Immigration Protests: The Whole World is Watching | Progressive Activist Calendar June 22-July 2, 2018
Please wear a yellow ribbon to stand in solidarity with the families. Parents whose children have been taken from them wear yellow bracelets while in detention, to be identified Image Credit: Pixabay
Protests Set for Three Cities in San Diego County As Trump's Psychosis Continues
The Trump administration's policies on immigration have fired up local activists, with protests set for Escondido, San Ysidro, and downtown San Diego this weekend.
I signed a very good executive order yesterday, but that's only limited. No matter how you cut it, it leads to separation, ultimately." — Donald Trump, June 21, 2018
Another round of demonstrations is in the works for next weekend, coinciding with actions in over 400 cities being organized by Move-On. See calendar further down in the story for details.
And while a substantial part of the U.S. looks on in horror at the cruelty and chaos within the administration, the rest of the world is taking notice.
From the Washington Post:
Leaders from London to Ottawa to Tehran described the separations as unjust and cruel. In pointed comments before lawmakers in Parliament, British Prime Minister Theresa May described photos she had seen of children "being held in what appear to be cages."
"This is wrong," she said. "This is not something we agree with."
The pope, who has placed the issues facing migrants at the center of his papacy, also stepped into the issue, saying in an interview with the Reuters news agency that he agreed with statements by U.S. Catholic bishops, who called the separations "immoral" and "contrary to our Catholic values." He added that "populism" and "creating psychosis" are not the way to resolve migration problems.
Doug Sanders, writing in the Globe and Mail, points to crime statistics showing immigrants – including illegal immigrants and refugees from Latin America – have considerably lower rates of criminality, including violent crime, than Americans do.
To be clear: There is no immigration crisis in 2018. Not in the United States, not in Europe, not in Canada.
"It is not a migration emergency – it's a political emergency," William Lacy Swing, the American director-general of the International Organization for Migration, said this week. The IOM's 8,400 staff monitor the movement of people around the world, and while they've identified plenty of challenges, there aren't any overwhelming or unmanageable movements of people this year. "The overwhelming majority of migration is taking place in a regular, safe and orderly fashion," he said.
"There is a very serious problem of communication, but what we're seeing is that the numbers are pretty modest," said Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The OECD, which advises 34 countries (including the United States and Canada) on immigration policy, this week released its annual report on migration levels in OECD countries. It showed a fall in numbers to ordinary, non-crisis levels.
Refugees International marked World Refugee Day by issuing a report card giving the Trump administration an "F" on performance concerning refugee and humanitarian protections.
We have evaluated the Trump administration in six critical areas, involving performance both at home in the United States and overseas. Regrettably, as described in detail in the sections that follow, the Trump administration has received an overall failing grade for its policies and performance.
Unfortunately, over the past 17 months, the Trump administration has weakened U.S. domestic refugee law and humanitarian policy significantly. This of course includes the inhumane separation of families seeking asylum at the southwest border of the United States. But there are many other examples of this erosion of basic protection principles, including the dramatic weakening of the U.S. political asylum process generally, the crippling of the U.S. Refugee Admissions program, and the disregard of humanitarian imperatives in the application of Temporary Protected Status. In humanitarian activities overseas, President Trump has sought to roll back U.S. leadership in financial support for lifesaving assistance based on need, imposed policies that adversely impact women and girls, and failed to assert leadership in efforts to end conflicts that continue to inflict horrific humanitarian suffering
As the President's push to get an immigration bill out of Congress failed, he pivoted again to blaming Democrats, saying stories about immigrant detention were "phony."
From Reuters:
As Republicans in Congress struggled to reach consensus on immigration legislation, the White House has grappled with fierce criticism in recent weeks over the policy that has separated more than 2,300 children from their families.
Despite his concession on Wednesday, Trump suggested on Friday that some of the wrenching tales that have emerged from the border were fabricated by Democrats, tweeting, "We cannot allow our Country to be overrun by illegal immigrants as the Democrats tell their phony stories of sadness and grief, hoping it will help them in the elections."
Following the president's order to keep families together in detention during immigration proceedings, it remained unclear how and when those children would be reunited with their parents, and where families would be held while the parents face criminal charges.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration's allies in the media continue to suggest immigrants are somehow less than human:
.@kilmeade on children who have been split from their parents as a result of Trump administration policy: "Like it or not, these are not our kids. Show them compassion, but it's not like he's doing this to the people of Idaho or Texas. These are people from another country."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar)
This isn't television. This is history.
So get active. Let's protest. And let's frame the fall's conversations in such a manner as to make progressive electoral victories possible.
When refuting Trump's lies, use the "shit sandwich" method. Never repeat the lie first:
- State the truth without mentioning the lie – "The sky is blue"
- Say the lie is untrue – "Saying the sky is red is untrue"
- Give the context for the truth – "Blue light waves are shorter than others and are scattered by air molecules as they enter the atmosphere."
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.
A couple of favors, por favor. Facebook no longer allows us to advertise this calendar because it's considered "political" content. (Well, duh. At least we're not making stuff up.) So please "share" the Activist Calendar. Often. And gang, please feel free to copy this info for your newsletters. BUT it sure would be nice if you'd acknowledge where it came from. This thing is a lot of work to put together. Thanks.
June 22
Sen. Kamala Harris to Demand that Trump Stop Separating Families
Friday, June 22, 11am
Otay Mesa Detention Center
7488 Calzada de la Fuente
For More Information
Hosted by ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties
Join us to protest the cruel Trump administration policies that dehumanize and criminalize migrants to justify tearing their families apart. Your voice can make a difference now.
The Trump administration is misusing the power of our federal government to terrorize thousands of migrant families and children in an ill-conceived effort to deter people from Latin American countries from coming to the United States. It is a cruel, immoral and unworkable immigration strategy; and it is contrary to our values as Californians and Americans.
US Senator Kamala Harris will visit the Otay Mesa Detention Facility to see firsthand the impacts of the administration's implementation of President Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration policies, including the widely condemned child-family separation policy that was temporarily suspended by executive order.
Join the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties and Senator Harris as we kick off a series of local demonstrations against the Trump administration's anti-immigrant policies. Senator Harris has been an outspoken critic of family separation and needs our help to bring a permanent end to this appalling abuse of power.
Keep Families Together Nurse-In
Friday, June 22, 3pm Edward J Schwartz Federal Court House
For More Information
A peaceful nurse-in protest. We condemn our government's inhumane policy of tearing children from their parents as they seek asylum. We condemn the brutal separation of a mother from her 4-month-old infant as she nursed.
We stand in solidarity with migrant parents who have risked everything to flee violence and give their children the hope of a brighter future. We demand the passage of Senator Feinstein's bill S.3036 and an end to family separation.
Interfaith Prayer Service and Call to Action
Friday, June 22, 7pm Our Lady of Mount Carmel
2020 Alaquinas Drive (San Ysidro)
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Organizing Project and PICO California
This week's executive order was designed to silence the moral outrage following this administration's policy of stealing children from their parents. Persons fleeing violence should be able to seek safe refuge in this country, and we will fight to make this ideal a reality. At least 2,300 children remain unaccounted for, and we need to know where those children are, and a date when they'll be returned to their parents.
We will not be fooled or easily appeased. Children belong with their families in communities, not in detention camps. The only way to truly make this right is to reunite all children who were separated from their parents at the border with their mothers and fathers and place them in our communities, not in cages.
PICO California and our partners are organizing a series of prayer vigils, actions, and demonstrations along the U.S./Mexico border near where families are being separated from Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24.
June 23
Let Our Children Go! Statewide Action to End Family Separation
Saturday, June 23, 10am – All Day Our Lady of Mount Carmel
2020 Alaquinas Drive (San Ysidro)
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Organizing Project and PICO California
This week's executive order was designed to silence the moral outrage following this administration's policy of stealing children from their parents. Persons fleeing violence should be able to seek safe refuge in this country, and we will fight to make this ideal a reality. At least 2,300 children remain unaccounted for, and we need to know where those children are, and a date when they'll be returned to their parents.
We will not be fooled or easily appeased. Children belong with their families in communities, not in detention camps. The only way to truly make this right is to reunite all children who were separated from their parents at the border with their mothers and fathers and place them in our communities, not in cages.
Families Belong Together March San Diego
Saturday, June 23, 10am San Diego Civic Center
202 West C Street
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Indivisible
Families Belong Together opposes the cruel, inhumane and unjustified separation of children from their parents along the U.S. border with Mexico and at other ports of entry into the U.S. We protest the conditions in which these children are kept. We protest the irreversible trauma that has already been perpetrated on these children and their parents for the crime of seeking a better life.
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.
- Live Music begins at 9am
- At 10am Speakers from activist groups & border community organizations, ACLU, childcare professionals, local clergy will speak Live music & indigenous ceremonial dancers will set the tone
- Sidewalk chalk activity for children to draw their families & messages to keep families together (yes we confirmed "chalking" is legal)
- There will be various outreach tables with organizations to connect to and many opportunities for you to get involved and take action!!
- March to Start at 11:15
Wearing Yellow Ribbon: Please wear a yellow ribbon to stand in solidarity with the families. Parents whose children have been taken from them wear yellow bracelets while in detention, to be identified. We will have some yellow bracelets to hand out! We see their pain, we feel their heartbreak, and we will stand in solidarity with them as we march.
Don't Jail the Children
Saturday, June 23, 10am Westfield Mall North County
272 East Via Rancho Parkway (Escondido)
For More Information
Event for TOGETHER WE WILL: San Diego North County Inland
Join us in North County for "The Families Belong Together Rally" in front of the North County Mall in Escondido.
As part of a National movement, we will keep organizing until we stop the separation of families. We will rally by the Macaroni Grill at the entrance to the mall on the public sidewalk.
Community Unity Forum
Saturday, June 23, 11:30am Logan Heights Library
567 South 28th Street
For More Information
Hosted by Save Our Barrios Coalition (SOBC)
SOBC will host a community forum on gentrification, what it is and how it affects people in working-class neighborhoods. Topics include, what gentrifications is, how it affects our health, how it destabilizes the neighborhood, most importantly- what we can do about it, together!
Community Teach-In & Resource Fair
Saturday, June 23, 11am 6443 Imperial Avenue
for More Information
Hosted by Pillars of the Community San Diego and Think Dignity
Think Dignity and Pillars of the Community are excited to announce a collaborative Community Teach-In and Resource Fair, a day-long event of learning about your legal rights while connecting to social services.
Everyone is welcome to attend one session or the entire day! There will be community leaders and lawyers present to answer questions and provide training on legal issues.
The day's events will include information on the following topics:
~ 11am-12pm: What to Expect at Court After an Arrest
~ 12pm-1pm: Know Your Rights with Police
~ 1pm-2pm: Know Your Rights with Immigration
~ 2pm-2:30pm: Caught Riding Dirty? Tickets Explained
~ 2:30pm-3pm: Clean Your Record with an Expungement & Prop 47
~ 3pm-4pm: Questions with Attorneys
Curing Exceptionalism and Ending War – World Beyond War
Saturday, June 23, 6:30pm San Diego First Church of the Brethren
3850 Westgate Place
For More Information
Hosted by Peace Resource Center of San Diego
David Swanson has a plan to build peace – he looks at American Exceptionalism and its interference in building an international Peace. His plan : Cure Exceptionalism. End War.
6:30 pm – social mixer with light refreshments. David will also have his latest books for sale and signing.
7 pm – discussion with Q&A.
David's bio can be found at http://davidswanson.org/about
Sponsors include: Peace Resource Center of San Diego, San Diego Chapter, Veterans For Peace, Franciscan Peace Connection, American Friends Service Committee, and Church of the Brethren.
This event is free and part of the PRC series War Is A Lie based on David's work.
Donations to support the ongoing work of the PRC are always gratefully accepted.
June 24
Let Our Children Go! Statewide Action to End Family Separation
Sunday, June 24, 10am – All Day Our Lady of Mount Carmel
2020 Alaquinas Drive (San Ysidro)
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Organizing Project and PICO California
This week's executive order was designed to silence the moral outrage following this administration's policy of stealing children from their parents. Persons fleeing violence should be able to seek safe refuge in this country, and we will fight to make this ideal a reality. At least 2,300 children remain unaccounted for, and we need to know where those children are, and a date when they'll be returned to their parents.
We will not be fooled or easily appeased. Children belong with their families in communities, not in detention camps. The only way to truly make this right is to reunite all children who were separated from their parents at the border with their mothers and fathers and place them in our communities, not in cages.
Film "Life in Occupied Palestine"
Sunday, June 24, 2pm
Point Loma Library
3701 Voltaire Street
Co-Sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace and American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
A one hour film by Anna Baltzer. Eyewitness stories and photos Moderated discussion follows the film.
June 25
Planning Meeting for July Week of Action!
Monday, June 25, 6:30pm 3402 Park Boulevard #1
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Housing Emergency Alliance
Help us plan protests in July to demand the halt to ticketing homeless people in RVs and other vehicles! An important hearing in a Federal Court case challenging the ticketing is scheduled for July 26th and we want to be ready. Meeting Room is actually on Upas just west of Park next to alley.
Day of Action – #StandWithMuslims in San Diego (On-Call)
June 25 (tentative) Edward J Schwartz Federal Court House
For More Information
Very soon possibly this Monday, June 25th, the Supreme Court will issue its decision in Trump v. Hawai'i—deciding the fate of Trump's Muslim Ban.
No matter what the Supreme Court decides, it's crucial that we have a visible, strong presence across the country of people who care about Muslim and refugee communities and oppose Trump's White Nationalist agenda. The #NoMuslimBanEver campaign is calling for a national day of action whenever the decision is announced.
This is an ON-CALL protest as we await the decision expected in mid-to-late June. Invite your friends and stay tuned to this page for more details!
June 26
Analyzing Primary Results and Looking Towards the November Election
Tuesday, June 26, 7pm Uptown Democratic Club Meeting
Joyce Beers Community Center
3900 Vermont Avenue
For More Information
Speaker Howard Wayne represented San Diego in the California Legislature for six years, where he was the Chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. He authored the first laws in the country to require testing of beach waters to protect human health, and to fund breast cancer treatment for poor women. His also established the San Diego Airport Authority and city-wide curbside recycling.
An adept political analyst, Howard told our club two years ago that a Trump path to victory was through the upper Midwest. That was exactly what happened the following November when Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin voted Republican. He came back in December to explain why that happened. Howard will discuss political trends, where we are now, and how the fall elections may well turn out.
June 27
A Community Forum on Police Practices
Wednesday, June 27, 6pm
Malcolm X Library
5148 Market Street
Hosted by Women Occupy San Diego and Black Men United
Welcome and Introduction:
Francine Maxwell – Community Member
Forum Moderators:
Tambuzi – Black Men United
Andrea St. Julian – Earl B. Gilliam Bar Assoc.
Panel participants include:
Kate Yavenditti – National Lawyers Guild & Women Occupy San Diego
Monica Montgomery – Civil Rights Attorney & Candidate district 4
Genevieve Jones-Wright – Deputy Public Defender, San Diego County
Come to the Community Forum and discuss the proposal to form a Commission on Police Practices. Get your questions answered. Community input is needed for real independence and real oversight of police practices in San Diego. Panelists want to hear from you!
June 28
Climate Legislation Training
Thursday, June 28, 6:30pm First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego
4190 Front Street
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by SanDiego350
Join us for an exciting legislative training that will prepare you to meet with our state legislators in July to talk about climate-relevant bills.
Learn:
* How to set up meetings with legislators, including sample agendas, dos and don'ts
* The legislative process – how bills become laws in California
* Key talking points for the several bills we'll talk to our legislators about
* Receive handouts.
Meet great folks in our area who are concerned with climate change and advocating for better public policies. Refreshments will be served.
June 30
Families Belong Together Rally
Saturday, June 30, 11am (tentative)
Waterfront Park
1600 Pacific Highway
Possible rally in support of a national day of action to oppose Trump's immigration policies that separate children from parents at our border, deny security to DACA recipients and use ICE to intimidate immigrants. The national march in Washington DC is hosted by Move On, ACLU and other partners. (Local host and details are unclear at this time.)11 AM
Families Belong Together Rally
Saturday, June 30, 11am (tentative)
Swami's
1298 South Coast Highway 101 (Encinitas)
Local activists host a North County rally in support of the national day of action. (Local host and details are unclear at this time.)
Oceanside Independence Parade – Walk with Michelle
Saturday, June 30, 9:30am Angelos Burgers
1050 South Coast Highway (Oceanside)
For More Information
Hosted by Michelle Gomez for SD County Supervisor, District 5
Join the Michelle Gomez for County Supervisor campaign in Oceanside's Independence Parade 2018 on June 30th! Sport your most festive red, white, and BLUE garb, celebrate independence in style, and help us #FlipThe5th! After Party @ Best Pizza and Brew Oceanside
As entry slots have not yet been assigned we will be meeting tentatively at Angelo's Burgers near where the parade entries line up. Final location will be announced once determined.
Trans Youthapalooza
Saturday, June 30, 2pm San Diego LGBT Community Center
3909 Centre Street
For More Information
Hosted by Project TRANS at The Center
Free event centering Transgender/Non Binary/Two Spirit/Questioning/AgenderGenderqueer/Gender Fluid/flux Youth ages 24 and under. We will have workshops, booths, free giveaways, food, connecting with other trans youth. There will also be workshops for parents/guardians/caregivers of transgender youth.
Picture This: Whose Streets?
Monday, July 2, 6:30pm San Diego Central Library
330 Park Boulevard
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego Central Library
When unarmed teenager Michael Brown is killed by police and left lying in the street for hours, it marks a breaking point for the residents of the St. Louis area and beyond. Whose Streets? is an unflinching look at the Ferguson, Missouri uprising. As the national guard rolls in, a new generation mounts a powerful battle cry not just for their civil rights, but for the right to live. Official Selection, 2017 Sundance Film Festival. 90 Minutes. 2018. This film is presented in partnership with POV.
POV (a cinema term for "point of view") is television's longest-running showcase for independent non-fiction films. POV premieres 14-16 of the best, boldest and most innovative programs every year on PBS. Since 1988, POV has presented over 500 films to public television audiences across the country. POV films are known for their intimacy, their unforgettable storytelling and their timeliness, putting a human face on contemporary social issues.
Picture This is a cinematic celebration that offers a diverse array of both narrative and documentary film. It strives to be socially engaging, culturally relevant, and informative while still being fun and entertaining. Picture This will at times provide added features to its screenings in the form of guest speakers, discussion panels, concerts, and other eclectic programming.
Save the Date
Day of Action – #StandWithMuslims in San Diego (On-Call)
Edward J Schwartz Federal Court House (Downtown)
In mid-late June, the Supreme Court will issue its decision in Trump v. Hawai'i—deciding the fate of Trump's Muslim Ban.
No matter what the Supreme Court decides, it's crucial that we have a visible, strong presence across the country of people who care about Muslim and refugee communities and oppose Trump's White Nationalist agenda. The #NoMuslimBanEver campaign is calling for a national day of action whenever the decision is announced.
This is an ON-CALL protest as we await the decision expected in mid-to-late June. Invite your friends and stay tuned to this page for more details!
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.
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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
Doug Porter was active in the early days of the alternative press in San Diego, contributing to the OB Liberator, the print version of the OB Rag, the San Diego Door, and the San Diego Street Journal. He went on to have a 35-year career in the Hospitality business and decided to go back into raising hell when he retired. He's won numerous awards for his columns from the Society of Professional Journalists in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Doug is a cancer survivor (sans vocal chords) and lives in North Park.
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