Join the San Diego People’s Inaugural, Monday, December 12
…I caution fellow Democrats: make your focus the American people, not Trump. We will defeat him one day, and when we do, we better have something to offer people. –Congressman Keith Ellison
By Doug Porter
These are dark days. Although reports of the Trump campaign blocking protests surrounding the January inauguration ceremonies in DC may be exaggerated, the reality that repression is coming is clear. What the incoming administration fails to achieve by fiat will be attempted by hordes of flying monkeys eager to silence criticism of our new Dear Leader.
Now it’s more important than ever to defend and exercise our constitutional rights. And this especially applies to local issues. The temptation to protest everything Trump must be counterbalanced by an understanding that activism on local issues builds a foundation for the future and can have an immediate impact.
On the morning of Monday, December 12, downtown’s Balboa Theater will be the site of swearing in ceremonies for newly-elected San Diego officials. Local activists, led by Women Occupy, will stage a press conference and demonstration nearby to spotlight the failures of Mayor Faulconer, the past City Attorney and City Council along with prescribing actions for the near future.
According to the Facebook announcement by the organizers, concerns include:
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As reported last month by SDUT Business Columnist Dan McSwain: “As uncovered this month by Union-Tribune Watchdog reporter James DeHaven, San Diego has removed about 10,000 “affordable” dwellings from its rolls over the last six years, neatly canceling out the entire total that the city’s housing commission opened going all the way back to 1979.
“My analysis of commission data shows even worse trends at the lowest tier of the subsidy strata, with just 543 permanent units designated for the homeless over the last decade.”
- The foregoing is the simple cause for the spike in homelessness in San Diego over the past few years — “Since January alone, a business group’s monthly census has shown a 68 percent spike in street homelessness downtown. The count peaked at nearly 1,400 in August and has since hovered around 1,130.”
From same article: “A Housing Commission survey last fall concluded the city was home to just 3,872 single-room occupancy units – fewer than half of the citywide stock reported in 2003.”
- The SDPD recently reported that only 4% of several hundred reports of sexual assault were even REFERRED to the DA or City Atty for charges to be filed in FY 2015-16. SDPD continues to refuse to test all rapekits, with 2800+ in SDPD property lockers. Other large jurisdictions, including Alameda and Sacramento Counties, have changed practice to test all rapekits and upload to a national DNA database, which has resulted in serial criminals being prosecuted.
This tidbit lends more credence to the existence of rape culture within the SDPD —
“In two of those lawsuits, male officers working in the sex-crimes division were said to have hung up inappropriate photos of women inside their cubicles and often joked about drugging women.”
- In 2015, San Diego County was in a three-way tie for 10th place as the deadliest county in the country based on the per-capita number of people killed by police locally this year. The Guardian counts 12 deaths at the hands of police here. (San Bernardino County is at No. 2, and Santa Clara County — home to San Jose — is at No. 4, and L.A. County is tied at 10th.).
- SDSU researchers recently found that the SDPD under Mayor Faulconer has its priorities wrong in terms of how it deploys its resources to identify criminal activity. The SDSU report documents that traffic stops as a tool to do so are very inefficient and ineffective: less than 1 out of 260 traffic stops found contraband, and African-American and Latino drivers were far less likely to be found with contraband – although 3 and 2 times, respectively, more likely to be searched than white drivers. The SDSU report also found that only 1.3% of the traffic stops resulted in an arrest.
- Measure G passed by 82% — the highest of any proposition on the November ballot — with Mayor Faulconer, Councilmember Cole and outgoing Councilmember Gloria promising:
“YOUR YES VOTE ON PROPOSITION G WILL INCREASE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BY CONDUCTING IMPARTIAL AND INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS OF CITIZEN COMPLAINTS OF MISCONDUCT CONCERNING THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.”
We must continue to demand TRUE independent investigations — with Independent Investigators, Independent Legal Counsel and Subpoena Power, just like the City’s Ethics Commission.
- Councilmembers-elect Georgette Gomez and Chris Ward have called on the City Council to oppose:
- federal funding cuts to cities where local law enforcement agencies do not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents
- federal attempts to intervene with the interests of cities in governing their communities, including compelling local law enforcement to act as federal agents or prosecuting city leaders who seek local protections for undocumented immigrants
- the development of any registry of individuals based on religious identification, country of origin, racial or ethnic background
- funding and development of unnecessary and ineffective border infrastructure, like a wall, and to instead enhance cross-border commerce
- the reversal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs that have helped eligible minors and young adults pursue higher education opportunities
The protest outside the Balboa Theater will also include members of The Voices of the City Choir. Co-founder Steph Johnson will speak on the criminalization of people experiencing homelessness.
Progressive Calendar for San Diego, December 9 – 20
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. In cases where there are competing but similar events or campaigns of the progressive persuasion, I do my best to list everything.
There will be no calendar published on December 23 and 30, as I will be on vacation, so get your items for the end of the year in by Thursday. December 15.
Right to a Roof: Human Rights Day of Action
Saturday, December 10, 10am
464 47th St, San Diego
Hosted by Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans
For More Information
Last year, over 350 gathered in San Diego to mark International Human Rights Day on December 10th, and stand up for our local black immigrant, refugee and Muslim families. Join us this year as 10+ organizations come together to launch the #RightToARoof campaign, including Justice Overcoming Boundaries in San Diego County (JOB San Diego), Karen Organization of San Diego, Muslim American Society – San Diego Chapter,The Global ARC, Somali Bantu Community of San Diego, The AjA Project,Southern Sudanese Community Center San Diego, Humankind San Diegoand United Women of East Africa Support Team
Peace on Earth Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, December 10, 10am
Mid-City Gym
4202 Landis Street
For More Information
FREE EVENT – open to the public: Peace on Earth Holiday Bazaar, filled with fun, performances, 25+ community organizations, gift items, and community resources. This annual event is put on by and for not-for-profit community organizations working for a peaceful, just, and environmentally healthy world
This year we will have music by Lucky Rumba, playing a fusion of Latin styles from the Caribbean, Americas and Europe!
Feed the Homeless Event
Saturday, December 10, 3pm
Muslim Community Center of San Diego
14698 Via Fiesta, San Diego
For More Information
Did you know that San Diego’s homeless population is the 4th largest in the US, after Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York City? According to the HUD, there are 8,742 homeless persons in San Diego.
MCC is trying to do its bit to help out the homeless by arranging a feed the homeless event every month. More than 150 ready-to-eat packages will be prepared in MCC kitchen. Then delivered to homeless individuals in Downtown.
1st Annual UndocuYouth Conference
Saturday, December 10, 9am
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Dr.
For More Information
San Diego Dream Team and Education Without Borders at SDSU are happy to invite you all to Moving Forward: What’s Next for Immigrant Communities? Come join as we continue to build youth and community power through awareness and social advocacy.
This event will seek to provide resources to undocumented youth, families and allies along with serving as a platform to engage undocumented youth in community advocacy, and to create the new generation of community leaders.
Location: SDSU Arts & Letters 201
Jam for Peace in Support of Standing Rock
Saturday, December 10, 7pm
EVE Encinitas
575 S. Coast Highway, Encinitas
For More Information (Donation)
Our brothers and sisters at Standing Rock need our support in order to make it through the brutal winter. The oil pipeline is almost finished and NDAPL has shown that they will use any means necessary to complete it. This event is an awareness and funds raiser. Specifically proceeds will go toward buying main camp Oceti Sakowin a wind turbine for clean energy power for the medical and security tents.
This gathering is a chance for us to join together in song and dance as we cry out for justice.
– Open mic and evolving music jam for peace
– Water ritual by Flow Evolution
– Cacao ceremony by Eye of Raw
– Story by Edward Hillard Deull
– Local goods raffle fundraiser
Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence, North County, San Diego
Saturday, December 10, 4:30pm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito
1036 Solana Dr, Solana Beach
For More Information
All are invited to come to remember the 120,000+ Americans killed by gun violence since the Sandy Hook school massacre in Newtown four years ago. Gather at 4:30, vigil held 5-6pm in UUFSD Founders Hall.
Music provided by Emma’s Revolution. Speakers include gun violence survivor, representatives from Moms Demand Action, The Brady Campaign, North County LGBTQ Resource Center and others. This event is open to the public.
Annual vigil held in solidarity with Newtown Foundation, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Organizing for Action, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Everytown Survivor Network, and St. Marks Episcopal Church.
San Diego City Officials Inauguration Ceremony
The People’s Inauguration
Monday, December 12, 9am
Balboa Theatre, 868 4th Ave.
For More Information
The Inauguration Ceremony for the City of San Diego Mayor, City Attorney and Councilmembers for Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Yay! for Mara Elliot, Barbara Bry, Chris Ward, & Georgette Gomez!
Press Conference and Demonstration outside the Balboa Theater on Monday 12/12 at 9-10:30am to spotlight the failures of Mayor Faulconer and the past City Atty and City Council as new terms for these offices are sworn in, and prescribe actions they should undertake in their new terms
Left Coalition and January 20 Demonstration Planning
Monday, December 12, 7pm
Grassroots Oasis
3130 Moore Street (Nr Old Town)
For More Information
This meeting will engage activists to plan for inauguration weekend and ongoing coalition building in San Diego. In two subcommittees we will build-out a march and grogram and consider joining existing efforts on Friday. For ongoing efforts we hope to begin shaping a plan for reaching out to grow the coalition. Please come!
Concert to Benefit The Grassroots Oasis
Tuesday, December 13, 6pm
Grassroots Oasis
3130 Moore Street (nr Old Town)
For More Information
In what promises to be an amazing evening of story and song, some of San Diego’s finest singer/songwriters will be on hand for a benefit for The Grass Roots Oasis. The line-up consists of CalAmity, Lisa Sanders with Brown Sugar, Kimm Rogers, Bart Mendoza, Nena Anderson, Jeff Berkley, and Cindy Lee Berryhill. Please join us on December 13th for this very special event. All proceeds from this benefit will go to the GO.
As Kimm Rogers stated, ” When I think of The Grassroots Oasis, I consider it a home for the heart for many reasons. It’s a place where a singer/songwriter can be truly heard in an intimate venue that was made for listening and connecting. It’s also a place for poetry, film, plays, and the visual arts. It’s a place where activism takes root bringing community together in a truly unique environment. All of this is due to one of the hardest working women of the people that I have ever met, Martha Sullivan. She is the can-do, make it happen person behind this wonderful place. She gives artists and community activists a place that supports their work. However, her tremendous kindness doesn’t always cover the bills. We desperately need places like The Grassroots Oasis. It’s a one of a kind. So here’s our chance to say thanks to Martha Sullivan and to keep our beloved GO afloat. So please join us on December 13th to keep the lights on so all of us may continue to shine.
Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence
Wednesday, December 14, 6pm
St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
2728 6th Ave, San Diego
For More Information
Hosted by the Brady Campaign
Nationwide vigil for the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary, Orlando and all the victims of gun violence. There will be blessings and prayers from faith leaders, live music, city and county officials. Please join us and bring your family and friends. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Border Angels Water Drop
Saturday, December 17, 8am-5pm
Sherman Heights Community Center
2260 Island Ave, San Diego
For More Information
Hosted by SDSU’s Latin American Studies Student Organization
With the help of volunteers like yourself, Border Angels leaves dozens of gallon jugs of water in the desert along high-traffic migrant paths. Why? Following 1994, when the US government implemented its most inhumane border enforcement policies ever, more than 11,000 sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, husbands and wives have died. Their main cause of death? Dehydration. Our water helps reduce the 500+ deaths
What to bring:
1 or 2 gallon plastic jugs of water to place in the desert.
Backpack with the items listed below.
Plenty of water for yourself to drink, at least 2 liters/0.5 gallon.
Sports drink, or electrolyte powder or jellies for energy.
Snack eg. energy bars, sandwich, trail mix etc.
If you need a ride, bring $5 for your driver to help cover gas.
IMPORTANT: Bring your I.D./Drivers Licence, DACA volunteers must bring their work authorization card as we pass through a border checkpoint.
Jacobin Reading Group
Saturday, December 17, 2pm
Cafe Cabaret
3739 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA
For More Information
We will be discussing ‘A Blueprint for a New Party’, the reply ‘No Easy Solution’ and ‘What Did Bernie Do?’.
Democratic Socialists of America
San Diego Chapter Meeting
Sunday, December 18, 4pm
San Diego Friends Center
3850 Westgate Pl, San Diego
This is a meeting for new members and anyone interested in learning more about the organization. We’ll be discussing the history of the DSA, the current political situation and what we will do moving forward.
Human- A Homeless Outreach Day
Sunday, December 18, 10am-3pm
457 16th Street San Diego
For More Information
With the holidays fast approaching, it easy for us to get wrapped up in the daily hustle and bustle of our lives. We often take for granted that most of us have a safe, dry place to go home to, food on our tables and warm beds to sleep in. Unfortunately, that is not the case for many people here in San Diego. According to recent data, The East Village alone has approx.1,100 homeless people sleeping outside on the street. Many of whom have no food, no warm clothes, no shoes or the basic necessities that many of us take for granted.
In an effort to ease some of this suffering we are planning a Homeless Outreach day on Sunday, Dec. 18th in the East Village from 10am – 3pm. We will be serving food and be offering basic goods and services as well as giving out “Care Kits” to those in need. In order to make this a successful event, we need as much help as we can get. If you can, please donate any goods that might be useful.
We have set up a drop-off location to collect goods up until the day of the event. Although we prefer clothing and goods, we understand that many would prefer giving cash. Honestly, any little bit helps and 100% of everything received will be going to purchase clothing, food, and goods for those in need. If you can not spare anything, please consider volunteering your time. All are welcome and deeply appreciated.
Drop off location:
El Comal – North Park
3946 Illinois Street
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 294-8292
#LoveCanWin
Trump Opposition March
Monday, December 19 -9am-6pm
Horton Plaza
For More Information
This is the big one. #Dec19th is the last day for electors to change their vote. Show up as early as you can, and wear yellow to protest from work. This is what the electoral college was made for – we just have to say this is the time to use it. #JoinUs. #WeCanWin. #WeAreTheMajority#StopTheVote
International & Nationwide #Resist Events
We are not alone. There are people around the globe who are fired up and ready to go. The best resource for this type of information is lovealwaystrumpshate.org.
On This Day: 1793 – “The American Minerva” was published for the first time. It was the first daily newspaper in New York City and was founded by Noah Webster. 1958 – In Indianapolis, Robert H.W. Welch Jr. and 11 other men met to form the anti-Communist John Birch Society. 2001 – Ratification of a new labor agreement at Titan Tire of Natchez, Miss., ends the longest strike in the history of the U.S. tire industry, which began May 1, 1998, at the company’s Des Moines, Iowa, plant
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Martha Sullivan says
Thank you once more for providing much-needed information!