In a surprise move to anyone watching City of Berkeley politics, City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley resigned (as reported on Berkeleyside) one hour after the scheduled City Council Closed Session with one agenda item: city manager evaluation. -more-

Momanomics

In the afterglow of Mother's Day, a report from the Coalition on Human Needs (CHN) casts a somber shadow over the economic plight of America's moms. "Did you know," CHN Action begins, "74% of mothers are working moms?" According to the stats, 43% of White moms, 49% of Latina moms, 64% of Native moms, and a whopping 79% of Black moms are "the major breadwinners of their families."

This institutionalized "motherhood penalty" leaves millions of working moms earning an average "lifetime wage" that is $237,000 less than the average wage pocketed by men. And that means 20% less payback from Social Security retirement benefits.

CHN has a solution: "a national paid family leave program that would allow more moms to stay in the workforce while cutting down on career penalties for mothers." Currently, only 27% of private sector workers benefit from paid-family-leave programs. And only 6% of low-wage workers (mainly women of color—and mothers) have access to paid-leave support.

Colbert Clobbers; Kimmel Klobbers

When it comes to dumping on Trump, the Battle of the Late-Night Comedy Kings continues to surge. In the latest use of conjured taglines to brand their late-night episodes, the two hosts continue to deliver. But, while Colbert remains competitive, it's Kimmel who rules as Caption King. Here are last week's offerings:
Colbert: "Eye of the Stormy." "Gag, You're It." "Wormaggedon" (a ref to JFKJr's brainworm).
Kimmel: "Porn Star Witness," "Lepre-Con Man," "Count Flatula," "Founding Farter." -more-

Judge Aileen Cannon's decision to indefinitely postpone trump's trial for stealing and mis-handling government secrets is an attack on Justice. Not bringing the former president to account for his dangerous behavior also attacks our national security. With boxes of top secret documents stacked in his bathroom and elsewhere, there is no accounting for who may have seen sensitive military secrets. Indeed, we don't know whether the former president tried to trade some of those secrets for his personal benefit, as befits his character and previous schemes.

Prosecutor Jack Smith ought to call for a replacement judge. The judge's bias favoring trump has been exposed by several of her decisions that were subsequently reversed by the higher Appellate Court. American voters need to know before the election whether this candidate engaged in traitorous disregard for our national security. Top secrets about nuclear weapons and foreign agents must be kept secret.

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People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group and Make UC A Good Neighbor submitted on April 29, 2024 a Public Records Act (PRA) request to UC Berkeley due to the recent registration of a Native American site adjacent to People’s Park (listed on the National Register of Historic Places). UCB hasn’t disclosed any of the information about this site. Results of any subsequent investigation, subsequent discussions, or writings about it within UCB have not been shared with the public.

In response to the PRA request on May 7, 2024, UC Berkeley acknowledged it was holding responsive documents, but did not plan to produce this potentially highly significant information for 10 weeks.

There is urgency in the request because UCB is awaiting a State Supreme Court decision that could come at any day allowing initiation of construction at People’s Park. Before any construction begins at the park, the nature of the Native AMerican site must be determined by appropriate and thorough archeological investigative techniques and testing. -more-

The major harm that mountain biking does is that it greatly extends the human footprint (distance that one can travel) in wildlife habitat. E-bikes multiply that footprint even more. Neither should be allowed on any unpaved trail. Wildlife, if they are to survive, MUST receive top priority!

What were you thinking??? Mountain biking and trail-building destroy wildlife habitat! Mountain biking is environmentally, socially, and medically destructive! There is no good reason to allow bicycles on any unpaved trail!

Bicycles should not be allowed in any natural area. They are inanimate objects and have no rights. There is also no right to mountain bike. That was settled in federal court in 1996: https://mjvande.info/mtb10.htm . It's dishonest of mountain bikers to say that they don't have access to trails closed to bikes. They have EXACTLY the same access as everyone else -- ON FOOT! Why isn't that good enough for mountain bikers? They are all capable of walking....

Why do mountain bikers always insist on creating illegal trails? It's simple: they ride so fast that they see almost nothing of what they are passing. Therefore, they quickly get bored with any given trail and want another and another, endlessly! (In other words, mountain biking is inherently boring!) -more-

The long-standing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis has continuously evolved since 1948, raising critical questions about the nature of oppression and the right to resistance. This discourse often labels one group, the Israelis, as the oppressor, and the other, the Palestinians, as the oppressed. -more-

The resignation of the City Manager, Dee Williams-Ridley wasn’t the only surprise on May 6, 2024. -more-

< I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the reporting and editorial practices surrounding the December 28 article, "Screams Without Words," which detailed allegations of widespread sexual violence by members of Hamas on October 7. This piece has significant implications, especially given its utilization by Israeli leaders and Western allies to justify a military campaign in Gaza. -more-

I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent resignation of Hala Rharrit, an esteemed diplomat from the State Department, who took a courageous stand against the United States' militaristic approach in the Gaza Strip. -more-

"If you're going to take away the money, then you should take away the label." --the words of a long-deceased friend, an activist in mental health with a spotty reputation and background. And he was on spot with that comment. It was his response to the griping of taxpayers who don't want to foot the bill of paying the livelihood of mentally ill disabled people. -more-

As reported by the World Food Program (WFP) Chief, Cindy McCain, there are alarming signs of famine spreading rapidly throughout the territory, particularly in northern Gaza. -more-

Make Some Noise for Peace
Don't let a few raindrops get in the way: There's a big Stop Genocide rally set for San Francisco's Ferry Building Plaza at the Embarcadero today from 12:30 to 2.

The organizers, a raucous team of radical rascals previously known as RACCOON have just announced their latest free-speech event—calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Now known by the moniker MegaMouth Rebels, MMR's pre-protest posters promise the "Let Gaza Live" event will feature "Chants! Noise! Art! Angry Speech!" And when it comes to making noise, MMR isn't kidding. Their open-air auditory assault promises to include "8 megaphones, 7 air horns, 6 soccer trumpets, and chalk."

For the erudite in the crowd, MMG promises a "Palestinian Culture Quiz with Watermelon Prize!" And for the iconoclasts on hand, MMG plans a hands-on attraction called: "Tomato-Tossing at Bibi / Netanyahu Image." -more-

More Tents, Less Tension: The Sprawl at Sproul
With the news that a pro-Palestinian/anti-genocide occupation of the Sproul Steps was underway, I donned one of my tattered, decades-old Free Speech Movement T-shirts and trotted off to reconnoiter with some of my fellow FSM vets to show my support for the current generation of student protesters.

Recent days had been filled with apocalyptic scenes of police crackdowns as peacefully protesting students (and some faculty) were being falsely accused of supporting Hamas and promoting anti-Semitism, I was concerned that I might find Sproul Plaza playing host to a hoard of campus, city, and state cops, sheriffs, and troops.

Instead, the visit to the "tent-in" at Sproul Hall was a refreshing break from the plethora of video clashes that have been flashing on media screens from colleges and universities across the nation. Instead of another crackdown involving pepper-spray, batons, tasers and tie-downs, the tent city on the sanctified "free speech steps" of Sproul Hall was calm, quiet, and kempt.

Instead of hand-to-hand tussles with the fuzz, students were writing slogans on the Sproul Steps with an array of colored chalk. Instead of lines of chanting students, a single loudspeaker was placed on the steps, above the seated and passing students. Instead of a line-up of fiery orators, a series of calm, pre-recorded addresses streamed from the amplifier—somewhat garbled by a background noise that sounded like a weed-whacker. (Intentional electronic interference?)

Everyone was in good spirits, including a few homeless souls who visited the support tents to pick up some free fresh fruit. And, topping if off, the Cal Band's horn-and-drum team showed up to perform the Golden Bears' fight song and a stage-worthy rendition of ABBA's "Dancing Queen."

And there was much information available in handouts, flyers, and posters. One handbill advised hummus-lovers: "Don't dip into Israeli Apartheid." Instead, boycott Sabra and Tribe brand spreads. The pro-active pamphlet also contained a recipe for home-made hummus next to a photo of a picket sign reading "No Justice. No Chickpeas."

With all the violence at Columbus, Yale, Austin, USC and UCLA, it was a relief to see the authorities at UCB responding with non-confrontational acceptance. It looked like the lessons of the Free Speech Movement had left a lasting legacy here in Berkeley—an abiding respect for protest and debate limited only by the constraints of "time, place and manner." An exemplary model for other citadels of learning. -more-

The following statement of support from veterans of the 1964 Free Speech Movement was delivered to the occupation site on the steps of Sproul Hall on behalf of the Free Speech Movement Archives (www.fsm-a.org).

In the fall of 1964, the administration of the University of California at Berkeley, under external political pressure and spurred on by an administrator who was working with the FBI, attempted to ban political speech or activity on campus.

This resulted in a 3-month struggle, which gave birth to the Free Speech Movement, a successful campaign that organized the campus and culminated in massive peaceful civil disobedience, resulting in a complete victory for free speech rights.

In recent weeks, we have witnessed the depressing spectacle of university administrators at USC, Columbia, and NYU buckling under to external political pressure and attempting to silence voices demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and humanitarian aid for civilians. A valedictorian was prevented from addressing the graduating class, peaceful protests have faced mass arrests of students and faculty, faculty firings and student suspensions.

We urge these administrators to get off their knees, and stand up for free speech and academic freedom on the campuses it is their duty to lead and protect. Without the free exchange of ideas, there can be no learning, only indoctrination. The prohibition of ideas can only be for one reason; there is no way to rebut them with facts or logic. Invoking police power to close discussion is an admission of intellectual bankruptcy.

We applaud the development of a rapidly growing campus movement all over the country in solidarity with USC, Columbia and NYU. Free speech must be defended, now as it was in our time.

Free Speech Movement Archives Board

Jack Radey, President; Anita Medal, Treasurer; Bettina Aptheker; Robert Cohen; Susan Druding; Lee Felsenstein; Barbara Garson; Jackie Goldberg; Steve Lustig: Lynne Hollander Savio; Gar Smith; Barbara Stack -more-

“Confessions” under torture are inadmissible and at $13 million per prisoner an appalling waste of taxpayer funds. -more-

This month I have six mystery/thriller novels to recommend and one to avoid. There wasn’t a sure-fire winner in April, as there was in March with Tana French’s The Hunter. This month’s novels shared a common flaw: their endings were convoluted. -more-

Worth Noting:

Nice weather is here, before you go out and make all kinds of gardening mistakes check out the resources on Bringing Back the Native Garden Tour including the YouTube channel with Douglas Tallamy on why to use native plants, Erin Diehm on how to make your windows bird safe and garden tour videos, https://www.bringingbackthenatives.net Then go to Calscape restore nature one garden at a time to choose plants and find nurseries that specialize in native plants. http://calscape.org

Note bolded meetings:

• Monday:
  • At 9 am the Budget and Finance Committee meets in the hybrid format on the FY 2025-2026 budget. There will be an audio recording (NOT video) of the meeting.
  • At 6:30 pm the Youth Commission meets in person.
• Tuesday:
  • At 11 am the Solano BID meets in person.
  • At 4:30 pm (hybrid format) the Police Accountability Board presents the 2021-2023 report to City Council.
  • At 6 pm City Council meets in the hybrid format with items 25-PICKUPS/loading drop-off zones, 26-prioritizing referrals (see table at https://tinyurl.com/bdnnrfvu ), 27-reimagining public safety, 28-implementing AB 1033 selling ADUs separately
• Wednesday:
  • At 1:30 pm the Commission on Aging meets in person with a presentation by ACTC on the San Pablo Corridor Plan,
  • At 2 pm FITES meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 6:30 pm the HWCAC meets in person in a fully equipped room for hybrid meetings.
  • At 7 pm the Commission on Labor meets in person on Fair Work Week Ordinance.
  • At 7 pm the Commission on the Status of Women meets in person.
• Thursday:
  • At 10 am the Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community meets in the hybrid format with NOX on the agenda.
  • At 5:30 pm the Zero Waste Commission meets in person.
  • At 6:15 pm the Transportation and Infrastructure Commission meets in person on bicycle blvds.
  • At 6:30 pm the Community Health Commission meets in person.
  • At 6:30 pm the Design Review Committee meets in person.
  • At 6:30 pm the FCPC/OGC meet in person in the Cypress Room fully equipped for hybrid meetings.
• Saturday: At 9 am is shoreline cleanup.

At the bottom are the directions for getting on or off the email list for the Activist’s Calendar and Activist’s Diary and how to make the most out of ZOOM with closed captioning, zoom transcripts and converting YouTube to a transcript.

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Check for email from Karen Klatt for MHSA Advisory Committee meeting

BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS -more-

Worth Noting:

Busy week, City Council returns from recess on May 7, 2024. The council agendas for May 7 and May 14, plus the Agenda Committee draft Council agenda for the May 21 council meeting make this Activist’s Calendar very long (sorry)

• Sunday, May 5: From 10 am – 5 pm is the inland cities Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour.
• Monday, May 6:
  • At 2:30 pm the Civic Arts Commission Grants Subcommittee meets online.
  • At 3 pm the City Council meets in the hybrid format in closed session to evaluate the City Manager.
  • At 7 pm the Peace and Justice commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Personnel Board meets in person.
• Tuesday, May 7:
  • At 2:30 pm the Agenda Committee meets in the hybrid format.
  • The Council meets in the hybrid format starting at 4 pm to swear in Cecilia Lunaparra for District 7.
  • At 4:15 pm is the Council public hearing on the allocation of federal funds.
  • At 6 pm is the Council regular meeting.
• Wednesday, May 8:
  • At 9 am the Budget and Finance Committee meets in the hybrid format with 7 department budget presentations for FY 2025.
  • At 5 pm the Commission on Disability meets in the hybrid format for commissioners and in person only for the public. (The zoom link is not shared with the public.)
  • At 6:30 pm the Police Accountability Board (PAB) meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 7 pm the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission meets in person.
• Thursday, May 9:
  • At 9 am the Budget and Finance Committee meets in the hybrid format with 6 department budget presentations for FY 2025.
  • From 4 – 6pm there is a community safety meeting at San Pablo Park.
  • At 7 pm the Zoning Adjustment Board meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 1 pm WETA meets in the hybrid format with an amendment to the WETA Berkeley MOU as agenda item 9.
• Saturday, May 11: From 10 am – 12 pm the Berkeley Neighborhoods Council meets online.

Check the City website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice and city recreational activities at: https://berkeleyca.gov/

At the bottom of the calendar are the directions for getting on or off the email list for the Activist’s Calendar and Activist’s Diary and how to make the most out of ZOOM with closed captioning, zoom transcripts and converting YouTube to a transcript.



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BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS -more-

Worth Noting:

May 4 and May 5 are the free in person Bringing Back the Natives Garden tours from 10 am – 5 pm. Visit gardens planned around butterflies, hummingbirds, and caterpillars (baby bird food). Previewing the gardens online before going out is highly recommended. Saturday East Bay bayside cities list 42 gardens open to the public (all are private gardens except (1) the pollinator pathway). Sunday - Inland cities list 18 gardens (all are private except (1) the John Muir Historic site).

• You must REGISTER to receive the garden tour addresses (email will arrive from Kathy Kramer with subject line Garden Tour addresses, maps and tickets) https://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/view-gardens
• How to make your windows bird safe is on the Saturday Berkeley Garden Tour at Keith Johnson’s and Erin Diehm’s house. Their display includes multiple samples of window film and inexpensive DIY projects.
• The YouTube channel with webinars and videos of prior Bringing Back the Native Garden Tours is at: https://www.youtube.com/c/BringingBacktheNativesGardenTour
• Douglas Tallamy gives the “why” of seeing little bites out of plant leaves is reason to celebrate and not take a trip to by pesticide poisons. Even Hummingbird babies need insects to grow and fledge. https://youtu.be/ft7tWw470sY?si=PpujMALov3q9_hVP
• Calscape is the California Native Plant resource https://calscape.org

This is the 20th year of the annual garden tours. Several tour stops include all electric green homes.

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