It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.” – James Baldwin, No Name in the Street
Donald Trump could seek asylum in Moscow tomorrow, and the programs built on the legacy of hate he embodies would continue to advance.
There is a connection between the City of El Cajon’s schemes to starve out the homeless, County DA Summer Stephan’s blind eye toward law enforcement officers malfeasance, the resurrection of the war on crime nationally, and a ‘whites first’ immigration policy.
You know what upsets me the most about the shitstorm surrounding the use of the word shithole in the oval office? The fact that the word rather than the sentiment is the controversy.
This is about r.a.c.i.s.m, pure and simple, not some scatological reference. Those that can’t see it now, will never see it. Those advocating the policies and programs of this administration and the political party headed up by Trump are enabling racism. And misogyny. And inequality.
To eliminate Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Paul Ryan, and the policies they are pushing you’ve got to take them out by the roots. When it comes down to putting your anger and hurt into action the day after cathartic release (demonstrating, smashing your tv, etc.), those who enable these “leaders” are the way to go. Local elected officials who owe allegiance to the parties built on reactionary ideologies should step aside or be voted out.
Please do attend the Women’s March in downtown San Diego or at Palomar College on January 20th. The Food Not Bombs people are risking arrest by feeding the homeless in El Cajon on the 14th–they need your support. RSVP and show up for the County Supervisor Candidate forum that a Republican-leaning group would love to rig in favor of Bonnie Dumanis.
Trump spent last night phoning allies and friends, asking them how they thought the “shithole” remark was playing out in the press. One White House official referred to it as a “victory lap.”
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 12, 2018
At 7:06 am, Fox & Friends’ Brian Kilmeade said Trump “made a mistake” with the “shithole” comment and should “walk it back.”
At 7:28 am, Trump Tweeted that that was “not the language used.” pic.twitter.com/t1fr5RxHKJ
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) January 12, 2018
Check out this week’s Progressive 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. Club meetings will be listed IF there are speakers and they are open to the public.
Democratic Candidates: I will list all non-fundraising events open to the general public. A listing does not imply endorsement. 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.
January 12
Keep the Feds Off Our Meds Rally and Protest
Friday, January 12, Noon
Edward J Schwartz Federal Building
Broadway & Front Street (Downtown)
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Americans for Safe Access
In a memo, U.S. Attorney General, Jeff Sessions indicated he would victimize cannabis patients and cause public safety hazards by rolling back an Obama-era hands-off policy when it comes to state legal cannabis.
Now, Southern District of California U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman has said Sessions’ policy “returns trust and local control to federal prosecutors to enforce the Controlled Substance Act.”
The voters have spoken and cannabis is legal in California. Please join us in protesting this gross overstep outside of Braverman’s office at the Edward Schwartz Federal Building.
DACA NOW
Friday, January 12, 7pm
Camino de la Plaza (San Ysidro)
For More Information
Hosted by Dreams Without Borders/Suenos Sin Fronteras
Dreams Without Borders will begin a series of events at different high transit bridges throughout the San Diego County to advocate solidarity with DREAMers, AB540 Recipients, and the community at large that will benefit from an Immigration Reform.
2018 Enero Zapatista Art Reception
Friday, January 12, 6pm
Centro Cultural de La Raza
2004 Park Boulevard (Balboa Park)
For More Information
The opening reception will celebrate the work of contributing visual artists. Exhibition will run Jan 12, 2018 – Feb 3, 2018.
Sierra Club Film Night: The United States of ALEC: A Follow Up
Friday, January 12, 6:30pm
8304 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard #101
For More Information
Bill Moyers hosts this exposé of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a secretive organization whose members are state legislators, corporate representatives, and corporate lawyers and lobbying firms, but which claims to be a non-profit organization and a “non-partisan public-private partnership” whose mission is “educational”. They have met in cities across the country (including San Diego) to craft bills which are then introduced into state legislatures: bills to block climate change and renewable energy laws, to make it harder to vote, to privatize education, to do away with collective bargaining and living wage laws. Their ultimate goal is to shrink the role of government so that the private for-profit sector runs the country, and nothing remains of the public sector. Is this what “democracy” looks like?
January 13
Fighting Back Against the Trump/DeVos Education Agenda
Saturday, January 13, 8:30am
10393 San Diego Mission Road #100
For More Information (Tickets)
Hosted by Progress San Diego
Educate for the Future, in collaboration with the San Diego Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers Local 1931, invites you to participate in a day of powerful speakers, critical information, and awareness-building around the politics of education.
As President Trump and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos prepare an all-out assault on our nation’s public education system, it falls upon us–as students, parents, educators, activists, and elected officials–to inform ourselves and take responsibility for protecting our public institutions from further erosion and privatization.
Keynote Speaker, Jitu Brown (National Director of the Journey for Justice Alliance) will join Assemblymember Tony Thurmond, Norma Chavez-Peterson (ACLU), Dr. Kyra Greene (Center on Policy Initiatives), Dr. Gregg Robinson (San Diego County Board of Education, Ret.), Clare Crawford (In the Public Interest), Jesse Durfee (Democratic National Committee), and many other leaders of San Diego’s education community for a day of talks and panel discussions on the politics of privatization, San Diego’s vibrant public education system, and what we can do to protect, strengthen, and improve our public schools.
SB 562 Advocate Training
Saturday, January 13, 12:30pm
College-Rolando Public Library
6600 Montezuma Road
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by Health Care for All San Diego Chapter
Learn go-to talking points for SB 562 that will empower you to hold conversations about SB 562 The Healthy California Act.
Flip the 49th Neighbors in Action
Saturday, January 13, 3pm
5145 Avenida Encinitas
For More Information
Hosted by The Wagon Circle
Join The WC us as we organize around action to Flip the 49th. This is an all abled, diverse group of activists who will spend the next 5 months prior to the Primary election talking to neighbors in the Encinitas area to learn more about local issues and encourage voter turnout to Flip the 49th – #bluewave. Learn about upcoming walks and actions in our town and how anyone can participate in this effort.
Moms Demand Action 5 Yr Anniversary Peace Potluck and Bake Sale
Saturday, January 13, Noon
Mission Bay Park – Kite Field
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Gun Violence Prevention Coalition
Please join us for a fun afternoon at the park and a Peace Potluck and “Bake America Great” Bake Sale to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of Moms Demand Action. Stand together with your friends and neighbors and help us raise dough and awareness to support commonsense gun laws.
Please bring a potluck dish to share and/or an item for our bake sale. If you bring bake sale items, please wrap them individually. The bake sale will be donation-based with all money raised going to Moms Demand Action and Everytown.
Bring your friends and family- playground for the kids is right there too!
*Look for the red and white balloons!*
Escondido Democratic Club – January Meeting + Endorsements
Saturday, January 13, 10am
Park Avenue Community Center
210 East Park Avenue
For More Information
Join us for our first membership meeting of the year! Guests are also welcome.
Citizens for Real Term Limits
Saturday, January 13, 9:30am
Olivewood Club House
541 East 24th Street (National City)
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Labor-CouncilJoin the Citizens for Real Term Limits by petitioning and going door to door to support the initiative to protect term limits in National City and keep City Hall working for the people!
January 14
38th Annual MLK Day Parade
Sunday, January 14, 2pm
Harbor Drive (Embarcadero)
For More Information
Every year, thousands of community members march down the streets of downtown San Diego to honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr.
Break The Ban – Feeding The Homeless In El Cajon 2.0
Sunday, January 14, 3pm
Wells Park (El Cajon)
For More information
Hosted by Breaking Bread Project
El Cajon’s City Council voted 5-0 to ban feeding people who are homeless in El Cajon. It is now against the law. Please join us in a PEACEFUL act of defiance to this ban as we share food with people in Well’s Park. When a law is immoral, it must be rejected. Please share this event across your networks and invite all of your friends.
Please join us on Sunday, Jan 14th. as we set up and feed the Homeless in Wells Park in El Cajon.
This ban is a punitive measure under the guise of combatting the Hepatitis A outbreak. Hepatitis A is not spread by community and religious organizations feeding people, it is spread when the local government fails to provide adequate public bathrooms and hand-washing facilities for people.
MLK Day of Service
Sunday, January 14, 11am
Lafayette Hotel
2223 El Cajon Boulevard
For More Information
Hosted by HRC San Diego
Let’s come together as a community to serve LGBT homeless youth on MLK Day of Service. Taking place on Sunday, January 14, MLK Day of Service is a “day on, not a day off.” It is a way to transform Dr. King’s life and teachings into community action to help bring together people, strengthen communities, and meet national challenges.
Film: Knowledge Is the Beginning
Sunday, January 14, 2pm
First Unitarian Universalist Church, Common Room
4190 Front Street (Hillcrest)
Sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace San Diego and American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee
This film shows how Daniel Barenboim established the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra with the late Palestinian writer, Edward Said, to bring together young musicians from across the political divide in the Middle East. Their goal: a better future. Small group discussions during intermission will invite viewers to open new channels of communication between Jews and Arabs. Free.
January 15
Voter Restoration Democracy Act Signature Gathering w/ POPSD
Monday, January 15, Noon-3pm
Park Boulevard & B Street
For More Information
Hosted by People over Profits-SD
People Over Profits, San Diego is committed to gathering 5,000 signatures for the Voting Restoration & Democracy Act by April 2018 and you can help make that happen! To meet this goal, we will be organizing and meeting the people where they are.
Please join us at the King Day March to further our efforts to restore to all the civil right to vote! We will be meeting at 12pm to hand out petitions and clipboards (please bring any clipboards you have on hand), as well as to provide training and answer questions, if needed. Then we will engage with the marchers and get this groundbreaking initiative on the ballot! Stay 30 minutes, stay the whole march – it’s up to you!
Democratic Woman’s Club of San Diego County
Endorsements and Election of Officers
Monday, January 15, 7pm
Elijah’s Restaurant
7061 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard
For More Information
We kick off the new year with a jam-packed meeting and a slew of endorsements.
2018 will see a major correction to the way San Diego County is run, and it starts with your endorsement vote for candidates you’ve been getting to know at our meetings last year. Dr. Doreen Mattingly, Chair of the Endorsement Committee, will run this part of the meeting.
– 36th State Senate District – Marggie Castellano
– 76th State Assembly District – Michelle Cassel Gomez, Tasha Boerner Horvath, Elizabeth Warren
– San Diego County Assessor/Recorder Clerk – Matt Strabone
– San Diego County District Attorney – Geneviéve Jones-Wright
– San Diego County Sheriff – Dave Myers
– San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 4 – Nathan Fletcher, Ken Malbrough, Omar Passons, Lori Saldaña
– San Diego Superior Court Judge – Matt Brower
29th Martin Luther King Day Celebration
Monday, January 15, Noon-8pm
World Beat Center
2100 Park Boulevard (Balboa Park)
For More Information
Cultural Groups/Vegetarian Food/Free Event
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. King, both a Baptist minister and civil-rights activist, had a seismic impact on race relations in the United States, beginning in the mid-1950s. Among many efforts, King headed the SCLC. Through his activism, he played a pivotal role in ending the legal segregation of African-American citizens in the South and other areas of the nation, as well as the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, among several other honors. King was assassinated in April 1968, and continues to be remembered as one of the most lauded African-American leaders in history.
January 16
County Supervisor Dist. 4 Candidate Forum
Tuesday, January 16, 7:30pm
Andres Restuarant
1235 Morena Boulevard
For More Information
Hosted by Latino American Political Association of San Diego – LAPA
The Latino American Political Association of San Diego (LAPA) invites you to attend a candidate forum for the office of San Diego County Supervisor – District 4. The purpose of the forum is to provide an opportunity for LAPA members and the community to learn about their philosophy and approach to county governance so that an informed decision can be made when voting. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED and can ONLY be made by PHONE or EMAIL
EDS Note: The Republican-leaning group would like to stack the deck at this forum as they did with a similar event with the candidates for District Attorney. That’s why they posted the above text requiring an RSVP, but didn’t bother to post an email address or phone number for people to contact. So here’s what you need to know: To reserve your seat: delores.lapa@gmail.com / 760-749-6555
January 17
January Club Meeting and Chula Vista City Council Forum
Wednesday, January 17, 6:30pm
Elijah’s Restaurant
7061 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action
We’ll start 2018 with a candidate forum among the Democratic candidates running for city council in Chula Vista. Acting club president Fred Rogers will moderate the forum.
Our meetings are always free and open to the public, but only club members are permitted to submit questions for candidates. Questions will be submitted in writing only. Become a member at the meeting or join online at http://www.sdenvirodems.com/
Candidate Forum: Statewide Offices
Wednesday, January 17, 7pm
Sizzler
3755 Murphy Canyon Road
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Progressive Democratic Club
The San Diego County Progressive Democratic Club, the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), and Our Revolution are proud to present a forum for our state-wide elected offices!
Invited to join the discussion are the Democratic candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Insurance Commissioner (or representatives of their campaign). Let’s learn a little bit about our candidates for statewide office!
Imperial Beach Stands up to Trump’s Drilling Plans
Wednesday, January 17, 6pm
Imperial Beach City Hall
825 Imperial Beach Boulevard
For More Information
Hosted by Oceana Southern California
On January 17th, the City of Imperial Beach will pass a formal resolution opposing new drilling. The Trump administration just announced they plan to drill in Southern California. This will happen if we don’t stand up and unite to stop it.
Come out and support the City Council’s move to #ProtectOurCoast from new drilling, and wear BLUE.
Join the community in the fight for a clean coast. Let’s send a powerful message to our elected officials everywhere, in every city, that we need strong leadership to stop new drilling now.
Noche de Defensa y Resistencia
Wednesday, January 17, 6pm
2078 Logan Avenue
For More Information
Hosted by Unión del Barrio
The Trump administration is attacking our community and stripping us of our rights. The time is now to defend ourselves and fight on every level and in every place! This is why we must support the CALIFORNIA VOTING RESTORATION & DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2018 that gives voting rights to those who are in Jail and the Prison System!
Come and hear from Union del Barrio and People Over Profits about this new initiative and why we must support it to build the fight en defensa del pueblo!
January 18
Voting Restoration & Democracy Act Signature Gathering w/ POPSD
Thursday, January 18, 11am
San Diego State University
For More Information
Hosted by People over Profits-SD
People Over Profits San Diego is committed to gathering 5,000 signatures for the Voting Restoration & Democracy Act ballot initiative by April 2018. To meet this goal, we are organizing and meeting the people where they are.
Please join us for the next signature gathering event at SDSU, led by local SDSU students/ POPSD members Ivan Ocelotl & Charles Marks. We will be meeting at 10am to distribute petitions and clipboards and provide any additional training if needed. Come ready to engage with students and future changemakers and get this game-changing measure on the ballot!
Community Budget Alliance: Budget 101
Thursday, January 18, 5:30pm
Mid-City CAN
4305 University Avenue #640
For More Information (Tickets)
Hosted by Community Budget Alliance
Why does the budget matter? The budget is a set of priorities set by city staff, councilmembers and the mayor and is crucial to what gets built and what services you have access to in your neighborhood.
“Lack of funding” is a common reason that officials give for denying a request, so staying informed & advocating helps you keep and get valuable resources in your neighborhood.
Understanding what the budget is and how it is created helps you push for what your neighborhood needs. Learn how to make your project a priority and push for what your neighborhood needs.
January 19
Jane Elliott in San Diego – Brown Eyes or Blue Eyes?
Friday, January 19, 6pm
Lemon Grove Community Church
3122 Main Street
For More Information (Tickets)
Hosted by NAN San Diego & Imperial Counties
Welcome author & anti-racism activist Jane Elliot for our Martin Luther King 88th birthday celebration. In response to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Jane Elliott devised the controversial and startling, “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” exercise. This, now famous, exercise labels participants as inferior or superior based solely upon the color of their eyes and exposes them to the experience of being a minority. Everyone who is exposed to Jane Elliott’s work, be it through a lecture, workshop, or video, is dramatically affected by it.
January 20
Women’s March San Diego | Hear Our Vote 2018
Saturday, January 20, 10am
County Administration Building
1600 Pacific Highway
For More Information
Hosted by Women’s March San Diego
Links for Groups Meeting Up at the Women’s March
March with TWW San Diego!
March with the ACLU
Indivisible #BlueWave2018 at Women’s March San Diego
On January 20, 2018, we will unite in San Diego to reaffirm our commitment to building a positive and just future for all, and to celebrate the spirit of resistance efforts over the past year. This march is designed to engage and empower voters to support women’s rights, human rights, social and environmental justice, and to encourage participation in 2018 midterm elections.
The San Diego march will be one of many worldwide events honoring the movement that brought out 5 million marchers on January 21, 2017, in what is considered the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history.
The mission of Women’s March San Diego is to harness the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change. Women’s March San Diego is a women-led movement providing intersectional education and activism on a diverse range of issues. We create entry points for grassroots activists & organizers to engage in their local communities to dismantle systems of oppression.
We recognize that there is no true peace, freedom, or inclusion without equity for all. Our march will represent voices of resistance aligned with our Unity Principles – ending violence, reproductive rights, LGBTQIA rights, workers’ rights, civil rights, disability rights, immigrant rights, Indigenous people’s rights and environmental justice.
Women’s March North County San Diego 2018
Saturday, January 20, 10am
Palomar College
1140 West Mission Road (San Marcos)
For More Information
Hosted by North County San Diego Women In Solidarity
EVENT SCHEDULE:
10:00 AM: Gates open
11:00 AM: Opening statements
11:30 AM: March for 1.2 miles *Walk on the South side of W Mission Rd to San Marcos Middle School and then walk back on North side of the street to Palomar College.
12:45 – 1:45: Rally and speakers
LOGISTICS:
Take Sprinter to Palomar Station (preferred). By car, park in Palomar indicated lots (we will update as the lots are identified.) The event will be located at Parking Visitor/Staff Lots #1 & #2.
January 21
Canvassing at Hamilton Performances
Sunday, January 21, 2:30-6:30pm
San Diego Civic Theater
1100 Third Avenue
For More Information
Hosted by Health Care for All San Diego Chapter
We’ll be handing out flyers and talking with folks as they exit the matinee show, take a quick break, then canvass the people going in for the evening show. This is a HUGE opportunity to educate a lot of people on SB 562 and it is tons of fun.
Training for Hamilton Canvassing will be held on January 13th. Follow link for info.
January New Member Orientation
Sunday, January 21, 3pm
UNITE HERE Local 30
2436 Market Street
For More Information
Hosted by Democratic Socialists of America – San Diego
Welcome to DSA-San Diego! Come join us at 3pm to learn about our organization, democratic socialism, and the work we do in the greater San Diego community.
Meet members of our Steering Committee and sign up to get involved in our active Working Groups. If you like what you see after the orientation, stay for the general meeting that goes on from 4-6pm.
Join us for New Member Orientation if you are brand new or if you have been around for a while and want to get more involved in the chapter.
January 22
TWW & Escondido Indivisible Monthly Meeting
Monday, January 22, 6pm
Chalice Unitarian Universalist Church
2324 Miller Avenue (Escondido)
For More Information
It’s January and we are ready to turn our district and our city of Escondido BLUE! We will have speakers running for local office, snacks, and information on how YOU can get involved. It’s up to us in 2018. From 6:00 – 6:30 is our snack/social time. Bring an appetizer if you wish.
We meet the 4th Monday of each month at Chalice Church.
Save the Date
Call to Action if Trump Fires Mueller
5pm the Day It Happens & Thereafter
US District Court Southern District of California
330 West Broadway (Downtown)
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. All the cool kids are doing it. (Really!)
Run For Something:Learn more about running for office
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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