Breaking California’s “Third Rail”

large and diverse group of supporters at the Schools and Communities First (Prop 15) event
A large group of supporters at a Schools and Communities First (Prop 15) event

A new report “BREAKING CALIFORNIA’S THIRD RAIL: A Reflection on Accomplishments, Lessons Learned, and the Road Ahead” summarizes the incredible range of activities waged by the Schools and Communities First (Prop 15) campaign and shares the key lessons from the 2020 election. The report also contains exciting analysis on voter turnout, as well as insightful polling research that will inform the path forward in the fight for progressive tax policy in California.

Resources for an Anti-Racist Future

This is a growing list of resources, which includes a list of Black-centered organizations where folx may support local organizing efforts, follow on social media, or donate to. The list is organized by location with a majority of organizations based in California. A few educational resources are also shared below, including terms in other languages to talk about anti-Blackness.

Election Protections for Nov. 2020

In coalition with advocacy, labor, immigration, women’s health, youth and environmental organizations as well as our grassroots anchor organizations, California Calls commends the governor’s Executive Order issued on May 8, 2020 as an important first step in implementing general election protections. Here is a statement from our President Anthony Thigpenn:

“California Calls thanks Governor Newsom for taking this important first step during this public health crisis to ensure our democracy works for all of us by providing vote by mail for every voter and calling for in-person voting requirements. While expanding vote-by-mail to every California voter is important, ensuring that there are robust, in-person voting options is just as, if not more, important to ensuring that historically underrepresented voters have access to the ballot box. It is imperative that the Legislature work closely with counties and community-based organizations to ensure they have the resources to execute a robust public education campaign that reaches every eligible California voter. We call on the legislature to go beyond the Executive Order and set firm in-person requirements to ensure all voters have safe and simple access to cast their ballots in November.”

Read the full SF Gate article about the Executive Order.