Category: California

Marin County Supervisors and Town Councils Cowardly on Drake Anti-Slave Name Change

March 10, 2021

When I moved to Marin County in 1995, ten years after immigrating to the United States, with Los Angeles my first stop, I had this overwhelming feeling that I was back in Apartheid South Africa. Marin was the white Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg, Marin City was Alexandria Township, Oakland was Soweto – and need I … More Marin County Supervisors and Town Councils Cowardly on Drake Anti-Slave Name Change

California New LGBTQ Civil Rights and Health Care Bills Signed into Law

September 26, 2020

Governor Newsom Signs Senator Wiener’s LGBTQ Civil Rights and Health Care Bills into Law SACRAMENTO- Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two of Senator Scott Wiener’s bills promoting LGTBQ rights and equality: Senate Bill 932 mandates that health care providers in California report sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data, if known, for all reportable communicable … More California New LGBTQ Civil Rights and Health Care Bills Signed into Law

Ninth Circuit Strikes Down Transit Ban as it Violates Asylum Law

July 6, 2020

San Francisco, CA (July 6, 2020) –A federal appeals court has upheld a block on the Trump administration’s attempt to make individuals who traveled through a third country on the way to the United States before arriving at the southern border ineligible for asylum, with very limited exceptions. The lawsuit, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Barr, … More Ninth Circuit Strikes Down Transit Ban as it Violates Asylum Law

Marin Board Slashes Sheriff Doyle Budget to Fund Racial Equity Initiatives – The Relic Should Resign!

June 25, 2020

Board Approves County Budget with Amendments – Sheriff-Coroner budget reduced by $1.7 million to fund racial equity initiatives- SHERIFF DOYLE PETITION TO RESIGN IS HERE. San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors adopted a budget June 24 that largely maintains current services and includes one-time budget reductions to close a $10.5 million revenue … More Marin Board Slashes Sheriff Doyle Budget to Fund Racial Equity Initiatives – The Relic Should Resign!

UNSETTLED: Seeking Refuge in America – Broadcast Premiere

June 23, 2020

UNSETTLED follows LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East as they flee persecution to seek safety in the U.S. A documentary film by Tom Shepard Airs on WORLD Channel via local PBS stations – June 28 (and on WorldChannel.org from (June 28-July 12) and radio/ live streaming interview with Tom Shepard, Melanie … More UNSETTLED: Seeking Refuge in America – Broadcast Premiere

ICE OUT Joins in the Call for Marin County Sheriff Doyle to Resign

June 22, 2020

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Melanie Nathan nathan@AfricanHRC.org Dated June 22, 2020 ICE OUT Joins in the Call for Marin Sheriff Doyle to Resign “Public safety is not more incarceration. It is not more old-school policing.  A community feels safe when everyone in it has access to opportunity, in housing, jobs, education and healthcare.” … More ICE OUT Joins in the Call for Marin County Sheriff Doyle to Resign

San Anselmo Council Fails to Hold White Town Accountable in George Floyd Statement

June 15, 2020

San Anselmo finally came out with a statement about the George Floyd murder and surge in Black Lives Matter call for action: This would have been the time for the Town of San Anselmo to own and acknowledge and commit to change. But it failed miserably. When you are a town in America that has … More San Anselmo Council Fails to Hold White Town Accountable in George Floyd Statement

Marin’s Sheriff Doyle Should Resign as SCOTUS Rules Against Trump Challenge of California Sanctuary Law

June 15, 2020

Today the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s challenge to California’s sanctuary law, which restricts state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agents. Over the dissents of Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, the court denied review of a lower-court ruling that concluded the 2018 state law does not interfere illegally with federal immigration … More Marin’s Sheriff Doyle Should Resign as SCOTUS Rules Against Trump Challenge of California Sanctuary Law

San Francisco Tenderloin Lawsuit Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19

May 4, 2020

UC Hastings, Other Tenderloin Residents Sue San Francisco Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19 – Article in The Recorder accessed below… “The conditions now prevailing in the Tenderloin constitute a violation of the fundamental civil rights of those residing and working there,” wrote lawyers for Tenderloin residents suing to force the city to confront encampments … More San Francisco Tenderloin Lawsuit Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19

Bay Area Regional Shelter-in-Place Orders Extended as Some Rules Ease

April 29, 2020

Health Officers caution that reducing restrictions too quickly could lead to a substantial resurgence of COVID-19 San Rafael, CA –The seven Bay Area Public Health Officers who ordered a Shelter-In-Place in mid-March will extend the orders through May 31 while some restrictions are eased and tools to strengthen containment of COVID-19 are put into place. The … More Bay Area Regional Shelter-in-Place Orders Extended as Some Rules Ease

Meeting Participation: Marin Board Of Supervisors Moratorium on Evictions

April 27, 2020

Board Meeting: Tuesday, April 28th, at 9:00 a.m. or thereafter Effective March 24, 2020, residential and commercial tenants throughout Marin County may not be evicted because of a sudden loss of income tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Resolution applies to all rentals in every city, town, and unincorporated area of Marin County and lasts … More Meeting Participation: Marin Board Of Supervisors Moratorium on Evictions

Bay Area Counties to Extend and Revision Current Shelter-in-Place Orders

April 27, 2020

Joint Statement and Press Release: Bay Area counties extend shelter-in-place orders through end of May: From the Seven Bay Area Health Officers on Upcoming Extension and Revisions to the Current Shelter-in-Place Orders: This global pandemic of COVID-19 is still in its early stages: We expect to be responding to COVID-19 in our communities for a long … More Bay Area Counties to Extend and Revision Current Shelter-in-Place Orders

Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

April 23, 2020

FORMAL COMMENT TO GOVERNMENT PORTAL OBJECTING TO CDC RULE IN LETTER BELOW Melanie Nathan: “African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC- African HRC) has submitted the following comment and objection to the CDC Rule change that is harming all asylum seekers, especially the most marginalized who make their way to the Southern Borders of the United States. … More Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

Child Abuse Tends to Spike in Times of Crisis

April 23, 2020

Marin HHS sends warning on eve of Child Abuse Prevention Month Calls to Marin County’s child abuse and neglect hotlines has plunged since the start of the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order, raising concerns of specialists with the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). According to HHS’ Children and Family Services Division, calls to … More Child Abuse Tends to Spike in Times of Crisis

Our San Francisco Pride Will Not be Defeated by COVID-19

April 14, 2020

Having been a Community Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride in 2014 and also having served on the San Francisco Pride Board as vice president, I find it very sad but absolutely necessary to support the following Statement from the executive director of San Francisco Pride, considering the dangers we face as a result of … More Our San Francisco Pride Will Not be Defeated by COVID-19

Marin Issues Restrictions For Short-Term Rentals

April 9, 2020

New Order halts vacation rentals; limits use to COVID-19 response needs San Rafael, CA – While Marin residents continue to abide by the Stay At Home order and help flatten the curve, a stream of vacationers and visitors continue to occupy short-term rentals throughout the county. This increases the chance for community transmission of COVID-19 … More Marin Issues Restrictions For Short-Term Rentals

Marin COVID-19 Sheltering Order Changes Construction Permitting Process

April 3, 2020

County’s Building and Inspection Services altered by COVID-19 response San Rafael, CA – In response to an updated sheltering order related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the County of Marin has adjusted its building permit and inspection services to reflect restrictions on some types of construction work. The Community Development Agency (CDA) is directing the temporary … More Marin COVID-19 Sheltering Order Changes Construction Permitting Process

Marin County Adds COVID-19 Virus Pandemic Restrictions in New Order

March 31, 2020

More time and additional restrictions needed to slow the spread and reduce future impact on local hospitals from COVID-19 San Rafael, CA – Health officers in seven Bay Area jurisdictions – including Marin County — are updating a previous stay-at-home order through May 3, 2020 in order to preserve critical hospital capacity across the region. … More Marin County Adds COVID-19 Virus Pandemic Restrictions in New Order

Helplines for Covid-19 Solitude, Caregivers, Families

March 28, 2020

There are many important and helpful hotlines for those experiencing specific mental health challenges and need immediate assistance. Disaster Distress Helpline Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) provides crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or … More Helplines for Covid-19 Solitude, Caregivers, Families

Bay Area Extend School Closures through Due to CoronaVirus Pandemic

March 25, 2020

Campuses remain closed to students; Schools continue to offer meals, resources San Rafael, CA –Marin County has aligned with seven Bay Area county health officers, and county superintendents to make a unified, regional decision to extend school closures and student dismissals from regular school attendance through May 1, 2020 to slow the spread of novel … More Bay Area Extend School Closures through Due to CoronaVirus Pandemic

Broken Access to Treatment makes Drug Users Vulnerable in COVID-19 Pandemic

March 25, 2020

Oakland, CA, Wednesday, March 25, 2020… In the rush to protect vulnerable populations from the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk to people struggling with addiction is especially high. And health professionals suggest this could undermine efforts to control the coronavirus spread. According to experts, people who use drugs are doubly at risk during this epidemic, not … More Broken Access to Treatment makes Drug Users Vulnerable in COVID-19 Pandemic

SONOMA Board of Supervisors Approves Eviction Defense Ordinance

March 25, 2020

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, which also serves as the Board of Commissioners for the Community Development Commission, today passed the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Ordinance, effective immediately for 60 days after the end of the local and public health emergency. The new ordinance aligns with the Governor’s Executive Order N-28-20 which authorized local jurisdictions … More SONOMA Board of Supervisors Approves Eviction Defense Ordinance

Know Your Transgender Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic

March 23, 2020

In times of crisis, transgender and non-binary people among other communities are often at higher risk of violence and discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a series of unique challenges that may have long-term impact on transgender people and their families. Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has prepared Know Your Rights guide for transgender and non-binary … More Know Your Transgender Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic

Photo of the Day: A Deathly Quiet JFK Airport on March 21, 2020

March 22, 2020

Day 06 of Shelter in Place, Marin: Photo of the day- My daughter, now in quarantine – just in case- took this photo of JFK airport upon her return home to Marin this weekend. Everything changed overnight for this NYU grad, as she left her NYC Apartment to join her family here in Marin. Out … More Photo of the Day: A Deathly Quiet JFK Airport on March 21, 2020

All Marin Parks Closed Amid COVID-19 Spread

March 22, 2020

Public Health issues order to stem influx of selfish visitors – ruining spaces for locals….. ugh… San Rafael, CA – The Public Health Division of Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an order March 22 for the immediate closure of all Marin parks – from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area down … More All Marin Parks Closed Amid COVID-19 Spread

Dammit Marin This is not a Vacation its a Pandemic

March 21, 2020

Visitors Pack Coastal Marin Despite Order Public Health authorities urge that now is not the time to visit San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) is urging Bay Area residents not to travel beyond their communities as they engage in outdoor activities during the statewide shelter-in-place order. On Saturday, … More Dammit Marin This is not a Vacation its a Pandemic

California Legislators on COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on LGBTQ Community

March 17, 2020

Senator Wiener and Assemblymember Gloria’s Statement Regarding Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the LBGTQ Community Sacramento – Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Todd Gloria (D-San Diego), on behalf of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, issued the following statement: “Coronavirus is impacting everyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or immigration status. Yet, … More California Legislators on COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on LGBTQ Community