They Send Strong Warning to Assembly Public Safety Committee: “AB 390 is a Direct Threat to Public Health and Safety and We will Defeat It” With President Obama leading the charge against legalization of marijuana in what he calls a “new era of responsibility,” a cultural change is taking place in California as more and more community activists join law enforcement officers, former drug addicts and faith-based leaders in support of the anti-marijuana cause. Braving rain and wind, many of them appeared on the steps of the State Capitol today at a rally to protest AB 390, which was to be voted on by the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Ironically, the chair of this committee is the author

A year ago on November 4, 2008, Proposition 8, a California ballot proposition passed in the November general election. The measure added a new section (7.5) to Article I of the California Constitution. The section reads: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” The proposition overturned the California Supreme Court’s ruling saying that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, by restricting the definition of marriage to opposite-sex couples. California’s State Constitution put the measure into immediate effect the day after the election. On November 4, 2009, Equality Action Now, along with members of the Sacramento LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Tr

Activists for health care reform gathered in front of the Blue Cross building across from the Capitol Tuesday. Amidst cries of "Blue Cross, you're no good; treat the people like you should," the 100 people in attendance marched in a wide oval on the sidewalk. After a half hour of alternating rallying cheers, Laurie Comstock was invited to speak to the crowd. She told her personal story of how the health care system impacted her. "I lost my health care in August when it almost doubled from $260 to $450," Comstock said over the megaphone. "It became too much for me to afford, so I had to drop it." After her speech, organizer Lino Pedres of SEIU read a new policy drafted for Blue Cross and

The California State University system faces a $1.27 billion dollar cut in its 2009-10 General Fund Budget from one year ago.  While total enrollment is up 4,000 students across the CSU system, budget outlays are 55 percent less than they were in 2008-09. To balance the CSU budget, the CA Board of Trustees has enacted a three prong approach. Teachers will be furloughed twice a month in order to save jobs, classes are being cancelled to save cash, and students will see a 32 percent increase in their student fees.  This is the seventh time in eight years that student fees have gone up, and students are finding it very difficult to graduate because the classes they need have either been canc

Members of The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Drug Policy Alliance, ACLU of Northern California and Families to Amend California's Three Strikes gathered on the south steps of the Capitol on Tuesday, August 17, to speak in opposition of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed cuts to the state prison budget. Zachary Norris, director of the Books Not Bars campaign, hosted the rally and introduced the members of the coalition. "We must address this elephant in the budget," Norris said before leading the crowd in chants of "books not bars" and "schools not jails." Norris and his fellow speakers urged legislators to rethink their policies on incarcerating petty criminals. California's 75

On Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., approximately 2,000 members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) gathered on the west steps of the Capitol in a powerful end to Tuesday's outcry rally over the state’s budget decisions, which would cut the salaries of state workers by 15 percent. A giant screen was set up to project the image of the speakers. Tents were scattered providing first aid, food and information on how to contact the governor. Participants sat on the grass and milled around, but once Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker took the stage, most remained standing to listen intently to her words. Walker addressed SEIU's grievances with the state legislature's handling of the bu

On Tuesday evening, hundreds of workers with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) congregated at the steps of the Capitol to voice their frustrations with how the state legislature is handling the budget. Yvonne Walker, President of the SEIU, opened the rally with a fiery speech about how state workers “are on the tipping point,” with the continued proposals to cut state workers’ pay and adding a third furlough day. Walker described the two-day furlough already in place for state workers as “the equivalent of one month’s pay.” She explained an additional day of unpaid leave would increase the financial burden on state workers, causing some to lose their homes. Workers were w

 There was a strange combination of emotions in Headhunters Video Lounge and Grill around 10 a.m. when the California Supreme Court decided to uphold Proposition 8, the state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages. Perhaps it was the nature of the initial announcement, which was shouted by an on scene KOVR 13 reporter while hearing the breaking news through a cellphone. Several people cried, but most didn't have time to react, because stations like KXTV 10, KOVR 13, and KTXL 40 were already on the scene videotaping and interviewing people about their initial reactions outside of Headhunters. After the crowd of nearly 100 calmed down a bit, Laurie McBride and Paul Curtis of the

Here are the events at the Capitol occuring May 6, 7 and 8: Wednesday, May 6: 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. California Department of General Services have arranged a free e-waste drop off, so anyone can drop off old electronics for free on the west side of the Capitol. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. California Child Care Resource Network will hold an affordable child-care rally entitled Stand for Children. Taking place on the north steps, the rally looks to draw 700 participants. Thursday, May 7 8 a.m-4 p.m. California Animal Rescue League will be having a bake sale on the north entrance of the Capitol. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Ella Baker Center for Human Rights will be holding a press conference near the fish pond

Ever drive by the Capitol building and see a crowd gathering, only to pass by wondering what was that? Whether it's a large gathering, a rally, or a special event, stories in this storyline will focus on all happenings outside of California's historic State Capitol building, located at 10th and L Streets. Future articles in this storyline will likely include interviews with organizers and participants, as well as photographs, flyers and additional information. Monday April 27th: California Young Democrats will be holding a press conference to help mobilize the youth vote. Taking place from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., the event will consist of approximately 60 people who will convene at the no

Look out, Governor Schwarzenegger! Thousands of angry students are yelling at your front door.   Today at the Capitol, college students from all over California gathered to speak up about their frustrations in this year’s ‘March in March’.   At 10:00 am, a crowd of thousands from all over the state started marching from Raley Field towards the Capitol. The passion of the students could be felt in the air during the walk.   “What do we want? EDUCATION! When do we want it? NOW!” “You say cut that, we say fight back!”   These were just a couple of the many chants that could be heard throughout the crowd. Anybody with functioning ears within a ten-block radius could probably hear the screa

Hundreds of gays, lesbians and supporters lined the south steps of the State Capitol to recommit to the cause of fighting for equality Wednesday at around 5 p.m. Organized by the nonprofit Equality Action NOW (which also helped organized the larger March 16 rally at the State Capitol), the people were there to tell the world that they want equality, and they want it now. On the eve of the California Supreme Court hearing arguments on the validity of Prop. 8, the state amendment to ban same-sex marriages, the hundreds marched from the State Capitol to the steps of the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building. The gathered held signs with slogans such as, “We are never going away,” "God d