Category: Uncategorized

Saturday December 6th: Small-business crawl!

On By Joni EisenIn Community service, Immigration, Labor, Racism, Resistance, Social justice, UncategorizedLeave a comment

There will be no regular PHDC meeting in December. We were inspired by the presentation at our November meeting by IndivisibleSF D10 lead, PHDC member Jacky Morales Ferrand, to do something different. In the spirit of the season. Let’s help keep workers and residents safe by reaching out to local businesses to make sure they know their legal rights and responsibilities in the event of a federal agent raid. We’ll ask the merchants to put a welcoming sign in their window (shown below), and share other steps they can take.

At Goat Hill Pizza’s recent 50th birthday party, founder Philip De Andrade enthusiastically agreed to be the first merchant to participate. If you want to join our Small-Business Crawl on December 6 – or maybe a day in the future; this is an ongoning campaign – please let us know by emailing contact_us@phdemclub.org . To find out more, you can sign up for an optional online training offered by Jobs with Justice: every other Tues 5:30-6:30pm, or every Wed 12-1:00pm. Meanwhile, Happy Thanksgiving! 

Potrero Hill Democratic Club Action instead of Meeting

Saturday, December 6, 2pm, meet up on the Hill or in Dogpatch, location tbd

Tues Nov 4th: Simple, super-local ways to stand up to ICE. Plus an update on Bay Area regional public transit funding.

On By Joni EisenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Do you think it’s too hard or too dangerous to stand up against ICE’s outrageous overreach in San Francisco right now? Think again. Even if Potrero Hill and Dogpatch don’t look like hotbeds of ICE activity, you can take simple, effective actions right here. A member of IndivisibleSF’s Local Action team will talk about what we can do now. Direct action not your thing? Hear some exciting, creative and engaging ideas about how you can defend your values and protect the vulnerable without risking your own safety. Every thing you can do matters.

Tuesday, November 4, 7pm

(THAT’S ELECTION NIGHT. MAIL YOUR YES ON 50 BALLOT NOW!)

In-person at Potrero Hill Neighborhood House

953 De Haro St @ Southern Heights

Sunday, October 12th: Our Party & Auction returns!

On By Joni EisenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Food, drink, jazz and great deals! Potrero Hill Democratic Club’s Party & Shop Local Silent Auction has always been a celebration of and for the community – and a fundraiser for the club’s many educational and democracy-enhancing activities. We never solicit or accept money from candidates or campaigns we endorse – so this event and membership dues are it for us. We suspended the Auction during the pandemic – but we think it’s time for a comeback.

There will be live jazz by a trio of amazing local musicians, snacks courtesy of club members and local eateries, and tempting items to bid on donated by the wonderful merchants and artists of Potrero Hill & Dogpatch. Save the date, and see you there!

Sunday, October 12, 5pm – 8pm. Dogpatch Saloon, 2496 Third St at 22nd.

Tues Aug 26th: Award-winning journalists discuss the City budget

On By Joni EisenIn Climate change, Journalism, Money in politics, Transit, UncategorizedLeave a comment

We are excited to feature at our next meeting Managing Editor, columnist and investigative reporter Joe Eskenazi (left) and data reporter Kelly Waldron of acclaimed independent local news outlet Mission Local. They will discuss the City budget: who kind of won, who really lost, and where that leaves us (hey, anyone notice the climate is still changing?). Moderator will be Boosters president and PHDC board member J.R. Eppler.

PHDC will join Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association, in-person on their regular 4th Tuesday instead of our  regular 1st Tuesday.

Potrero Boosters & Potrero Hill Democratic Club, Tuesday, August 26, 7pm

In-person: Dogpatch Hub, 1278 Minnesota St. Remote access available: Zoom link

Save the date: Tuesday August 26 with Potrero Boosters

On By Joni EisenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

For our next meeting, PHDC will combine forces with Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association, in-person on their regular 4th Tuesday instead our regular 1st Tuesday.

Exact topics tbd, but we will also be planning the return this fall of the popular, pandemic-paused PHDC Shop Local Party & Auction. Stay tuned.

Potrero Boosters & Potrero Hill Democratic Club  
Tuesday, August 26, 7pm
Dogpatch Hub, 1278 Minnesota St 

Tues June 3: Sign-making for No Kings!

On By Joni EisenIn Resistance, Social justice, Uncategorized

Tuesday, June 3rd @ 7:00pm, Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro

The No Kings National Day of Defiance: a peaceful protest everywhere except Washington, DC

Our June meeting will be a little different. And a little messier! As we create our messages of defiance, Liliana Soroceanu from the SF chapter of Indivisible, organizer of the protests, will join us for a little background and cheerleading. For more sample signs, click here.

On June 14, Flag Day, the U.S. Army has planned a massive parade for its 250th anniversary, with tanks, soldiers and armored vehicles expected to roar through the streets of Washington, D.C. That day is also tthe birthday of a would-be king who claims the entire spectacle as a birthday party for himself: a vehicle for self-aggrandizement. Funded, of course by millions of taxpayer dollars

We say no. The crowds of protesters have to be big, really big, to take the world’s attention away from this pathetic “birthday party” and focus it on the power of the people who reject corrupt, authoritarian rule. We want to grab the story, make sure the action happens everywhere else but DC.

If you have not yet joined a recent protest march or rally, or you feel this isn’t really your thing (or maybe you’ve been there, done that in the past), this is the one to show up for. You don’t have to make up your mind yet. But do come and help make some signs at the Neighborhood House! 

→Art supplies. If you have any cardboard (such as poster board or a cut-up corrugated box), markers or paint & brushes, by all means bring whatever – but it’s not necessary.

Tues May 6th: In times of crisis, we persist.

On By Joni EisenIn Climate change, Environment, Money in politics, Uncategorized

Potrero Hill Democratic Club monthly meeting, Tuesday, May 6th @ 7:00pm on zoom

“Action is the best antidote to despair.” – Joan Baez

There’s so much coming at us, fast, furious. You might think, will anything I do really make a difference? We say yes! Things add up – good as well as bad. And if you do nothing, for sure you won’t make a difference. If you do something, you will at least feel better. And change some little thing for the better, even if you can’t see it.

Update:

In this time of multiple crises – with extreme budget constraints on everyone everywhere – some ideas nevertheless continue to move forward. The activists who spoke with us May 6th are keeping these ideas afloat and despair at a distance. If you were inspired to join them, or want to learn more, just follow the links.

  • Misha Steier from San Francisco Public Bank Coalition, spoke about establishing a non-depository lending corporation wholly-owned by the City, not private investors. View his slide presentation here. In 2021, the City created a Reinvestment Working Group to produce Public Bank Business & Governance Plans, which were completed and approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2023. Legislation to create a Gren Bank is expected in August. You can subscribe to updates on San Francisco’s progress creating a Public Bank. The San Francisco Public Bank Coalition’s next General Meeting will be Thursday, May 29 at 6pm. Register here.
  • Elena Engel and Sue Green from San Francisco Climate Emergency Coalition described pushing policymakers since the City declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 to act like it’s an emergency. They need to fund the SF Environment Department enough to implement the City’s excellent, comprehensive Climate Action Plan and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to net zero by 2040. To receive newsletter/action alerts – for Supervisor visits, public comment at hearings, letter-writing and phone campaigns, and more, join the Coalition, actually a group of individuals belonging to a variety of other groups, mailing list.
  • Dave Schmidt from California Clean Money Campaign is working to put SB 42, the California Fair Elections Act, on the 2026 ballot to let voters decide to repeal the ban on local public financing of campaigns. San Francisco and some other cities allow public financing – but it’s not allowed statewide. SIGN THE PETITION asking your legislators to vote “Yes” on SB 42 and coauthor it if they haven’t yet. The Campaign Kickoff for SB 42 will be Sunday May 19, 3:30 – 5pm in Berkeley.

Defying anti-immigrant rhetoric and policy: following up with resources

On By Joni EisenIn Immigration, Labor, Uncategorized

Potrero Hill Democratic Club monthly meeting

Tuesday, March 4, 6:30pm

Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St

Panel discussion: The state of immigration today – impacts, risks, and actions we can take. Cruel, outrageous policies and directives – targeting immigrants, their families, and others – affect all of us. Sharing their perspectives in a lively discussion on the situation were:

  • Kim Tavaglione, Executive Director, San Francisco Labor Council
  • Sarah Souza, activist & DACA recipient
  • Father Gregory Houck, pastor, St Teresa’s church
  • Sister Lucia Lodolo, pastoral associate, St Teresa’s church, with parishioner Rose Marie Ostler

Educator & PHDC board member Sara O’Neill ably moderated.

City Attorney David Chiu opened the program with a few words about what he’s been up to regarding this issue, beginning with challenging the president’s unconstitutional executive order to end birthright citizenship. His office is working nonstop to protect our democracy.

Here are some resources shared by the panelists:

24 Hour Hotline – ONLY to report ICE activity within San Francisco.   The number is 415-200-1548. They have language capacity in Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese (both Cantonese and Mandarin). They usually have just 1 dispatcher at a time, so if the line is busy it is because they are speaking with someone else. In order to make sure that they respond to callers in a timely manner they ask that individuals calling use the line only to report ICE activity in San Francisco. Alameda County also has a hotline at 510-241-4011.

  • Raid Verification – Raid verification for all calls of alleged ICE Enforcement activity within San Francisco. Raid verification is an important component of our work in order to dispel myths and lessen fear.  They physically go and verify or announce false alarms to rumors about ICE activity.
  • Attorney Activation – If an individual is detained after an ICE raid or ICE Activity they will activate our attorneys to go down to 630 Sansome (immigration processing center) to file for representation of the individual.   They will also work to secure long-term representation if the person needs it.

Our City, Our Power. Our Supervisor. Our Party. Our Club.

On By Joni EisenIn Uncategorized

Potrero Hill Democratic Club monthly meeting

Tuesday, February 4th @ 6:30pm

Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St.
 

Our City, Our Power is the campaign for local ownership of the electric grid. 
For decades, PG&E has obstructed both public and private electric projects in San Francisco with  unnecessary conditions, costly and delaying roadblocks and exorbitant fees for basic power hookups. Find out where the City is in its public-power quest.

District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton will provide a glimpse into life at City Hall under the new administration, and update us on his priorities. Ask your questions!

In January and February of odd-numbered years, Assembly district delegates are elected to the state Central Committee and Executive Board. Each district sends 14 to the state convention, where they vote to set the policy of the state party, and also on endorsements. The list of candidates from AD 17 is here. Registered Democrats can sign up by Jan. 31 to vote online.  Find out about the progressive slate here. Voting closes Feb 23.

We want to keep meeting in person! We can only do that if we can afford the rent. That’s where you come in – please join or renew your membership for just $25 a year (or more, if you’re feeling generous).

Nominations for Executive Committee are open. Election will be held in March. Vacant positions include First VP for membership, Secretary, and At-Large. Email contact_us@phdemclub.org with questions or to nominate yourself or someone else.