By Doug Porter
Things are moving fast with the decaying orbit of the entity otherwise known as the Trump administration. Every week when I write this intro to the activism calendar, I wonder if this will be the week when the illegitimate presidency of #45 crashes and burns?
Having lived through the Watergate era, I have to remind myself how long it actually took for Nixon to fall from grace. Every revelation, every rumor, every press conference seemed like it would the one. And then it wasn’t. There is no addiction stronger than the quest for power, and the descent into despair takes a lot longer than any of us think it should.
The good news is that keeping the pressure up on Washington will bend the arc of justice in the right direction. The bad news is that we have a long way to go. So keep up the good work. And take care of yourself.
So what will you do? Check out this week’s Progressive Activist Calendar listings below. Following those listings are upcoming events of national importance, along with opportunities for organizational involvement.
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. Clubs & organizations should note that I will be glad to list your meetings IF they are open to the public and there is a guest speaker/other educational activity.
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 Activist Calendar. It’s free and we don’t share email addresses with anybody. Scroll down to the end of this column for the link.
March 31
Teach-In: Appreciating Movements
Friday, March 31, 4:30pm
Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation
404 Euclid Ave
For More Information (Tickets)
Hosted by RISE San Diego
Appreciating Movements: Taking a moment to appreciate our individual accomplishments, and also the accomplishments of the movements we are building upon.
Guest Speaker Linda LeGerrette: Inspired by influential labor activist Cesar Chavez, the LeGerrettes promote civic engagement and community service in student clubs throughout San Diego
In 2000, when California created Cesar Chavez Day to honor the labor activist and founder of United Farm Workers of America, then-governor Gray Davis asked social policy advisers Carlos and Linda LeGerrette for ideas for activities. The San Diego natives had worked with Chavez for 12 years, beginning as idealistic college students in 1966.
Inspired to engage the next generation in civic participation, a year after Davis’ request the LeGerrettes founded the first of the Cesar Chavez Service Clubs. Now there are 21 such student clubs with 400 members in San Diego public schools. The members, called “Chavistas,” from kindergarten through high school learn civic responsibility and leadership through a 10-point curriculum founded on values Chavez promoted, including nonviolence, respect, service, determination, tolerance and knowledge.
Drinks with Donkeys – A Democratic Celebration of California Day
Friday, March 31, 5:30pm
Stone Brewing Liberty Station
2816 Historic Decatur Rd
Hosted by Pacific Beach Democratic Club
For More Information
California is the 31st state of the Union. So let’s raise a glass to reason and toast the tolerance of our great state on the 31st of March!
The Clairemont, Coronado, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, and Uptown clubs collectively invite you to come and have a drink. It would be great to hold a conversation with a fellow donkey instead of a rally or a protest against our President and his appointees (although those are plenty important).
International Rescue Committee
Insider Information Session & Fundraiser
Friday, March 31, 6pm
The Rose
2219 30th Street
Hosted by International Rescue Committee in San Diego
For More Information
Our March IRC Insider information session will take place at The RoseSouth Park. The Rose has generously donated space for this event and will donate 15% of proceeds from that evening to the IRC in San Diego!
If you are new to the IRC come learn more about how refugee resettlement works, what is happening now with the Executive Order, and how you can get involved. If you’ve been with us for a while, stop by for a drink or a bite to eat for a good cause and to meet like-minded San Diegans!
April 1
Anti Dirty Duncan Hunter Rally
At Westfield North County Mall
Saturday, April 1, 11am
272 E. Via Rancho Pkwy, Escondido
For More Information
Our push now is to ask Dirty Duncan to RESIGN; react to collusion between Trump Administration and Russia, (tell Hunter to cosponsor HR356 – the Protecting Our Democracy Act); and to demand that Trump release his tax returns. Please bring your chants and signs! This week the theme is April Fools. Since we’re dealing with fools, it should be easy!
This week we’re asking for donations of canned meats, fruits, and vegetables for St. Stephen’s Pantry in Valley Center, which serves 80 families per week.
Standing Up for Women Monthly Meeting
Saturday, April 1, 2pm
North University Community Branch Library
8820 Judicial Drive (La Jolla)
For More Information
Have you heard of the gender pay gap?
Do you know what it means & how it affects you?
Kathi Harper, former Deputy District Attorney for the County of Orange and Adjunct Law Professor, and currently a member of the State Public Policy Committee, AAUW-CA, and SUFW Director, will answer these questions and more about inequality in the workplace. Topics will include:
What is the gender pay gap?
-Is the pay gap really about women’s life choices?
-Is there a pay gap in all jobs?
-How does the pay gap affect women of different demographics?
-Can we expect the pay gap to someday be closed?
-What is government doing and how can I make a difference?
-We will also review committee updates and enjoy some member engagement.
tiny hands BIG POSTERS:
Resisting #45 Community Event
Saturday, April 1, 2pm
World Beat Cultural Center
2100 Park Blvd. (Balboa Park)
For More Information
Indivisible chapters and concerned citizens of San Diego County are hosting “tiny hands BIG POSTERS: Resisting 45 Community Event.” Come meet and mingle with fellow Indivisible members and organizers!
We will be making posters for the three important Marches in April and celebrating the ACA remaining law of the land. We will have information on upcoming calls to action and how we can remain effective and efficient in the Trump era.
Bring your family, friends and art supplies!
Action 17 Think Tank
Saturday, April 1, 6pm
41715 Enterprise Circle North
Temecula
For More Information
Action 17 is a grass roots think tank for anyone concerned enough about the future of our glorious country, to actually start doing something about it. If you are interested in fighting for the environment, for education, for equal rights, for campaign finance reform, for holding our representatives accountable, for the principles that will take our great nation forward for a better future, we invite you to come share your ideas and consider different ways to get involved and take ACTION!
Stand With Planned Parenthood
Saturday, April 1, 8am
2017 First Ave, San Diego
For More Information
The first Saturday of every month, the Abolish Abortion group brings about 20-30 people to various Planned Parenthood Clinics.
We witnessed first-hand this past Saturday how rude, uneducated, and harassing these people are. We were outnumbered and this is NOT okay. The guards that were there were incredibly nice and informative. They said they have never seen people protest in favor of Planned Parenthood and wish that we would be there more often.
They are out there every day watching this take place. So let’s come in a big group of people so THEY can be outnumbered for once. Let’s bring the guards coffee, and the employees in clinics thank you cards and flowers to show support!
Fire the Fool San Diego!
Saturday, April 1, Noon
Balboa Park Water Fountain
For More Information (Please read info if you want to perform)
Hosted by Ground Zero Players
Dancers! Witches! Drummers! Activists! Join us on April 1 at High Noon to place a curse on he who shall not be named! Fire the Fool will be a fun, cathartic event at Balboa Park on April Fool’s Day- Come and watch, come and put your own hex on the fake president, come and be a witch, come and drum or just come and have a great time!!!
This event is about purposefully standing up for the very values upon which our country was founded, which are protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We declare that political attacks on those values will be resolutely opposed. We will not surrender to tyranny, authoritarianism, xenophobia, or extreme nationalism. We WILL not tire. We WILL not fall in line. The same power we give, we can, and WILL take away.
April 2
Raise Progress Meeting
Sunday, April 2, 3:30pm
The Rose Wine Bar
2219 30th St
For More Information
We’re Raise Progress, a grassroots organization of parents and friends who are united in our commitment to ensure that our children inherit a safe United States, firmly rooted in the principles of democracy, where justice prevails for all people. We support vulnerable people and communities threatened by our current social climate, institutions defending progressive policies, and politicians who are aligned with our values. We invite you to join us, let’s #raiseprogress together!
April 4
Black, Brown & Union: Fighting for MLK’s Dream
Tuesday, April 4, 9am
San Diego City Hall
202 C Street
For More Information
Hosted by Justice Can’t Wait and San Diego Fight for 15 – Lucha por 15
Action Issue: San Diegans voted overwhelmingly to raise wages and provide all workers with 5 earned sick days workers continue to struggle to make ends meet and are discouraged, threatened and retaliated against for using their earned sick time. The workers that are being targeted by City Hall’s lack of enforcement on employers are low wage earners (making less than $15/hr-$31,000/yr) and are disproportionately female, African American, or Latino.
This year marks 49 years since Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination, but white supremacy and corporate greed continue to work against families forced to struggle to make ends meet. When Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, he was in Memphis to march with striking sanitation workers. At the core of his struggle for black liberation was the fight for working people.
City of Oceanside
Prop64 Workshop Public Comment
Tuesday, April 4, 2pm
Oceanside City Hall
300 N. Coast Hwy, Oceanside
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Americans for Safe Access
Oceanside For A Safer Community invites you to help protect Oceanside’s kids and neighborhoods by moving medical cannabis off the streets and into a regulated market that pays its fair share of revenue. Funds which add up to billions each year for public safety and other essential city needs.
This is a Proposition 64 workshop hosted by the city of Oceanside. The city is asking for public comment.
Oceanside For a Safer Community asks that you please show your support for their initiative to repeal the ban on medical cannabis in Oceanside.
Call for a Special Prosecutor
Tuesday, April 4, 10am
Temecula Duck Pond
28250 Ynez Rd (Temecula)
For More Information
Hosted by CA Districts 42 and 50 Events
We cannot trust Rep. Devin Nunes (R) CA, to investigate 45 and his ties to Russia. Bring signs, bring your flags, LET’S GO!!
Defend Public Ed – SDUSD Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 4, 4pm
San Diego Unified School District
4100 Normal Street
For More Information
Hosted by Our Students Matter
The next action of the San Diego Education Association against layoffs will be the next San Diego Unified School District board meeting on Tuesday, April 4th. Be sure to save the date on your calendar, round up your fellow educators, parents, students, friends, and family and join in, as we stand together as one to call on the school board to rescind layoff notices!
Bring your signs! Wear red!
Stand Up Against Bullying
Tuesday, April 4, 6pm
San Diego Unified School District
4100 Normal Street
For More Information
Hosted by CAIR San Diego
CAIR San Diego needs as many community members and allies at this San Diego Unified School Board Meeting as possible. During the meeting, the Board members will discuss whether or not to adopt the recommendations CAIR San Diego and its allies have constructed to combat the Bullying of Muslim Students. We would like community members to bring their families and make public comments in favor of this much-needed initiative.
Chula Vista: We Support SB54 & Immigrant Families!
Tuesday, April 4, 4:30pm
City Council Chambers of Chula Vista
For More Information
Hosted by Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE)
JOIN US: We will arrive at 4:30pm in front of Chula Vista City Hall (276 Fourth Ave, Chula Vista 91910) for a press conference, and join us at 5pm for the vote.
Early March, Councilwoman Pat Aguilar moved to put a vote on a RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT SB54, the “California Values Act” on the agenda for Tuesday, April 4th at 5pm. The bill would, in essence, create a “Sanctuary State” where no state or local funding would be used to detain, process or fuel mass deportations and would ensure that public spaces such as California schools, hospitals, and courthouses remain safe and accessible to all Californians, regardless of immigration status. We believe this is a great first step to move both the city and the region in a more inclusive and just direction.
Lawyers Club Equal Pay Day Rally
Tuesday, April 4, 6pm
333W. Broadway, San Diego
For More Information
Hosted by Lawyers Club of San Diego
Join Lawyers Club as we mark Equal Pay Day with us and prominent San Diego community leaders and activists for an inspiring day. Equal Pay Day exists to draw attention to America’s persistent gender wage gap by marking they day in the year that women have to work to reach men’s pay in the previous year. In other words, women have to work until April 4, 2017 to reach the pay their male counterparts made in 2016.
In 2016, women earned 79 cents for every dollar a man earned. The wage gap is even starker for Latina and black women. The rally will be held in front of the James M. Cater & Judith N. Keep Federal Courthouse, 333 West Broadway, San Diego. Remember to wear RED!
Rally at Office of Senator Feinstein
Tuesday, April 4, Noon
Federal Building
880 Front Street (Downtown)
For More Information
Crowds make a difference in putting pressure on our elected officials. So please join us, and bring a sign!
Rally at Duncan Hunter’s Office
Tuesday, April 4, 2017, 10am
1611 Magnolia Ave
El Cajon
It’s more important than ever that we maintain pressure on Duncan. The pressure is working. We are no longer asking for a townhall but we still have battles to be won. With the attack on the ACA, immigration issues, Duncan’s ethics violations, #45’s Russian ties and being slandered and banned from our representatives office we have a lot that still needs to be addressed and until we can get Duncan to represent us all, we need to show him that we are not going anywhere! Intimidation does not deter us.
Please keep in mind that the purpose of our rallies are to keep the public pressure on Duncan. We want all negative press to be on him. With that being said, if we choose to ignore the staff’s wishes, the negativity and public eye will be on us alone. It will hurt our message. So let’s stay out of Jr.s office and keep on the public sidewalks with our signs and American Flags and show his supporters his failings. Please use street parking or the lot across the street. Completely avoid the parking lot of the strip mall that Jr.s office is in or you will be towed. Please join us to show that we cannot be intimidated and we will persist!
Protest at Darrell Issa’s Office in Vista
Tuesday, April 4, 10am
1800 Thibodo Road (Vista)
For More Information
It’s another Trump Tuesday!
We will continue our vigil at our Reps offices through the 1st 100 days of the Trump Administration. Come to Darrell Issa’s office this Tuesday at 10:00. And bring those fabulous signs!
Providers And Allies Meeting
Tuesday, April 4, 6pm
North County Health Services
150 Valpreda Rd (San Marcos)
For More Information
Hosted by North County Immigration Task Force
North County Immigration Task Force is starting a Providers and Allies meeting to educate and mobilize community allies for immigrant rights. We will learn and grow in the skills and qualities of good allyship — whether we’re individual community leaders, social workers or community organizations.
April 8
Justice for Alfred Olango Unity March & Rally
Saturday, April 8, Noon
Panchos Mexican Grill
777 Broadway (El Cajon)
For More Information
We are coming together at the site where Alfred Olango was wrongfully murdered to march through El Cajon and let our voices be heard. We refuse to stay quiet, and also demand Justice for the killing of an innocent man. The El Cajon police department thinks we have forgotten what has happened. We plan to show them until we receive justice. This is only the beginning – Olango Family
I Can’t Keep Quiet – San Diego Flash Mob
Saturday, April 8, Noon
Balboa Park
El Prado Walkway (Across from the Museum of Photographic Arts)
For More Information
Please wear pink (to stand out) and bring a sign that says “I can’t keep quiet because (fill in the blank)” This event is for the San Diego “I Can’t Keep Quiet” flash mob on April 8, the I Can’t Keep Quiet Day: https://youtu.be/
Here is a video of how it was performed in Sweden:
This is along the lines of how I hope our project will turn out. If you are able to help with musical direction please comment!
Action April – Poster Making Party
Saturday, April 8, 1pm
Balboa Park (Quince & Balboa Dr.)
For More Information
Hosted by SD Indivisible
San Diego Indivisible Downtown and Hillcrest chapters are joining forces for Action April! Together, we are participating in three important marches throughout the month.
To get everyone fired up for the marches, we’re hosting a poster making party Saturday, April 8. This is a perfect opportunity to get creative, have some fun and meet fellow Indivisible members. Please bring posters, markers, blankets/chairs and friends!
April 9
Helping the Homeless + Social Hour & Sign Making
Sunday, April 9, 1pm
205 16th Street
For More Information
Help support our homeless outreach program by hitting the city streets in groups and connecting & feeding the locals. Part of your mission will be to enroll those interested in getting the help they deserve.
Everyone can bring food and water to hand out. Bring friends, family, children, boyfriends/girlfriends, dates, and do some good for your community. We will start out by meeting downtown in the heart of tent city, and afterwards at The Gallery for drinks, socializing, and sign making for the upcoming tax march on 4/15.
Inaugural Membership Meeting! DEM Labor
Sunday, April 9, 2pm
521 East 24th Street (National City)
For More Information
Hosted bySan Diego Labor Democratic Club
Please join us at our Inaugural membership meeting! Our brand new Democratic Club “The San Diego Labor Democratic Club” is having its first meeting since receiving its official charter at the Central Committee meeting. Our club shall focus on developing and maintaining a strong voice for working families within the Democratic Party. Food and Beverages shall be provided!!! Please spread the word!
April 10
M&M Conf Launching Event:
A Talk by Dr. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian
Monday, April 10, 3:30pm
Price Center
9500 Gilman Drive (UCSD)
For More Information
Hosted by Militarism and Migration Conference 2017
Dr. Shalhoub-Kevorkian is a Palestinian feminist activist and director of the Gender Studies Program at Mada al-Carmel, the Arab Center for Applied Social Research in Haifa. She currently serves as the Lawrence D. Biele Chai in Law at the Faculty of Law Institute of Crimonology and the School of Social Work and Public Welfare at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is the author of two books, Militarization and Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones in the Middle East: The Palestinian Case Study and Security Theology, Surveillance and the Politics of Fear.
Violence is central to the logic of militarism and settler colonialism. Enacted in the daily acts of harassment perpetrated by soldiers, police, settlers, and security personnel, much of the violence occurs routinely and in a mundane manner. By building on voices of Palestinians who live and witness settler colonial regimes, the presentation will analyze the intimacies of surveillance, and reveal how geo-politics, bio-politics and necropolitics are inscribed over those who live at the limits of justice. Their voices reveal the amazing ability of people to resist dispossession, and maintain closeness and togetherness under an industry of fearing the Other. Framed around the urgency of the present moment, the presentation will challenge the notion that militarism, and settler colonialism can be underwritten by human rights laws. Law under militarism and colonial racism is a sword rather than a shield, a tool of colonial oppression and militarization and/as dispossession. The talk will conclude by showing the amazing power to resist oppression.
National Events
– Sat. 4/15: San Diego Tax March
– Sat. 4/22: March For Science
– Sat. 4/29: People’s Climate March
Other Stuff to Do
Join the ACLU’s People Power: People Power is, at its core, a grassroots member-mobilization project. Through People Power, the ACLU will engage volunteers across the country to take action when Trump or his administration attempt to enact unconstitutional policies or trample on people’s constitutional rights. By mobilizing in defense of our civil liberties, volunteers will build local communities that affirm our American values of respect, equality, and solidarity.
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 40 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.
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.
You can now 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.
Doug Porter
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San Diego public schools : stop laying off teachers and staff in favor of toxic crap artificial turf fields for the sports industry… low grades for you low grade administrators…F yourselves.