Cultivating Care

Sunday • April 14 • 6:30 PM • In-Person at the RCNV • 612 Ocean St. • Santa Cruz • wheelchair accessible • FREE

Join us for a rare, in-person meeting and potluck (we’re usually on zoom) to celebrate spring and continue to build new culture. We will share food, ideas and hopefully leave feeling more connected and inspired to keep learning and showing up.

All are welcome, even if this is your first meeting.

In the spirit of collective, interconnected liberation, the intention of Cultivating Care: A Space for White Allies/Accomplices/Co-conspirators to Disrupt White Supremacy is to actively build anti-racist culture by understanding and dismantling white supremacy as it exists in ourselves and our culture. While we are clear that we must also work in relationship with BIPOC to create new systems where all people are valued and thriving, this group is for being in compassionate relationship with each other to address our whiteness. This container is for white folks, wherever we are on our racial justice journey, to have courageous, vulnerable conversations that foster belonging, healing, calling in and showing up.

Use the QR code to register or go here.

Revolution of Values: Revisiting Dr King’s “Beyond Vietnam” Speech 

Thursday • April 4 • 7:00 PM • In-Person at the RCNV • 612 Ocean St. • Santa Cruz • Wheelchair accessible • FREE

In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s profound legacy, the Resource Center for Nonviolence, co-sponsored by the NAACP Santa Cruz County, invites you to Revolution of Values: Revisiting MLK’s Beyond Vietnam In Our Fight Against Genocidal Wars. This event, set against the backdrop of ongoing conflict and human suffering, seeks to echo Dr. King’s timeless call for a seismic shift in our moral compass—toward justice, peace, and a profound empathy that transcends borders.

A Night of Reflection and Renewal:

April 4th, the anniversary of Dr. King’s groundbreaking speech “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring relevance of his message. Delivered in New York City in 1967, Dr. King bravely condemned the atrocities of war, linking the fight against racism to a broader struggle against all forms of oppression, including economic exploitation and militarism. Today, as we witness the deepening crisis from Israel and Palestine to the Congo, his words resound with an urgent clarity, compelling us to act in the face of injustice.

Embracing Dr. King’s Vision:

Join us at the Resource Center for Nonviolence for an evening dedicated to igniting a “revolution of values” within our hearts and our community. Through a community reading of “Beyond Vietnam,” we will explore the speech’s profound implications for our current global landscape, especially the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Our panel of distinguished speakers, including Thairie Ritchie, Muna AlSheikh, David H. Anthony III, Sarah Cruse, and Bhavananda Lodkey, will delve into the speech’s resonance with today’s struggles for justice and peace.

The Power of Collective Action:

This event is a call to action—a summons to embody the principles Dr. King championed. By revisiting his words, we are reminded of the interconnectedness of global conflicts and the shared humanity that binds us. The “Revolution of Values” event challenges us to confront the divisive forces of hate and to forge a path toward reconciliation and understanding, particularly in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

A Journey Towards Peace:

“Revolution of Values” is an opportunity for deep reflection and meaningful dialogue. It is a chance to examine the roots of conflict, to understand the narratives of those caught in the crossfire of war, and to recommit ourselves to the pursuit of peace. By engaging with Dr. King’s message, we acknowledge the complexity of Israel-Palestine and the Congo and affirm our dedication to nonviolent resolution and the protection of human rights for all.

You’ll find more information and registration here.


Support Needed This Week on Santa Cruz County Rail and Trail

Last week Supervisors Manu Koenig and Bruce McPherson voted against their constituents’ wishes by not approving recommendations for rail lines 10 & 11, jeopardizing the $70 million public transportation grant. Now is the time to write, call and make noise. See below for the actions you can take!

From Friends of the Rail & Trail:

“Because of McPherson and Koenig voting against the project, we are now in a situation where this transformative project will not move forward and it is at risk of losing the $68M construction grant from the state. “

“Like every other transportation project in California right now, construction costs are coming back higher than initial estimates. This means County and RTC staff will need to work together to find additional grant funding for construction. In the staff report, the County outlined several measures they are already taking in order to ensure the additional construction costs can be funded. We’ve reviewed this plan and agree there are plenty of additional grants available to help cover the remaining construction costs. 

“This continued opposition to one of the most popular projects in Santa Cruz County is unacceptable. It’s time we remind Koenig and McPherson that they work for the people.”

TAKE ACTION:

NOW: FLOOD THE LINES Call the Board of Supervisors direct line: (831) 454-2200
Ask to speak directly with Supervisors Manu Koenig and Bruce McPherson. Be prepared to leave a message and request a call back. 

Tell them each how disappointed you are in their vote. Remind them that voters overwhelmingly support the Rail Trail and we voted to fund construction with the 2016 Measure D funds. Request a call back from the Supervisor to explain why they failed to take advantage of the state grant funding and move this vital project forward.  

WEDNESDAY: DIRECT ACTION
Where: Santa Cruz County Building Steps*
When: Wednesday, April 3, at noon

Join with the community in person at the supervisors office to demand Supervisors McPherson and Koenig stop obstructing the rail trail. RSVP now for the rally here.

THURSDAY: Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) Meeting
Where: Santa Cruz County Building Supervisor’s Chamber*
When: Thursday, April 4, at 9am

Show support for Rail and Trail at the RTC meeting – RSVP for the meeting here.

*Santa Cruz County Building : 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Public parking is EXTREMELY LIMITED at the county building – please walk, bike, or take the bus!

Beyond Whiteness

March 25 • 5:30 – 7pm PT • Zoom

Join Organizing White Men for Collective Liberation (OWMCL) to continue exploring the question of “beyond whiteness” together, and how patriarchy and the position as “white men” plays into this conversation. This month they will be looking at the particular journey of seeking the abolition of whiteness through an Irish diasporic perspective. There will be stories and a showing of a teaser of a film project digging into these questions, followed by reflection on what the content and prompts bring up for us in the process. They will also invite attendees to consider how their own particular position and background relates to the inquiry into abolishing whiteness, and where we want to go from here.

See their website for more details. Register here.

Move Money: Santa Cruz Black

Santa Cruz Black’s mission is to empower & sustain a thriving Black community in Santa Cruz County by supporting initiatives that advance equity, health, safety, and well-being. They work to establish more equitable living conditions and host events that ultimately celebrate Black Joy. Any monetary support is not only welcome but will assist in scaling up their efforts. If you’re as passionate about achieving racial justice and equity as Santa Cruz Black, please consider making a donation here.

Santa Cruz Black Film Series : Tell Them We Are Rising

Two Showings:
Tuesday • Mar 19 • Resource Center for Nonviolence • 612 Ocean St • Santa Cruz
AND
Wednesday • Mar 20 • Capitola Library • 2005 Wharf Rd • Capitola
6:30 PM, doors at 6:00 • FREE • wheelchair accessible

B.L.A.C.K. On Screen is a five-documentary film series focusing on the themes behind our acronym BLACK: Building Legacies of Access in Communities of Kinship.

Through June, screenings will be the 3rd Tuesday at the Resource Center for Nonviolence and the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Capitola Branch Library. Doors open at 6:00, screenings begin at 6:30. 

Tell Them We Are Rising is March’s film. Watch the trailer here.

Each screening will be followed by a discussion and/or Q&A. Some of the filmmakers will be participating. Stay tuned!

ABOUT THE FILM

The rich history of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) began before the end of slavery, flourished in the 20th century, and profoundly influenced the course of the nation for over 150 years — yet remains largely unknown. With Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities, the latest documentary from Stanley Nelson (Black Panthers, Freedom Riders) and Marco Williams, the powerful story of the rise, influence, and evolution of HBCUs comes to life.  

A haven for Black intellectuals, artists, and revolutionaries — and a path of promise toward the American dream — HBCUs have educated the architects of freedom movements and cultivated leaders in every field while remaining unapologetically Black for more than 150 years. These institutions have nurtured some of the most influential Americans of our time, from Booker T. Washington to Martin Luther King, Jr., W.E.B. Du Bois to Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison to Oprah Winfrey, Alice Walker to Spike Lee to Common.  A key driver of Black social, political and economic progress, HBCUs were also a place of unprecedented freedom for African American students and a refuge from the rampant racism that raged outside the campus walls. Tell Them We Are Rising captures this important history to tell the dynamic story of Americans who refused to be denied a higher education and — in their resistance — created a set of institutions that would influence and shape the landscape of the country for centuries to come.

The series continues with:

March 20
Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities. Explores the pivotal role historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have played over the course of 150 years.

April 17
Against All Odds: The Fight for The Black Middle Class. Acclaimed journalist Bob Herbert asks, “Have Black Americans had a fair shot at the American dream?” He probes the harsh and often brutal discrimination that has made it extremely difficult for African-Americans to establish a middle-class standard of living, while also exploring the often heroic efforts of Black families to pursue the American Dream in the face of unrelenting barriers.

May 22
The Taking of Harris Neck: 80 years of Injustice for the Gullah People. The stunning marshlands of Harris Neck, Georgia have a tragic history. In 1942, the US government took 2687 acres of land inhabited by descendants of freed slaves to build an airbase. The government promised to give the land back after the war. Now 80 years later the community is still fighting to get their land back. The Taking of Harris Neck tells a story of trauma and racism – and the perseverance to overcome against all odds.

June 19
Descendant. Follows descendants of the survivors from the Clotilda, the last ship that carried enslaved Africans to the United States, as they reclaim their story.

Bayo Akomolafe – Losing Ourselves Together

Sunday • Mar 17 • 6:30 PM • $20 – $40  • wheelchair accessible
Resource Center for Nonviolence • 612 Ocean St  • Santa Cruz 

Join the RCNV for an evening with Bayo Akomolafe, a unique and visionary postactivist thinker who poses unconventional theories about how to respond to the collective challenges of our times.

The thought project of postactivism proceeds from, and is deeply rooted in, Indigenous traditions around the world, and invites us to recognize that we are part of the more-than-human world—a necessary acknowledgement to help shift our strategies of justice outside of human-centered systems of thought.

Bayo invites the opening of cracks, so that we may fall through and discover creative approaches that might involve dissolution over solutions, generative failure over linear success, and emergence over certainty.

For this evening, we will lose ourselves together in these cracks as we invite one another into deep listening, community co-creation, ceremony, song and the mystery.

For more information visit: Growing Village
Register here

Weed ‘Em Out!  –  Cascade Creek Care

with Pie Ranch and Amah Mutsun Land Trust
Saturday • March 9  •  9:30 – 2:30 PM • FREE
Cascade Ranch • 3100 Cabrillo Hwy • Pescadero • NOT wheelchair friendly

Join Pie Ranch and Amah Mutsun Land Trust to remove eucalyptus saplings and other invasive species from Cascade Creek on Año Nuevo Point!

Riparian (streamside) restoration is now more important than ever. Unfortunately, the riparian zone of Cascade Creek continues to be affected by the spread of invasive plant species, causing loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. With your help, we can work towards enhancing the ecosystem and increasing populations of native plants. In fact, healthy riparian ecosystems promote ecological and climate resilience both within and beyond riparian zones, promoting the sequestration of carbon and accrual of nitrogen in soil, as well as buffering organisms against extreme temperatures.

Spend time outdoors, meet new people, learn about invasive plants and creek habitats, and help us to care for the ancestral lands of the Quiroste Tribe. This event will also be a great opportunity to learn about how Indigenous perspectives and approaches to land stewardship are being revitalized in open spaces today.

To register for the event, please sign up through Eventbrite!

Watsonville Film Festival

Starts Thursday • March 7 – 17 • In-person film events at the 
CineLux Green Valley Cinema • 1125 S Green Valley Rd • Watsonville

JOIN us in celebrating the best Latine films and stories!  Full schedule of events including all Film Showings, After Parties, Lowrider Exhibit, and Live Musical Performance by Legendary Nicaraguan Musician Carlos Mejía Godoy. 
 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 

MARCH 7-9: In-Person Film Programs at CineLux Green Valley Cinema, Watsonville

MARCH 10: Lowrider Art Exhibit & Car Show at the Porter Bldg., Watsonville (co-presented by Pajaro Valley Arts)

MARCH: 15: Short films + Live music performance by legendary Nicaraguan musician Carlos Mejía Godoy. At Oldemeyer Center, Seaside (co-presented by Palenke Arts)

MARCH 11-17: Film programs online at WFF Virtual Cinema

**SURJ SCC is especially thrilled to announce the world premiere screening of Watsonville Drag Story Time, a short documentary about the event that launched our Rainbow Defense Coalition in May 2023. It will show on Saturday, March 9, at 1:00 pm along with several other short films at the Cinelux Green Valley Cinema in Watsonville. Tickets to the film screening are available to purchase through the WFF website.**

If you are interested in joining the Rainbow Defense Coalition, please submit this RDC volunteer form.