In early 2013, Canadian data scientist Christopher Wylie pitched an idea to his boss, Steve Bannon, for a company that would change how political campaigns use data to change minds. The two men secured funding for their project from Republican billionaire donor Robert Mercer and, excited by their idea's potential, set about founding and building … Continue reading Cambridge Analytica: What, When, How, Why
Use the Force for Good, Senator Harris
ICE intends to spend $100 million on software that will allow for “automatic extreme vetting”
Wake Up: We Still Need a Clean DREAM Act
This is our world now: the current occupant sells $50 hats with "American Dreamer" emblazoned on the front; ICE threatens repercussions against Oakland's mayor for warning city residents of incoming raids; Congress has stalled for so long on passing a clean DREAM Act that somehow, unimaginably, the Republicans are starting to take ownership of it. How soon they forget that … Continue reading Wake Up: We Still Need a Clean DREAM Act
Political and Proud: Alameda’s High Schoolers Voice a Call To Action
On February 21, 2018, Indivisible East Bay joined high schoolers, parents, and public officials from the Bay Area for Political and Proud, an evening of speeches and workshops at Alameda's Encinal High School. The goal of the night was to bring young women, especially young women of color, together with leaders and organizations that could … Continue reading Political and Proud: Alameda’s High Schoolers Voice a Call To Action
Power, Not Panic: What To Do If You See ICE
The Trump administration is making no secret of its intention to persecute California's undocumented immigrants. Despite recent legislation barring authorities from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the state, rumblings from D.C. coupled with recent egregious acts of overreach by ICE in California make it clear that these agents present a growing threat to … Continue reading Power, Not Panic: What To Do If You See ICE
Do No Harm, Mostly: Federal Government Opening New Doors to Denial of Health Care for Women
In January 2018, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced its decision to offer support to medical professionals who decline to provide care - primarily abortion- and transgender-related healthcare - because of their personal beliefs. These beliefs don’t have to be written down anywhere, don’t have to be part of an organized … Continue reading Do No Harm, Mostly: Federal Government Opening New Doors to Denial of Health Care for Women
I’m Not Listening: Boycotting Trump’s State of the Union
Sorry, What Was That? For a looming moment on January 30th, Donald Trump will be called upon to address the country and sum up the state of the union that we all call home. A betting woman would put money on him devoting large portions of this speech to how wonderful tax cuts are, how … Continue reading I’m Not Listening: Boycotting Trump’s State of the Union
A Year of IEB
The news cycle in the first few weeks of 2018 has been especially unforgiving. With the White House imploding under the weight of its own gossip while the Congressional GOP relaxes and plots its next moves, the fresh start promised by the New Year feels anything but. Despite all of that, 2017 also saw IEB … Continue reading A Year of IEB
TPS Revoked: A Betrayal By Any Other Name
Temporary Protected Status: A Reprieve from Disaster In the late morning of January 13, 2001, El Salvador was rocked by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that triggered vicious landslides in every part of the country. Almost 1,000 people were killed, with thousands more injured and displaced. Over 108,000 homes were destroyed. Life came to a halt. … Continue reading TPS Revoked: A Betrayal By Any Other Name
Giving thanks
It's cold, it's wet, it's dark before you get home - winter has arrived in the Bay Area, and with it, the Thanksgiving holiday. Regardless of the day's hurtful origins, there's no reason not to take time during these long nights to nurture gratitude for the good in our lives. We've compiled this list of … Continue reading Giving thanks