Progressive Democrats - East Bay
Newsletter for September 19, 2005

Welcome to the September 19, 2005 edition of the Progressive Democrats of the East Bay Newsletter. This newsletter is published about every two weeks listing progressive events of interest in the San Francisco Bay Area along with actions you can take to support progressive causes. For information about PD–East Bay and how to submit items to this newsletter, refer to the articles under the section "About PD–East Bay and This Newsletter," which appears at the end of this newsletter.

New and Featured Events for This Newsletter

1. PD–East Bay Mobilizes for the San Francisco Anti-War March (Sat, Sept 24)
2. Anti-War Demonstration and March in Oakland (Fri, Sept 23)
3. Interfaith Convocation in San Francisco (Sun, Sept 25)
4. Anti-War Lobby Day in San Francisco (Mon, Sept 26)
5. End the War on Iraq! Massive Mobilization in Washington, D.C (Sep 24-26)
6. Contact Your Media to Stop the Right Wing Spin On Supreme Court Nominee John Roberts (Act Now!)

About PD–East Bay and This Newsletter

1. About Progressive Democrats of the East Bay
2. Join Progressive Democrats of the East Bay
3. Submit Items for This Newsletter
4. Links to PD–East Bay Action Groups
5. PD–East Bay General Meeting – Sat, Oct 1

New and Featured Events for This Newsletter

1. PD–East Bay Mobilizes for the San Francisco Anti-War March (Sat, Sept 24)

   Join Progressive Democrats for America on Saturday, September 24 for the San Francisco Anti-War March sponsored by ANSWER, Bay Area chapters of United for Peace and Justice, and others. This march in San Franc isco is part of the massive Anti-War demonstrations this weekend, including the march in Washington, DC. All are welcome to join us!

   LET'S STOP THIS WAR!

   • Saturday, September 24
   • Gather at Dolores Park, 18th Street and Dolores, at 11:00am
   • Meet at the top of the hill in Dolores Park (SW corner of the park)
     Look for the PDA banner
     Rally at Dolores Park
     At Noon, march approximately two miles to Jefferson Park (Turk and Laguna) where we will have a table and introduce people to PDA
   • Notes:
     If you're taking BART, exit at 16th Street Bart Station.
     Walk South on Mission to 19th, turn right and walk two blocks to Dolores Park. Here's a map to help.
     Tip: Buy your BART tickets before Saturday to avoid enormous lines!
     Directions to Jefferson Park, (Turk and Laguna)
     
     

2. Anti-War Demonstration and March in Oakland (Fri, Sept 23)

   On Friday, September 23 there will be a demonstration by Nonviolent Action/People Power. At 4:00 PM, gather for a Speak Out and Performances at the Chevron Station on Telegraph and Grand in Oakland (near 19th Street BART). At 5:00PM, we'll march to protest at the Military Recruiting Office.

   Friday, Sept 23rd
   4pm: Speak Out & Performances
   Chevron Gas Station
   Telegraph Ave and Grand Ave, Oakland (19th St. BART)
   Directions
   
   5pm: March, Demonstrate, and Nonviolent Direct Action
   Armed Forces Recruiting Center
   2116 Broadway, between 21st & 22nd Sts
   Directions
   
   For more information

   LET'S STOP THIS WAR!!

3. Interfaith Convocation in San Francisco (Sun, Sept 25)

   Interfaith convocation at St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco.

   Sunday, Sept 25th from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
   St. Mary's Cathedral
   Gough St. & Geary Blvd., S.F.
   
   Directions

   LET'S STOP THIS WAR!!

4. Anti-War Lobby Day in San Francisco (Mon, Sept 26)

   Let Rep. Nancy Pelosi and our government know that we insist on immediate withdrawal of our troops in Iraq.

   Rep. Pelosi is the Minority Chair of The House of Representatives. People and groups are ask to carry "quilt squares" to graphically illustrate how this illegal war is impacting them.

   Monday, Sept 26 at 12:00 Noon
   Federal Building
   450 Golden Gate Ave., S.F.
   
   Directions
   Details on the quilt can be found at www.zanshinart.com/quilt.html

   LET'S STOP THIS WAR!!

5. End the War on Iraq! Massive Mobilization in Washington, D.C (Sep 24-26)

   It's time to hold all pro-war politicians accountable for the deaths, the destruction, the lies, and the toll on our communities! Join United for Peace and Justice in Washington, D.C. for three massive days of action against the war:

   Saturday, September 24: Massive March, Rally & Festival
   Sunday, September 25: Interfaith Service, Grassroots Training
   Monday, September 26: Lobby Day and Mass Nonviolent Direct Action and Civil Disobedience

   For more information, visit United for Peace and Justice.

   LET'S STOP THIS WAR!!

6. Contact Your Media to Stop the Right Wing Spin On Supreme Court Nominee John Roberts (Act Now!)

   It is important to stop the right wing spin on Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. The White House has been pressuring media outlets to emphasize that John Roberts is not a member of the far-right Federalist Society, demanding and getting) retractions from major outlets who reported otherwise. The Washington Post, however, has revealed that Roberts was, in fact, on the steering committee of the Washington Chapter.

   Contact your local media and demand that they get the facts right on John Roberts, and not just print the right wing media spin.

   You can also use MoveOn's resources to contact Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer to let them know you want them to actively oppose the nomination.

About PD–East Bay and This Newsletter

1. About Progressive Democrats of the East Bay

   Progressive Democrats of the East Bay is a growing chapter of Progressive Democrats of America, a national organization and Political Action Committee (PAC), started by supporters of Kucinich, Dean, and various social justice groups. It is not affiliated with the Democratic party but is dedicated to restoring to the Democratic party its progressive vision by engaging local support for national and local progressive causes.

   Progressive Democrats of the East Bay will support progressive candidates for elected office from the small local boards to national offices. It dialogues and networks with a broad-based coalition of likeminded groups and people in our community to create a common agenda and an agreed-upon plan by which to realize our goals.

2. Join Progressive Democrats of the East Bay

   We realize that many who support our causes and endeavors cannot attend all our meetings or are too busy with other activities to be involved in an Action Group.

   Please, if you support our work, become a member. Funds make it possible for us to create flyers, literature, and banners, rent the meeting room, and mail notices about events. These are all essential activities to our functioning as a progressive voice.

   Dues are on a sliding scale: $10–$100 per year or a minimum of 2 hours of volunteer work a year.

   Make checks payable to PD-EB, and send to:
   Moria Lawlor
   336 Wayne Avenue, #3
   Oakland, CA 94606
   
   Please provide the following:
   Name: _______________________________________
   Address: _____________________________________
   _____________________________________________
   _____________________________________________
   E-mail and phone: ______________________________
   _____________________________________________
   Interest and skills: ______________________________

3. Submit Items for This Newsletter

   If you have items you would like listed in this newsletter or on the PD-East Bay web site at www.pdeastbay.org, submit them to pdebListAdmin@PDEastBay.org. Events, activities, and action alerts about local progressive causes will be considered for inclusion. Note: All submissions subject to editing to fit the style and content of our organization.

   The next PD–East Bay newsletter will go out on or around July 17. Please submit items for inclusion as early as you can!

   Check out www.pdeastbay.org regularly for updated information on progressive politics!

4. Links to PD–East Bay Action Groups

   Anti-War
   Dept. of Peace
   Health Care
   Social Security
   Ecumenical Dialogue and Outreach
   Electoral Reform
   Economic and Social Justice
   Media Reform
   Environmental Protection

5. PD–East Bay General Meeting – Sat, Oct 1

   The featured topic for the next general meeting of PD–East Bay is Mobilizing for the California Special Election. This meeting will focus on the following:

   • Precinct Walking / Phone Banking with Alliance for a Better California
     Presentation by Alliance for a Better California on how we can join their effort in getting out the vote for the California Special Election.

   • California Ballot Propositions
     Brief discussions on each ballot proposition, with talking points that you can take away as you engage others about the California Special Election.

   Meeting Details

   The PD–East Bay general meeting for October will be held:

   Saturday, October 1 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
   Temescal Oakland Library
   5205 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA
   Directions

   Wheelchair accessible.   The Oakland Public Library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of meetings or meeting room users.   For more information, contact Sara.

6. PD–East Bay Steering Committee Meeting (Tuesday, August 16)

   The next meeting for the PD–East Bay Steering Committee is Tuesday, August 16 from 7:00–9:00 pm. The agenda and location to be determined.

   If you are not on the steering committee, but would like to attend, please RSVP to Sara Shumer at shumer3@comcast.net.

   Those interested in forming action groups within our organization and those interested in helping determine the direction of PD–East Bay are welcome. You must join PD–East Bay to participate in the steering committee.