Are you struggling to relate to an election, where your “realistic” choices are between a neoliberal and a neo-fascist? Are you sick of having no voice or representation, of never being heard? There are elections where your choices can make a real difference in building popular power.
We have local champions that are running in several key races, who need and have EARNED our support. They have been at our side – building community power, representing our interests, challenging corporate power – especially in our resistance against new and expanded fossil fuel infrastructures in the Bay Area.
Sunflower Alliance has endorsed these four key individuals and we urge all to add their support in building local power:
Melvin Willis and Ben Choi – Richmond
In Richmond – we have two races where we can cement a progressive majority on the city council. Willis and Choi both worked as Richmond Planning Commissioners. Melvin is a Community Organizer with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE). Ben currently works with Marin Clean Energy. Endorsed by the Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), electing Ben and Melvin will advance a transformative agenda for rent control and affordable housing, replacing the closed Doctor’s Medical hospital, and building a sustainable green economy based on living wages.
Canvassing for Ben, Melvin and the Richmond Fair Rent Control measure is organized every weekend, out of the RPA office on 2540 MacDonald Ave. in Richmond.
Steve Young – Benicia
One of the most amazing experiences of a public meetings in years, was listening to the hours-long prosecutorial challenge by Benicia Planning Commissioner Steve Young to Valero’s proposed Crude-by-Rail project. His dedicated research and leadership resulted in the planning commissions’ unanimous rejection of Valero’s proposal. Now we can elect him to the Benicia City Council in November, so he can challenge the existing City Council vote in support of Valero’s appeal to the Surface Transportation Board.
Rebecca Kaplan – Oakland
In Oakland, Kaplan is running for re-election as City Councilmember At-Large – she is a strong champion in our fights both for No Coal in Oakland, and for refinery emissions caps at the Air District. Kaplan was also a leader in getting Oakland rent control on the November ballot and fighting for a stronger police oversight commission.