Hey Sunrise Movement Sacramento,

It's been a while since we've sent an email to our full list! During election season we pivoted to other communication methods, and in this new year we've been getting the ball rolling again with community building events and solidarity with our movement allies.

For the latest updates and announcements we're most active on Instagram @sunrisemvmtsac, and on rarer occasion get spicy on Twitter @SacSunrise

We held our last general meeting on February 12th over Zoom, where we set a plan to reconvene around a community dinner together in March. In the meantime, check out the following opportunities and ways to show up for our movement allies local and far! 

Support Unionizing Coffee Shops

TMRW - Starbucks Workers United in Sacramento

Sacramento is in the midst of our first ever Starbucks stores in the process of moving to unionize - the Starbucks locations on 19th & J, and on 7th & K!

Workers at the 19th & J location are asking folks to show up on March 4th from 9am to 12pm and order drinks with the name "Union Strong" to show solidarity with workers and that our community supports them in this process. Follow them on Instagram and Twitter!

Peet's United in Davis

The first ever unionized Peet's Coffee in the country recently came to be in Davis CA! Follow them on Instagram and Twitter for ways to support them.

Solidarity with #StopCopCity

Letter writing with Decarcerate Sacramento

Join Decarcerate Sacramento in writing letters to jailed forest defenders on Saturday, March 11th from 2pm to 4pm as part of the #StopCopCity Week of Action called by organizers in Atlanta. Register now at tinyurl.com/stop-copcity

If you're not familiar with the struggle to #StopCopCity, check out our recent post or stopcopcitysolidarity.org. In what some are describing as the first time an environmental activist was killed by police in the United States, the Atlanta police department killed 26 year old land defender Tortuguita and have arrested other forest defenders. Join us in showing support for their cause, and the struggle to #StopCopCity in Atlanta and in every city.

Youth Training Opportunities

Student Environmental Activist Training (SEAT) Program

The Student Environmental Activist Training Program is a FREE 8-week program being offered by 350 Sacramento for middle and high school students in the Sacramento region. The program was initially designed by a member of Sunrise Movement Sacramento, features us as one of the guest speakers highlighting various social justice issue areas, and has had our members participate in previous cohorts!

The Spring 2023 cohort of the SEAT program will run for eight weeks starting March 8th until the last class on April 29th. Trainings will be on Wednesdays from 5 to 6:30 pm and Saturdays from 2 to 3:30 pm.

Completion of the SEAT program sets students up for the chance at an internship with 350 Sacramento with a $1000 stipend! Register to participate in the program now at 350sacramento.org/seat

Bay Area Solidarity Summer (BASS) for South Asian youth

Bay Area Solidarity Summer is a program that supports emerging South Asian activists, a member of Sunrise Movement Sacramento participated in their 2021 cohort over Zoom and highly recommends it!

Participants learn skills, find mentors, and join a cohort of young organizers and changemakers through a curriculum that balances skill trainings as well as South Asian radical history. This year BASS is returning to an in-person format, and South Asian youth are encouraged to apply for the 5-day program from August 10-14 in Oakland, CA. Housing is included, and 100% scholarships are offered. The deadline to apply is March 19th: SolidaritySummer.org

Consider applying if you are:

• age 18–23, with roots in places like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, or from the diaspora in Fiji, etc.

• thinking/working on an issue like racial justice, gender justice, immigrant rights, farmer movements, climate change

More General Learning Opportunities!

Rediscovering Democracy

Starting today with a lesson and discussion on Democracy & Social Struggle (from 6 - 8pm, happening while this email is being sent), 350 Sacramento is kicking off a series of trainings for the general community titled Rediscovering Democracy. Check the flier for more information!

Study And Action

Study and Action is an abolitionist community program hosting various forms of political education paired with taking action based in Sacramento.

They recently announced their Summer 2023 discussion series schedule:

• May 15th 7:00-8:15 PM PST Prentis Hemphill on Choosing Belonging on For the Wild podcast

• June 19th 7:00-8:15 PM PST Dr. Jamaica Heolimeleikilani Osario on Reclaiming Aloha on For the Wild podcast

• July 17th 7:00-8:15 PM PST Woman Stands Shining on Humanity's Homecoming on For the Wild podcast

• August 21st 7:00-8:15 PM PST Alok on Unruly Beauty on For the Wild podcast

Registration for the next full session from September 11th- October 23rd will open in early August. Check out their website at: studyandaction.org

Divestment And Banking

Third Act Against The Big Banks

Check out the following invitation from Third Act Sacramento, a local chapter of the national movement of elders mobilizing to take action:

"Third Act Sacramento is hosting a local action as part of a National Day of Action on 3.21.23 (March 21, 2023), when people across the country will withdraw their money and cut up their credit cards from the Four Big Dirty Banks: Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Citibank; these are the biggest funders of fossil fuel projects.

The goals of this action are:

1) To shame these banks for bankrolling our climate crisis

2) To let the banks know that we won’t be complicit in the destruction of the earth

3) To pressure the banks to stop funding fossil fuel projects, and

4) To have fun while helping to create a healthier, more livable future.

This National Day of Action is for all ages, and all are encouraged to sign the pledge to move your money. Volunteers in Third Act Sacramento have created a factsheet on local alternative banking options that do not fund global heating and destruction of our precious earth. For more information about the Day of Action and other creative protests in the lead-up to March 21, go to https://thirdact.org/national-day-of-action/ or contact us at thirdactsac@gmail.com.

Information on local actions: find the Sacramento or Davis actions on the map and sign up to receive more information and updates"