Today’s Local Actions – Wed 7/29 – “Dys-Trumpia” Edition

Be absolutely sure you are ready to vote.
Be sure you are counted.

Check out all our “Watch Party” videos here.

Recently added: How Fascism works
Recently added: Beating Trump’s Fascism.
Recently added: Is the US headed towards tyranny? The Rise of Tyranny.
Recently added: The Leesburg Stockade Girls
Recently added: “What defund the police” really means.
Recently added: Suppressed: The Fight to Vote – Full Film

Events happening the weekend!

“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.

Wed –7/29 – THOUSAND OAKS – “Stop Trump’s Facism” – (6 pm)

Wed –7/29 – ONLINE – “How CA defeated Trump’s Sanctuary attack and what’s ahead” – (1-2:30 pm PT)

Register here: bit.ly/USvCA2020

Wed –7/29 – ONLINE – “Virtual Town Hall with Derrick Johnson and Mitt Romney” – (5 pm PT)

Join the NAACP on Wednesday, July 29 at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT for virtual town hall with Sen. Mitt Romney on the global public health crisis and social justice uprisings which have brought awareness to the disparities and systemic racism present throughout our nation. The conversation will be moderated by Journalist April Ryan and will provide an opportunity for audience questions. Sign up

Wed –7/29 – Tell your legislators to stop the “TRUST” Act and vote for the “Social Security 2100” bill instead!

The GOP is trying to scare us into passing another really bad idea during this pandemic. The TRUST Act would allow small groups of legislators to create fast-track legislation on Social Security with limited public input and no amendments. It is widely considered a trojan-horse bill for the GOP to finally gut the program they’ve hated for 80 years, with plausible deniability for all when they face their own constituents.

Meanwhile, there’s a good bill to help stabilize the program – the Social Security 2100 Act. Call both your House representative and your two senators today. More information here.

Contact:
Senator Feinstein: email, DC (202) 224-3841, LA (310) 914-7300, SF (415) 393-0707, SD (619) 231-9712, Fresno (559) 485-7430
and Senator Harris: email, DC (202) 224-3553, LA (310) 231-4494, SAC (916) 448-2787, Fresno (559) 497-5109, SF (415) 981-9369, SD (619) 239-3884
Who is my representative/senator?: hq-salsa.wiredforchange.com

Wed –7/29 – Learn about voting by mail!

Go to Vote Save America where you can request your vote by mail ballot, and while you’re there, you can sign up to call or text young voters in swing states and tell them to do the same. This election will come down to every last vote, and we can’t afford to lose a single one

The draft copy of CA’s Official Voter Information Guide for the November 3, 2020, General Election can be accessed here. The law requires the Secretary of State’s Office to place the Official Voter Information Guide on public display for 20 days before publishing and distributing to voters. The public examination period runs from July 12, 2020, through August 10, 2020.

The League of Women Voters has put out an awesome guide to voting here.

Tues-Thurs – 7/28-31 – Get ready for the July 30 Planning Commission meeting on oil permitting.

(Los Padres Forest Watch) On Thursday, July 30th, the Ventura County Planning Commission will consider updating oil permitting to better protect the health and safety of our communities, our climate, and our public lands. Help us make sure they make the right choice.

Take action by Wednesday, July 29 to protect people and public lands from dangerously under-regulated oil development.

Under current rules, an oil company need only submit a short application along with a $330 permit fee to receive a “zoning clearance” to drill or frack a well in Ventura County. Ventura County Board of Supervisors directed County staff to update the County’s oil drilling ordinances so that any new wells under these antiquated permits will be subject to greater transparency and environmental review. The Planning Commission will consider this important issue at a video-conference hearing on Thursday, July 30.

Most antiquated permits:

have no limit on the number of wells that can be drilled
have no expiration date
do not stipulate what drilling techniques can be used
new wells are approved without public notice or hearing
have never undergone environmental review

Speaking Sign-up Deadline Wed. 3:30pm: Consider speaking at the hearing using Zoom. Click here to register no later than 3:30 p.m. on July 29th. You will receive an email with the Zoom meeting link and password by 5:00 a.m. on July 30th, the day of the planning commission hearing.

To watch the planning commission live stream, click here. The item is No. 7on the agenda.

More information for your comments here.

Pass this information on to those who need it! – 7/31 ONLINE – Free DACA Virtual Workshop – Renewal and Initial Application Screens.

Recently, the Supreme Court ordered that DACA is here to stay for now. If you are looking to ~~apply for DACA~~ or to renew, here is a FREE virtual workshop from @ufwf. Call (805) 246-3867 for your appointment today. (Watch the video below as well.)

Update 7/28/2020: Refusing to accept the Supreme Court decision, the Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it will defy the federal court’s compliance order, which would fully restore of DACA, including new applications and advance parole, which permits travel outside the country. Instead, on Tuesday, the the Department of Homeland Security stated, “The Trump administration will NOT accept new applications for the Obama-era program that shields from deportation certain undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children and will limit renewals to one year instead of two while it reviews the program.” This affects approximately 700,000 hardworking and well-educated DACA recipients who live and work in the United States legally under this Obama-era program, who are estimated to contribute $460.3 billion to the U.S. economy over the next decade. 200,000 are essential frontline workers, including nearly 30,000 who work in health care jobs.

Chad “I-don’t-need-an-invitation-from-Portland” Wolf, our latest “acting” Homeland Security Secretary, is now unilaterally deciding DACA policy, stating in a July 28 memorandum that “I have concluded that the DACA policy, at a minimum, presents serious policy concerns that may warrant its full rescission.” He reminds us that DHS is a law enforcement agency, although one that apparently ignores Supreme and federal court orders, and that he is “deeply troubled that the message communicated by non-enforcement policies like DACA may contribute to the general problem of illegal immigration in a manner that is inconsistent with DHS’s law enforcement mission.”

Rewriting rules and dodging court orders for DACA recipients isn’t his only project. Before he was so well known, Wolf was an early back-room architect of the inhumane family separation policy under another “acting” Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen. He’s in the spotlight now, as the head of the agency using paramilitary troops to attack 1st amendment protesters around the country and encouraging unconstitutional “proactive” arrests. Harvard Law Professor Andrew Crespo stated “The person in charge of this newly beefed up, paramilitary federal police force DOES NOT KNOW WHAT AN ARREST IS.”

This is not a surprise. The man in charge of the fate of 700,000 DACA recipients and the teargassing of peaceful protesters, has no legal or law enforcement experience. A history major on a tennis scholarship, Chad was a former lobbyist and TSA official and was considered as an unqualified choice to lead DHS, an agency that hasn’t had a Senate-confirmed leader since Trump took office. Rep. Norma Torres wrote that Wolf wouldn’t have passed the regular Senate confirmation process, and was only confirmed for a lesser undersecretary position. However, his willingness to do anything suggested by Trump’s administration makes him a useful future fall guy. When questioned by Congress on his roll in crime against humanity of separating children from their parents, “Chad” stated that it wasn’t his job to evaluate the morality of the proposals. “My job wasn’t to determine whether it was the right or wrong policy,” Wolf told members of Congress. Hmmm… That sounds familiar.

The video below is a message from lawyer Vanessa Frank to current DACA recipients and those who were hoping to apply for the first time. (click on the video if it looks sideways…(don’t ask…))

Keep doing this! – Senate Call-In day for the USPS! Goal is 10,000 calls!

“Our movement is growing. Together we can save the Post Office and convince lawmakers to do their jobs!

Multiple bills have been introduced in the House and the Senate that would provide $25 billion in COVID-19 related relief for the Postal Service. But the clock is ticking and we mustn’t run out of time.

The Senate will return from recess soon. We need to push even harder to get them to vote to end this crisis. We are planning to put in 10,000 calls to Congress on July 23.
Will you join us on this critical call-in day of action? Sign up here to use their form or call your senators directly.

Minimal script: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want Sen. [___] to get the US Postal Service the $25 billion stimulus funding it needs to continue to provide the vital public services we depend on.

More script if you want it: We see the new Postmaster General,Trump’s crony, trying to destroy out the Postal Service from the inside out. He, along with the GOP’s lunatic retirement funding mandate from 2006, need to go.

Why is this happening? The GOP caused the USPS’ current budget crisis with a bill in 2006 requiring them both “run like a business,” while pre-funding their employees’ retirement funds – a bizarre condition no real business would be able to do. Learn more here. Postal services are specifically enumerated in the Constitution (Article I) to serve a geographically far-flung nation. It was never intended to “run like a business,” any more than the military, or the schools or any other public service. “Run like a business” is a code word for oligarchs and privateers to move in.

Join the Black2thefuture.org “Covid-19 Relief and Recovery Plan for Black America” – (3) Actions _HEROES ACT, PETITION, SOCIAL MEDIA

Watch this great video!

Indivisible Ventura has long admired this group’s “The Black Agenda 2020,” ( shorter summary here). Its principles for a just and thriving environment for the Black Community would also help the 40% of all Americans who are struggling to survive on crumbs from the tables of robber-barons and tattered safety nets.

Their great “Covid-19 Relief and Recovery Plan for Black America” online resistance package can be completed in 10 minutes or less.

Click here for their action package, which includes:

HEROES ACT – CALL/EMAIL: Even if you’ve already called your senators to pass the HEROES Act before, it time to do it again with black2thefutures’s terrific script. (Nice explainer here) (The House passed their version on May 15th and the same GOP who slipped a $135 BILLION dollar giveaway to the wealthy into the CARES Act, are embracing austerity for the rest of us. For convenience, we’re including their contacts below.)
HEROES ACT – Petition: Sign their petition here.
Share on your social media: Download their HEROES Act Toolket with graphics and videos.

CALL/Email Action!: “Then they came for the Democrats.” (7) actions to fight back.

People dismissed comparisons to the conditions that led to Hitler’s takeover, or the those that allowed Pinochet’s brutal regime of 17 years. But with people being kidnapped off the streets, and Trump announcing his power to ignore Congress, we are on historically perilous ground. But there is strength is numbers against the worst of tyrants. Here are 7 actions you can take to add your strength to this fight.

CALL/Email Action!: In honor of John Lewis. “Wake up, America, wake up! For we cannot stop, and we will not be patient.” – (3) Actions

(3) actions in honor of John Lewis, including a petition and a call to your legislators.

CALL/Email Action!: Urge your legislators to vote “YES” on the “Breathe Act”

“For decades, the federal government has incentivized mass criminalization through policies and funding programs that increase arrests, prison construction, hiring of police officers, and the militarization of police. This funding has fueled the violent over-policing of Black people, while leaving social services and basic infrastructure that actually keep people safe woefully underfunded.

The BREATHE Act proposes policy and funding that upends this violent reality. Policy is one of many tools at our disposal, and with this bill, we are creating a national standard of civil rights that will bring our demands into reality. We are not interested in someone else’s version of what is politically possible. We are interested in defending Black lives.”

The bill doesn’t appear to have a number yet. Minimal script for representatives/senators: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want Rep./Sen [___] to vote “YES” on Rep. Pressley and Tlaib’s BREATHE Act.

Contact

Rep. Julia Brownley: email, (CA-26): DC (202) 225-5811, Oxnard (805) 379-1779, T.O. (805) 379-1779
or Rep. Salud Carbajal: email.(CA-24): DC (202) 225-3601, SB (805) 730-1710 SLO (805) 546-8348
Senator Feinstein: email, DC (202) 224-3841, LA (310) 914-7300, SF (415) 393-0707, SD (619) 231-9712, Fresno (559) 485-7430
and Senator Harris:email,DC (202) 224-3553, LA (310) 231-4494, SAC (916) 448-2787, Fresno (559) 497-5109, SF (415) 981-9369, SD (619) 239-3884
Who is my representative/senator?:https://whoismyrepresentative.com

ACLU petition – CONGRESS: END POLICE MILITARIZATION AND OVER-POLICING IN OUR COMMUNITIES NOW.

Sign this petition. “The tragic and unnecessary killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade – and countless Black people at the hands of law enforcement – confirms what we’ve known for too long: Lawmakers must take serious action to fix the racist policing systems in our country.

Police militarization is not the answer. Police in our schools is not the answer. The over-policing of our communities – where Black and Brown people are criminalized, targeted, and killed – is not the answer. The only way to fix the brutality and violence of police in America is to divest from it as an institution. That is why we must call on Congress to end the Department of Defense’s 1033 program, the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grants, and to rein in Byrne JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) grants – as long as it continues to perpetuate police violence and harm against.”

Louisville, stop digging that hole of human-rights-violations deeper!

Update: Felony charges have been dropped. We’re assuming it’s partly because well-known public figures, such as NFL wide receiver Kenny Stills and Minneapolis NAACP President Leslie Redmond, were on the arrest log.

This article contains several videos. The first is of one of neighbors near the protest site who were contacted by the protesters as to their peaceful intent. The others videos discuss the ironic aftermath of the protest. Breonna’s killers still haven’t been arrested but her supporters have and charged with felonies for protesting on the lawn of the attorney general who’s had four months to take action. Meanwhile, only one of the officers involved in Taylor’s death has been was fired, more than three months after Taylor was killed and two other officers have been placed on administrative leave.

Here’s a guide for actions to take now. (petitions, phone calls, media, emails.)

Actions happening soon!

Thurs –7/30 – PHONEBANKING – SURJ Racial Justice Phonebank- (6 pm)

From SURJ National:” We are building a bigger, more skillful WE to take on white supremacy. Join us Thursdays at 6PM EST to phonebank for racial justice!

What you need:

Internet connected computer, laptop or desktop is fine (tablets do not work)
Chrome or Firefox browser (system does not support Safari or Explorer)
Cell phone or landline

How the 3 hour phonebank works:
1. Up to 1000 of us get info on who we’re calling and why
2. practice the script with other phone bankers
3. returners start calls, (new folks get tech training first)
4. debrief on how it went
5. grab your friends and return next week

How we decide who we’re calling:

work with leaders in M4BL, Latinx and Indigenous communities to identify the most timely issue (past topics have been progressive candidates in GA, defund the police in PA, and Charles Booker support in KY)
prioritize white voters who have historically been ignored in elections
build a script that focuses on shared stake in racial justice

Thurs –7/30 – CAMARILLO – Official @ourrescue Rise Up Rally for Ventura County – 601 Carmen Drive (4:30pm)

Join us in Camarillo for the Official Our Underground Railroad Rally site for Ventura County. Let’s rise up and come together on July 30th for a peaceful demonstration to bring awareness and help put an end to human trafficking. In the days to come we will share more on what to wear, signage ideas and how we can best unite under this very important cause. Invite your friends.

Thurs –7/30 – ONLINE – ACLU Power Lunch Series for Prop. 15 – (11:30am every other Thursday)

Registerhereto receive the Zoom link. “You’re a crucial part of the people-powered effort to pass (Prop. 15) Schools and Communities First so we can reclaim $12 billion every year for our schools and critical local services by closing corporate property tax loopholes, all while protecting residential property owners and implementing new small business tax relief.

Each Power Lunch will provide a space for activists to participate in conversations and hands-on trainings to practice core strategies and tactics to engage your community and voters.With the power of we, we can ensure that our schools and communities come first. We look forward to having you join us for our Power Lunch series!”
All seminars start at 11:30 am
Part 1 (Jul 16): Our Voice = Our Power
Part 2 (Jul 30): Powering Up Supporters, Endorsements, & Community Outreach!
Part 3 (Aug 13): Campaign Organizing While Physical Distancing: An Intro to Digital Organizing & Voter Engagement Tactics
Part 4(Aug 27): Nuts & Bolts to Making Voting (during a pandemic!) Safe and Inclusive for All

Fri 7/31 – ONLINE – Free DACA Virtual Workshop – Renewal and Initial Application Screens.

Law Office of Vanessa Frank

Recently, the Supreme Court ordered that DACA is here to stay for now. If you are looking to apply for DACA or to renew, here is a FREE virtual workshop from @ufwf. Call (805) 246-3867 for your appointment today!

Sat 8/1 – ONLINE – “Resistance, Reconciliation, Reform: 2nd community conversation on Policing & Racial Justice.

Watch it on YouTube: https://bit.ly/VCPoliceReformWe’re excited to announce our next dialogue on policing & race, featuring community members engaging Ventura County law enforcement to find a path forward toward reform. Please join us for this important conversation! Thanks again to our co-sponsoring organizations. Don’t forget, you can still view Part One of this series at https://youtu.be/2MtLhRKuWAA.

Sunday 8/2-6 – ONLINE – 11th NAACP Virtual National Convention

In the wake of a COVID-19 reality and the aftermath of global uprisings against racism in our country, it is more important than ever that the 111th National Convention takes place, and in a manner that safely empowers and equips our network of activists for the work we need to do during this critical election year.

Over the course of two weeks, the NAACP Virtual Convention will provide two modules, one tailored to our members, and another open to our supporters and activists at large to convene critical discussions and programs concerning the most pressing issues in our communities today. Sign up for updates for the convention here.

The 111th National Convention will include enriching sessions such as:

Coronavirus and Our Community: Health and Wealth in our new normal
Election 2020: Mobilizing the Black Vote
State of the NAACP Address
Hollywood Bureau Screening Series
ACT-SO Presentations and Awards
And more!

Mon 8/3 – ONLINE – Summer 2020 Book Study (6-7:30pm PST)

Sign up here:bit.ly/2V9EXhJ

Tues 8/4 – ONLINE – The Root Institute – Week 1

Subscribe here. Week 1 of The Root Institute will be about politics and voting rights and will open on August 4th with a Q&A between possible Joe Biden vice presidential pick Stacey Abrams and Danielle Belton, editor-in-chief of The Root, followed by a second one-on-one between Rep. Ayanna Pressley and The Root’s video producer and host, Felice Leon.

Wed 8/5 – ONLINE – Community Forum on the intersection of race and law enforcement (5:30-7:30pm)

County to hold virtual community forum on the intersection of race and law enforcementOn Wednesday, August 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the County of Ventura will host a virtual Community Forum open to all members of the public online via Zoom to discuss the intersection of race and law enforcement in our community. The Community Forum will consist of a panel of County leaders and community representatives who will participate in a roundtable discussion, followed by questions from the public.The August 5th Community Forum will be moderated by Monique Nowlin, County of Ventura Diversity and Inclusion Task Force representative and Deputy Director of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging. Panelists will include:• Bill Ayub, Ventura County Sheriff• Claudia Bautista, Assistant Ventura County Public Defender• Regina Hatcher-Crawford, President, Ventura County NAACP• Sevet Johnson, Director, Ventura County Behavioral Health• Marcus Mitchell, Director, Ventura County Department of Child Support Services• Mike Powers, Ventura County Executive Officer• Greg Totten, Ventura County District Attorney• Roslynn Wilfert, Representative, Black Lawyers of Ventura CountyDue to COVID-19 and current health orders, members of the public are invited to attend the webinar online or by phone. The online forum will also be livestreamed via social media on the County’s Facebook page and Spanish Facebook page. Questions for the panelists may be submitted via email prior to and during the forum at webinar@ventura.org. To attend the forum, please visit www.ventura.org/forum.

Thurs 8/6 – ONLINE – The Root Institute – Week 1

Subscribe here. – Week 1 of The Root Institute will be about politics and voting rights. Thursday’s programming will feature a panel including Glynda Carr of Higher Heights, Judith Browne Dianis of Advancement Project and Rashad Robinson of Color of Change.

Tues 8/11/Thurs 8/13 – ONLINE – The Root Institute – Week 2

Subscribe here. – Week 2 will focus on entertainment and culture, featuring one-on-one conversations with Lee Daniels and The Root’s entertainment writer, Tonja Stidhum, and Ava DuVernay with Belton. The week will also host an examination of Black joy led by Very Smart Bros. Senior Editor Panama Jackson, and a panel on the intersection of art and activism featuring Aloe Blacc.

Tues 8/18/Thurs 8/20 – ONLINE – The Root Institute – Week 3

Subscribe here. – Week 3 will touch on health and wealth, as well as a special panel on diversity and inclusion. Featured speakers include Planned Parenthood’s Alexis McGill Johnson, author Michelle Gadsden-Williams, Joy Altimere of EHE Health, and more.

Tues 8/25/Thurs 8/27 – ONLINE – The Root Institute – Week 4

Subscribe here. – Week 4 will culminate on social impact, featuring a one-on-one conversation between Tarana Burke and Managing Editor of The Glow Up Maiysha Kai; as well as other featured speakers, such as author Darnell Moore, president of the National Black Justice Coalition David Johns, communications expert Chelsea Fuller of Blackbird, and more.

August 27-28 – ONLINE – 2020 Virtual March on Washington

URL here or text “POWER” to 40649.

For generations, African Americans in this country have faced an anti-Black pandemic. From the unjust killings of innocent African Americans to the disproportionate impact of a global health pandemic, Black people have been getting attacked on all fronts. This moment has exposed the inequities embedded in the underlying fabric of our nation.

The 2020 Virtual March on Washington will take place on the 57th anniversary of the historic March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.

This year, thousands will virtually March on Washington to restore and recommit to the dream. This one of a kind event will set forth a bold new Black agenda. This virtual grassroots mobilization will drive the movement from protest to policy to power.

Sun – 8/30: OXNARD – Swap Meet Justice – Free Citizenship Fair on the LAST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH (9am-3pm)

More information here on how to volunteer to help, or to get immigration paperwork, including citizenship application, renewals for DACA and green cards, done under the oversight of volunteer local immigration attorneys and accredited representatives. This fair is cosponsored by CLUE-VC, Ventura Co. Legal Aid, El Concilio Family Services, UFW, SEIU 721, and community volunteers.

Petitions/Funding

Additional petitions here.

Donations needed to rebuild the Maricopa County Democratic headquarters!

(Repost from concerned reader) “Speaking of fascism: The headquarters for the Arizona Dems and the Maricopa County Dems was destroyed the other night and it looks like it was arson. This is a devastating blow just days prior to the August 4th primary. This county and this state is ESSENTIAL to the fight to flip the Senate and to defeat Trump in the electoral college.

I know there are so many appeals for money these days, but if you can donate even $5 or $10, it would not only help them rebuild but let them know they have our moral support during this challenging time. https://maricopadems.org/recoveryfund/“

Not everyone has a president to help them – Equalize access to justice!

We have two justice systems in our country.

Roger Stone: Found GUILTY by jury on 7 federal criminal counts. Original jail time of 9 years revised by presidential intervention to ±3. No jail time.Kalief Browder:ACCUSED of stealing a backpack. Couldn’t post bail. Spent 3 years at Riker’s awaiting trial. Due to the trauma of brutality he experienced in solitary confinement and being imprisoned he ultimately died of suicide shortly after being released.

Kristen Clarke, JD Exec Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. We fight for racial justice. You can donate here to help give regular people a chance.

Ventura, CA: Freedom of Speech!

Petition here. The city of Ventura, Ca requires “Free Speech Permits”. It cost $25 to apply and the website states any event, “that impact City streets, sidewalks, parking lots, public property, airways, public buildings, and traffic require a City permit. Many private properties also require City permits for special activities that have the potential to impact the public-right-of-way.”

The right to free speech and the right to assemble is protected by the United States Constitution under the first amendment. The first amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Notice how it says “free exercise thereof”? How is a $25 fee to apply for a free speech permit constitutional?

Tell ICE: #FreeTheFamilies

Sign this petition to demand you comply with Judge Dolly Gee’s order to release all children who have been detained for more than 20 days by July 17th and that all family members and guardians of detained children be released as well with their children. Not ONE child should be separated from their families!

Amnesty International and RAICES petitions here.

HOLD THE US ARMY ACCOUNTABLE: Justice for Vanessa Guillen

Sign the petition here.

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.

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.”

Calls for Justice!

For more information and scripts, go here.

Contact information for officials, from city to the feds, here.

Join in the boycott of Goya Foods!
Make discriminatory 911 Calls in CA a hate crime – “YES” on AB1550
Call your legislators about the ICE “Citizen Academy” boondoggle.
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

Free meal delivery for seniors or with a disability.

“Please share! Are you a senior who is sheltering in place or do you know one who needs meals delivered? Who qualifies for enrollment into the program? (Full FAQ’s here)

Individuals who are 65 or older, or 60-64 and at high-risk as defined by the CDC, including:
- Individuals who are COVID-19 positive (as documented by a state/local public health official or medical health professional),
- Individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 (as documented by a state/local public health official or medical health professional), or
- Individuals with an underlying condition.
Individuals must live alone or with one other program-eligible adult
Participants must not be currently receiving assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs
Participants must earn no more than 600% of the federal poverty limit
Individuals must affirm an inability to prepare or obtain meals

Our local restaurants are preparing these healthy meals through a grant from FEMA. More participants have been approved from 1800 to 2500. More on the program here. Apply here.

Volunteers are also welcomed.

A free face mask for everyone who needs one.

The Activ(ist)Wear brand DHVANI is giving a free mask to anyone in the United States who requests one. All masks are 100% free and paid for by donations. Learn more here. https://www.gofundme.com/f/MasksForAll

If you’d like a free mask, go here: https://DHVANI.com/FreeMasks

If you can pay $10 for a mask to help fund others, go here. All proceeds go to helping provide masks for others.

The pandemic has left millions hungry. This group helps people get food benefits fast, by text.

In the past six years, this nonprofit has helped more than 700,000 people across the country connect to potentially lifesaving benefits by texting the word “food” to the number 74544. Their website is here. WAPO article here.

Resource: Kids and Trauma/ Race Trauma/ COVID-19 Isolation

Read here.

FYI: Outside rallies, with masks, are “moderate-low” risk.

Aid for those impacted by COVID-19

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 Webinars

An archived broadcast can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/CAEducation/videos/768846657195648/https://www.facebook.com/v2.3/plugins/video.php?allowfullscreen=true&app_id=249643311490&channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Dfce47888f4dc84%26domain%3Dindivisibleventura.org%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Findivisibleventura.org%252Ffe475e1620148c%26relation%3Dparent.parent&container_width=570&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCAEducation%2Fvideos%2F768846657195648&locale=en_US&sdk=joey

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

Our history is rife with injustice and we’ve got a ways to go before all Black people are free from systemic racism. But now more than ever, I encourage you to honor and celebrate the legacy of Black resilience and freedom by making sure you and your community members are registered to vote.

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