IN THIS ISSUE
Getting Rid of Nazis
Netroots Nation
Immigration Actions
Charlottesville Vigil
Upcoming Phone Banks
Affordable Housing
An Inconvenient Sequel
ACTIONS TO TAKE
1. GET NAZIS OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE: ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO.
2. SUMMER OF LOVE PERMITS WERE DENIED AS ’TOO DANGEROUS.’ TELL THE PARK SERVICE TO DENY PERMIT FOR NAZI RALLY
Image courtesy of Resist SF
The National Park Service official channel for commenting on Crissy Field proposed permits is apparently jammed. But there are other ways to tell the NPS to say no to Nazis.
According to Fabrice Florin, “Both KQED and SFGate cite Golden Gate National Recreation Area Acting Director Cicely Muldoon, who said in a statement Wednesday that a final determination on the permit would be made by the end of next week, one day before the planned Aug. 26 rally.
“So it sounds like they are rethinking and soliciting comments until the last minute, before making a final decision. From that standpoint, it makes sense to keep emailing them until they reach the decision to cancel.”
Thanks to Resist SF - here are a bunch of other ways to communicate with the NPS in San Francisco.
ACTION: Call or email these National Park Service officials and ask them to to revoke their permit because racism and hate speech which incites violence must not have a platform in our public parks ... especially as Summer of Love permits were denied as "too dangerous."
George Durgerian, Special Events & Beach Fires
Melinda Moses, Large Events north of Golden Gate Bridge
Katie Beltrano, Outdoor Ceremonies, Small Picnics
REPORT FROM NETROOTS NATION
Last week June Cooperman and Larry Litvak attended the 3 day convention, Netroots Nation 2017 in Atlanta. More than 2,500 progressive activists from around the country were there to learn about current issues and electoral campaigns and to share tools and practices.
Elizabeth Warren Addresses Netroot Nation
Some take-home lessons from June:
The Movement is big, with lots of local and national groups and coalitions seeing an unprecedented number of volunteers. This Movement is effectively using information and social media. What we are experiencing in Mill Valley CAN is just a microcosm of this big picture, with the focus on "It's about taking back power!" There will be lots of opportunities for us in the coming year.
Elections count: National and state elections and local ones like DA races, too. All over the country dynamic progressive candidates are running for state and local level office. Some have already been elected. Many attended Netroots Nation.
The right strategy and tactics matter. Taking back power at all levels requires careful planning, working across issues, and with partners. Pressure on elected officials works!
Bold, progressive candidates and solutions can and have succeeded, even in purple areas. We need to go beyond Trump reistance, and put forward a powerful, appealing agenda.
MVCAN STILL PRESSURING ICE ON HUGO
MVCAN members hanging in there for Hugo at the West Marin ICE detention center
A prison door rally last Sunday demanded freedom for Hugo Mejia, a San Rafael father being held under threat of deportation. The long-time San Rafael resident has been held for months in Oak Grove, CA, locked in a facility similar to the Richmond prison where Saturday's rally took place. Hugo's plea for amnesty has been denied, but appeals are underway to prevent his being deported to Mexico where he has not lived in decades. More than 75 people turned out on Sunday for the rally at the West County Detention Center, including Hugo's wife Yadira and his daughter. Nine supporters of MVCan’s Immigration and Civil Rights team participated in the event (pictured).
Those wishing to help are asked to make calls, donate money and send letters--even if you've previously done so. Call San Francisco ICE Field Director David Jennings directly at
415-844-5503. A script and instructions are available
here.
120 PEOPLE SHOW UP FOR CHARLOTTESVILLE VIGIL AT THE DEPOT PLAZA
Vigil on Sunday, August 13 in downtown Mill Valley for the victims of white supremacist violence in Charlottesville
Sunday morning after the mayhem in Charlottesville, we decided to stay local and have a vigil in downtown Mill Valley. On a few hours notice, 120 people showed up at the Depot Plaza! Many of them were new to MVCAN. A lot of people got an opportunity to speak—from a kid with a skateboard to an old man with a cane to someone who grew up in Charlottesville and went to UVA. People had a hard time believing what was happening. But people seemed to agree that, given the lessons of history, this is not a problem any of us can afford to ignore.
PLANS FOR PROTEST RALLIES ON AUG 26
There has been a lot of discussion on our Facebook page about what is the correct response to white supremacists storming into SF to incite violence. Hopefully the Park Service will just shut it down. But if it somehow is allowed to happen, everybody should be aware that MVCAN engages only in peaceful protest. There are a number of peaceful events planned for SF that day.
The preferred overall strategy for dealing with these groups is to cut off their air supply--deny them opportunities for media coverage, cut off their internet channels, expose them to their friends, families, employers and law enforcement, subject them to ridicule, put their leaders out of work, get them genetically tested to reveal evidence of non-white heritage, etc. Better to win by making them look silly than by putting lives at risk.
As we get closer to August 26th, we will advise on more specifics.
REMEMBER CHARLOTTESVILLE: PHONE BANK FOR VIRGINIA STATE HOUSE
We all saw shocking images this past weekend of heavily armed Nazis in Charlottesville. Virginia has open carry laws, which they took advantage of by carrying semi-automatic weapons! These are state laws and this is why our efforts to affect the vote in Virginia this fall has huge implications for that state and all of us in the country. This is why the Electoral Group is focusing on the Virginia state elections this fall.
Please join the Electoral Team this Saturday for our Personal Story Workshop, Saturday 8/19 from 10:30am-1pm at our office in Sausalito. You will learn how to craft your own personal story which will help you talk to voters authentically about issues that matter to them-- and be more effective calling and canvassing.
Please RSVP at the link below. Once you register, you will receive more details/directions:
MVCAN PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN DRIVING THE MARIN LEADERSHIP NETWORK
There are over twenty groups in Marin County that are focused on progressive issues and resisting the Trump agenda. MVCAN has been the driving force in organizing the leaders of these groups into the Marin Leaders Network (MLN). The MLN meets frequently and is comprised of the leaders of all the groups. Its goal is to communicate, cooperate and collaborate to work efficiently toward our common goals.
The primary objective of MLN is to take back Congress in the 2018 Mid-Term election. Some MLN members include Swing Left, Sister District, Democracy Action Marin, OFA, and several Indivisible groups, among others. MVCAN members Susan Bolle and Bill Jansen are on the five person MLN Steering Committee. At the August 9th MLN meeting, Linda Herman from Swing Left briefed members on the upcoming September 9th “Rock the Congress” event at College of Marin, which is the northern California kickoff for the electoral campaign to take back Congress in 2018.
Leaders of groups from all over northern California will be invited to attend and participate. This is the first of several such events over the months leading up to the November, 2018 elections.
MILL VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MAKES BELIEVE IT’S DOING SOMETHING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
After years of lobbying the Mill Valley City Council to take serious action on affordable housing, the Council made its big move at a meeting this week attended by many MVCAN members. The decision was to go ahead with a one percent fee on all new construction and remodels over $100,000. The money will go into an affordable housing fund which will generate a whopping $500,000 a year. The council has no plan for what the money will be used for.
According the the story in the
Marin IJ, "Residents said that more is needed to be done, with several calling the ordinance a Band-Aid for a much larger housing problem. Dennis Klein, [MVCAN member and] chairman of a citizens’ affordable housing advocacy group, said the city needs to be looking at 100 percent affordable housing options."
YOU ARE INVITED! A SPECIAL SCREENING OF "AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL"
The incredibly dynamic teen activist org that keeps making things happen, Generation: Our Climate is at it again! They are hosting a special showing of An Inconvenient Sequel at Mill Valley's Sequoia Theatre, Tues. August 22nd at 7:00pm. The film will end its public showing this weekend so Tuesday is your last chance to see this important film. High school and Middle School students can attend free. They invite all parents, neighbors and community members concerned about our climate or our children's future. An important carbon-reduction campaign will be announced in which everyone can participate. See this important movie, and help Generation: Our Climate launch this impactful student-led campaign that will make for a better future. RSVP to
generationourclimate@gmail.com.
ACTION TEAMS
Much of MVCAN's work is done in one of 10 action teams. Click the team name to read their latest news and find their next meeting.
Civil Rights/Immigration battles for justice and fair treatment of women, immigrants, working people and followers of all faiths. Read more.
Communications works on strategy, branding, messaging and program development for MVCAN. They are looking for bright ideas and people who want to make them happen. Read more.
Dump Trump's 25 active team members work on ways to remove Trump from power, with special focus on Russia collusion. This topic is hot! Read more.
Eco Warriors are engaged in change at the local, state and national levels, to impact the CA carbon tax, climate change, and community outreach and action. Read more.
The Economic Action team is here to answer the question: “Where can my money make the biggest difference?” They are focused on finding high leverage “investment opportunities” in the emerging Resistance movement. The team's recommendations will spotlight organizations that are laying the groundwork now for electoral victories in 2018 congressional races. Read more.
Education will be working on a series of salons to discuss critical education issues with MVCAN members. We anticipate these will begin in the fall. Read more.
Electoral works to elect candidates for the 2017 state house and governor races, and other targeted races from now through the mid-term elections, following the recommendations of the flippable.org team, who are analyzing and selecting winnable races. The Electoral team uses phone banks and travel to targeted districts to talk with voters through phone calls and door-to-door canvassing, voter registration, and campaign volunteering.
Note: The Electoral Team is hosting training Aug. 19: Developing Your Personal Story to authentically connect with voters. Read more.
Health Care is regrouping after the failure of the repeal/replace of ACA. Read more.
Tech supports MVCAN through technology.
Read more.
Women's Rights fundraises and canvasses for NARAL and Planned Parenthood; supports women in public office(s); and engages in local, state and federal legislation for women's protection and rights.
Read more.
NEW TO MVCAN?
Attend the MONTHLY MEETING SUN., September 10, to learn how to get involved! Exact time and location to be announced.
Visit
MVCAN.org to learn about the organization and strategies, join a team, read past MVCAN newsletters, and gain helpful Resistance tools.
Help wanted! MVCAN seeks volunteers with web and video skills; people to table at public events, and people to welcome new members. In a few hours a week, you can make a huge difference! Interested? Contact Volunteer Coordinator
Laura Boles.
Thank you for all you do!
– June, Bernard, Suz, Danny, Eileen, and everyone at MVCAN
Please note: The Wag will be published occasionally through the summer. Continue to look for Action Alerts from MVCAN.
See
MVCAN’s website
