Upcoming events
Rally and March – Saturday, November 16, 2024
Open Mic 2–3 pm
3 pm: Meet at the People’s Park Triangle at Dwight and Telegraph
March at 3:30 pm
Long Live the Spirit of Resistance! Long Live People’s Park!
Come together to stand against the privatization of common land.
For more information, email info@peoplespark.org
Or call (510) 390-0830
This event is wheelchair accessible.
Download flyer (PDF)
Past Events
Stand Up for HUMAN RIGHTS
, From Berkeley to Palestine!
RALLY AND MARCH,
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2024
Sproul Plaza
- 5pm Rally and March
- 7pm Gather at Haste and Telegraph
- 8pm Movies on the Border Wall!
END ATTACKS ON THE POOR! STOP SUPPORTING GENOCIDE! Hold UC accountable for its occupation of the Southside and its complicity in the genocide taking place in Gaza. Educate to Liberate!
Download poster 1 — Download poster 2
Open Mic at the Triangle, Saturday, August 17, 2024
(Dwight at Telegraph across from Peet’s, Berkeley)
2:30 – 4:30 pm
Music, Free Speech, Poetry
Bring your talent and your friends!
People’s Park Update and Movie Night, Thursday, August 22, 2024
Art House Gallery and Cultural Center
2905 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
(Just north of Ashby Avenue)
Film viewing at 8 pm. The films:
- Let 1000 Parks Bloom
- Second Campaign
- People’s Park – The Newsreel
Interspersed with Discussion:
Where do we go from here?
Donations to both People’s Park Council and Art House gladly accepted.
Panel Discussion
June 19, 2024, 7 PM
1939 Addison Street, Berkeley
Featured speakers include:
Jovanka Beckles – State Senate Candidate
Joe Liesner – People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group
Margot Smith – State Assembly Candidate
Moni Law – Affordable Housing and Police Accountability Activist
Jonah Gottlieb – office of District 7 Councilmember Lunaparra
Aidan Hill – Longtime People’s Park Gardener
Video of the Panel Discussion
https://fb.watch/sQvoIa2bEY/?mibextid=cr9u03
This event is available in person and via Zoom link
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81963341496
Meeting ID: 819 6334 1496
Spirit of the Park
People’s Park 55th Anniversary Festival
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Set up 10-12; official start time 1 PM till sunset 💚 followed by movie
night
Telegraph and Bowditch (from Haste to Dwight)
Although our Park has been seized, for the time being, we will continue
to plant seeds. Spirit lives on forever. Please join us in whatever
capacity you can! We will be centering BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and
People of Color) and LGBTQ+ identifying folks, through our performers,
vendors, and activities. However, EVERYONE gets a blister! We want
EVERYONE involved.
Although we are applying for permits, we may be rejected and this will
continue as an UNPERMITED event. Please keep that in mind!
We will have safety liaisons from community conducting traffic either
way.
http://tinyurl.com/SpiritofthePark
Condensed Review of the Supreme Court Briefs for Housing Project #2 at People’s Park
Viewing the Oral Arguments at April 3, 2024 Supreme Court session opens at 8:30 am here:
https://supreme.courts.ca.gov/case-information/oral-arguments/webcast-library
Read the review (or download the PDF)
March for People’s Park, Friday, April 19, 5 PM – 7 PM
Starts at Willard Park, ends at Sproul Plaza.
Friday marches will continue April 26 and May 3. The march on May 3 will
be in Commemoration of Bloody Thursday.
Come out and join the Berkeley community in a march advocating for
People’s Park to remain a green space! Show your support as we declare
to the UC Regents that People’s Park is a cornerstone of Berkeley’s
countercultural legacy and values.
The march will begin at Willard Park, and end at Sproul Plaza.
Accessibility accommodations (vehicular transport) can be available upon
contact (email info [at] peoplespark.org).
Reducing any piece of People’s Park is in direct violation of Berkeley’s
Measure L, passed in 1986, which requires the Berkeley City Council to
preserve and maintain the public parks and open space which exist in
Berkeley, as well as to acquire and maintain public parks and open space
in the census tracts and neighborhoods of Berkeley having less than the
minimum amount of open space relative to population (2 acres per 1,000).
Rather than reduce People’s Park, we need to increase parks and open
space in this high density area, and we call on the University to
cooperate and facilitate such expansion. Measure L noted “there exists a
clear and present emergency in that the threatened loss of open space,
parks and recreational opportunities in the neighborhoods in Berkeley
will cause irreparable damage to the health and welfare of Berkeley
residents.” This has escalated dramatically over the past 35 years,
especially in light of the global climate crisis.
We also call on the University to honor the recognition of People’s Park
as a nationally significant site, included on the National Register of
Historic Places. Every effort needs to be made to insure it continues as
an open space for world citizens to congregate, share thoughts, music,
poetry, art and inspirations, celebrate free speech and community, offer
mutual aid, and plant and nurture seeds, as we have done for over 50
years.
This protest unifies us in our plea against the commercialization of our
park and demands that UC Berkeley opt for alternate locations for
development, such as the numerous parking lots and vacant buildings that
UC itself documented as potential sites for student housing – or perhaps
the vacant chancellor’s mansion! People’s Park stands as a beacon of
community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and social justice. To
fight climate chaos, we need all the green space we can find.
The march is a declaration against the militarization of our shared
spaces, supporting peace and the rematriation of Ohlone land. We
denounce UC’s financial motives and call for investments that truly
enrich our community. We urge the Regents to acknowledge the cultural
and environmental importance of the park, returning it to the community
that maintains it.
GET INVOLVED:
People’s Park Council is open to the public, and meets every Saturday at
1pm at the Grassroots House (2022 Blake Street). If you are interested
in organizing for the park, please join us!
MORE INFORMATION:
Website: peoplespark.org
Email: info [at] peoplespark.org
Instagram: PeoplesParkBerkeley
People’s Park Council Meeting
SATURDAYS 1PM
Grassroots House
2022 Blake Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
HOLD THE DATE:
Berkeley Student Cooperative 3rd Annual Block Party
Sunday April 21, 2024
“Community Care Block Party – Living the 7th Cooperative Principle”
More info here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsDEnRx_Ul9LjWYcOxkAAS45rrb0XuJCIv3a2sh6LFw/edit
Please support the legal fund of the People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group
The legal challenges to stop UC from building over our park continue. https://www.peoplesparkhxdist.org/donate-now/
The struggle is not over! Text SAVETHEPARK to 41372 to join the bulldozer alarm text alert.
Let 1000 Parks Bloom!
People’s Park Event Calendar on Google
Open the calendar in a new tab
Earth Day and People’s Park Anniversary Event
People’s Park and Green Space in Berkeley
Saturday, April 20, 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Community Meeting Room in Central Library, 2090 Kittredge, Berkeley.
Free.
Panelists include Max Ventura (connecting UC’s actions in the hills to
UC’s actions in People’s Park), Carol Denney (the Park’s federal
landmark status and the Park’s future), Sofia Alcocer (a UC Suitcase
Clinic member), Linsey Damashek from Telegraph for People (Berkeley
housing crisis and what their organization is doing), and a student
representative from Environmental Studies.
We will have T-shirts and Terri Compost’s book People’s Park Still
Blooming available at this event.
Contact: Hali Hammer (510) 717-7017
Untold & Undertold Stories of People’s Park
Sunday afternoon, April 7th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Art House Gallery, 2905 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
featuring Harold Adler, David Axelrod, Tom Dalzell, Carol Denney, Osha Neumann, Andrea Pritchett, Steve Wasserman and especially you.
Come tell us your story, sing your song, recite your poem. Everyone is welcome, potluck and beverages welcome.
Join us in storytelling, which has its own way of organizing.
Art House Gallery, 2905 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705, Phone: (510) 472-3170
Supreme Court of California hears arguments on People’s Park CEQA case April 3, 2024
The Supreme Court of California will hear the Oral Arguments in our People’s Park CEQA case in Los Angeles on April 3, 2024 at 9 am. The attorneys will make points and respond to questions posed by the justices.
An important area of discussion is how the new CEQA regulations (21085 and 21085.2) created by AB 1307 affect the decision of the Court of Appeals (COA) that the Supreme Court is reviewing. For one example, 21085.2 can be seen as making the return of the EIR for Housing Project #2 at People’s Park back to the trial court, as the COA has ruled, a moot point. On another point it could be argued that the criteria for enactment of 20185.2 was not met and the COA decision is still enforceable. The issues in the case are quite complex due to AB 1307.
See the People’s Park Documents archive for information on the case.
Friday Marches for People’s Park:
Save Open Space! Free the People! Free the Land!
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2024, from 5 PM to 7 PM
Location: The march begins at Willard Park and progresses along Telegraph Avenue to Sproul Plaza
Bring instruments, signs and please help us with chants and speeches! We need EVERYONE!
We call for the liberation of People’s Park, a cornerstone of Berkeley’s countercultural legacy and values. Reducing any piece of People’s Park is in direct violation of Berkeley’s Measure L, passed in 1986, which requires the Berkeley City Council to preserve and maintain the public parks and open space which exist in Berkeley, as well as to acquire and maintain public parks and open space in the census tracts and neighborhoods of Berkeley having less than the minimum amount of open space relative to population (2 acres per 1,000). Rather than reduce People’s Park, we need to increase parks and open space in this high density area, and we call on the University to cooperate and facilitate such expansion. Measure L noted “there exists a clear and present emergency in that the threatened loss of open space, parks and recreational opportunities in the neighborhoods in Berkeley will cause irreparable damage to the health and welfare of Berkeley residents.” This has escalated dramatically over the past 35 years, especially in light of the global climate crisis.
We also call on the University to honor the recognition of People’s Park as a nationally significant site, included on the National Register of Historic Places. Every effort needs to be made to insure it continues as an open space for world citizens to congregate, share thoughts, music, poetry, art and inspirations, celebrate free speech and community, and plant and nurture seeds, as we have done for over 50 years.
This protest unifies us in our plea against the commercialization of our park and demands that UC Berkeley opt for alternate locations for development, such as the vacant chancellor’s mansion. People’s Park stands as a beacon of community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and social justice. To fight climate chaos, we need all the green space we can find.
The march is a declaration against the militarization of our shared spaces, supporting peace and the rematriation of Ohlone land. We denounce UC’s financial motives and call for investments that truly enrich our community. We urge the Regents to acknowledge the cultural and environmental importance of the park, returning it to the community that maintains it.
UC Regents Meeting
WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY, MARCH 20 – 21, 2024
UCLA and by teleconference
Agenda: https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/meetings/agendas/march24.html
Sign up to provide public comment by 5PM the day before the public comment period:
https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/meetings/public-comment.html
March for People’s Park:
A Stand for Green Space and Justice on Regent St.
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024, from 5 PM to 8 PM
Begins at Willard Park and progresses along Telegraph Avenue to Sproul Plaza, ending at the People’s Park Mural/Chess Club at Haste and Telegraph.
Join our march against UC Berkeley’s proposed development of People’s Park, a cornerstone of Berkeley’s countercultural legacy and values. This protest unifies us in our plea against the commercialization of our park and demands that UC Berkeley consider alternate locations for development, such as the vacant chancellor’s mansion. People’s Park stands as a beacon of community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and social justice.
The march is a declaration against the militarization of our shared spaces, supporting peace and the rematriation of Ohlone land. We denounce UC’s financial motives and call for investments that truly enrich our community. We urge the Regents to acknowledge the cultural and environmental importance of the park, returning it to the community that maintains it.
Route Map: Beginning at Willard Park, the march continues down Telegraph Avenue, incorporates a rally at Sproul Plaza, and culminates at People’s Park (Haste/Telegraph).
Key Activities:
5 PM: Gathering at Willard Park
5:15 PM: March starts, led by prominent community figures
5:45 PM: Rally at Sproul Plaza featuring speakers and artists
6:30 PM: Cultural engagement at People’s Park
Safety Measures: Ensuring safety is paramount. Community medics, volunteers, and traffic coordinators will be present. Masks and hand sanitizers will be distributed, and social distancing is encouraged.
Support and Contributions: Participate as a volunteer, spread our message, or join the march. For remote supporters, a live stream will be available. Use our hashtags to engage online. Financial contributions should go to the Long Haul Info shop and the People’s Park Council.
Socials: Linktr.ee/thepeoples_park
Stand with us on March 15 to express our resolute desire to protect People’s Park. Our unity can ensure this vital green area remains a symbol of communal strength and ecological preservation.
Press conference to discuss the police brutality and illegal acts of UCB since January 4th.
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024, 3PM – 4:30PM
Amoeba Music, 2455 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
A STUDENT & COMMUNITY PANEL
Presented by: Hong Seng Campaign, Grad Students for Justice in
Palestine, People’s Park Berkeley, & Blackstone Divestment Campaign
UC DIVESTMENT TEACH-IN
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024, 6PM – 8PM
UC Berkeley Labor Center
2521 Channing Way, Large Conference Room
Where is our tuition money going?
Learn about the UC’s unethical investments and what WE can do about it.
UC Berkeley Charter Day
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024, 10AM – 2PM
(Chancellor Carol Christ is expected to speak NOON – 1PM)
Sproul Plaza, UC Berkeley campus
UC Berkeley will be celebrating its 156th Birthday, and included this
comment in its announcement: https://light.berkeley.edu/o/charter-day-2024/
“Land sold through the Morrill Act of 1862 to fund the University of California was expropriated from Native Nations. The Morrill Act is intricately tied to California’s unique history of Native dispossession and genocide. UC continues to benefit from this wealth accumulation today. Without acknowledging past and ongoing injustices, we cannot fully live up to our mission.”
Sounds like an invitation to come acknowledge some of those ongoing injustices we’ve been experiencing at the hands of the university!
‘What’s Goin’ On?’: A Teach-In On People’s Park
7–9 pm, Monday, February 26, 2024
Maud Fife Room – 315 Wheeler Hall, UC Berkeley campus
Presenters:
- Harvey Smith, organizer of the People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group and project advisor for The Living New Deal, UC Berkeley Department of Geography
- Tom Dalzell, labor lawyer and author of The Battle for People’s Park, Berkeley 1969
- Tony Platt, author of The Scandal of Cal: Land Grabs, White Supremacy and Miseducation at UC Berkeley and affiliated scholar at Berkeley’s Center for the Study of Law and Society
- Steve Wasserman, publisher of Heyday Books and park activist since 1969
- Sylvia T, recent UC Berkeley graduate, independent archival researcher and People’s Park defender
- Sara Pech, Historic Preservation Club, a UC Berkeley student group
- Representatives from the Suitcase Clinic, a UC Berkeley student group
Moderator:
- Kristin Hanson, Professor of English, UC Berkeley
People’s Park is currently barricaded by stacked shipping containers topped with razor wire and guarded round-the-clock, following a midnight raid in early January by combined police forces from UC, CSU, Alameda County, San Francisco City and County and the California State Highway Patrol, organized by the UC Berkeley administration. Why? “The existing legal issues will inevitably be resolved, so we are taking this necessary step now to minimize the possibilities of conflict and confrontation, and of disruption for the public and our students, when we are cleared to resume construction,” said Chancellor Carol Christ (The Berkeleyan, January 16, 2024). Like others in the flood of official campus public relations communications with which students, faculty and staff have been inundated since the Chancellor’s 2017 announcement of plans to build student housing on the park, this response falls short of explaining why there is such fear of “conflict and confrontation” and such strong opposition to these plans, even from students whose interests the plans are supposed to serve.
For a broader range of perspectives on what was and is going on at People’s Park, Teach-Ins have been organized by UC Berkeley students (January 24) and by community groups (February 4). Please join us for the next one. There will be ample time for Q and A. Fiat Lux!
People’s Park – Participatory Painting, Poetry & Music
There are many hearts buried in People’s Park, and part of my own as well. — Julia Vinograd
Sunday February 11, 2024, 1–4 PM
(Postponed from Sun, Feb 4 due to rain)
Bowditch St & Haste St, Berkeley
Download black & white PDF of this poster
Download black & white JPG
Download color PDF
Download color high-resolution JPG
Download color medium-resolution JPG
People’s Park: An Overview – Panel Discussion and Community Meeting
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Doors at 6:30 PM, Event at 7 PM
Art House Gallery and Cultural Center, 2905 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley
Panelists:
- Tom Dalzell, author of The Battle for People’s Park, Berkeley 1969
- Joe Liesner, speaking on legal issues
- Lisa Teague, with an insider view of the Park
- Max Ventura, long-time Park activist with some history of successful resistance over decades
- Rohan Shinkre from the Suitcase Clinic to give a UC student perspective
Each panelist will talk about 5 minutes, followed by Q&A and community discussion
Teach-in hosted by Suitcase Clinic
Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
On campus at historic Bauer Wurster Hall at UC Berkeley, College of Environmental Design.
Rally for Ceasefire at Israeli Embassy, San Francisco
Tuesday, January 23, 2024, noon to 1:30 pm
Rally at Israeli Embassy, 4456 Montgomery St., San Francisco
Berkeley City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 6:00 pm
at Berkeley Unified School District Boardroom, 1231 Addison Street , Berkeley, CA 94702, (Bonar @ Addison, one block south of University)
Rally for ceasefire in Gaza.
Rally with People’s Park supporters at 11am, January 4, 2024
On behalf of the People’s Park Council:
UC is using shipping containers, stacked two high, to wall off People’s Park. Several Park defenders were arrested during the police action last night. More trees have been killed.
Come rally with other People’s Park supporters today at 11am, January 4, 2024 at Haste and Telegraph in Berkeley!
Meet to Save People’s Park and Plan Ahead
Berkeley Central Library Community Room
2090 Kittredge Street, Berkeley
Saturday, April 29, 2023, 1–4 PM
Berkeley residents and organizations are invited to a People’s Park community meeting on Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 1:00 to 4 PM at the Berkeley Central Library Community Room, 2090 Kittredge Street, Berkeley. There, we will work towards developing a long-term stewardship and maintenance plan for the park, to be in perpetuity. This meeting will bring together an inclusive community-wide working group to consider how we can revitalize our People’s Park.
The idea of a Commons model for the Park will be introduced and examined. Speakers and meeting participants will discuss next steps for restoring People’s Park so it can be a vibrant part of our community.
Alan Haber came for the anniversary celebration Saturday and is staying for the meeting. He was one of the founders of SDS and started the Long Haul here in Berkeley. He is working with a group in Ann Arbor, where he now lives, on a Commons Park property which exists there.
Aidan Hill will livestream the meeting on our Facebook page (link coming soon).
You don’t have to be a Berkeley resident to attend.
People’s Park 54th Anniversary
(in memory of Michael Delacour)
Sunday, April 23, 2023, 11 AM to 7 PM
Climate Event, Yukon Hannibal and Drummers, Welcome by Eddie and talk about Michael, Jordan Huez, Speakers, Hali Hammer and Randy Berge, Max Ventura, dress, and George Franklin, Marika Sage, Speakers, Moth Morgue, Speakers – Aidan Hill, Cheryl Davila, others, Driftwood Dave duo, Speakers – Alan Haber, Odile Hugonot, others, Evelie Delfino Såles Posch, Carol Denney, Speakers, Afterthought, Andrea Mallis, astrologer, FiLTHMiLK, Speakers – Russell Bates and others, Andrea Prichett group, Speakers, Jazmin, Speakers, Gurschach, Closing
More details
Download posters:
Poster (color) 54th Anniversary People’s Park, 2023, version 2
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/poster-54th-Anniversary-PeoplesPark-colorV2.jpg
Poster (black & white) 54th Anniversary People’s Park, 2023, version 2
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/poster-54th-Anniversary-PeoplesPark-bwV2.jpg
Ongoing Events
Gardening at all times and bigger gardening days SUNDAYS to bring back our trees and gardens, and continue fire mitigation work we’ve been doing since June. Contact us to get connected to the gardening group.
Some MONDAY EVENINGS: Practice an effective NVCD technique. Supporters/tenders who won’t risk arrest are also needed. For exact location and time, phone or text 510-646-3596 and/or email: ScotchTheGoodBoy@gmail.com with your name and contact info. If you don’t know Phoebe or Pilar, please also tell us who you know on the People’s Park Council.
THURSDAYS 9-11am Open Air Temple. Come join in a prayerful morning of music, meditation, dance, poetry, and love for the park. Meet in the clover area in the center of the park. Contact: elanarobyn@gmail.com
FRIDAYS 12:30pm Garden Tours. Meet in the SW corner of the park. Contact: stgwoahior82@gmail.com
SATURDAYS Spokescouncil meetings at 11 am. All are welcome and if you are part of an affinity group or other group, please make sure someone part of it is there to represent your group.
Related News
Please sign two petitions to save three beloved historic buildings targeted by UC for demolition. Signing these petitions also supports work to save People’s Park. Preserving our history matters for our future:
Anna Head School petition: https://annaheadschool.org/petition
Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association petition: https://www.change.org/p/save-julia-morgan-and-bernard-maybeck-s-magnificent-uc-gym-and-two-more-uc-landmarks
Hello Friends, Here is link to the calendar for event planning at the park. Let Music, Art and Joyous Merry-Making abound! Take photos and video if you can and contact info@peoplespark.org for instructions on getting it posted to PeoplesPark.org.
Nonviolent Direct Action prep/training SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 11am-5pm
RSVP to dress.hsd@gmail.com. Learn history and philosophy of nonviolent direct action used locally and around the world. We’ll talk about jail solidarity tactics, affinity groups and how they can work, and we’ll get in a lot of roleplaying whose usefulness often surprises people. **Please plan to stay all day. Please bring chairs or blankets if you can, and water and hats, etc.
Protest FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 3:30pm at UC event:
Homecoming Panel: Town/Gown Relations – Policy Matters
4 – 5 PM, Pauley Ballroom
Meet in front of ASUC Building on UC Berkeley Campus, near Bancroft and Telegraph
Ironically, this event is sponsored by the Goldman School’s Center for Civility & Democratic Engagement, and is billed as a discussion of the “roles and responsibilities of the University, the City, the State, and other stakeholders regarding Campus/City relations and how best to think about, analyze, and address the impacts of future enrollment increases and campus expansions on Berkeley and other campus communities.”
On the panel are Goldman School of Public Policy Dean David Wilson, Berkeley officials Mayor Jesse Arreguin, Councilmembers Rigel Robinson and Kate Harrison, and Senator Nancy Skinner, who is being credited with the legislation that overturned the court ordered campus enrollment freeze. Moderated by Goldman School Professor Dan Lindheim.
For more information, and for the live stream of the event, see:
https://gspp.berkeley.edu/calendar/event/homecoming-panel-future-of-campus-city-relations
Tie-Dye People’s Park Shirts!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1 – 5 PM
Sliding Scale $5 to $30 includes t-shirt + all materials
Tyler/Stone is leading this effort and can be reached at: taylormorningstar@decoymail.com
Nonviolent Direct Action prep/training
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 11 AM – 5 PM
RSVP to dress.hsd@gmail.com
Fire Mitigation and Hügelkultur Gardening
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 12 – 5 PM
Bring your gloves and any tools you have. Please let us know if you have tools others could use.
August 3rd arrestee arraignment
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 9 AM
Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, Department 112, 661 Washington Street, Oakland
If you were arrested in defense of People’s Park, and you want help from the National Lawyers Guild, they request that you fill out this form: https://arrestee-form.nlgsf.org/
Note from the NLG: This form is end-to-end encrypted and goes only to the NLG legal team. We can provide lawyers to advise and represent most people in misdemeanor cases for free, but only if the arrestees get in touch with us by filling out the form, emailing demonstrations@nlgsf.org or if needed, by calling the legal hotline 415-909-4NLG (4654).
Please also notify Copwatch at berkeleycopwatch@yahoo.com or (510) 548-0425, and let us know as well at info@peoplespark.org so we can be sure no one slips through the cracks.
LEGAL UPDATE: No known court dates ahead, but the legal dates on the books are that our lawyers have to get their appeal briefs in by September 6, UC has 20 days to cry about how unfair it all is, and then our lawyers have 20 days to get in our rebuttal. So we have some breathing room on the legal front but UC is UC and we have to be prepared for anything at all. We’re dealing with some of the biggest climate destroyers on the planet and they just killed so many trees in the park, actually changing the climate dramatically in the park and therefore in the neighborhood. It’s not like UC has a moral fiber anywhere to be found. So stay vigilant.
Other park news: The bathroom, at least one side, was liberated and has water once more. May the flush be with you.
People’s Park Gift, a huge collaborative art project in the park, Saturday, September 3, 2022
UC used a backhoe as a weapon of destruction in the recent massacre at People’s Park. We wrapped it up as a gift to give back to UC. Art seminar 10am, art workshop 11-3, and permanent exhibit opening at 4pm.
In the artist’s own words:
Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, exactly a month after the terrible events occured at People’s Park, the community of People’s Park is going to wrap up a special gift back to the UC Berkeley administration. We don’t want it! Spaniard artist 233 is leading an art project fruit of collective thought, sharing and work, promoted by People’s Park Council and supported by the whole community of People’s Park. The idea is to contribute through contemporary art with People’s Park’s struggle against the powerful unfair capitalist establishment in which every human being coexist.
Full story
DISORIENTATION WEEKEND at People’s Park! September 2 – 4, 2022
Discover the park – get involved – meet students and community members!
FRIDAY September 2
Movie night…. 8pm
Free screening of “The Emperor’s New Groove”!
SATURDAY September 3
10 am: Huge art project in the park.
Come help wrap a massive gift for UC!! And help place our own National Register plaque.
5–8 pm: FREE CONCERT!!!
A night of Vibes, Hip-Hop and Neo-Soul!
Featuring Cas’ti, Oddity, Kahj & Versaâm
SUNDAY September 4
Non-Violent Direct Action Training 10:30 am – 6 pm
A day long prep session for taking action to defend the park
Contact: weddress777@gmail.com
More info about the Nonviolent Direct Action prep/training: Please plan to stay all day. Bring hats, water, lunch, chair or blanket. These preps are an opportunity to lean into the long history of nonviolent direct action, working with affinity groups and Consensus Process decision-making, jail solidarity inside and outside of jail, with plenty of role playing. RSVP if possible, so we know approximately how many handouts to copy.
Contact: weddress777@gmail.com
Memorial Tree Planting in the Park for our friend & comrade Dickie Haskell, Sunday, August 28, 2022
Sunday, August 28, 10 AM – 6 PM, People’s Park Garden Day
All Day: Help us break down brush! Food from FNB! Bring water, loppers, shovels, things to plant, and project aspirations!
Court Support for People’s Park Arrestees being arraigned, Friday, September 2, 2022, 2 PM
Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, 661 Washington Street in Oakland
If possible please meet at 1:30 PM outside the courthouse to go inside together, and allow for getting through security. The goal is to show the judge that arrestees have community support, which in some cases has been helpful in influencing judges positively. This is not a protest. Please recognize a protest that is not requested by arrestees can have negative effects. More details…
Non-violent direct action preparations and training – Sunday, August 7, 2022, 10 AM – 6 PM
Protect People’s Park from ongoing destruction. Please plan to stay all day. Lunch provided by Food Not Bombs. This will be a day of preparation for being in the streets and park with your friends and probably some strangers. It’s an interactive day with a background in the history of nonviolent philosophy and practical action, the legal process, jail solidarity, affinity group formation, and consensus process decision-making.
contact: weddress777@gmail.com
UC Berkeley removes ‘FreeBox’ in People’s Park despite student support
Rachel Barber | Staff – Berkeleyside
The Struggle Continues For People’s Park – Music and Speakout – Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Support the park and its history of community engagement that has sustained poor folx and kept the counter culture alive for over five decades!
Watch video of the event at the People’s Park Community Facebook page — with Andrea Prichett (MC), Corrina Gould, John Holloway, Joe Liesner, Pamela Price, Aidan Hill, Señor Gigio, Rosey Stephens, Maxina Ventura, Sophia, Becky and Andrea Prichett. Thanks to Aidan Hill for the video! Sponsored by the People’s Park Coalition.
Next hearing for People’s Park’s legal challenge
July 29, 2022 is the next hearing date about the legal challenge to UC’s shoddy Environmental Impact Report and will probably be multi-day. To donate to the legal work, one of the only things slowing down UC in its tracks, go to: https://www.peoplesparkhxdist.org/
July 29, 30, 31, and August 1:
DE-FENCE PHEST at People’s Park
4 Days of Love and Rage to Keep People’s Park WILD AND FREE!!!
Featuring…. Androgygnar * The Funky Nixons * Wayfairy * Krewe de Noiz * Andrea Pritchett * Filthmilk * Buyer/Imprint Design * Sumni Koa Band * Nelson G. Nelson * Hansin * Lydia Burdorf * Hauntress * Keewee! * Downtown owl * Bludgeonary * Regress * Skullet Cult * East Brothers * Kevin Seraphin * Bella King * Lazy hawk * Bryaugh * Siddr
DJs: Fractal Drip * Hot Goth GF * Showhole * Dysc Music * Mouse
BE READY TO CAMP! Food provided by EAST BAY FOOD NOT BOMBS
Info: tel: 510-BAD-SMUT, email: undeveloping@protonmail.com
Saturday, July 23, 2022, 10 AM to 6 PM, People’s Park Nonviolence Training, Nonviolent Direct Action prep/training
Food Not Bombs will provide lunch. Please come prepared to stay the whole day
- Introduction of Trainers and Training
- Agenda Review
- Introductions/Name Sharing/Preferred Pronouns
- Pledge of Resistance
- History and Philosophy of Nonviolence
- Nonviolence Guidelines
- Hassle Lines (practice tactics)
- Legal
BREAK!
- Consensus
- Consensus Review/ Quick Decision-making
- Solidarity
- Civil Disobedience Roleplay
- Getting Arrested
- Jail Conditions
- Pledge of Resistance Involvement
- Affinity Groups
- Evaluation/ Closing Circle
- Affinity Group Formation
Contact: info@peoplesparkorg
The new People’s Park Documentary by Señor Gigio
PREMIERES Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 8 pm!
Link to the documentary where folks will be able to tune into the premiere and join the live chat at 8 PM PST:
Link to the trailer to give folks a sneak peek:
People’s History of Berkeley, a talk by Max Ventura and Joe Liesner, July 14, 2022
Two old legendary Berkeley neighbors and community organizers, Max Ventura and Joe Liesner, will give a talk to the people at Hillegass Parker House about the People’s History of Berkeley. Max and Joe will tell stories about how Berkeley has evolved throughout the years, what are the movements and organizations that marked its history, as well as what have been the biggest difficulties for our old time neighbors, activists and students.
July 14, 2022, approximately an hour (7:30ish-8:30ish)
Dining room / living room, 2545 Hillegass at Parker St., Berkeley
March to Reclaim People’s Park
Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 5 PM
5 PM: Rally at Martin Luther King Civic Center Park, March to People’s Park (~ 1 mile)
7:30 PM: Live music and BBQ at People’s Park
UC Berkeley has started taking over People’s Park, a historic center of community, resistance, and mutual aid. March with us to reclaim the space and tell the UC: NO DEVELOPMENT ON PEOPLE’S PARK!
More details with video clips…
TELL CHANCELLOR CHRIST:
HANDS OFF PEOPLE’S PARK!
Rally and Speakout
Monday, June 6 at 12 noon
California Hall, UC Berkeley
The Regents of the are preparing to invade and destroy People’s Park by mid-June and we call on our community to RESIST! We call on all people who value Open Space, Free Speech, User Development and the right of our community to exist to tell Chancellor Christ that we will defend People’s Park against this corporate University takeover!
JOIN US! Now is the time to challenge the Regents for their part in creating the current housing crisis in Berkeley! Now is the time to fight for our history and our future!
Sponsored by the Peoples Park Council
www.peoplespark.org
ALL are welcome to speakout!
Speakers include activists, lawyers, students, community members and park residents.
We must unite to fight.
EMERGENCY ALERT: TEXT “SAVETHEPARK” TO 41372
Download this as a printable 8.5 x 11 inch PDF flyer.
Press Release and more information
Download a printable PDF (8.5 x 11 inches) (Low resolution for now, higher resolution coming ASAP)
People’s Park 53rd Anniversary, April 24, 2022, Noon to 6:30 PM
Come celebrate with us for our
People’s Park 53rd Anniversary Weekend April 23 and 24th.
Concerts noon, on each day, and celebrate the Berkeley Student Co-ops also under threats from UC. Music, food, speakers, festivities, and workshops…
Yukon/drummers • Free Speech speakers • Ed Monroe • Hali Hammer & Friends • Carol Denney • Michael Delacour/Suitcase Clinic • Joe Liesner – Food Not Bombs/Workers Community Kitchen • Driftwood Dave and Jorie • Dan Siegel • Evelie Posch • Yesica (homeless issues, civil lawsuit), Russ (Copwatch) • Funky Nixons • Max Ventura/Diggers Song • Dayton Andrews (gentrification/anti-war activism) • Andrea Prichett and Shelley Doty • Marika Sage • Andrea Mallis (astrology of the Park) • Aidan Hill (State of the District) • Dapper Shindig Band (Stevie B) • Lynn Gottlieb/Berkeley Student Coop • Uromastyx
Let us know about upcoming events: Send email to info@peoplespark.org with complete details about the event and we’ll get it posted ASAP. The more advance notice the better.
Author event: In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower: How Universities are Plundering Our Cities
Author coming to speak at UC Berkeley in April:
Davarian Baldwin, author of In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower: How Universities are Plundering Our Cities, will be speaking at a public event
April 18, 2022 from 5-7 p.m.
Social Sciences Matrix, 820 Social Sciences Building, UCB
Stop the War in Ukraine, Save the People – Rally, Saturday, April 16, 2022, 3pm
Stop the War in Ukraine, Save the People
Hosted by United Against War and Militarism
Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 3pm
People’s Park Stage, People’s Park, 2556 Haste Street, Berkeley, California
End the War: We must come together to oppose further escalation by Russia and the United States. Join us in front of the Stage for a Rally, Speeches and discuss plans of action!
The Future of Southside Berkeley’s Parks?
Trees • Oxygen • Gardens • Now is the time to maintain nature’s gifts!
- We need MORE, not less, open, green space in Southside!
- According to Alameda County records, UC has acres of land all over Berkeley and the Bay Area, including south of campus
Come and share your visions for how to make these essential parks open and usable by everyone. Join us! Please attend an important community meeting to discuss these issues!
March 30, 2022 at 7 p.m.
Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2236 Parker St., Berkeley
peoplespark.org & peoplesparkhxdist.org
PDF flyer link:
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PeoplesParkFutureFlyer20220330.pdf
House the People, Liberate the Land! Rally and street fair
We demand RCD (Resources for Community Development) drop out of UC’s plan to destroy People’s Park!
We demand tenant-controlled public housing and open public space!
Join us outside real estate developer RCD’s offices to demand actual solutions to the housing and economic crises and learn the truth about RCD’s crisis profiteering model.
Wednesday November 10, 2021 @ Noon
2220 Oxford St, Berkeley
RCD Offices
Oxford at Allston (1 block east of Berkeley BART)
https://defendthepark.org/events/house-the-people-liberate-the-land
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2021/10/19/18845800.php
Poster image
Panel Discussion and Presentation by People’s Park Historic District, Friday, August 27, 2021, 6–9 pm
Canessa Gallery
708 Montgomery Street, San Francisco
Last Friday two lawsuits were filed in Alameda County Superior Court against UC Berkeley and the UC Regents. Two community groups and AFSCME Local 3299 are challenging the impact of growth plans of the university. Previously another filing was done on the Berkeley City Council’s violations of the Brown Act, in formulating and adopting the City’s recent secret “settlement agreement” with the University of California.
The evening’s panel will discuss both legal and community organizing actions to stop implementation of UCB’s Long Range Development Plan (LRDP), a plan that seeks to destroy People’s Park and other irreplaceable neighborhood and community assets in Berkeley.
Panelists include historians, preservationists and activists – Charles Wollenberg, Lesley Emmington, Carol Denney, Joe Liesner and Harvey Smith. — Read more…
People’s Park Palooza! September 4, 2021, 6 pm, People’s Park, Berkeley
Performances by: Maya Songbind, QINGQI, Easydoesiiit, UNPOP, Perhapsy
Free admission with recommended donations of $5-10 or $10-20
Masks required.
Vendors from 3ofwands Collective.
Rally to Defend People’s Park
Wednesday, August 25, 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Block Sather Gate – Defend People’s Park
Wear all Black
Meet at People’s Park
Masks Required
Presentation by David Axelrod, Attorney and Founder of People’s Park Native Plant Garden
Saturday, August 21, 2021, 6–9 pm
Canessa Gallery
708 Montgomery Street, San Francisco
David L. Axelrod has filed a Writ of Mandate in Alameda County Superior Court on the Berkeley City Council’s violations of the Brown Act, in formulating and adopting the City’s recent secret “settlement agreement” with the University of California. In the secret agreement, the Berkeley Mayor and City Council surrendered a lawsuit it had already won that had challenged the University’s Long Range Development Plan (LRDP), a plan that seeks to destroy People’s Park and other irreplaceable neighborhood and community assets in Berkeley. — Read more…
The exhibit includes photographs, art work, posters and memorabilia from over 50 years of spirited community involvement in preserving the irreplaceable open space of the park.
People’s Park, UC and Privatization, A Panel Discussion – July 24, 2021, 5 PM
People’s Park, UC and Privatization
July 24, 2021, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm PDT, free
The ongoing battle to prevent the development of People’s Park in Berkeley by the millionaire UC Regents continues unabated.
This panel will talk about this history and how the corporatization and privatization of UC is pushing to privatize the University for the profiteers.
Speakers:
Harvey Smith, President National New Deal Preservvation Association
Michael Delacour, Boilermaker Local 6 and Organizer of Fight To Defend People’s Park
Zoom info coming soon.
https://laborfest.net/event/world-poets/
RALLY AND NOISE DEMO
We’re gathering together people for one last Noise Demo on Tuesday June 29, 2021, 6 PM.
Berkeley City Council is voting on the annual budget this week. Together we are telling them:
NO to UC Berkeley’s plans to destroy affordable housing and green space at People’s Park and 1921 Walnut street to build expensive student dorms!
NO to an increased municipal police budget while poor and working people are still lacking basic services!
Tuesday June 29, 2021, 6 PM, Berkeley City Hall — Hope to see you there!
Workshop: Harm Reduction, Narcan, and How to Create an Overdose Policy for Your Organization: Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 7 PM
Please join Berkeley Outreach Coalition and other groups as we gain knowledge about harm reduction, how to use Narcan, and creating protocols for addressing overdoses. Details >
Fridays in the Park: Food Not Bombs, Movie Screening, Community Meeting
Fridays in the Park
March 19, 2021
3:30 PM food provided by: food not bombs
4:00 PM community meeting
5:00 PM build your own pasta bowl
6:00 PM movie screening: COMING TO AMERICA 2
DEFEND PEOPLE’S PARK, BERKELEY — GIVE US THE PARK
Art Classes in People’s Park
Led by Rosey Stephens
Every Thursday afternoon at the Park from 2–4 pm (currently not happening, may restart Art Classes in September)
More information >
Soulstice Bay Area and and People’s Park Summer of Love Festival, June 12, 2021
People’s Park 52nd Anniversary: April 25, 2021
Save 1921 Walnut, Save People’s Park! April 24, 2021
Fridays in the Park: Food Not Bombs, Movie Screening, Community Meeting
People’s Park and the Role of UC Berkeley, March 18, 2021 – Video Conference
Online Video Conference
March 18, 2021, 5:30 PM (PST)
Zoom: https://rb.gy/0yusw8
More information: https://linktr.ee/Peoplespark
“I think I found myself here because every place else, you could feel the energy of people pushing you away,” Dowdey says. “This is the only place I felt like I was accepted.” (Dowdey) – (Source: kalw.org)
Join us to learn more about what has been happening to the People’s Park, its residents, and what rose the UC Berkeley administration is playing in this whole scenario. This online event would be a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about this issue, has any questions, or wants to take action.
The Future of People’s Park – Zoom Event, February 26, 2021
UC Berkeley’s plan to build a 17-story high rise on People’s Park, which would destroy the historic and cultural legacy and an irreplaceable natural environment, has brought together writers, historians, students and park activists to oppose this ill-considered project.
This Zoom event, hosted by the People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group, will present the historic background of the park, give details on the effort to recognize its national landmark status, and share plans for revitalizing this invaluable public open space.
The goal of this meeting is to develop strategies for taking our message to the broader Berkeley community, as well as the mayor, city council, UC Berkeley, state legislature and regents.
Presenters to include:
- Tom Dalzell – author of The Battle for People’s Park, Berkeley 1969
- Steve Wasserman – Participant and Activist during 1969
- Max Ventura – People’s Park Council
- Aidan Hill – Former Berkeley Mayoral Candidate/UCB Student
February 26, 2021 07:00 to 08:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Rally to Save People’s Park
Friday, 3 PM, January 29, 2021
Stand in solidarity with our unhoused neighbors in preventing displacement. Fences are being built to prevent people from using People’s Park.
- Bring your own signs if possible
- Food provided by Food Not Bombs
- Meeting head afterwards
Instagram: @peoplesparkberkeley
Tag photos with #peoplesparkberkeley
Text SAVETHEPARK to 81257
People’s Park Development Open House – Monday, February 10, 2020
The People’s Park community is invited to provide input and designs for protecting all of the open space, trees, gardens and community activities at People’s Park.
Open House #1
Monday, February 10, 2020
Drop-in between 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: MLK Jr. Student Union, Pauley Ballroom, Bancroft near Telegraph
Focus: Learn about the legacy of People’s Park, envision the potential for transformation, and share potential benefits and concerns.
UC Berkeley Capital Strategies is presenting an open house, the first of three open houses that will provide information about, and opportunity for discussion of, UC Berkeley’s plans for the proposed housing project at People’s Park. The project architects and campus planners will host conversations about various aspects of the project at stations around the room. Open houses are formatted as drop-in events. There is no formal arrival time. Open houses are open to all members of the campus and the community.
Upcoming
Open House #2 – To be announced (March/April 2020)
Focus: Feedback on draft site plan options.
Open House #3 – To be announced (April/May 2020)
Focus: Feedback on a final site plan.
People’s Park Holiday Concert
December 15, 2019, 12 PM – 5 PM
Yukon Hannibal, Carol Denney, 2 Lazy Boys, Hali Hammer, Stevie B. — Open Mic, Giveaways, Face Painting, and more!
Freebox Protest and Potluck
Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM PDT
Public · Hosted by People’s Park Committee and Berkeley People’s Park
People’s Park, 2556 Haste St., Berkeley, California 94704
Teach-In: the Battle for People’s Park, Berkeley 1969
May 15 2019, 7 – 9 PM
On the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Thursday, Heyday Books presents the concluding event of the People’s Park 50th Anniversary Teach-In: the Battle for People’s Park, Berkeley 1969 at the
David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA
Speakers: Mayor Jesse Arreguin, Tom Dalzell, Michael Delacour, Judy Gumbo, Ruth Rosen, Donovan Rundle, Dove Sholom Scherr, Jane Scherr, Dan Siegel, and Nacio Jan Brown.
Moderated by Steve Wasserman
Free to the public but reservations are required. Please RSVP to Emmerich Amklan at emmerich@heydaybooks.com
The 50th Anniversary of People’s Park!
Two major events with music, speakers and food in April, on Saturday April 13 and Sunday April 28, 2019, and many side events!
SATURDAY APRIL 13, 2019
10-noon: People’s Park Painting Project (Cal Muslim Student Association)
NOON Drum Circle
12:30 Tree Planting Ceremony
1:00 Yukon Hannibal (plus backup rhythm all day and 4/28 as needed) 1:20 Evelie S Posch: https://www.facebook.com/evelie.posch
1:35 Kathleen Stuck with Lady SunRise: katestuck55@gmail.com
1:45 Max Ventura: WiseWomanHealth@gmail.com
2:05 Soul, Spoken Word Artist: https://www.facebook.com/soulify.kelley
2:20 The Yosemitones: https://www.facebook.com/Yosemitones-411692829396807/
2:50 Russell Bates from Copwatch, Sasquatch
3:00 Hali Hammer & Friends: www.halihammer.com
3:30 Speakers: Joy Moore, others
3:45 Stevie B: www.kazbar.org
4:30 Chancellor Carol Quist (aka Grace Under Pressure) and the UC Regents: www.caroldenney.com
4:40 Country Joe: www.countryjoe.com
5:10 Speakers: Aidan, Black Lives Matter
5:25 The Garthwaites from Joy of Cooking: terrygarthwaite.com
6 pm Closing Remarks followed by Free Speech Stage (no sound)
SUNDAY APRIL 28, 2019
NOON All Nations Drummers
1:00 Jimbo
1:10 Lavender Scared: facebook.com/lavenderscared
1:40 Clark Sullivan (homeless and disability rights activist)
1:50 Margalee: http://margalee.bandcamp.com/
2:20 Rabbi Michael Lerner: www.tikkun.org
2:30 Uromastyx: http://uromastyxmusic.com/
3:00 Isaiah McLane: www.facebook.com/isaiahmclane
3:10 Andrea Mallis, astrologer: https://virgoinservice.com/
3:15 Jim Burrill: http://sites.google.com/site/JimBStuff
3:25 Funky Nixons
4:15 POTUS
4:25 Ruby’s In Town: https://www.musicglue.com/rubys-in-town/
5:05 Carol Denney: www.caroldenney.com
Speakers
5:20 Skank Bank: http://tinyurl.com/y65g3obg
6 pm Closing Remarks followed by Free Speech Stage (no sound)
Additional events:
SUNDAY 4/14: Gardening in the Park (at the Park)
MONDAY 4/15: TBA
TUESDAY 4/16: Women in the Movement – Max Ventura, Odile Hugenot, others, Dwinelle Hall, Room 228 – 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM (Poster PDF)
WEDNESDAY 4/17: Arts in the Movement Forum – exploring the use of Visual Arts, Music, Poetry, Essays, Performance and Guerilla Theater – Ed Monroe, Carol Denney, others, Dwinelle Hall, Room 246 – 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
THURSDAY 4/18: Political Song Swap – Hali Hammer (and all who join in), Barrows Hall, Room 54 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Poster PDF)
FRIDAY 4/19: Getting Serious About Building the Movement for People’s Park and Beyond – leader Dayton Andrews, Abbie Zamcheck moderator, Dwinelle Hall, Room 130 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
SATURDAY 4/20: 2 pm at the park – Occupy discussion
SATURDAY 4/20: 4:20 pm – Cannabis or People’s Pot – Dress
SUNDAY 4/21: 3 pm at the park – Julia Vinograd Memorial Poetry Reading & Bubble Blowing (all poems welcome, BYO bubbles)
MONDAY 4/22: TBA
TUESDAY 4/23: 5-6 pm – “Linking Struggles” DeCal class, Barrows Hall Room 166, W. Berkeley Shellmound, David Blackman on Anti-Apartheid, more
TUESDAY 4/23: Public Speaking Workshop: Aidan Hil, Yesica Prado, Barrows Hall, Room 50 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
WEDNESDAY 4/24: A Fight for Third World Liberation – Aidan Hill, Yukon Hannibal, others, Dwinelle Hall, Room 130 – 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
THURSDAY 4/25: Anti-War Movement – Odile Hugenot, Alan Haber, others, Barrows Hall, Room 54 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
FRIDAY 4/26: The Labor Movement –Steve Zeltzer, Michael Delacore, others, Dwinelle Hall, Room 130 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
SATURDAY 4/27: Author’s night – Tom Dalzell, The Battle for People’s Park; Seth Rosenfeld, Subversive; Rabbi Michael Lerner (author of many books), Barrows Hall, Room 104 – 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
All events 7 pm on campus unless specified elsewhere. Weekend days are at the Park. Check our website, http://peoplespark.org for exact location of forums/teach-ins/workshops, and any additions or changes.
Programs for printing:
Program 50th Anniversary People’s Park (black & white, 4 pages, 1 sheets folded)
People’s Park and the Right to The Commons – Spring 2019 DeCal Class Syllabus
Class Facilitators: Adam Zeigler: adamziegler@pm.me
Class meetings: Tuesdays 5-6pm, Barrows Hall, Room 166, (map) January 22 through April 30, 2019
People’s Park is internationally known for its rich history of struggle and resistance. From the Ohlone Indians to the current drive to build housing on it, the Park has raised important questions about who has a right to the land and who it should serve. This class will examine the history of the Park including the Native American period, the Mexican Cession and Gold Rush period as well as the exercise of eminent domain that turned the developed city block into first a parking lot and then a park. We will examine crucial concepts such as “user development”, open space, “Everyone Gets a Blister” and land “ownership” itself. Students will meet activists, park users and city officials who can discuss the significance of this controversial piece of land.
Download the poster (includes class description and schedule) (1-page, PDF, 8×5 x 11 inch, B&W): DeCal-Class-Peoples-Park-Spring-2019-poster-02.pdf
Download the class syllabus (includes class description and schedule) (4-page, PDF, 8×5 x 11 inch, B&W), People’s-Park-and-the-Right-to-The-Commons-DeCal-class-syllabus-2019.pdf
DeCal class page: https://decal.berkeley.edu/courses/4818
New People’s Park Berkeley video channel features two recent events
A People’s History of People’s Park and Telegraph Avenue – Mural Rededication Ceremony 2018
Rally to Save People’s Park – November 15, 2018
Mario Savio Steps, Sproul Plaza, University of California – Berkeley
Past Events:
Special Event:
The History and Struggle for People’s Park
Panel and Q&A Discussion
Wednesday, February 27, 2019, 7pm–9pm
UC Berkeley, MLK Student Union, Stephens Lounge, 3rd floor
Speakers and Q&A discussion:
Jim Chanin, Dan Siegel, Joe Liesner, Carol Denney, Andrea Prichett
Music: Hali Hammer
Event details >
The Continuing Struggle at People’s Park in Berkeley
A presentation and discussion at the Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library
Sunday, February 10, 2019, 10:30am–12:30pm
Audio (MP3, Duration: 1:38:47, 59MB)
Download MP3
Rally and March, Saturday, February 9, 2019, 1 pm
Hold drivers and police accountable for hit-and-run reckless driving!
Rally at People’s Park! March in Protest! Bring water and a lunch!
Join us for a rally, then march with us, as we come together to expose these injustices and fight back! More details, witness accounts, public letters, protest signs…
Co-Sponsored by: People’s Park Committee, Berkeley Copwatch, Bay Area Landless People’s Alliance, The Grey Panthers, Neither Here Nor There, Poor Magazine, The United Front Against Displacement, and Berkeley Friends on Wheels.
Getting Your Bearings (GYB) – People’s Park
Here’s an opportunity for new students who want to get involved in People’s Park.
January 23, 2019
11:00 am–12:00 pm : TBD Tour of People’s Park
2:00–3:00 pm : TBD Tour of People’s Park
3:30–4:30 pm : TBD Tour of People’s Park
January 24, 2019
11:00 am–12:00 pm : TBD Tour of People’s Park
2:00–3:00 pm : Moni T. Law, J.D., Cal Alum, Class of 1982
3:30–4:30 pm : Joe Liesner, volunteer with East Bay Food Not Bombs
Getting Your Bearings (GYB) includes events beginning the first day of classes (January 22, 2019) and continues throughout the first three weeks of classes (February 10, 2019). Events during GYB are intended to support students’ continued transition to Berkeley. Events are not mandatory and though are geared toward new students, some continuing students may attend. Events are advertised on the Cal Events App.
Mobilize and March to Campus: Hands Off Our Park: Defend People’s Park From Cops And Chainsaws
Tuesday January 22, 2019, 11:30 AM – People’s Park
Last week, over 150 heavily armed police officers came with guns and chainsaws to cut down our trees and trash our homes. Six people – community members and students – were violently awoken and handcuffed at 5 am, on charges of “illegal camping” – because they had put up tents and tarps as shelter from the rain. All of their belongings were seized or trashed.
We reject the UC’s claim that this is about sick trees. This is about razing one of Berkeley’s few public spaces to turn it into privatized, luxury dorms. Some trees were supposedly removed because they were “too close to other trees”. Others were completely removed over health issues that are normally solved by removing a branch. The only thing “wrong” with those trees was that they stood in the way of the construction equipment the UC intends to bring in.
They came in the dark of night, during break, when they knew most students would be away from Berkeley, to make it look like students didn’t care. Join us in the park at 11:30 for a rally, and then march to campus, to show the UC that the park belongs to the People, not militarized cops and not private corporations!
2556 Haste St., Berkeley, California 94704
Hosted by People’s Park Committee and Berkeley People’s Park
Facebook event page >
Flyer, 4-up on 8.5 x 11, PDF:
Hands-Off-Our-Park-January-22-2019-flyer-02.pdf
JOIN the People’s Park Committee for a RALLY
SAVE PEOPLE’S PARK
Mario Savio Steps, Sproul Plaza, 12 noon, Thursday November 15, 2018
Download the large poster (PDF, 11 x 17 inch)
Download the letter-size poster (PDF, 8.5 x 11 inch)
Download RALLY quarter-size handout (PDF, 8.5 x 11 inch, 4-up)
Download DISCUSSION quarter-size handout (PDF, 8.5 x 11 inch, 4-up)
Down the protest sign (PDF, 11 x 17 inch)
Tell UC: Hands Off Our Park!
Protect Our Green Space, Trees, Community, History, Free Speech, Social Justice, Civil Rights, Gardens, Music, Art, Style, Freebox, Recreation, Climate, Ecology, Education, Sports
Related event on the the same day:
People’s Park Discussion Meeting
Eshleman Hall room 338 at 7:00pm
In 2016 Councilmember Jesse Arreguin said in his campaign platform: “It is not necessary to convert People’s Park into student housing, as there are multiple locations for student housing around the University.”
In 2018 Mayor Jesse Arreguin told the SF Chronicle: “For many decades this [People’s Park] was the third rail of politics in Berkeley, but today I think there is a desire to look at something different.”
Why the flip-flop, Mr. Mayor?
According to a 2018 UC Berkeley study: The Telegraph Avenue Business Development District gets 21.6% of its total assessment revenue from publicly owned properties. BIDs frequently engage in local and state advocacy to enact, maintain, and strengthen anti-homeless laws. BIDs spend property assessment revenue, including revenue from publicly owned properties, on anti-homeless advocacy; and the growing number of BIDs established after 1994 correlates with a sharp rise in the number of anti-homeless laws.
Anti-homeless laws benefit the TBID, while hurting the community as a whole.
People’s Park Mural Dedication
Sunday, October 14, 2018, noon
Haste and Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, California
“I’m hoping it will be an event to talk about, among other things in the Park, and the threat to it, and the struggle to keep it, and what it means, and why it is important. I was hoping maybe you could come and say some words since you were there and still are there and here.”
— Osha Neumann <oneumann@ebclc.org>
There will be a reading of Frank Baradacke’s great “Who Owns the Park?” essay
Save People’s Park Free Concert and Rally
Saturday, October 20, 2018, 1 – 5 PM
People’s Park, 2556 Haste Street, Berkeley, California 94704
People’s Park is under threat once again. Join us and show your support for free speech and open space! Reserve the whole day for a FREE concert on the historic People’s Park Free Speech Stage. Four hours of diverse local music! Four fabulous bands! Free speech speakers! MC Lefty the Clown! Grow Trees! Gardening!
Uromastyx (https://www.facebook.com/UromastyxMusic/)
Stranger Than Fact (https://www.facebook.com/StrangerThanFact/)
Hali Hammer (http://halihammer.com)
Ripe Species
2 Lazy Boys (https://www.facebook.com/2lazyboyz/)
The Drums of Yukon Hannibal
Sasquatch
People’s Park Committee – A People’s Committee to protect, defend, and save People’s Park!
Save People’s Park: UCB use “Housing Crisis” to bulldoze the park. City of Berkeley told UC to LIMIT ENROLLMENT. Build elsewhere in Berkeley, save our green space, Save People’s Park! If UCB gets their way, Berkeley will be covered with high-rises and hotels and the legacy of Berkeley’s historic contributions to the Free Speech, Anti War and Community Democracy reduced to a bronze plaque. Don’t let that happen! The Spirit of Democracy lives on in People’s Park. The natural beauty of Berkeley’s People’s Park must never be smothered in concrete! Organizing meetings Sundays at 1pm at the park. In solidarity with the UC workers.
People’s Park Project Presentation at
Le Conte Neighborhood Association Meeting
Wednesday, September 26, 2018, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Art House Gallery, 2905 Shattuck Avenue
Q & A follows each agenda item
People’s Park Project – An overview & planning steps for development presented by Ruben Lizardo, Director of UC’s Government & Community Relations, with Telegraph business perspectives from Stuart Baker, Executive Director of Telegraph BID
Traffic Circle Update – Latest proposed policies from Phil Harrington, Director of City Public Works, with neighborhood input led by Steve Finacom, community historian
District 7 City Council Candidates – A forum with Aidan Hill, “Ces” Rosales & Rigel Robinson
Announcements and post meeting socializing
** Refreshments are provided by the newly opened business Café Buenos Aires, 2999 Shattuck at Ashby
Please attend! Tell people. Spread the word. Challenge this. UC must not be allowed to expand at the expense of rising rents and to displace homeless people!!! This year they admitted 2000 more students into a city that already has a huge affordable housing shortage! Are they manipulating the market just to KEEP RENTS HIGH?
NEVER SURRENDER PEOPLE’S PARK!
— Andrea Prichett
Sunday, September 23, 2018, 12 noon – 5 pm
Concert and Speeches to Protect People’s Park
Featuring several bands and speakers. Come support People’s Park in the historic struggle to protect this unique green open space, community / university park, a historical landmark in the free speech movement.
Panel and Q&A Discussion:
Fascism in America
Thursday, September 20 at 8pm UC Berkeley Barrows 126
Topics:
- What is Fascism and the Strategy for its Defeat?
- What is the Correct Orientation towards Fascism and Free Speech?
- Fascist and Police Collaboration?
Panelists:
- Gerald Smith, former Black Panther and organizer with the Oscar Grant Committee.
- Ramsey Kanaan, longtime political activist and founder of AK Press, and co-founder of PM Press and the San Francisco Anarchist Book Fair.
- Rafael Kadaris, organizer with the Revolution Club and Refuse Fascism activist.
No Trump * No KKK * No Fascist USA, Students Against Fascism and War, Antifaschistische Aktion
Co-Sponsoring Organizations: Cal Alumni Peace Network, Berkeley Platypus Affiliated Society, Revolution Books, and the Oscar Grant Committee
Print-ready PDF Posters:
Fascism in America poster 8.5×11
Fascism in America poster 8.5×11 2-up
Fascism in America poster 8.5×11 4-up
Read Michael Delacour’s letter covering the history of the creation of People’s Park >
Sunday, September 9, 2018, 7 pm
The Struggle for People’s Park: Now and Then
Liberated Lens Film Night & Panel: As the University of California at Berkeley recently proposed the build a residence hall and dining center on People’s Park, the historic park is again in jeopardy.
- Short films on the People’s Park struggle and riots in 1969 when people created the park.
- Panel discussion on the building of the resistance around saving the park.
Panelists:
- Michael Delacour, key activist in the struggles to establish People’s Park
- Joe Liesner
- Lisa Teague
- Aiden Hill
- People’s Park Organizing Committee
at Omni Commons, 4799 Shattuck Ave., Oakland, CA. $5 OTAFLOF, free snacks and popcorn
23rd Annual World Reggae Soul Music Event and Canned Foods Drive
The SEEN Festival
Saturday, August 11, 2018, 12 noon – 5 pm
People’s Park
Berkeley, California, located at Telegraph Ave. and Haste St. (behind Amoeba Records)
The SEEN Music Series
FREE – Hotline: 510-830-6356
The SEEN Festival is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 event, portions of the proceeds will go to The Square Meals Project.
Raggamuffin, Rumble VII, Lord Oonka Symeon, Empress Lovely Lady Ey, Shannon Rhodes, “LIVE” from Jamaica: Razor Blade, Tosh Izreal, TGS, C. Myles, Camille Green, Miss Kaliya, Baldread, Jneen, Jokemon, Aka: Pimpalystic, CRG
“BRING A CAN!” — “make a voluntary contribution”
People’s Park 49th Anniversary
Sunday, April 29, 2018 Noon to 6pm
between Dwight and Haste off Telegraph in Berkeley, California
This is one of the biggest events of the year at People’s Park, with a great lineup of music, dance and speakers.
12:30 Michael Diehl greeting
12:35 Yukon Hannibal
1:00 Felix
1:15 Katy Stuck
1:25 Jim Burrill
1:50 Hali Hammer & Friends
2:15 Michael Delacore
2:25 Max Ventura
2:45 Speakers
3:00 Burnt (punk reggae funk)
3:50 Soul
4:05 Ruby’s In Town
4:50 Trump
5:05 Skank Bank
5:50 Closing remarks
East Bay Food Not Bombs will provide free vegetarian / vegan food and drinks for the anniversary! Free food is nice! Thank you Food Not Bombs!