On Thursday, December 17th, the young men of IMPACT! convened our first men's allies' caucus, as part of our organizational commitment to actively fight oppression. 12 were in attendance for two hour living room conversation. We discussed how men are socialized to act. Some issues that came up were: being told to hide emotions, to be strong and in control, to not act "feminine" or be close with your mother, and to objectify women. We talked about what these lessons lead to in our society- high rates of depression, anxiety and suicide among young men; an inability to connect with other men; sexual assault and violence against women, and much more. We also discussed how heterosexism and homophobia are used to re-inforce these gender stereotypes (if men step out of their assigned roles, they are labelled as a homosexual, which pressures them into acting the "correct" way).
We also discussed male privilege- the ways in which men are systematically granted privileges and benefits that are simultaneously denied to women, either overtly or covertly, such as the right to walk alone at night without fearing for your safety. Men are also paid more, listened to more, and are represented in the media as dominant, in charge, professional, etc.
Lastly, we talked about what it meant to be an ally to women. We discussed the importance of talking about these issues not only with activist men, but with all other men in our lives. We also mentioned that accountability is key in being a good ally. It is important to have discussions as men challenging sexism, but we must also seek to always be accountable with our actions.
In conclusion, sexism hurts verybody. While women no doubt feel the brunt of male supremacy, men are not protected from its corrupting and degrading effects. Challenging male supremacy is one way in which we, as men, reclaim our own humanity and re-connect with our brothers and sisters who have been harmed by these systems of oppression. No man or woman will ever be free while patriarchy surrounds us. It is our duty, and it is in our interests, to fight sexism wherever it appears- in ourselves, at school, in our family, our social movements, our community, and our jobs.
IMPACT! will organize men's allies' caucuses monthly. They are open to all. These will co-incide with bi-weekly women's caucuses (sometimes held at different times, always at different locations).
Monday, December 28, 2009
Congratulations to Memorial Hospital Workers!
We would like to congratulate the workers at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital who recently voted to join the newly formed National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) after a long, hard fight against both management, and boss-friendly union SEIU-UHW. These workers have demonstrated that through strength, solidarity, and democratic union organizing, we can be victorious and take back control of our jobs and our communities. IMPACT! is proud to be among dozens of community organizations and individuals that supported this campaign. We look forward to seeing NUHW grow in the coming months and years and together we will fight to reclaim the labor movement from the bosses and career politicians. Below is an article from NUHW about the successful election.
Solidarity Forever!
-IMPACT!
Caregivers at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital voted to join the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) today in an election victory that caps their six-year struggle to win a voice at work.
"We are all so excited to finally have a voice to make our hospital a better place to work and better for our community," said Nancy Timberlake, a telemetry technician at the hospital. "We stuck together for six years and we finally did it. I'm so relieved and so happy that we won."
The vote was 283 for NUHW, 263 for No Union, and only 13 for SEIU, a rival organization that tried to interfere in the election. Despite SEIU's devastating loss, as of 7:00 p.m. Friday night they were still trying to stop the labor board from certifying the results. Seventeen ballots were cast by workers not on the board's list of eligible voters, and SEIU wants those ballots counted in the hopes there will be enough "No Union" votes to trigger a runoff.
The workers' effort drew national attention last year after political leaders and religious leaders rallied with caregivers at the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, the founding order of St. Joseph Health System, which owns Memorial. Under pressure from the community, hospital administration agreed to negotiate with workers' representatives to establish ground rules for a free and fair union election.
This April, a majority of Memorial caregivers petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for an election to join NUHW. But the election was delayed for more than five months because of frivolous "blocking charges" filed by SEIU, the rival organization. When the labor board rejected those charges, SEIU demanded a spot on the ballot and blocked negotiations over ground rules—giving hospital management a free hand to mount an aggressive anti-union campaign.
SEIU ignored appeals from religious leaders, the North Bay Labor Council, and even former Labor Secretary Robert Reich to negotiate ground rules. Despite having virtually no support at Memorial Hospital caregivers, SEIU bombarded workers with dozens of mailers and visited them constantly at home and at work, urging them not to vote for NUHW.
NUHW filed charges with the labor board on Wednesday, after workers alleged that hospital administrators broke the law by engaging in illegal surveillance of union supporters, threatening and disciplining union activists, and giving SEIU staff unfair access to caregivers at work so they could campaign against the union.
"It was really transparent what SEIU was doing," said Melissa Bosanco, a Care Partner at the hospital. "It was like they were management's anti-union team. They wanted us to fail. But we saw through it and stuck together in NUHW."
Next month, more than 2,300 Kaiser Permanente professionals in Southern California will vote to quit SEIU and join NUHW. In all, a majority of 100,000 workers at 360 facilities across California have petitioned to join NUHW and are waiting for similar elections.
Solidarity Forever!
-IMPACT!
Caregivers at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital voted to join the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) today in an election victory that caps their six-year struggle to win a voice at work.
"We are all so excited to finally have a voice to make our hospital a better place to work and better for our community," said Nancy Timberlake, a telemetry technician at the hospital. "We stuck together for six years and we finally did it. I'm so relieved and so happy that we won."
The vote was 283 for NUHW, 263 for No Union, and only 13 for SEIU, a rival organization that tried to interfere in the election. Despite SEIU's devastating loss, as of 7:00 p.m. Friday night they were still trying to stop the labor board from certifying the results. Seventeen ballots were cast by workers not on the board's list of eligible voters, and SEIU wants those ballots counted in the hopes there will be enough "No Union" votes to trigger a runoff.
The workers' effort drew national attention last year after political leaders and religious leaders rallied with caregivers at the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, the founding order of St. Joseph Health System, which owns Memorial. Under pressure from the community, hospital administration agreed to negotiate with workers' representatives to establish ground rules for a free and fair union election.
This April, a majority of Memorial caregivers petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for an election to join NUHW. But the election was delayed for more than five months because of frivolous "blocking charges" filed by SEIU, the rival organization. When the labor board rejected those charges, SEIU demanded a spot on the ballot and blocked negotiations over ground rules—giving hospital management a free hand to mount an aggressive anti-union campaign.
SEIU ignored appeals from religious leaders, the North Bay Labor Council, and even former Labor Secretary Robert Reich to negotiate ground rules. Despite having virtually no support at Memorial Hospital caregivers, SEIU bombarded workers with dozens of mailers and visited them constantly at home and at work, urging them not to vote for NUHW.
NUHW filed charges with the labor board on Wednesday, after workers alleged that hospital administrators broke the law by engaging in illegal surveillance of union supporters, threatening and disciplining union activists, and giving SEIU staff unfair access to caregivers at work so they could campaign against the union.
"It was really transparent what SEIU was doing," said Melissa Bosanco, a Care Partner at the hospital. "It was like they were management's anti-union team. They wanted us to fail. But we saw through it and stuck together in NUHW."
Next month, more than 2,300 Kaiser Permanente professionals in Southern California will vote to quit SEIU and join NUHW. In all, a majority of 100,000 workers at 360 facilities across California have petitioned to join NUHW and are waiting for similar elections.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Copwatch Shift 12/18/09
On this night copwatching was very foreign and strange to the people roaming the Petaluma streets. Those present on shift were Lupita, Nissar, Christine, and myself Ben.
The first stop we found was on Washington street across from A Math Oasis tutoring center. There were five male individuals being detained with an eventual arrest of one of the detainees. After nearly five minutes the police released the other individuals as a taxi cab arrived.
The remaining four individuals seemed to find the presence of copwatch a joke and shouted at us "Why are you around still?"
After being released, Nissar approached the four individuals only to have jokes thrown at him and jeers . The people did not understand our purpose or reason of watching them.
A few stops later Ben and Lupita went out on foot watching the police stop various individuals on the streets with similar results toward copwatch as the first stop.
At around midnight, a fight broke loose inside of the Keller Street Parking structure. The police tasered one individual and arrested him, a young Latino male.
The Keller Street Garage was closed by nearly 20 police officers from Sonoma County ranging from Sheriff cars to regular patrol cars.
10-15 individuals were detained all of whom where young between the ages of 17-25.
Know your rights cards were distributed to those watching the event as none were able to retrieve their cars from the garage.
According to one individual, the person tasered and arrested was his friend. The arrested was the one who was being attacked not the instigator of the fight. The instigator of the fight fled the scene as police questioned all individuals about hit and runs, gang activity, and fights in the area.
Nissar was questioned thoroughly when trying to have the arrested released in exchange for his safe return home. The police did not comply and would only allow a family member to receive him.
Copwatch drove the friend of the arrested home who was originally to be driven home by the arrested individual.
We as Petaluma Copwatch did not agree to the way the situation was being handled by the Police force on the scene. We wish to have change in the tactics used by the police.
Police "sobriety checkpoints" tonight in Petaluma Saturday December 26th. Be on watch and contact members of Copwatch or IMPACT if you wish to report a checkpoint or impounding of a car.
The first stop we found was on Washington street across from A Math Oasis tutoring center. There were five male individuals being detained with an eventual arrest of one of the detainees. After nearly five minutes the police released the other individuals as a taxi cab arrived.
The remaining four individuals seemed to find the presence of copwatch a joke and shouted at us "Why are you around still?"
After being released, Nissar approached the four individuals only to have jokes thrown at him and jeers . The people did not understand our purpose or reason of watching them.
A few stops later Ben and Lupita went out on foot watching the police stop various individuals on the streets with similar results toward copwatch as the first stop.
At around midnight, a fight broke loose inside of the Keller Street Parking structure. The police tasered one individual and arrested him, a young Latino male.
The Keller Street Garage was closed by nearly 20 police officers from Sonoma County ranging from Sheriff cars to regular patrol cars.
10-15 individuals were detained all of whom where young between the ages of 17-25.
Know your rights cards were distributed to those watching the event as none were able to retrieve their cars from the garage.
According to one individual, the person tasered and arrested was his friend. The arrested was the one who was being attacked not the instigator of the fight. The instigator of the fight fled the scene as police questioned all individuals about hit and runs, gang activity, and fights in the area.
Nissar was questioned thoroughly when trying to have the arrested released in exchange for his safe return home. The police did not comply and would only allow a family member to receive him.
Copwatch drove the friend of the arrested home who was originally to be driven home by the arrested individual.
We as Petaluma Copwatch did not agree to the way the situation was being handled by the Police force on the scene. We wish to have change in the tactics used by the police.
Police "sobriety checkpoints" tonight in Petaluma Saturday December 26th. Be on watch and contact members of Copwatch or IMPACT if you wish to report a checkpoint or impounding of a car.
Checkpoint tonight in Petaluma!
There will be a DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint tonight in Petaluma. The time and location will not be announced beforehand, so if you see the checkpoint, please call or text 338-5318 so we can let the people know. These checkpoints are primarily used to arrest, and tow the cars of, undocumented immigrants who are systematically denied access to driver's licenses. Be safe, and spread the word!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Jasmine de la Torre's Court Solidarity
Jasmine De La Torre, a local animal rights activist was subpoenaed to appear in court due to false accusations of assault, stalking, slander, and vandalism on Monday December 21st, 2009. Three members of IMPACT! were in attendance Nissar Ahmed, Christine Grimaldi, and Lupita Esther including two members of the October 22nd Coalition, Edgar Avila and Maggie Coshnear. Jasmine's mother and about 6 other friends and allies of Jasmine were in attendance as well.
Jasmine was placed a restraining order with rules that say she cannot be within 500 feet of Cyrus Restaurant, the owner, the owner's wife or his property which include his house and car.
Jasmine was legally demonstrating in front of Cyrus Restaurant (Healdsburg, CA) passing out literature which were in two neat stacks in front of signs not on restaurant property. She was informing the public about foie gras production through a megaphone and chanting. A group of eight chefs came out and swept the leaflets into the sidewalk, then began sweeping them into a large garbage bag. She was yelling at them asking them to stop. As she was picking them up they began hitting her with the brush side of the broom. She was yelling at them saying, "This is assault stop it!" One of the chefs then responded, "You want to trash my restaurant this means war!"
Trying to bring attention to what they were doing she spoke through the megaphone "You are a horrible person!" She grabbed the garbage bag full of leaflets from the chefs. The chefs claimed that Jasmine was the one who threw the leaflets on the sidewalk. She received blows to the shoulder and face.
She was arrested by the police for assault, stalking, slander, and vandalism. She was held in a holding cell for an hour and then released to her parents.
Her next court date is at 9:00 on Monday December 28th, 2009 at the Sonoma Civil Courthouse in Santa Rosa. The address is:
#18 3055 Cleveland Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
Anyone interested being present in solidarity of our comrade, Jasmine de la Torre please let us know as well as anyone interested in organizing carpools if needed. Thank you!
Jasmine was placed a restraining order with rules that say she cannot be within 500 feet of Cyrus Restaurant, the owner, the owner's wife or his property which include his house and car.
Jasmine was legally demonstrating in front of Cyrus Restaurant (Healdsburg, CA) passing out literature which were in two neat stacks in front of signs not on restaurant property. She was informing the public about foie gras production through a megaphone and chanting. A group of eight chefs came out and swept the leaflets into the sidewalk, then began sweeping them into a large garbage bag. She was yelling at them asking them to stop. As she was picking them up they began hitting her with the brush side of the broom. She was yelling at them saying, "This is assault stop it!" One of the chefs then responded, "You want to trash my restaurant this means war!"
Trying to bring attention to what they were doing she spoke through the megaphone "You are a horrible person!" She grabbed the garbage bag full of leaflets from the chefs. The chefs claimed that Jasmine was the one who threw the leaflets on the sidewalk. She received blows to the shoulder and face.
She was arrested by the police for assault, stalking, slander, and vandalism. She was held in a holding cell for an hour and then released to her parents.
Her next court date is at 9:00 on Monday December 28th, 2009 at the Sonoma Civil Courthouse in Santa Rosa. The address is:
#18 3055 Cleveland Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
Anyone interested being present in solidarity of our comrade, Jasmine de la Torre please let us know as well as anyone interested in organizing carpools if needed. Thank you!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
On Saturday December 12, members of Impact including Carl's mother, Donna attended the closing ceremony of the Anne Braden White Anti-Racist Program at the First Unitarian Church in Oakland. Impact member Carl Patrick attended the 4 month training which consisted of understanding white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, heterosexism, imperialism, antisemitism, and the state. The evening consisted of speakers from organizations such as Climate Justice, POWER, and Critical Resistance to name a few; live music from members of the Catalyst Project; a closing ceremony; and a banquet with the Brass Liberation Orchestra delivering the serenade.
Let us congratulate Carl Patrick for his participation of such a project on white anti-racist leadership and training for a vision of collective liberation.
Let us congratulate Carl Patrick for his participation of such a project on white anti-racist leadership and training for a vision of collective liberation.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Organizing Workshop to Support Napa Valley College Campout
On Monday, December 7th, IMPACT! conducted an Organizer training at Napa Valley College, as part of a student camp-out protesting the budget cuts. Despite the freezing temperatures, about a dozen students attended the 2 hour, outdoor session, where participants discussed what motivates them to make change, a history of class exploitation and popular movements in the U.S. and the world, and the difference between an "activist" and an "organizer." We discussed some victories of grassroots movements including labor rights such as the 8 hour workday, the weekend, the minimum wage, etc. We also discussed how many efforts at reform have fallen short and thus we are required to develop a vision for more long-term, structural change. We closed by envisioning our core values and what concrete steps we can take towards putting those values into practice.
Thanks to the wonderful and dedicated student organizers of Napa Valley College for hosting us, and for keeping up the struggle for education. We look forward to working closely with these fierce and passionate young organizers in the near future, as we begin to lay the groundwork for a strong north bay movement for revolutionary social change.
Thanks to the wonderful and dedicated student organizers of Napa Valley College for hosting us, and for keeping up the struggle for education. We look forward to working closely with these fierce and passionate young organizers in the near future, as we begin to lay the groundwork for a strong north bay movement for revolutionary social change.
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