Peace Action of San Mateo County

SATURDAY - OCT. 31st, 3:00 to 4:00 pm

Please sign this simple pledge to protect democracy.

Sunday, October 18: Spencer Sunshine on The U.S. Far Right and the Looming Elections The 2016 Presidential election brought a shudder to much of the nation as Donald Trump’s racist leanings arrived in the White House and at the top end of the Federal Government. But a particular sector of the U.S. population, the Far Right, welcomed the result with open arms and an increased effort to become part of the fabric of our country’s society. In the past few years this brand of peop...le has emerged from the shadows to gain more visibility, if not any more legitimacy (beyond their own take). As the 2020 elections approach, this question (among others) looms large: Is the U.S. really rushing headlong into fascism and civil war, as many fear? That depends on your perspective. Spencer Sunshine, PhD, a New York-based researcher of Far Right movements, will join us to offer his perspective on Sunday, October 18. Spencer will talk about the history of the Far Right in the U.S., its rise over the last decade, and the spread of its grassroots forces under the Trump administration. What is the interplay between Donald Trump and the fascist-leaning, potentially violent wing of his base: Proud Boys, militias and neo-Nazis? Where are we headed next? And most important, what kinds of practical actions can we take now, as well as prepare for in the future? The October 18 meeting will begin at 7 PM on the Zoom platform. To request an invitation (and to become part of our email listserve), email [email protected]. Since 2005, Spencer Sunshine has written extensively about the U.S. Far Right. His topics include postwar fascism, the Patriot/militia movement, left-right crossover movements, and antisemitic currents on both the Left and Right. His articles have been published in Truthout, Colorlines, and The Forward; his academic work has appeared in places like the Journal of Peasant Studies. Spencer was present at the armed takeover of Oregon’s Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in January 2016. In August 2017 he was part of the counter-demonstration against the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and was in the crowd during the car attack which killed Heather Heyer and injured about 30 others. We hope you’ll be on hand for what looks to be an incisive presentation from an experienced activist and writer unafraid to stand up to the Far Right. See more

Raging Grannies of the Peninsula will host an event in San Mateo as part of the national Women's March event on: OCT. 17th, 2020. As they have in the past, the Grannies will captivate their fellow demonstrators with visuals and music...be prepared to be surprised!... In solidarity with the Mission of the Women's March we will call for: --A stop to the GOP's push to confirm Amy Coney Barrett --LGBTQIA rights --Workers rights including domestic and farm workers, undocumented and migrant workers --Civil Rights including voting rights, freedom of speech, and protections for all citizens regardless of race, gender, age or disability. In addition we plan to feature voices about the housing crisis, Covid impact on immigrants and jobs, and the climate crisis. **A nurse who specializes in Covid-safe gatherings during the pandemic is on board to consult with us ahead of time, and we will facilitate social distancing to the best of our ability and require masks** Date: Oct 17 (Sat.) Time: 3 - 4 pm. Location: El Camino Real at Third Ave. 300 So. El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94402 Photos from Jan 18 Women's March event in San Mateo https://www.probonophoto.org//Jan18-2020SanMateoWMSolidar/ For more information: [email protected] Reply Forward

#stillhere. 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DROPPNG OF THE ATOMIC BOMB With today's 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, the program on nuclear weapons and the need for abolition continues; you can watch it on Facebook and YouTube. To get to the links, and for a schedule of today's online events and speakers, go to www.hiroshimanagasaki.org.

https://actionnetwork.org//sign-the-petition-demand-global Sign this petition demanding of our leader an effort toward global nuclear disarmament. #stillhere

Today is the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Right now is the first of a number of virtual events. #stillhere https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2773688589585818

Wall of Veterans!

GETTING OUT THE VOTE IN 2020 HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN POSSIBLY THE MOST CRUCIAL ELECTION IN OUR LIFETIMES This is an election year like no other, and we want to offer resources for helping people all across the country cast their vote. ... Following is a list of organizations that can facilitate doing that: VOTE FORWARD: An initiative to write letters to historically infrequent voters in a number of states, saying why you vote and encouraging them to vote. Download and print the letters with names and addresses on a template that you fill in, then address, stamp and send the letters a week before November 3. Or you can have printed letters delivered to you (also sign up to deliver letters). www.votefwd.org TURNOUT 2020: A virtual phonebank effort targeting key swing races. It uses an auto-dialer program with a script to read to potential voters. There is a Turnout Tuesday meeting each week, but the program is open any time you want to engage. www.turnout2020.org RECLAIM OUR VOTE: Associated with the Center for Common Ground, this is also a virtual phonebank in association with the NAACP that reaches out to voters of color to help them register as well as know where and when to vote both early and on election day. This is not an auto-dialer; you dial yourself and go at your own pace. There is a weekly meeting, also on Tuesdays, to cover what state and county is being called, but here again it’s up to you when to log on and make calls. There are also sometimes efforts to write letters or postcards. www.centerforcommonground.org SWING LEFT: This is a multi-faceted resource with links to virtual phonebanks as well as to Vote Forward (see above). Log on, fill in your zip code and you’ll be directed to phoning efforts on various dates for various key races. www.swingleft.org POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Write friendly, handwritten reminders to targeted voters to try to sway close, key races around the country. Once approved as a writer, you get names and addresses to write to. www.postcardstovoters.org 212-224-3121: The U.S. Capitol switchboard, so you can remind our Senators and Representatives to insist on encouraging vote-by-mail, toward a full and fair turnout. Is there a GOTV effort we missed? Let us know.

Local activism! Sign to demand the removal of the Junipero Serra statue which is a painful reminder of the near obliteration of the Ramaytush Ohlone Native People who lived on the San Francisco Peninsula. (See Native-land.ca to find out whose land you're living on.)

Please sign the petition. Free speech, free Assange!