SF GREEN PARTY WEEKLY 1/15/05 - 1/21/05 NEWS: - 1/03: Congress Must Impeach Bush and Cheney - 1/05: Response to Schwarzenegger State-of-the-State - 1/06: Mirkarimi Joins Community in Calling on Board of Ed, SFUSD to Halt Further - 1/06: Greens Respond to Clean Money - 1/09: Green Party Supports Chris Daly's C-3 Legislation - 1/10: Greens say "No Interference" with Reproductive Rights; Abortion Is NOT Murder! - 1/13: Green Party Elected Officials are Making a Valiant Effort to Keep Local Schools Open EVENTS: - 1/13: Feminist Issues Working Group - 1/13-15: Ocean Film Festival - 1/15: West Side Greens - 1/16: Protest the Execution of Clarence Ray Allen! - 1/16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance - 1/18: Green Party General Membership Meeting - 1/19: Animal Advocacy Working Group - 1/19: The SF Bay Area Premiere Of After Innocence - 1/20: HEAR THIS! A Spoken Word Event - 1/21: Join the Green Party in Standing Up for Reproductive Rights! - 1/24: Transportation Working Group - 1/26: A Green Party for Peace (see http://www.sfgreenparty.org/events/events-itemfromhome.gem?idx=1437 for details) ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACTION ALERTS: - Volunteers Needed for A Green Party for Peace (http://www.sfgreenparty.org/events/events-itemfromhome.gem?idx=1437) - Volunteer for the Ocean Film Festival - Public Financing for the Mayor's Race: We Need Your Help! - Earn A Living Making San Francisco A More Green and Progressive City! - How to Run For the SF Green Party County Council - Become a Green Party Sustainer! JOKE OF THE WEEK: - It's a Less Wonderful Life (http://www.savethecourt.org/joe) ************************************************************ NEWS: 1/03: Congress Must Impeach Bush and Cheney http://www.sfgreenparty.org/news/newsitem-start.gem?idx=1431 Green Party leaders urged Congress to initiate impeachment proceedings against President George W. Bush and Vice President Cheney as soon as possible... --------- 1/05: Response to Schwarzenegger State-of-the-State http://www.sfgreenparty.org/news/newsitem-start.gem?idx=1433 In response to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger third State of the State speech, The Green Party of California on Thursday charged that not only Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but also Democratic Party leaders, are not offering the "real reform" that is needed to help all Californians... --------- 1/06: Mirkarimi Joins Community in Calling on Board of Ed, SFUSD to Halt Further http://www.sfgreenparty.org/news/newsitem-start.gem?idx=1432 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi demanded that officials and board members of the San Francisco Unified School District reconsider plans that would close or merge six schools in San Francisco's District 5... --------- 1/06: Greens Respond to Clean Money http://www.sfgreenparty.org/news/newsitem-start.gem?idx=1434 A publicly-financed election reform concept introduced two years ago to Berkeley voters has been reintroduced in the state Legislature... --------- 1/09: Green Party Supports Chris Daly's C-3 Legislation http://www.sfgreenparty.org/news/newsitem-start.gem?idx=1435 The San Francisco Green Party (SFGP) strongly supports the C-3 legislation introduced by Supervisor Chris Daly that will eliminate minimum parking requirements for downtown housing... --------- 1/10: Greens say "No Interference" with Reproductive Rights; Abortion Is NOT Murder! http://www.sfgreenparty.org/news/newsitem-start.gem?idx=1436 The San Francisco Green Party announced today that it is advocating a policy of "no interference" with a woman's right to choose... --------- 1/13: Green Party Elected Officials are Making a Valiant Effort to Keep Local Schools Open http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/13/MNG7CGMV5A1.DTL Parents, teachers fight S.F. education board for schools to stay open. Send a letter to the editor supporting their efforts, letters@sfchronicle.com ============================== EVENTS: 1/13: Feminist Issues Working Group WHEN: Friday, January 13 7:00PM-9:00PM WHERE: San Francisco Green Party office, 1028 A Howard St (between 6th St. and 7th St.), San Francisco DETAILS: Monthly meeting of the Feminist Issues Group, which strives to define why feminism is important to Greens and to promote Green feminism in all realms of Green Party activities and in our lives. --------- 1/13 to 1/15: Ocean Film Festival WHEN: Friday, January 13: 6:00 to 8:00 PM for opening reception (http://www.oceanfilmfest.org/reception.html) Saturday, January 14 starting 10:00 AM for films (see program at http://www.oceanfilmfest.org/filmprograms.html) Sunday, January 15 starting 10:00 AM for films (see program at http://www.oceanfilmfest.org/filmprograms.html) WHERE: Cowell Theatre at Fort Mason Center (see http://www.oceanfilmfest.org/directions.html for directions), San Francisco DETAILS: The Ocean Film Festival "celebrates the joy, power, and mystery of the sea," and focuses on ocean-related sports and cultures, and "the importance of the oceans' vital ecosystems." For more information, see http://www.oceanfilmfest.org/history.html WHY: The Green Party strongly supports making our planet a clean, non-toxic place to live in, and the oceans are no exception! --------- 1/15: West Side Greens WHEN: Sunday, January 15 3:00PM-5:00PM WHERE: 2467 28th Avenue (cross street is Taraval), San Francisco WHO TO CONTACT: Call Barry at 415-664-7754 for more information. DETAILS: Agenda will include: - Nomination of officers - Endorsements by working groups - Campaign updates - Current efforts to pass Clean Money legislation --------- 1/16: Protest the Execution of Clarence Ray Allen! WHEN: Monday, January 16 8:00PM WHERE: San Quentin State Prison. How to get there: You can park on Francisco Blvd. E. but expect to walk 1-2 Miles to get to the East Gate of San Quentin. DETAILS: Join Greens and anti-death penalty activists as we continue our struggle against the racist death penalty. Sadly, this execution has been scheduled on the birthday of Martin Luther King. This vigil honors Dr. King's memory as we protest yet another state sponsored execution. The Green Party opposes the Death Penalty under all circumstances. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Contact: stefanie@deathpenalty.org or 415-243-0143 --------- 1/16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance WHEN: Monday, January 16 9:00PM - 5:00PM WHERE: Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove Street, San Francisco WHO TO CONTACT: Mark Barnes mwbsf@riseup.net DETAILS: Join the Green Party in honoring the birthday and life of Dr. King. We will be at our Green Party booth registering voters, distributing literature and educating the public about our commitment to social and economic justice. Highlights of this observance: - Teach-in - Special guests - Live entertainment - Arts & crafts vendors - Health services vendors faire - Food vendors --------- 1/18: Green Party General Membership Meeting WHEN: Wednesday, January 18 7:30PM - 9:30PM WHERE: San Francisco Green Party office, 1028 A Howard St (between 6th St. and 7th St.), San Francisco DETAILS: These meetings are where policy and endorsement decisions are made. This month's topic will include the 2006 County Council elections, endorsement proceedures and an update on the fundraiser planned for Jan 26 at Z gallery. --------- 1/19: Animal Advocacy Working Group WHEN: Thursday, January 19 7:00PM-9:00PM WHERE: San Francisco Green Party office, 1028 A Howard St (between 6th St. and 7th St.), San Francisco DETAILS: Monthly meeting of the Animal Working Group. We will discuss animal issues in San Francisco. For more information, email Rosalind Lord at rclord@seaserpent.com --------- 1/19: The SF Bay Area Premiere Of After Innocence DATE: Thursday, January 19 1) Pre-Screening Reception: TIME: 5:00 to 7:20PM WHERE: Red Devil Lounge, 1695 Polk Street (at Clay) DETAILS: A benefit for the life after exoneration program and death penalty focus. Special guests: filmmaker Jessica Sanders, author Dave Eggers, actor and activist Mike Farrell, assemblyman Mark Leno 2) Screening and Post-Screening Talkback TIME: Starts 7:30PM WHERE: Lumiere Theatre, 1572 California Street (at Polk) DETAILS: Screening of the Sundance award-winning documentary After Innocence, about the lives of seven men wrongfully imprisoned for decades and then released after DNA proved their innocence. The film focuses on the gripping story of these men and their emotional journeys back into society and efforts to rebuild their lives. Talkback Participants: Filmmaker Jessica Sanders and exoneree Herman Atkins, who was released from prison after serving thirteen years for a crime he did not commit. To purchase tickets, go to http://www.deathpenalty.org/index.php?pid=AfterInnocence --------- 1/20: HEAR THIS! A Spoken Word Event WHEN: Friday, January 20 Starts 8:00PM WHERE: SLIMS, 333 11th St. @ Folsom, San Francisco DETAILS: This special evening of spoken word features the talents of Matt Gonzalez, Jello Biafra, Barbara Becnel, Todd Chretien, Jack Hirschman, Sarah Lipson, Jonathan Richman, Daisy Zamora, Kevin Zeese, plus special musical guest Tom Heyman & DJ Superchill. Tickets are $12. To purchase them, go to http://www.slims-sf.com/, click the Show Sched. button (which will take you to the calendar of events at Slims), click information by HEAR THIS!, and choose either virtuous.com or tickets.com. Or you can just go to these sites directly. --------- 1/21: Join the Green Party in Standing Up for Reproductive Rights! WHEN: Saturday, January 21 11:00 AM WHERE: Assemble at Pier #1, Embarcadero and Market Streets, San Francisco WHAT: Demonstration to support reproductive rights.  This effort is a response to the second annual anti-choice march organized and sponsored by the San Francisco and Oakland Archdiocese. WHO: Green Party, BACORR (Bay Area Coalition for Our Reproductive Rights), Code Pink, Raging Grannies WHY: The Green Party proudly supports a position of "no interference" in a woman's right to control her own body!  The Green Party is working to expand women's basic reproductive rights! --------- 1/24: Transportation Working Group WHEN: Tuesday, January 24 7:00PM-9:00PM WHERE: San Francisco Green Party office, 1028 A Howard St (between 6th St. and 7th St.), San Francisco DETAILS: The transportation working group is focusing on transportation justice - increasing public transit service to underserved communities. Please contact either co-chair, John-Marc Chandonia ( jmc@sfgreens.org ) or Sue Vaughan (susan_e_vaughan@yahoo.com) for more info. --------- 1/26: SAVE THE DATE: A Green Party for Peace WHEN: Thursday, January 26 8:00PM until closing WHERE: Studio Z, 314 11th Street at Folsom, San Francisco DETAILS: - http://www.sfgreenparty.org/events/events-itemfromhome.gem?idx=1437 ============================== ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACTION ALERTS: Volunteers Needed for A Green Party for Peace (http://www.sfgreenparty.org/events/events-itemfromhome.gem?idx=1437) We're seeking people to help out during any part of the day or evening at the San Francisco Green Party fundraising event at Studio Z (http://www.sfgreenparty.org/events/events-itemfromhome.gem?idx=1437). If interested, please contact Sue Vaughan at (415) 668-3119 or susan_e_vaughan@juno.com. --------- Volunteer for the Ocean Film Festival Interested in exploring the ocean, the "earth's final frontier?" The San Francisco Ocean Film Festival is seeking helping hands for its reception on January 13 and ushers, etc. for its shows on January 14 & 15. For more information, see http://www.oceanfilmfest.org/volunteer.html --------- Public Financing for the Mayor's Race: We Need Your Help! On Tuesday October 25, Green Party Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, representing a broad-based coalition, introduced legislation that could forever change the way politics is done in San Francisco: With public financing, the public helps fund the campaigns of candidates who can demonstrate a wide base of community support by collecting a large number of small donations. In exchange candidates agree to a strict spending cap, and to limit their private fundraising. The idea is to make politicians accountable only to the public, rather than private campaign donors, and to ensure that all serious candidates, regardless of access to money, have enough resources to get their message out to the voters. To make this legislation happen, please do two things: 1. Write or call the Supervisors to encourage their support (they need hear this from as many people as possible); and 2. Ask your friends to do the same. Sample letters and contact information for the Supervisors can be found at http://www.voterownedelections.org/contact_supervisors.html To learn more about the campaign visit www.voterownedelections.org or call 415-596-5808. --------- Earn A Living Making San Francisco A More Green and Progressive City! Two years ago, former organizers for the Matt Gonzalez for Mayor campaign decided it was time to stop getting 'close but not close enough' to progressive victories like public power and Matt as Mayor, and to begin a city wide, year round, grassroots campaign that would start helping us win such victories! So in January 2004, the organization Our City was born. Since then we have helped to: - Pass the ban on old polluting diesel buses - Pass Matt Gonzalez's anti chain store law - Get the downtown hotel workers back on the job, and - Get the Police and Planning Commissions put back on SF Government TV after the City tried to pull them off. Now we are campaigning to get rid of PG&E's monopoly on our electricity service, and start running the City on renewable energy like solar and wind power instead! We have just begun hiring and training new grassroots campaigners to help us win this fight. No experience necessary. Earn $280 to $400 each four day work week learning to be a strong progressive organizer. To apply, call Eric at 415-756-8844 from noon to 2pm any weekday, or send an email to jobs@our-city.org For more information, see our web site at http://our-city.org --------- How to Run For the SF Green Party County Council County Council Candidates will be elected in June of 2006. For details on how to run, see http://www.sfgreenparty.org/events/events-itemfromhome.gem?idx=1435 --------- Become a Green Party Sustainer! As you may know, the SFGP is supported by our wonderful sustaining donors -- 175 and growing. In the next 12 months we hope to double that figure, and you can help us achieve our goal by signing up to make a regular contribution to the Green Party. Our sustainer program nearly pays all of our basic monthly operating expenses, including rent and utilities on the office, and drastically reduces the amount of work needed to raise money. Our sustainers free us up to do what we're really here for - to pursue Green values through the democratic system. Sustainers also ensure that we are able to keep our office, which has hosted numerous campaigns' headquarters including the successful Prop A, Instant Runoff Voting initiative. Becoming a Green Party sustainer is easy, fun, and secure! For more information, see http://www.sfgreenparty.org/makeadonation/makeadonation.html ************************************************************ For more info on our activities, please see our website, http://www.sfgreenparty.org. You can also email us questions at info@sfgreens.org. To send us news items (short blurb please, plain text only) for possible inclusion in the newsletter, email news@sfgreens.org. Please don't put these addresses on mailing lists; messages not specifically addressed to us won't go through.