 14% of the US population who are now out of a job—and that’s only those who have formally applied for benefits. The actual number of newly unemployed people is likely much larger and will continue to increase in coming months.
Many people who are laid off due to COVID19 won’t find work for a very long time, maybe never because some jobs lost today won’t be coming back. … Please let’s help each other save and serve those who are in most need.
Extend the COVID 19 Emergency $600 per week additional unemployment assistance well beyond July 31, 2020, until at least December 31, 2020 and longer if necessary.”
This petition will be delivered to the Governors of all 50 states and both houses of Congress on the federal level, via email or in person.
“Orange County Airport” is a fine name all by itself.
UPDATE: Michael Hiltzik of the LATimes wrote a fascinating article here on how John Wayne’s name ended up on the airport in the first place, along with that weird 9 foot tall statue. Oh, take that away too!
Actionnetwork.org petition, read about/sign here. “Many are learning that John Wayne — the person, not the characters he played in film — was an admitted white supremacist, homophobe, and misogynist… Widely circulated interviews and videos document Wayne’s beliefs. (Read more here.)
…Join with these organizations calling for change: the OC NAACP, California Democratic Party African-American Caucus, CAIR-LA (Council on American-Islamic Relations – Los Angeles), CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights), Chicanxs Unidxs, the National Union of Healthcare Workers, OCCORD (Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development), and United Food and Commercial Workers are joining the call for change”
Tell Congress to Expand the Civil Rights of 1964 NOW!
Read/Sign the petition here.
Dear Member of Congress,
I am writing to you as a concerned citizen who cares deeply about the cause of equality in this country. We are looking to our elected officials in Washington to conduct an immediate reevaluation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to strengthen its protections, and to dramatically expand the scope of its impact…(Read more here.)
Cut Ties with the Fraternal Order of Police
Read/sign the petition here.
(Color of Change) TO: All elected officials and candidates for office
“The continued violence against Black, brown, and Native communities at the hands of ‘law enforcement’ is disgraceful. Police unions are in the business of defending the most consistent murderers and abusers and creating obstructions to justice.
We are urging you to stand on the right side of history: refuse to take any political donations from police unions or sheriff associations and donate any contributions you have taken in the last year to Black-led community-strengthening initiatives.”
Free Families in Ice Detention and protect them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the petition and sign here.
“Right now, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is locking up approximately 150 families in arbitrary and prolonged detention at three U.S. facilities — the Berks family detention center in Pennsylvania, and two other detention centers in Dilley and Karnes City, Texas. Although children are supposed to be held in these facilities for no more than 20 days under the long-standing Flores Settlement Agreement, that limit is regularly ignored. These children and parents came here seeking safety from violence and persecution, and were instead thrown behind bars. Now, in the midst of a global pandemic, they are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 while in crowded conditions with inadequate hygiene and negligent medical care.
What’s worse: ICE has weaponized its public health response to COVID-19 and is now pursuing Family Separation 2.0 — Families can stay together in prolonged detention, or children can be released while their parents remain behind in detention indefinitely and face possible deportation.“
Take Action: Demand Families be released together.
Read the petition and sign here. “COVID-19 has been spreading and we’ve received word that it has now shown up in family detention centers.
In accordance with the Flores Settlement Agreement, which only covers children, U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee ruled June 26 that all children detained for more than 20 days at ICE Family Residential Centers (FRCs) be released no later than July 17, 2020. In her order, she states, “the Court is not surprised that COVID-19 has arrived at both the FRCs and ORR facilities, as health professionals have warned all along…that individuals living in congregate settings are more vulnerable to the virus,” and cites “[t]he recent increases in COVID-19 infection rates in the counties in which Karnes and Dilley are located…”. In the words of Judge Gee, “[t]he FRCs are “on fire” and there is no more time for half measures.
Judge Gee only has authority over detained children under the Flores Settlement Agreement. And while we applaud Judge Gee’s decision, we are are worried ICE may use this court order to attempt to tear children away from their parents again. We cannot let this happen.”
Actions happening soon!
Tuesday 7/7 – ONLINE/REAL WORLD – Nationwide Economic Blackout
Go to https://www.blackoutday.org for more information.
Tuesday 7/7 – VENTURA – FATHER SERRA STATUE –Virtual community discussion (6pm)
“You are invited to join the Ventura City Council for a virtual community discussion regarding the next steps for the Father Junipero Serra statue on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at 6 p.m. The special public meeting will include the Ventura Mayor, City Council, and City leadership.
Please share your input with us using the link below or attend one of these meetings to help determine the next steps for the Father Serra statue. Learn more at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/FatherSerra.”
Legislative Actions
Saturday –7/11 – LOMPOC – Lompoc Federal Complex Caravan Protest (11:30 am in Lompoc)
There is a Peaceful Caravan Protest happening on July 11, 2020! Lompoc Federal Complex’s deliberate indifference to the risk of disease violates the Constitution, and puts both those in prison and the surrounding community at risk. Join in solidarity to demand the release of qualified Prisoners and widespread proper protections.
Sunday –7/19 – ONLINE – CADEM Virtual Day of Action for Christy Smith for Congress, CA-25 (1 – 4pm)
Link here. Democrats in California like YOU energized the nation in 2018 by flipping seven Congressional districts from red to blue! But sadly, one of these districts flipped back to the GOP earlier this year — CD-25 in Southern California. We cannot let this stand.
Monday –7/20 – ONLINE – Ibram X. Kendi “How to be an Anti-Racist (7-8 pm EDT)
Free online event. Register here.
2019 Guggenheim Fellow and New York Times bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi will discuss his renowned book “How to Be an Antiracist” on Monday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m. with Dr. Charlene M. Dukes, president of Prince George’s Community College. Dr. Dukes is the first African-American woman to serve as president of the College and has 30 years of progressive leadership experience and administrative responsibility in higher education. The conversation will be streamed live online on Crowdcast, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter/Periscope, and will air on PGCC TV on a later date.Praised as “The most courageous book to date on the problem of race in the Western mind” (New York Times), Kendi’s groundbreaking work has provided a major new counterpoint in the national conversation about race in America and resonates in this, our collective moment of reckoning.
Calls for Justice!
For more information and scripts, go here.
Contact information for officials, from city to the feds, here.
- Make DC a state: Call your Senators and demand they cosponsor S.631 – Washington DC Admission Act
- Send some postcards to ICE! – Stop these crimes against humanity now.
- “NO” on throwing more money at the military: Call your senators and demand vote “NO” on S.4049 – the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
- Bounty-Hunting: What are they going to do about reports that Trump ignored or dismissed Putin-funded Taliban bounty-hunting?
- Rent is due on July 1st, and millions won’t be able to pay. Pass “HR 7301″ – Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020”. UPDATE: [H.R.7301 which waspassed by the House this week] CALL YOUR SENATORS!
- Stop Water Shutoffs!: Send a letter to your Senators today demanding a nationwide moratorium on water shutoffs.
- No more Tear Gas!: Call your legislators to make one’s right to protest safe from chemical warfare.”YES” on H.R. 7221 – “To prohibit law enforcement officers from using chemical weapons in the course of policing activities, and for other purposes.”
- Poor People’s Campaign: Call your legislators to enact the planks of the Poor People’s Campaign
- #Juneteenth – No more Excuses – Time to make Juneteenth a nation holiday. “YES” on HR 7232!
- Yes on Reparations study: CALL ACTION #2: It’s past time to make amends! “YES” on HR 40/S.1038 – Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act.
- No more contributions from law enforcement unions
Featured Resources
July 6-10th TRAINING – High School Students to work for youth voter participation.
The Civic Center’s Future Voters Action Week (FVAW) is a 5-day, virtual workshop that trains a select group of dedicated high school students and 2020 graduates to lead efforts to improve youth voter participation. Participants from around the country develop personalized Public Narratives and action plans to lead drives during High School Voter Registration Week. Applications are now open for the next session: July 6-10th from 12:00 – 1:30pm PT / 3:00 – 4:30pm ET. FVAW takes place entirely over Zoom. There is no cost to apply or to participate, and required program materials will be available online. Let’s make sure this information gets to those who can use it: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtsf4AyMPVWq2BaHljDazgXRX3jTay35uBF2prTR_lp0en5A/viewform
Please share on your social media!
Facebook photo here. Website here.
Have you been laid off or have your work hours been impacted due to COVID-19? You may be eligible to receive up to $800 in supportive services assistance for housing, utilities, childcare, transportation, and telework equipment, such as a computer or internet. For more information and to apply for the COVID-19 Support Services Program, visit venturacountyajcc.org or call 805-204-5186.
Ethnic Studies Webinar starts July 7!
UPDATE: Our series of virtual ethnic studies webinars and lessons will launch July 7, and more special guests have been announced!
This series of webinars will feature the four foundational groups of ethnic studies: Africana Studies, Asian American Studies, Chicano Latino Studies, and Native American Studies. The series will feature prominent leaders and educators from each discipline to provide lectures during the webinars.
More details will be announced in the coming days! In the meantime, you can read more here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel52.asp
So far, confirmed special guests include:
- Assemblymember James C. Ramos, co-founder of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ Cultural Awareness Program and director of the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference at California State University, San Bernardino
- Civil rights activist Dolores Huerta
- Dr. Karen Korematsu, educator, civil rights advocate, and daughter of late civil rights icon Fred Korematsu
- Assemblymember Jose Medina, who drafted legislation to make ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement
- Assemblymember Shirley Weber, a professor emeritus and co-founder of Africana Studies at San Diego State University
Read and consider how this can apply here.
Poor People’s Campaign
Read the Poor People’s Campaign platform here.
More Racial Justice resources here. Extensive BLM resources, including donation sites, onlines classes, Black-owned businesses, reading/watching lists and more.
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Plan for Black America
“For too long, Black people have had to work twice as hard to barely get half as far in America. The rules of the economy, our democracy, and our society are rigged — and as a result, Black communities are falling farther behind.
COVID-19 has exposed the connection between rigged rules and their impacts on our families: Black people are infected at higher rates, and comprise the majority of deaths from the disease in many cities across America.We need a plan for Black communities that protects our families, provides access to the care we need, and that builds new infrastructure to address the crises facing us. It’s time to change the rules, and make new ones that protect and strengthen our communities. The Black Agenda 2020 is a roadmap for making Black people powerful in all aspects of our lives.To flatten the curve and level the playing field, Congress must adopt the following Black Agenda2020 priorities immediately.”
SIGN UP YOUR FRIENDS TO VOTE – Color of Change
Additional Petitions
(6/9 – Update) TIME IS RUNNING OUT! Sign this petition for Victoria, one of our own! Call our senators!
(6/9 – Update): According to Victoria’s attorney, your messages of love and support you’ve added along with your names on the petition site mean the world to Victoria and her family. Thank you for your kindness, Ventura County! America is happy to extract the labor of immigrants, but we won’t give the hardworking essential workers who make our lives more comfortable the basic dignity and security they need. LA Times article here.
- Sign the petition for Victoria here. All actions to help her here.
- Make a call/email:
- Minimal script: Please grant Victoria Galindo’s June 1st stay of removal application. Allowing her to remain with her family. She is an essential worker who is valued by her community.
Contacts:
Senator Kamala Harris: (310) 231-4494
Senator Dianne Feinstein (310) 914-7300
Results – You make things change!
A RUNNING CROWDSOURCED LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY 2020 UPRISING SINCE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD
5/26 – 4 officers fired for murdering George Floyd – Minneapolis, MN
5/28 – Univ of Minn cancels contract, including commercial and research contracts, with police – Minneapolis, MN
5/28 – 3rd Precinct Police station neutralized by protestors – Minneapolis, MN
5/28 – ATU Local 1005 refuses to bring police officers to the protests, or transport arrested protesters, Minneapolis, MN
5/29 – Activists commandeer hotel to provide shelter to homeless – Minneapolis, MN
5/29 – Officer Chauvin who killed George Floyd arrested – Minneapolis, MN
5/29 – Louisville Mayor suspends “no-knock” warrants in response to police’s 3/12 #BreonnaTaylor killing and subsequent protests – Louisville, KY……(List continues here.)
Upping our power – Voting/Census
Phone Bank with SURJ
Will you sign up to phone bank white voters on June 4th? The head of the Minneapolis Police Union sells “Cops for Trump” t-shirts, has been applauded by the President on Twitter, and spoke at a Trump rally. The violence people face will be worse, and the possibility to make the changes needed will only be harder, under another 4 years of the Trump administration. We need to show up big this election year to ensure white voters don’t re-elect Trump.
Be sure your power level is set to maximum by filling out your census form!
Current stats as of 7/2/20National 61.8%California 63.0%Ventura County 70.7%Camarillo 77.9%Fillmore 66.3%Moorpark 77.9%Ojai 68.1%Oxnard 62.7%Port Hueneme 62.6%Santa Paula 67.9%Simi Valley 75.9%Thousand Oaks 77.1%Westlake Village 76.3%Ventura 70.3%
The most powerful political action you can take today is to fill in your census form online. #shapeyourfuture. If you haven’t filled yours out (busy!!!) or you know someone who may have questions, or is having trouble finishing it, check out our site or the official site here.
Maximum power level – Register to vote by mail and then…DO IT!
“The bottom line is this: if we want to bring about real change, then the choice isn’t between protest and politics. We have to do both.” – President Obama
(Read“Trump made Florida his official residence. He may have also made a legal mess.)
Here’s the easy way. Here’s the official state site. You need to re-register to vote when:
- You change your name, or
- You change your political party choice or
- You change your address.
To register to vote in California, you must be:
- A United States citizen and a resident of California (for information on voters in the military or overseas, please see Military and Overseas Voters),
- 18 years old or older on Election Day,
- Not currently in state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony (for more information, please see Voting Rights: Persons with a Criminal History), and
- Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court (for more information, please see Voting Rights: Persons Subject to Conservatorship).
To pre-register to vote in California, you must:
- Be 16 or 17 years old, and
- Meet all of the other eligibility requirements to vote.
- You will automatically be registered to vote on your 18th birthday.
Resources
- Racial Justice resources here. Extensive BLM resources, including donation sites, onlines classes, Black-owned businesses, reading/watching lists and more.
- DACA: Go here for more information on latest ruling and what to do now. Free Citizenship fair on 7/26 an OXNARD COLLEGE.
- Community resources here. Volunteer opportunities, donations, food banks.
- County information here: Free antibody testing info., safety net resources, mortgage/rent assistance, etc..
- Emergency information: Emergency Preparedness Guide,
- Coronavirus : information, stats, tracker: here.
- Advisory: Masks are required in CA. Specific instructions here.
- Help us update info: Send “EVENT” in email header here.
Independence Day reading:
- Read the full text of the Declaration of Independence. There’s are some astonishing, wonderful and terrible phrases contained in the parts beyond “We hold these truths to be self-evident.“
- “The right wraps itself in the flag, but this year the left are the Fourth of July patriots.” (Salon)
- “Pulling down statues? It’s a tradition that dates back to U.S. independence” (National Geographic)
- “Colonists drove the revolution from the bottom up, and they challenged power structures of every sort.” (Washington Post)
- “You Want a Confederate Monument? My Body Is a Confederate Monument.” (NYTimes)
- “On the Fourth of July, ask when patriotism became synonymous with selfishness” (NBC)
