We’re Not Going Away! More Than Three Dozen Ways to Get Involved
By Doug Porter
Duncan Hunter’s on the Run! The Los Angeles Times ran a hilarious article about the San Diego Congress-Critter’s pathetic attempts to close down his offices in the face of ongoing protests. Also, Congressman Darrell Issa tried and failed to co-opt the local resistance this week.
Two hundred representatives are not even bothering to try and meet with constituents during the February break. But that hasn’t stopped people from picketing their offices and flooding their switchboards with calls demanding answers on immigration, health care, and a host of other issues. And it’s not going to stop anytime soon.
Meanwhile, Congresspersons Susan Davis and Scott Peters spoke before full houses this week, answering questions and seeing up close and personal the passion people are feeling these days. As Democrats, these representatives didn’t face crowds that were necessarily upset, but the message of resistance was just as strong.
There’s a great article at Reuters News today, saying it’s starting to dawn on some of these politicians that this wave of resistance to Trump isn’t going away anytime soon.
More marches are scheduled across the country in the coming months, including several major events in Washington, tied to gay rights, science and a push for Trump to release his tax returns.
The sheer volume of protests – last week, there were three nationwide calls for action within a five-day span – has some political observers wondering how long it can last.
But several experts who study protests said the level of outrage may be increasing, rather than subsiding, after a tumultuous first month in which Trump’s words and actions created fresh outrage among liberals almost daily.
“We’re not anywhere near reaching a saturation point for protest,” said Michael Heaney, the author of “Party in the Street: The Antiwar Movement and the Democratic Party after 9/11” and a University of Michigan professor. “If anything, it’s just getting started.”
Along with the acknowledgment of the resistance’s existence will come the inevitable pushback. Right now it’s limited to ‘concerned’ establishment (mostly Democratic) types pontificating on how they think things need to be done. Check their history on Google and if they’re part of what got us here, ignore them, please.
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.
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.
You can now subscribe to the weekly Progressive Calendar. It’s free and we don’t share email addresses with anybody. Scroll down to the end of this column for the link.
Local and Regional Events
Resist Light Brigade
Friday, February 24, 6pm
Mission Bay Park Visitor Information Center
2688 E Mission Bay Dr, San Diego
For More Information
Join us this Friday as we launch the Resist Light Brigade for motorists on I-5. We will meet at the Mission Bay Visitor Center parking lot and take the lights to the Clairemont overpass. Afterward, there will be pizza and beer
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.
Stand Up for Heathcare
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.
Sanctuary House Party/ Teach-in
Saturday, February 25, 2-10pm
4392 Narragansett, OB
For More Information
Hosted by Teaching Positive Alternatives to Trump
Join in building a San Diego network of sanctuary homes in resistance to Trump’s fascism and to corporate capitalism. Over the next few months a series of neighborhood house parties throughout San Diego will help define and create this vital new network of hope and resistance. Si se puede.
Criminal Injustice System
Racial Justice Today
Saturday, February 25, 3pm
Peace Resource Center
3850 Westgate Pl.
For More Information
Inauguration: Addressing the People’s Issues Continued Conversation….
Join the Peace Resource Center as we welcome organizational partners to lead us in education and discussion around the Criminal Injustice System.
People Over Profits San Diego (POPSD) has been engaged in criminal justice organizing and has focused on the problem of mass incarceration in our society and the damage it continues to inflict on communities of color.
Community Assistance Support Team (CAST) plays a critical role in gang intervention work, as well as providing exceptional support to victims of crime.
Darwin Fishman, Phd, Community Review Board, and Yusef Miller, Community Outreach Representative, CAIR-SD will lead a discussion about opportunities to become involved.
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.
Hear Our Voice Postcard Party
Saturday, February 25, 2-4pm
BAR by Red Door
729 W. Washington St (Mission Hills)
For More Information (Admission)
$20 pay at door- – Includes family style apps and your first glass of wine
– Postcards and pens provided
– BYOPostage and we will mail the postcards for you
– We will have a list of suggested issues and the addresses of elected officials available to help you in writing your cards
– A fun kids activity area will be provided. A card making project “Kids 4 Planet Earth” climate change letter/card writing campaign with a goal of 1M cards sent about the changing environment
San Diego Tax March Organizing Mtg
Sunday, February 26, Noon
4265 Fairmount Ave Suite 250 (City Heights)
For More Information
We will be holding our 1st organizing meeting for the San Diego Tax Day Protest on April 15th at the Old Labor Council Building.
We will be gathering together on what is traditionally Tax Day, April 15th, (taxes are due this year on the 4/18 due to the weekend) to protest Donald Trump and his refusal to show the American people his taxes and disclose ALL of his business interests.
Political Climate: Doug Applegate on Taking the Hill
Sunday, February 26, 4pm
Point Loma Assembly
3035 Talbot St
For More Information
Hosted by: Point Loma Democratic Club
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. In 2016, we lost the 49th by a slim margin of just 1,621 votes with over 310,000 cast. Come to learn, and challenge, how we can work with Doug’s campaign to take back the Hill.
Show Support for Trans Youth & Students!
Monday, February 27, 11am
City Administration Building
202 C Street (Downtown)
For More Information
Join us to support Trans youth and students this Monday, February 27 at 10:30am at San Diego City Council. In closed session that afternoon, the City Council will discuss whether the city of San Diego will join the city of San Francisco’s amicus brief in support of Gavin Grimm in the case “Gloucester County School Board v. G.G.”, currently before the United States Supreme Court.
Plan to arrive by 10:30am so you can get your speaker slip in before the council meeting starts at 11am. You do not have to speak but can submit a speaker slip to register your support. If you wish to speak you will have that opportunity.
If you cannot make it in person, you can email or call your representative before Monday morning.
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.
Picture This: Joy! Portrait of a Nun
Monday, February 27, 6pm
Downtown Public Library
330 Park Blvd
For More Information
Documents the origins of the LGTBQ activist group Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and their mission to “promulgate joy and expiate stigmatic guilt.” 57 minutes. 2012. There will be a post-film Q+A with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence® is a leading-edge Order of queer nuns. Since their first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday, 1979, the Sisters have devoted themselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment. Believing that all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty, they use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency, and guilt that chain the human spirit.
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.
Resist Trump Tuesdays
February 28
Noon- Senator Feinstein’s Office
880 Front Street
For More Information
10am-Darrell Issa’s Office
1800 Thinodo Rd, Vista
For More Information
10am-Duncan Hunter’s Office
1611 Magnolia Ave, El Cajon
For More Information (Link Unavailable)
UPDATE!!!! Mark Your Calendars
Americans for Safe Access
SD Chapter Meeting
Tuesday, February 28, 6:30pm
Giovanni’s Restaurant
9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd # A
For More Information
The monthly chapter meeting will be held in Giovanni’s banquet room, as always, on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Farm Workers Against Trump & Issa
Wednesday, March 1, 10am
Melba Bishop Park
Oceanside, CA
For More Information
We will host a community rally to unite North County San Diego farm workers and all others who oppose Darrell Issa and Donald Trump. Come out and let your voice be heard. Join Us!
Activist Social Hour
Wednesday, March 1, 5:30-7:30pm
CapeTown Grill and Bar
7580 Miramar Rd
For More Information
It’s been a stressful few months. We all need some fun! Let’s get together and eat, drink, and be merry. It’s good time to meet fellow like-minded people in the community. Please talk about what you have been doing so others can be “in the know” but please keep political discussions light. Let’s connect with people from different groups.
If you are interested in getting more involved in political or progressive action but have been intimidated about going to meetings, this is a great place to meet people who can fill you in on what’s been taking place. Or, if you know people who would be interested, please invite them! I’ll buy some appetizers but everyone buys their own drinks. All ages place.
OB March 4 Impeachment
Saturday, March 4, 10am
Ocean Beach Pier
1950 Abbott St
For More Information
Beach Clean-up / Replicate Human Protest Sign from Ocean Beach, San Francisco. Participants will spell out “IMPEACH”.
Mission Statement: Welcome to the resistance!
The March 4 Impeachment is just one of thousands of events to promote the efforts to resist the Trump agenda. We resist his misogynistic, xenophobic, and climate denial policies to name a few.
Town Hall on San Onofre Nuclear Waste
Saturday, March 4, 10am
Hilltop Center for Spiritual Learning
331 E. Elder Street, Fallbrook
For More Information
Southern California Edison (SCE) has a permit to bury millions of pounds of nuclear waste on the beach at San Onofre State Park. This waste is deadly for 250,000 years. It will be stored in 5/8″ thick steel drums that have a design life of 60 years but a manufacturer’s warranty for only 25 years.
The 8.5 million Californians, who live within the 50-mile plume radius as identified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), are at risk. This includes Fallbrook! Join the Advocates from Public Watchdogs for details of this urgent issue. Learn how to demand a better solution.
Planned Parenthood Fundraiser
Saturday, March 4, 8pm
Bar Pink
3829 30th Street (North Park)
For More Information
The Rosalyns, Cochinas Locas, Goldettes will be performing to show our support for Planned Parenthood on March 4, 2017 at Bar Pink. $10 at door (includes two tickets to the raffle). Rustic As Cluck will be serving food and will be donating a portion of her proceeds to Planned Parenthood.
We hope to see you there to show your support. Must be 21/over to attend event. Dance Party following bands with DJ Grimm and DJ Old Man Johnson.
Opposition to March 4 Pro-Trump Rally
Saturday, March 4, Noon
Embarcadero Marina Park North
500 Kettner Blvd
For More Information
This is to show opposition to the San Diego March 4 trump event as part of a national pro Trump event. Please spread the word to any of your friends and comrades who wish to show that fascism is not welcomed in San Diego.
Post Card Campaign
Sunday, March 5, 10:30am
3535 Lebon Drive
For More Information
Hosted by Indivisible La Jolla
We are hosting a postcard writing party! This event will be held on the second floor of the La Jolla Palms club house. There will be music, food and drinks. All are welcome!
Come with pens, stamps and clipboards. We will provide the PINKSLIPS and postcards!
We want to 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, you do the math.
No alternative fact or Russian translation will explain away our record-breaking, officially-verifiable, warehouse-filling flood of fury.
National Events
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. Los Angeles Rally Information.
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”.San Diego Event Page
March For Science (April 22)
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.
San Diego March for Science facebook page!
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.
Other Stuff 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.
SUBSCRIBE! IT’S FREE!
Looking for some action? The Weekly Progressive Calendar is published every Friday in this space, featuring Demonstrations, Rallies, Teach-ins, Meet Ups and other opportunities to get your activism on.
Get the Weekly Progressive Calendar delivered to your inbox every Friday. And it’s Free! Subscribe and get an email every time a new article in this series is posted!
I read the Daily Fishwrap(s) so you don’t have to… Send your hate mail and ideas to DougPorter@SanDiegoFreePress.Org Check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
Judy Skinner says
I am so glad to have gotten this email and have access to everything going on around me. I live in Oceanside, am in my 70’s, retired, been to 3 of the 4 walks, been to Issa Tuesdays last three times plus town hall meeting that night & vigil last night. Is there a way to filter your events to just cover the north county – we’re old (but on fire) but don’t travel far…we have a huddle here in our retirement community & write post cards once a week call “5 call” every day to register our voices to our ‘Paid’ electorates…as opposed to all of us ‘bused in, paid protesters” :) …. still want to be a part of this mailing list, tho, even if there is no filter…
Doug Porter says
It takes a day-plus to compile everything. I feel lucky every time I actually get finished with the typing and the formatting, which starts at 5am Friday morning. Given that I do this as a volunteer, I don’t see any way to do what you’re asking. Sorry.
Elizabeth says
Thank you for this wealth of information!
Kara says
I’d love to join your email list in order to join local #RESIST functions. Thank you for your huge efforts!
Doug Porter says
All you have to do to get on the calendar mailing list is click the link in the yellow box at the end of the story. :)
Brina Bujkovsky says
EVENT FOR YOUR CALENDAR:
Join your neighbors in California’s 50th District for a Voter’s Town Hall event May 6, 2017 from 1pm – 3pm. We are excited to hear from the 7 potential challengers to the seat.
This will be a casual Town Hall event. A moderator will be asking the panel questions on three important issues to the district – Health Care, Immigration and the Environment. We will then open the discussion up to audience members.
Duncan Hunter Jr. does not represent the values of CA-50. Help us flip the seat.
Tickets are FREE! Make a donation for a Reserved Seat in the seat in the first two rows! Donations go towards venue rental fees.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/50th-district-voters-town-hall-tickets-32963012257