Progressive Activist Calendar for San Diego May 27 – June 5
By Doug Porter
There are numerous self-appointed investigators plugging away at unraveling the Trump-Russia connections. Hardly a day goes by without Twitter blowing up for an hour or two about impending indictments, grand juries, and the juicy piece of evidence that will bring down the House of Trump.
Whether or not these folks are well-intentioned remains to be seen. The suggestion has been made that Louise Mensch is in fact a right-wing troll trying to play the left for fools. Mensch has listed dozens of people who’ve displeased her as Russian agents.
I know from being a reporter in Washington DC during the Watergate years about the fatal flaw of many conspiracy theorists: the desire for attention and fame at the heart of their ‘investigations’ inevitably leads to bigger and bolder semi-truths morphing into outright lies.
I follow just about all these people on Twitter, mostly because even a broken clock tells the right time twice a day. They’re right in sensing something rotten in the White House; they’re wrong when they invent anonymous sources to validate their speculation.
One person with some real credentials is John Schindler, a former National Security Agency analyst and counterintelligence officer. He’s an unabashed cold warrior/hawk/ terrorism/fearmonger who’s published four books and taught at the Naval War College. He also fell from fame following a scandal involving an emailed picture of his private parts and boasts about declaring war on the enemies of the National Security Agency following gthe Snowden revelations.
His columns for the New York Observer (owned by Jared Kushner, but currently in a blind trust) are a pipeline into the opinions of old boy networks in the intelligence community. Suffice it to say that any conversation I could ever have with him about foreign policy wouldn’t turn out well.
Schindler’s most recent column recounts a town hall staged for employees of the National Security Agency: (emphasis mine)
This week’s town hall event, which was broadcast to agency facilities worldwide, was therefore met with surprise and anticipation by the NSA workforce, and Rogers did not disappoint. I have spoken with several NSA officials who witnessed the director’s talk and I’m reporting their firsthand accounts, which corroborate each other, on condition of anonymity.
In his town hall talk, Rogers reportedly admitted that President Trump asked him to discredit the FBI and James Comey, which the admiral flatly refused to do. As Rogers explained, he informed the commander in chief, “I know you won’t like it, but I have to tell what I have seen”—a probable reference to specific intelligence establishing collusion between the Kremlin and Team Trump.
Rogers then added that such SIGINT exists, and it is damning. He stated, “There is no question that we [meaning NSA] have evidence of election involvement and questionable contacts with the Russians.” Although Rogers did not cite the specific intelligence he was referring to, agency officials with direct knowledge have informed me that DIRNSA was obviously referring to a series of SIGINT reports from 2016 based on intercepts of communications between known Russian intelligence officials and key members of Trump’s campaign, in which they discussed methods of damaging Hillary Clinton.
NSA employees walked out of the town hall impressed by the director’s forthright discussion of his interactions with the Trump administration, particularly with how Rogers insisted that he had no desire to “politicize” the situation beyond what the president has already done. America’s spies are unaccustomed to playing partisan politics as Trump has apparently asked them to do, and it appears that the White House’s ham-fisted effort to get NSA to attack the FBI and its credibility was a serious mistake.
THIS is why we need a March for Truth. This sort of information will never come to light unless the American people unceasingly put pressure on Congress to demand answers. Resistance is about persistence and there remains a lot of work to be done.
So what will you do? Check out this week’s Progressive Calendar listings below. Following those listings are upcoming events of national importance, along with opportunities for organizational involvement and a few reading suggestions.
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.
May 27
Beyond Borders and Walls
Saturday, May 27, 4pm
Centro Cultural de La Raza
2004 Park Boulevard (Balboa Park)
For More Information (Tickets)
This public symposium explores the impact of border walls and mobility restrictions on communities, societies and the environment around the world. It features panel discussions with leading border studies scholars and local community organizations, and ends with a closing reception for the photography exhibition, Up Against the Wall.
Speakers include: Debbie Kang (History/CSUSM), Tom Wong (Political Science/UCSD), Jane Lilly Lopez (Sociology/ UCSD), Ricardo Dominguez (Visual Arts/ UCSD), Rebecca Maria Goldschmidt (Las Fotos Project), Alejandro Martinez (Borderclick), Jesus Mendez (Southern Border Communities Coalition), Christian Ramirez (Alliance San Diego), Flo Razowsky (Up Against the Wall)
Resistance Volunteers Meeting at Border X Brewing
Saturday, May 27, 7pm
Border X Brewing
2181 Logan Avenue (Barrio Logan)
For More Information
Join us for a casual meeting where we can share concerns and ideas to resist the current administration. We should all be concerned with what is coming out of Washington D.C. right now and we need to come together and share those concerns.
We must also look for ways to counteract and resist what is happening. Issues of concern: the Border Wall, the Muslim Ban, the Russian interference / investigation, the conflicts of interest issues, the unfair treatment of Native Americans and other minorities, there are lots of topics to discuss and hopefully everyone who is passionate about these topics can take an hour and stop by to meet others with the same passion.
Government 101 and Beyond.
(We must get educated and fast!)
Saturday, May 27, 1pm
2251 Catalina Avenue (Vista)
For More Information
Hosted by Our Revolution North County San Diego
Key workshop points: Learn about federal, state and local government organization, which levels to contact, and how to most effectively influence decision makers at each level. Let’s get educated and re-educated about how our government works and how best to have our voices heard in these crazy times.
Michael Byron has a Ph.D. in Political Science from UC, Irvine. He teaches all aspects of Political Science and Political Economy in local colleges in San Diego. He also ran against Darrell Issa in the 49th Congressional District. Mike lives in Oceanside, CA with his wife Ramona. We feel fortunate to have him teaching!
May 28
Democratic State of Play Moving into 2018
Sunday, May 28, 4pm
Point Loma Assembly
3035 Talbot Street (Point Loma)
For More Information
Hosted by Point Loma Democratic Club
Dr. Cody Petterson will discuss the current state of play within the San Diego County Democratic Party and describe a progressive path to victory throughout the County in 2018. His talk will begin with an overview of the results of the California Democratic Party’s 2017 Convention. He will then discuss the lingering effects of the 2016 Democratic Primary and continue with a brief description of the current San Diego Democratic political environment, including the current split in the county Labor movement and the ongoing conflict on the City Council. After a brief review of the local races that are likely to draw the Party’s attention in 2018, Dr. Petterson will detail some of the ways in which the local progressive movement is working to revitalize the Party and insure strong, populist progressive victories across the county in 2018.
Guard B-Q: Shove it in your mouth!
Sunday, May 28, Noon
The Loft
3610 Fifth Avenue (Hillcrest)
For More Information
Hosted by Sisters Conclave 2017 and The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
On the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend: a fundraiser you can really sink your teeth into! The Guards of The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will be staffing the grill over at The Loft to prepare great grilled goodies, all to benefit The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Vegan Burgers, and Chicken Kabobs: all at $5.00 each. Or, try our “meatier” selections: a Guard Double Burger, the foot-long “Isaac Weiner,” or the extra special “Greek Active Zilla Cock-Bob” for only $7.00. Many surprises . . . and, yes, the Sisters will be there! It will be a blast!
Film “Ramallah Concert: Knowledge is the Beginning”
Sunday, May 28, 1pm
Rancho Bernardo Library
17110 Bernardo Center Drive
For More Information
Hosted by Jewish Voice for Peace
This is the first of two documentary films starring Daniel Barenboim with young Arab and Israeli musicians exploring peace and understanding through music.
May 29
Disarm Hate:
A Musical Response to Gun Violence
Monday, May 29, 4pm
St. Andrews By The Sea Episcopal PreSchool
1050 Thomas Avenue (Pacific Beach)
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Pro Arte Voices
The San Diego Pro Arte Voices performs newly commissioned works written in response to the gun violence epidemic in the U.S. Members of the Brady Campaign and local officials will be guest speakers in between pieces.
Composers commissioned for the project:Justin Murphy-Mancini, Shawn Kirchner, Scot Hanna-Weir, Tony Maglione, William Culverhouse, Gregory W Brown,
Hometown Arlington West Memorial
Monday, May 29, 8am (All Day)
In front of USS Midway Museum
910 N. Harbor Drive (Downtown)
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Veterans for Peace
Chapter veterans from all five services will be honoring our 300+ fallen brothers and sisters from Southern California who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with special memorial markers. The public is asked to stop by, read their names, honor the ultimate sacrifice made by these local fallen veterans, and to reflect on the overall costs of these two ongoing wars.
May 30
Oceanside City Council District Public Hearing
Tuesday, May 30, 6pm
Oceanside Public Library
330 N Coast Hwy (Oceanside)
For More Information
On May 3, 2017, the Oceanside City Council adopted a resolution to begin the process to transition to district elections. Boundary lines for districts will be drawn and adopted in a public and transparent process. The City will hold four public hearings before the City Council and five community meetings over the next ninety days. It is anticipated that beginning November 6, 2018, City Council members will be elected “by district” instead of from across the city. This means that those who run for City Council will need to live in the district where they seek election. The Mayor’s seat will continue to be elected at-large and will not occur until the 2020 election.
District Boundary Election Maps (Vista)
Tuesday, May 30, 6pm
City of Vista
200 Civic Center Dr
Vista Civic Center to review proposed boundary maps for district elections. The public can draw a map – submit it at DrawVista.org. More information: CityofVista.com.
Action at the San Diego Unified
Education Center to Stop Teacher Layoffs!
Tuesday, May 30, 4:15pm
4100 Normal St., San Diego
For More Information
We need your help to STOP teacher layoffs in San Diego! The San Diego School Board is moving forward with devastating cuts to our schools that will lay off more than 400 local teachers. This shortsighted action is completely unnecessary and absolutely unacceptable!
Teacher layoffs shortchange our kids, increase class sizes and put quality education at risk. NOW is the time for the School Board to hear from us!
Issa Resistance Rally
Tuesday, May 30, 10am
1800 Thibodo Road #310 (Vista)
For More Information
Every week hundreds of constitutents demonstrate at Congressman Darrell Issa’s Vista office to make their voices heard.
We will be pressing the Congressman’s office on the town hall, and asking why certain voters were given exclusive access, while others have to wait to get tickets. What is Issa hiding? Issa town hall will be on Saturday, June 3rd at 9AM (show up at 8)
Democracy relies on civic engagement. People have power, and we are stronger together. Join us! Bring your signs, friends, and energy!
Spring Constitution Uncorked:
Free ACLU Members’ Cocktail Party!
Tuesday, May 30, 6pm
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
Liberty Station (Point Loma)
For More Information (Tickets)
Hosted by ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties
We have challenging times ahead of us. We will need to draw on your moral and financial support in these years to come as we stand up, together, for freedom and justice. Join or renew your membership today and then join us at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station on Tuesday, May 30 for Constitution Uncorked — San Diego ACLU’s free membership cocktail party. Meet fellow card carrying members who share your passion for equality and justice.
If you want to become a member of the ACLU and join the party, sign up for just $35, or $10 for student/low-income memberships. 21 & up for this event, please.
Drinking Liberally San Diego, Third Gathering
Tuesday, May 30, 6pm
Tiger! Tiger!
3025 El Cajon Boulevard
For More Information
We are looking forward to discussion and organization on national as well as local politics and have planned to bring resources for making posters for our upcoming protests.
Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally provides left-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. San Diego Chapter.
You don’t need to be a policy expert and this isn’t a book club – just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustrations and hang out in an environment where it is not taboo to talk politics.
May 31
Climate Chat:
Can California Lead the Way on Climate Change?
Wednesday, May 31, 6:30pm
First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego
4190 Front Street (Hillcrest)
For More Information
Hosted by SanDiego350 (Tickets)
Diane Takvorian will be the speaker for this interesting discussion on California’s ambitious Climate Action Plan, carbon pricing, and environmental justice.
Diane is a member of the CA Air Resources Board (ARB) as well as Executive Director of the Environmental Health Coalition (EHC). Under her leadership, EHC has been a leader in advocating environmental justice in San Diego. Participants will learn about CA’s Climate Action Plan and ARB’s proposed update, which is designed to reduce California’s GHG emissions by 50% by 2030. Diane will explain the benefits of carbon pricing and evaluate the current cap and trade program. She will highlight equitable solutions for renewable energy and transit that benefit all communities.
Intersectional Resistance in the 9-5 Life:
CGS at Digital Gym
Wednesday, May 31, 7pm
Digital Gym Cinema
2921 El Cajon Boulevard
For More Information (Registration)
Community Series Event at the Digital Gym by UCSD’s Critical Gender Studies! How do you take your intersectional resistance frameworks into your 9-5pm life/workplace?
We have a panel of former Critical Gender Studies scholars who are now working in multiple fields who will share their experiences and learnings about what it means to work through an intersectional framework in various work environments when sometimes the workplace might work directly against them!
*Ezak Marquez, Clinical Counseling Graduate Student
*Hyejin Shim, based in the Bay Area and currently works as a queer/trans survivor advocate at Asian Women’s Shelter, which is dedicated to supporting survivors from immigrant and refugee communities. She is a founding member and organizer of the queer/trans workgroup (QYUL) in KACEDA (Korean American Coalition to End Domestic Abuse), and is also a co-founder/organizer of Survived and Punished, a group organizing against the criminalization of gender violence survivors.
*Sam Jung, queer son of immigrant Korean parents, and former community youth organizer who recently graduated from the urban studies and planning department at MIT. Sam completed a CGS thesis examining the abjection of asian american men from US society based on their failure to perform up to standards of white heteronormative masculinity. Sam is also an aquarius with a libra moon sign.
*Patrick Chen, Lincoln High School, San Diego School Counselor
Happy Warriors Social Mixer (SDID)
Wednesday, May 31, 5pm
Tiger! Tiger!
3025 El Cajon Boulevard
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Indivisible – Downtown
Want to socialize with various Indivisible groups or just find out about our group in a more informal setting? Come hang out on Tiger Tiger’s back patio with us on Wednesday night!
June 1
BlackLivesMatter in the Trump Era:
by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
CANCELLED FOLLOWING THREATS FROM FOX NEWS VIEWERS
Thursday, June 1, 6pm
UCSD Atkinson Hall
For More Information (Tickets)
Hosted by UC San Diego Division of Arts & Humanities
This event will feature guest speaker Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Assistant Professor in African American Studies at Princeton University, and author of the book “From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation”. Taylor will lecture on the subject of the book, which surveys the historical and contemporary ravages of racism and persistent structural inequality, including mass incarceration, housing discrimination, police violence, and unemployment. The lecture will be followed by a question and answer session, and reception where copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Plant the Seed
Thursday, June 1, 7pm
Bread and Salt
1955 Julian Avenue (Barrio Logan)
For More Information
Join us for an inspirational evening introducing Terra Cultura, in support of its mission to cultivate resilient communities empowered through education and collaboration in agroecology, sustainable living and the arts.
The event will feature entertainment by Erin Bower and The Gold Souls, refreshments, and a lively discussion with special guests about the intersections or agriculture, art and community.
June 2
Screening of Documentary ’13th’ with Rev. Meghan
Friday, June 2, 6:30pm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito
1036 Solana Drive (Solana Beach)
For More Information (RSVP)
“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.”
Please join Rev. Meghan in Palmer Library for a screening of this important documentary, followed by a discussion about the film.
June 3
March for Truth – San Diego
March for Truth – North County
Saturday, June 3, 11am
Mission Bay Visitors Center
For More Information – San Diego
Westfield North County Mall
For More Information – North County
Every day we learn more about the role Russian state-led hacking and information warfare played in the 2016 election, and there are crucial unanswered questions about the relationship between the Russian state and Donald Trump, his associates and his campaign. The legitimacy of the United States government hinges on the answers to these questions. If the President was elected even in part due to collusion with a foreign effort to interfere in our democratic process, then the will of the people has been subverted.
ISSA Town Hall
Saturday, June 3, 9am
San Juan Hills High School Theater
29211 Stallion Ridge (San Juan Capistrano)
By the time you are reading this, it’s likely too late to register for for Issa’s exclusive “Town Hall,” but you can try here at eventbrite.
I suspect there will be a few folks protesting, even if he did schedule it for the same date as the March for Truth.
Moms Demand Action Orange Walk
Saturday, June 3, 9am
Tidelands Park (Coronado)
For More Information
Hosted by Moms Demand Action San Diego and San Diego Gun Violence Prevention Coalition
Please join us in honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Day for our Moms Demand Action Wear Orange event. This is a non-partisan, nationwide movement to honor the victims and survivors of gun violence in America. We will gather on the grass in Tidelands Park with a short rally, and then will walk along the San Diego bay.
Stand With Planned Parenthood [June]
Saturday, June 3, 8am
Planned Parenthood Offices
2017 First Avenue (Bankers Hill)
For More Information
Come out and support Planned Parenthood on the first Saturday of the month! Come out and bring your friends! We had great success so let’s continue and make it stronger!!
June 4
Meet the Candidate Series with Mike Levin
Sunday, June 4, 12:30pm
Harding Community Center
3096 Harding St (Carlsbad)
Tickets
Together We Will North County is inviting you to be part of our Meet the Candidate series to hear Congressional Candidate Mike Levin share his campaign positions. He is one of two democratic candidates working to flip the 49th district. Join us to learn more about Mike!
Important!!!! Space is limited. Please RSVP. Suggested Donations of $5.00 to help pay for the venue. Once you RSVP, we will send you an email to submit questions you are interested in asking.
Photo by kimberlykv
San Diego Free Press
(Fifth Birthday!)
On June 4, 2012, the San Diego Free Press published its first edition. Look for stories all week long from contributors about progressive citizen journalism in America’s Finest Plantation City
June 5
Do The Right Thing, Jack
We Go to Trial on June 5th
Monday, June 5, 8:45am
San Diego Superior Court
220 West Broadway (Downtown)
For More Information
We’ll be back in SD Superior Court on our original complaint against the city and Jack in the Box on June 5th. Our goal: a court order that the drive-thru window was improperly allowed and must be closed. We are in a stronger position now than at any other point in the history of our fight!
*The original judge’s decision was overturned unanimously by the three-member appellate court. The appellate court admonished both the city and the trial court and ordered our case back to trial.
*The city continues to fail to provide the permit for the project as it existed on May 2, 2012. This was a major component of the appellate court’s decision in our favor.
*The original judge who was dismissive of our effort has retired and we are now before a new judge coming to this issue fresh off the appellate court’s remand.
We need YOU to be there on Monday, June 5th, 9 a.m., to help present a strong show of community support to the new presiding judge.
Upcoming Big Demonstration
The Equality March: San Diego
Sunday, June 11, 10am
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 60 groups locally, 8000+ nationally. All the cool kids are doing it. (Really!)
San Diego Democratic Party Calendar Includes business meetings, chartered club meetings, voter registration events, election information, holidays, and other events of interest to Democrats.
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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.
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Doug Porter
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