Weekly WAG
IN THIS ISSUE
What MVCAN Did This Week
Upcoming Events
Weekly Action Items
Action Team Reports
WHAT MVCAN DID THIS WEEK
MVCAN's Electoral Team phone banked for Democrat James Thompson in the Apr. 11 U.S. House Special Election in Kansas. This was the first national test of Trump's electoral strength. Thompson lost by only 7%, as a first-time candidate in one of the reddest districts in the U.S. (which Trump won by 27%), with no money or party support. Before the election, political site 538 wrote, "The KS District 4 result should worry the national GOP if (the Republican candidate) wins by any margin less than 20 points."
12 MVCAN members, many from the Civil Rights Team, attended a Train the Trainer meeting, sponsored by Canal Alliance, to train in advocacy for immigrants' rights. Photo below.
3 MVCAN Members are set to travel to Georgia to canvass for Jon Ossoff for Georgia's 6th House District. The election is Apr. 18. You can participate in 1 of 2 upcoming phone banks for Ossoff. See Electoral Team Report, below.
MVCAN Members made/wrote 100s of phone calls/ letters to advocate for CA Senate Bill 54, the "Sanctuary State Bill". Please see Civil Rights/Immigration Team for more info and continued actions regarding this bill.
UPCOMING EVENTS
FEATURED EVENT: MVCAN FUNDRAISER FOR KIMBERLY ELLIS
We are entering the home stretch leading up to our big event supporting Kimberly Ellis for CA Democratic Party Chair. This is a big deal for MVCAN because it’s our first foray into state politics to support a candidate. We’re relying on our membership to show this wonderful young candidate how much we appreciate her efforts to reform and revitalize the CA Democratic Party along progressive principles, such as Medicare for all and pay equity for women, while opposing for-profit prisons and fracking. She is the “real deal,” and you owe it to yourself to meet Kimberly and listen to her innovative ideas. Tuesday • April 18 • 7-9 PM • Seager Gray Gallery • 108 Throckmorton Ave • Mill Valley. Space is limited and filling fast. Click here to register. Or use this link: http://bit.ly/KEfndrsr
To learn more about Kimberly’s plans for a more dynamic and inclusive Democratic Party, go to: https://voteforkimberly.com/new-path-forward/
Kimberly Ellis
MORE FEATURED EVENTS
**TAX DAY RALLY AND MARCH Sat. Apr. 15, 1-4 pm, San Francisco. MVCAN will participate in a rally and march to demand that Donald Trump release his tax returns. The MVCAN bus is sold out! The bus will leave Mill Valley Middle School at 12:45pm on Sat. Apr. 15, and drop off at Civic Center to join the rally/march, and pick up at 5pm at the end of the march at Ferry Plaza to return to Mill Valley Middle School. MVCAN Members will meet at Civic Center at the corner of Larkin and McAllister at 2:00 pm. Look for the vertical MVCAN banners. Call Bernard Catalinotto (301-717-1077) to find us.
Contact Bernard Catalinotto (bernardcatalinotto@gmail.com) or Susan Bolle (swbolle@gmail.com) if you're interested in joining the MVCAN contingent. Rally/March details:
1:00 pm: Civic Center Plaza opens to the general public and organizations to gather. 2:00 pm: Tax March Rally in front of City Hall. Special guests include David Cay Johnston and the Trump Chicken! 3:00 pm: March down Market Street to Justin Herman Plaza.
**MARCH FOR SCIENCE Sat. Apr. 22, 11am-1:30 pm, San Francisco. Celebrates public discovery, understanding, and distribution of scientific knowledge as crucial to the freedom, success, health, and safety of life on this planet. Contact Jennifer Tomkins (jennifers.tomkins@gmail.com) or Lisa Ristorucci (lisaristorucci@gmail.com) if you're interested in carpooling or joining the MVCAN contingent. Rally/March details:
11am: Rally with invited speakers at Justin Herman Plaza. 12:30 pm: March down Market Street to Civic Center Plaza. 1:30 pm: Fair to celebrate science in Civic Center Plaza.
**PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MOBILIZATION Sat. Apr 29. Calling all environmentalists! Put Sat 4/29 in your calendar and join MVCAN for a day of marching and rallying at the Marin People’s Climate March. Meet us on the steps of City Hall in San Rafael at 11am. If you’d like to be a volunteer on the day of, please email Lisa Ristorucci (lisaristorucci@gmail.com)
to become an MVCAN Eco-Warrior for the day!MVCAN is sponsoring the
portion of the march from San Rafael City Hall to the San Anselmo Hub. Contact Lisa Ristorucci (lisaristorucci@gmail.com) for more info.
OTHER EVENTS
MVCAN EVENT – CALL & COFFEE Note new day and time Fri. Apr. 14, 9-10:30 am. Come make calls together to key elected Congressional officials and other decision makers on time-critical issues. (Note: these are not voter phone banks.) Sign up if you would like to get more comfortable calling elected representatives and want to discuss scripts and calling techniques. No experience necessary; we will train you. Bring a laptop and cell phone. Please be sure to RSVP by Thurs. Apr.13 (email preferred), if you can make it. Host: June Cooperman (juneellenc@aol.com) for exact address. 415-389-1306.
SIGNS OF HOPE ART & ACTIVISM SHOW Fri. Apr. 14, Opening 5-8 pm. Exhibit runs through Apr. 29. Art Works Downtown, 1337 4th St., San Rafael. MVCAN supports this community art and activism show of political posters from local protests, including multiple protest signs made by MVCAN members. Contact Angelique Benicio (btweenmargins@yahoo.com) for more info or to volunteer.
*MVCAN's Celeste Perry will be a guest on Radio KGO 810 Fri. Apr. 14, 8:30-9 pm, talking about Signs of Hope and MVCAN. Listen to KGO 810 AM or Stream here: http://www.kgoradio.com/pat-thurston/
PHONE BANK FOR JON OSSOFF WITH JARED HUFFMAN AND MARIN DEMOCRATS Sat. Apr. 15, 9:30am-12:30pm, San Rafael Community Center, 618 B St., San Rafael. RSVP to marindems@gmail.com. Bring your charged cell phone and laptop, iPad or tablet.
MILL VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mon. Apr. 17, 6:30 pm, Mill Valley City Hall, 26 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. The Mill Valley City Council will be considering a draft resolution, "Confirming the City's Commitment to Community; Building and Small Town Character Qualities of Respect, Tolerance, Service, Compassion and Protection". Please attend to show support for MVCAN's position and offer public comments. See Civil Rights/Immigration Team, below, for more details.
WHITE LIKE ME DOCUMENTARY by Tim Wise Mon. Apr. 17, special film event to promote dialogue about race in Marin. Rafael Theatre. 6:00 pm Reception, 7:00 pm Screening, 8:15 pm Director Q&A. More info: http://maringrassroots.org/tim-wise-in-marin.html
MARCH FOR SCIENCE POSTER MAKING Thurs. Apr. 20, 6:30–9:30pm, Studio 64, 64 Louise St, San Rafael. A hands-on art party supporting the March for Science, co-hosted by MVCAN Health Care Team. Please contact Fran (fh@halperinandchrist.com) if you are interested in attending.
COMMUNITY MEETING ABOUT MARIN SEA LEVEL RISE Tues. Apr. 25, 7-9 pm, Mill Valley Community Center. Hosted by Marin Supervisor Kate Sears. Info here: http://www.marincounty.org/main/marin-sea-level-rise
MILL VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mon. May 1, 6:30 pm, Mill Valley City Hall, 26 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. Calling all MVCAN members who live in Mill Valley! Please attend the Mill Valley City Council meeting on Monday 5/1 and tell the City Council that it’s time Mill Valley becomes a 100% Clean Energy city. Sausalito, Tiburon, San Anselmo and Fairfax have all gone Deep Green, now it’s our time to join the list!
MAY DAY MARCH AND RALLY Mon. May 1, 2:30-6 pm. Gather at Court Street Plaza, San Rafael. March to Canal for Fiesta. Hosted by United Marin Rising. Info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1597666943580820/
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE Mon. May 29, 10:30 am-noon, Mill Valley. MVCAN seeks someone to help organize our parade contingent. Contact Laura Boles (boles9552@gmail.com) to volunteeer.
SAVE THE DATE! Our next MVCAN monthly meeting is Sunday, May 7, 3:30 pm, Tam Valley Community Center. More details to come!
WEEKLY ACTION ITEMS
ACTION 1:
As Gloria Steinem eloquently expressed, “Sometimes we must put our bodies where our beliefs are.” This week we would like you to commit to attending 1 of the 4 major events listed above (See Upcoming Events, above, for details.)
- Kimberly Ellis Fundraiser Tues. Apr. 18
- Tax Day March and Rally Sat. Apr. 15
- March for Science Sat. Apr. 22
- People's Climate Mobilization Sat. Apr. 29
Why is it important to participate in marches? Marches can recruit and inspire. They can change the zeitgeist, move public opinion, and sway politicians. Marches can create indelible images in the public’s mind and convince politicians and the press of the participants’ passion and enthusiasm for a cause. Please participate by signing up, or just showing up. In addition, marches are fun!
ACTION 2:
Help oppose the tidal wave of destruction coming towards the EPA. Do not let Trump callously sweep away decades of hard-won protections of our air, land, and water. Call your California representatives to protest now.
Trump's budget proposal would eviscerate the Environmental Protection Agency's funding by 31%, eliminating 3,200 jobs, 50 programs, and $100 million in funding for climate change programs. In addition, the proposal would eliminate the Department of Energy's funding for renewable energy, non-polluting vehicle research, and numerous other critical programs. Don’t let the Republicans wreak destruction upon the environment and steal away America’s bright future in renewable energy and sustainability.
What to Do – Action 2
Call or write your California Senators and Representative.
Suggested Script
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
I'm calling in opposition to Trump's proposed budget cuts to the EPA and other programs that fight climate change and promote renewable energy. Environmentally friendly policies will create new jobs in clean energy, and are critical to the health and safety of all Americans.
Thank you for your time and attention.
[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]
Dianne Feinstein (D) CA
DC Office---202-224-3841
SF---415-393-0707
LA--- 310-914-7300
San Diego--- 619-231-9712
Fresno--- 559-485-7430
email: https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, CA 94104
Kamala Harris (D) CA
DC Office---202-224-3553
Fresno---916-448-2787
SF---415-355-9041
LA---213-894-5000
San Diego---619-239-3884
email: https://www.harris.senate.gov/content/contact-senator
50 United Nations Plaza, Suite 5584
San Francisco, CA 94102
Jared Huffman (D) CA
DC Office --- 202 225-5161
San Rafael --- 415 258-9657
999 Fifth Ave. Suite 290
San Rafael, CA 94901
ACTION TEAM REPORTS
Civil Rights/Immigration
Monday, April 17, 6:30 pm, The Mill Valley City Council will be considering a draft resolution "Confirming the City's Commitment to Community; Building and Small Town Character Qualities of Respect, Tolerance, Service, Compassion and Protection". We need MVCAN members present to show our strength, as well as be willing to make public comment. The proposed resolution is very general (can be found under cityofmillvalley.org Mayor and City Council, April 17 meeting) . MVCAN would like to encourage the City Council to include the following language in the resolution that:
(1) limits the role of the MVPD in the enforcement of federal immigration laws by not entering into a 287(g) agreement with the federal government,
(2) refuses the use of local agency resources to create a federal registry based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or national origin,
(3) limits the collection of immigration-related information and ensures nondiscriminatory access to benefits and services.
The meeting begins at 6:30 pm at 26 Corte Madera Ave (next to MV Market). The resolution is #8 on the agenda. Come meet at Peet's Coffee at 6:15 so we can have a brief discussion before the meeting.
Many members from the team participated in the excellent Train the Trainers Program at Dominican College to become Immigrant Rights Advocates. (See photo, above.)
SB 54 has passed in in the CA Senate, and had its first reading in the State Assembly. This bill prohibits state and local officers (including officers of
schools and hospitals) from using local resources to investigate,
interrogate, detain or arrest persons for immigration enforcement. Please help support this bill by calling Speaker Rendon and Marin County Supervisors.
Speaker of the California Assembly Anthony Rendon
Sacramento Office: 916-319-2063 or 562-529-3520.
Please tell him that you support passing SB 54 quickly without any amendments that affect the integrity of the bill.
The Marin County Board of Supervisors: 415-473-7331
Please call your supervisor to urge the Board to support SB 54, either by letter or resolution.
There are also opportunities to participate in tabling events at the Farmer's Market to target postcards to Speaker Rendon. If you are interested, please go to SantuaryMarin@gmail.com.
Please also see City Council Event, above.
Next team meeting Sun. Apr. 23, 4-5:30 pm Marin Horizon School, 305 Montford Ave., Room 201, Mill Valley. There will be a presentation by Immigration Attorney, Margaret Alden Moody, and excerpts from the video Why We Come, stories from Latino immigrants living in the Canal district. All are welcome! Contact Diane Goldman (dgold94941@aol.com) for more info.
Communications prepped for the many upcoming marches this April and began discussions about MVCAN’s participation in the Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29. Save that date, it’s sure to be fun!
Next team meeting No meeting this coming Saturday. We’re all heading to the Tax March in SF. Contact Ken Pontac (kpontac@hotmail.com) for more info about the Comms team.
Our strategy includes: [1] lobby our MOCs for an independent bipartisan investigation; [2] prepare a dossier that documents the case against Trump; [3] prepare an outline of a skit that illustrates an impeachment trial; [4] outreach to local playwrights, directors and actors to develop a product.
In that regard we are asking any MVCAN member with professional theater experience to advise us on this performance project. Please contact Gail Weiner, MFT at datewise@icloud.com.
We are also building a coalition of progressive organizations to join in by pressuring their MOCs.
Next team meeting Sat. Apr. 22, 10-11am. Mill Valley Community Center Manzanita Room. Contact Bernard Catalinotto (bernardcatalinotto@gmail.com) (301-717-1077) for more info. (Note: Many Dump Trump team members will meet on the bus to the SF Tax March on April 15. The bus is sold out but feel free to join us at the SF Civic Center, corner Larkin and McAllister, at 2pm. See Events, above.)
Eco Warriors: The Carbon Tax Committee is beginning to meet with legislators to help get a carbon fee passed in CA. Meanwhile, the Climate March Committee is busy planning the San Rafael leg of the Marin People’s Climate March (see Events, above). And the Community Outreach Committee has been getting more and more people to switch their energy bill to MCE’s Deep Green or PG&E’s Solar Choice program. We are also eager to hear from 350Marin’s Climate Diet Team who will be presenting at the Eco Warriors' April 25th meeting.
The Eco-Warriors ask you to please sign this important petition to save ocean wildlife! Tell Coca-Cola to switch to edible six-pack rings by signing here.
Next team meeting Tues. Apr. 25, 7-8:30 pm, Mill Valley Water Treatment Plant, 450 Sycamore Ave. Mill Valley. Contact Lisa Ristorucci (lisaristorucci@gmail.com) for more info and Join the MVCAN Eco Warriors Facebook page!
Education is exploring Prop. 13 reform, as it relates to CA education funding and analyzing Trump’s education budget and the multiple strategies (Federal and State level) necessary to resist and oppose. Team members are attending the Labor Rising Against Trump: Emergency California Education Conference at U.C. Berkeley on Sat. Apr. 15.
The Electoral team spent the past few weeks phone banking for the Kansas Special Election (See What MVCAN Did This Week, Above.) and the Ossoff race. The team's focus now is to GOTV (Get Out the Vote) for Jon Ossoff in the Georgia 6th District "jungle" primary Tues. Apr. 18. If Jon doesn't garner 50% of the vote, the top 2 move on to the "run-off" June 20. The Electoral team will continue working for him through that date and also add the Special Election for South Carolina's 5th District house seat (Mulvaney's vacated seat.)
Next Phone Bank: Monday, April 17, 3-5:30pm at the Sausalito office. Please RSVP here: https://demaction.us/events/33606789813/
Please also phone bank for Ossoff with the Marin Dems this Saturday, April 15 from 9:30am-12:30pm at the B Street Community Center, 618 B St., San Rafael. RSVP to marindems@gmail.com Bring your charged cell phone and laptop, iPad or tablet.
Next team meeting At the Jon Ossoff Phone Bank, Mon. Apr. 17, 3-5:30 pm at the Sausalito office. (Note: Many Electoral team members will meet on the bus to the SF Tax March on April 15. The bus is sold out but feel free to join us at the SF Civic Center, corner Larkin and McAllister, at 2pm. See Events, above.)
Health Care is regrouping after the victory Mar. 17, when the repeal of the Affordable Care Act failed to come to a House vote. They know the dismantling of the ACA is not over. Health Care team members and their networks continue to watch Congress and the Health and Human Service Agency. The team is also focused on CA Senate Bill 562 for Single Payer Health Care, which will be the topic for their next meeting in May. In April, they are participating with MV CAN in the Apr. 22 March for Science in San Francisco. They need help making posters for the march Thurs. Apr. 20, and they need people to show up for the actual rally and march Sat. Apr. 22. See Events, above, for more details.
Next team meeting Sun. Apr. 23, 4 pm, 303 Enterprise Concourse, Mill Valley (very close to the Tam Valley Community Center). For questions, call Robin (415-233-0365). Contact Elyse Foster (fosterel22@gmail.com) for more info.
Women's Rights is surveying its group members to decide on priorities, which include further fundraising, marches, and supporting local proactive groups like clinics and/or young women's organizations. They are seeking a mentor for their Tam High members. They continue to follow the NARAL and Planned Parenthood sites for activism, and several members attended the recent Sweetwater PP fundraiser.
Next team meeting TBA. Contact Leigh Ann Townsend (townsendleighann@gmail.com) for more info.
NEW TO MVCAN?
Got a skill, talent and/or time? Put on your thinking cap and contact Laura Boles (boles9552@gmail.com) and let her know how you might be able to help our growing Resistance group.
Thank you photographer Elliot Karlan, for capturing our Apr. 2 monthly meeting. Click here to see more photos (CORRECTED LINK): http://www.elliotkarlanphotography.com/MVCAN-MONTHLY-MEETING-422017/
To see videos from the Apr. 2 meeting go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mvcan/videos/
Thank you for all you do!
– June, Bernard, Suz, Danny, Eileen and everyone at MVCAN
