Credit: Wikimedia
Advocates for traditional political parties all-too-often have a vested interest in convincing the public the next election is going to change the way things are. It’s understandable, I suppose, for them to want to keep the attention and donor dollars focused on their mission.
The reality is that elections don’t mean squat without other forms of political expression. Rallies, protests, educational events, letter writing, and plain ol’ organizing are what drive the electoral process. Voting –especially in the primaries– ultimately amounts to a bargaining session, where we’re asked to make choices somewhere between what’s desired and what’s doable.
I’ve noticed over the years the choices get better as the political noise gets louder.
Anybody who reads this column regularly knows I do my best to beat the drum about elections and voting smart. With the primaries past us, I believe the task at hand for activists is to set the scene for the fall elections. Just bitching about –or paying too much attention to– the orange buffoon currently residing in the White House does not cut it.
This means acting, educating, and raising awareness about the real-life impacts of Republican rule is the order of the day. The Knights of the political realm tolerate Trump’s foolishness only because it is accompanied by the grinding down of the social contract forged over the past century.
Resistance to the reactionary assault on healthcare is one such issue.
The $800 million in rescissions identified by the administration to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, along with billions on the chopping block for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are coming before the Congress this summer.
The Justice Department has come up with a scheme to end the Affordable Care Act once and for all by simply refusing to defend challenges to its provisions in court. They are now saying the individual mandate part of the law is unconstitutional since Congress has eliminated the penalty for not signing up.
The beauty of this approach for Trumpsters is that it will take a while–at least until after the midterm elections–to play out in court. No GOP Congresscritters will get harmed in the making of this healthcare disaster, and they won’t have to go through the motions of creating a “replacement.” And a near majority of voters are not aware of the elimination of mandate enforcement.
Democratic and Independent voters consistently tell pollsters healthcare is a crucial issue. So opposing the Trump administration’s actions, along with discourse about expanding Medicare (at a minimum) is a must going into the fall.
The defining issues for Republicans headed into the fall revolve around racism and fear.
The time is past for arguing about definitions (of course they’re racists). The horrors surrounding the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda need to spur action in the schools, the churches, and the streets of our nation. Runaway bigotry, whether it’s coming from agents of the government or random deplorables must be exposed and opposed.
The arguments against these policies (and others) need to have a moral tone. People, not profits, need to come first. Trickle down is just being pissed on. The health of the economy should be judged on how well those on the bottom of our social order are faring. We need to talk about “us.”
So get active. Let’s frame the fall’s conversations in such a manner as to make progressive electoral victories possible.
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.
June 8
Faith Leaders Pledge to Stand with Immigrants at Chicano Park
Friday, June 8, 4pm
Chicano Park, Barrio Logan
Hosted by San Diego Organizing Project
Surrounded by the brilliant murals of Chicano Park, hundreds of people of faith will gather to pray and support immigrant families. Local clergy and DACA recipients will stand on the steps of a colorful gazebo, sharing stories of how immigration policy affects their lives and communities in Barrio Logan.
San Diego Organizing Project says all people in our community deserve to live free from fear – including our immigrant brothers and sisters. The local faith community stands in solidarity to offer hope and support to keep families together in the face of inhumane deportation.
Sierra Club Film Night “I Am Another You (2017)
Friday, June 8, 6:30pm
8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #101
When Chinese filmmaker Nanfu Wang (recipient of the 2016 Peabody Award for her film Hooligan Sparrow) first came to America, Florida seemed like an exotic frontier full of theme parks, prehistoric swamp creatures and sunburned denizens. As she travels across the country from one city to another, she encounters a charismatic young drifter named Dylan. Fascinated by his rejection of society’s rules and unsure of his past, Nanfu follows Dylan with her camera on a journey that spans years, takes her across America, and leads her to explore the meaning of freedom and to discover something that calls her entire worldview into question. The Hollywood Reporter describes this film as “cinematic poetry”. More info: Jean Costa (619) 463-0721
June 9
20th Annual CMPP Conference: ¡Mujeres Resistiendo!
Saturday, 9, 10am
567 South 28th Street
For More Information
Hosted by Unión del Barrio
The Chicano Mexicano Prison Project, a project of Union del Barrio is proud to host its 20th Annual Conference on Prisons and Colonialism. This year’s conference will focus on the increasing rate of women in our community being locked up and the struggle of women against the Prison Industrial Complex. For these reasons, our 20th Annual Conference will have as its central theme Mujeres Resistiendo en las Calles y la Torcida.
Over the past two decades for the prison population in general and for the Raza/Chican@ Mexican@ community. These attacks on our community are the latest in the war on Raza that have intensified under the fascist Trump Administration. This year’s conference will highlight the locking down of Raza women and the heroic struggle of muxeres en in our community and behind bars for liberation. We must expose the system’s war on our community and its attacks on Raza, Oppressed, and Working class women and build a movement that can fight for liberation and for a future without exploitation and without repression.
Juneteenth
Saturday, June 9, 11am
SEIU Local 221
4004 Kearny Mesa Road
For More Information
Hosted by SEIU Local 221
Keynote Speaker Gwen Thompson-Chamberlain was born in Meridian, Miss., and later moved to San Diego. She participated in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement in Meridian. She and her siblings were students in the infamous “Freedom Schools” and their experiences are part of “Freedom Summer” history.
June 10
Rally to Support Otay Mesa Detainees-No Family Separation!
Sunday, June 10, 9am
Otay Mesa Detention Center
7488 Calzada De La Fuente
For More Information
Hosted by Cosecha Los Angeles and Pueblo Sin Fronteras
Come to support the dozens of prisoners in the for-profit Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, who are organizing to demand an end to abuse at the hands of private prison corporation CoreCivic and an end to the separation of migrant children from their parents!
Vengan para apoyar las docenas de detenidos en la cárcel migrante de Otay Mesa en San Diego, quienes están organizando para exigir que pare el abuso de la corporación carcelaria CoreCivic y que pare la separación de niños migrantes de sus papás!
Read the letter from 37 Otay detainees, published on Thursday, here: https://www.facebook.com/PuebloSF/posts/2183506608342695
Read the statement from 2 parents detained in Otay and a parent whose partner is detained in Otay, all of whom had their children taken from them by immigration police, here: https://www.facebook.com/PuebloSF/posts/2184636708229685
SD County Indivisible Peace Keepers Host Our Next Meeting!
Sunday, June 10, 2pm
Malcolm X Library
5148 Market Street
For More Information
Hosted by Racial Justice Coalition of San Diego
San Diego County Indivisible Peace Keepers are a group of about 30 people. They are known in San Diego for their very professional peace interventions of which are and not limited to de-escalation techniques.
June 13
San Diego County Budget Hearing
Wednesday, June 13, 8:45am
County Administration Building
1600 Pacific Highway
For More Information
Hosted by Invest in San Diego Families
After more than a thousand people came to testify about our County’s budget last year, we are starting to see the first signs of change and more community investment.
We can’t stop now.
Take Action for Police Accountability!
Wednesday, June 13, 2pm
San Diego City Hall- City Council Chambers
202 West C Street
For More Information
Hosted by Reform the Community Review Board on Police Practices
The Commission on Police Practices City Charter Amendment has been presented to the City Council Rules Committee in April. The committee members have asked that Police Chief Nisleit & the Police Officers Association come to the June 13th meeting in order to hear their side. We will be back in force with signs and signing up to speak during public comment. We need YOU to help turn out the numbers because we know the police department will.
Court Hearing for Jessica McElfresh
Wednesday, June 13, 9am
San Diego Superior Court- Dept 2004
1100 Union Street
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Americans for Safe Access
A Note From Jessica:
The next hearing in my case will be on June 13 before Judge So. We will primarily be discussing discovery issues, particularly the prosecution’s claim that various documents from the City of San Diego that we have subpoenaed are subject to investigatory privilege. We continue to seek all of the discovery we are entitled to in a timely manner. Attendance if possible is much appreciated. As a reminder, the preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 23, 2018 before Judge So in Department 2004.
June 14
Shore Stories: Protecting Our Coast From New Offshore Drilling
Thursday, July 14, 5:30pm
Vista Public Library
700 Eucalyptus Avenue
For More Information
A Presentation by Brady Bradshaw. In 2016, Oceana and their allies won an important victory by protecting nearly every coastline in the U.S. from new drilling. Now, years of testimony, scientific data, community organizing, and opposition from local, state, and federal elected officials is in jeopardy. We face a new era of difficulty under new proposals for drilling, but we know how to win and we know we must win, if we are to protect our coastal ecology, economy, and even national defense. Join the North County Climate Change Alliance and Oceana for a short film screening, an issue presentation by Campaign Organizer Brady Bradshaw, Q&A, and a call to action that anyone can take part in. Brady graduated from UNC Wilmington with Honors in Marine Biology while managing several campaigns with UNCW ECO.
Before joining Oceana in August 2017, Brady founded and directed a nonprofit organization called Ocean Defense.
Community Education Forum
Thursday, June 14, 5:30pm
Wilson Middle School
3838 Orange Avenue
For More Information
Hosted by AFT Guild Local 1931 and San Diego Education Association
Join us for an important discussion with Professor Gordon Lafer regarding a new In The Public Interest (inthepublicinterest.org) report that quantifies – for the first time – the cost of charter school expansion on public schools in California.
The report, Breaking Point: The cost of Charter Schools for Public School Districts, calculates the fiscal impact of charter schools on San Diego Unified School District, Oakland Unified School District, and San Jose’s East Side Union High School District.
There will be light refreshments available at the event.
The Year of the Woman (?) An Original Sketch Comedy
Thursday, June 14, 7:30pm
Women’s Museum of California
2730 Historic Decatur Road (Liberty Station)
For More Information (Tickets)
Hosted by Black Kat Theatre and Women’s Museum of California
Black Kat’s latest sketch comedy is all about the ladies. Join us a for a comical look at some of the biggest issues facing women today. We’ll be covering everything from the pay gap to gender stereotypes, healthcare, the workplace and much more. Familiar faces from the past and present will guide you through this unique and hilarious look at womanhood.
Book Release “Ocean Beach Where Land and Water Meet”
Thursday, June 14, 7pm
Ocean Beach Green Center
4843 Voltaire Street
For More Information
The Ocean Beach Green Center is honored to host author, historian, and activist, Kathy Blavatt who will present her new book. She will focus on the importance of what makes Ocean Beach special, and how water is such an important part of our history. She will talk about the chapters on Local Color and the Greening of Ocean Beach. She will also show many rarely seen O.B. photos. Books will be available at the event. Part of the proceeds will go to the Ocean Beach Green Center.
June 16
Stand Up for Lolita- San Diego
Saturday, June 16, 10am
Mission Beach at Belmont Park
For More Information
Please join the Until Lolita is Home campaign in raising awareness about Lolita the orcas’ cruel life in captivity. Education is the key to ending the demand for keeping cetaceans in captivity. 16 simultaneous rallies will be held worldwide in June 2018 to share Lolita’s story.
We are happy to announce we will have the talented author Debbie Bailey joining us with her ORCAsome anti-captivity children’s books and to recite her ORCAsome poem for Lolita. There is also the possibility that the ORCAsome Marty of OrcaBall may join us and an exciting tentative from the very talented Jeffrey Bloom and Sandra Herrera, of Blossom & Bloom, to attend and play live music from his CD “Spirit of the Islands” from Blue Dolphin Alliance, original recording is Liquid Space on Blackfish Records. As well as the epic Peggy Oki with her ‘Letters For Lolita’ campaign. :)
Meet us at the south end of the Belmont Park Boardwalk, on the grass area, for some ORCAsome Advocacy for Lolita and all captives!!
June 17
Rally to Oppose New SDG&E Pipeline!
Sunday, June 17, Noon
Mission Trails Park (Santee)
East Fortuna Equestrian Staging Area
For More Information
Hosted by SanDiego350
The pipeline would run from Rainbow to Mira Mesa, possibly right through Mission Trails, and would cost ratepayers $600M. The pipeline is unnecessary, unsafe, and would commit us to new fossil fuel infrastructure when we should be investing in clean energy and renewable energy jobs.
Directions: https://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=&source=embed&q=32.846625%2C-117.029836
We’ll have great speakers (including Steve Houlihan, Santee Councilmember and Tara Kelly, Sullivan Solar), a participatory skit, and anti-pipeline chants. It is Father’s Day – but what better way for dads and families to turn out to protect the planet for their kids?
Save the Date
Families Belong Together March San Diego
June 23, 10am, Location TBA
To separate immigrant families, victims of violence, hunger and poverty, is to re-violate them. Children as young as 18 months are torn from their mother’s arms by the U.S. government. This is violent abuse. These families are victimized again by the government to which they turn for help. Families Belong Together opposes the inhumane policies of the Trump Administration, Border Patrol, and I.C.E. and calls for immediate reform.
Call to Action if Trump Fires Mueller
March for Truth—an organization that is working with dozens of advocacy groups to organize rapid response protests has partnered with MoveOn.org, Public Citizen, Indivisible and many others to prepare emergency ‘Nobody is Above the Law‘ rallies that will happen directly following the firing of the special counsel should it occur. There are already events in 800+ cities and communities scheduled across the country—more than 300,000 people are prepared to take to the streets.
By firing Mueller or Rosenstein, the president would trigger a full-fledged constitutional crisis by asserting that he is above the law. The hours following the firing will determine whether he is proved right.
Local Rallies Starting Today at 5pm & Continuing Daily Thereafter
Bring Pots and Pans – Make Noise
Call to Action if Trump Fires Mueller
US District Court Southern District of California
330 West Broadway (Downtown)
Nobody is Above the Law Rally
Westfield North County Mall (Escondido)
Nobody is Above the Law Rally
Collier Park (Ramona)
Nobody is Above the Law Rally
Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall
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 Indivisible. 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.
Get Out the Vote is a Political Action Committee already working to educate voters about all three of these candidates as part of the Vote for Justice Campaign. They’re looking for volunteers to help with phone banking.
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
Doug Porter
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R I G H T O N!!!
Dear CA-50, There is NO time to lose! Be creative, determined, loud & proud for what is right. We’ve come far, charge ahead full force and we will win.
Hunter Out! Gatherer (Campa-Najjar) In!
Any SDFP readers that want to rally monthly at strategic east county sites and register voters, please contact me at luchando@live.com