Past Reports

June 5, 2025 - Weekly Report

Emma and team organized an amazing Defend Education and Research Rally at Stanford. We held our climate strike there in solidarity with this action. There was an amazing lineup of speakers. Videos are forthcoming. For now, check out these two:

• Prof. Hakeem Jefferson: https://youtu.be/WLyH9JM8CF8

• Prof. Larry Diamond: https://youtu.be/OMI4myvS5jk

Thanks, also, to Alfred Leung and Pro Bono Photo, for the fantastic coverage of the event. You can find all the images here: https://www.probonophoto.org/2025/30May25StanfordEducationResearch

Thanks to the Raging Grannies for bringing their songs and theatrics to the event. It’s always fun playing along with the Grannies. And, a big thanks to all the organizers and speakers who are courageously speaking up to defend education, research, vulnerable students, immigrants, and our democracy itself. You are all very much appreciated!

Carol and the Stand Up for Science and Sanity team are preparing another rally this Friday in Lytton Plaza at which speakers will highlight the urgent need to protect and preserve Medicaid. Also, David C will speak to the need to preserve veterans’ rights and health care.  The Mitchell Park Band will provide music after the rally. Thanks, Carol and all, for organizing this rally!

Diane sent us an update on the Heat Pump Water Heater program. We’re making progress, slowly but surely. See update below.  Thanks, Diane!

David L checked in from France and reported that he plans to depart by e-bike from Paris in August and make his way to COP 30 in Brazil by e-bike and boat.  Thanks, David, for being such a positive and courageous  representative at COP. Bon voyage!

Teddy forwarded a one-stop shop for all actions available to encourage legislators to pass the Make Polluters Pay bill. Find the toolkit here. Thanks, Teddy, for keeping up the pressure!

Mimi reports that SB540, the grid regionalization bill, cleared the Senate and is on the way to the house.  Advocates David C and Sven will be pleased.  Thanks, Mimi, for keeping us posted.

The Tesla Takedown team is keeping up the energy at the Tesla showroom rallies.  Likewise, the Bannering 101 teams continue to make thousands of vehicular impressions along the 101 corridor.   See details from both actions below.  Thanks to both of these groups who are fighting to restore democracy in our country.  Also, there is now a petition to encourage the City of Palo Alto to disengage with all Musk-controlled businesses. Please sign the petition here: https://www.mobilize.us/thewolves/event/794842/

There are multiple actions on No Kings Day, Saturday June 14.  Indivisible Palo Alto Plus continues to organize the No Kings Democracy Fair at Rinconada Park with a march beforehand from Town & Country.  There is also a 7-mile long demonstration from the Palo Alto Tesla showroom to the Sunnyvale Tesla showroom along El Camino. Sign up for one or more of these actions!

• 7-Mile Protest on El Camino (6/24, Noon to 2PM)

• March from Town & Country to Rinconada Park (6/14, 2PM to 3PM)

• No Kings Democracy Fair at Rinconada Park (6/14, 3PM to 5PM)

This Friday we meet at Lytton Plaza at 5PM for the Stand Up for Science and Sanity Rally.  There will be no meeting in King Plaza at Noon.  See you on the streets!

May 29, 2025 - Weekly Report

It was another beautiful, but slightly chilly day in our long fight against fascism.  George kicked us off with a land acknowledgement reminding us that we are on unceded lands of the Muwekma Ohlone and that we have a kinship with the land, water and air of this place. Thanks, George!

Mimi reported on the upcoming rallies in Sacramento for issues that she is tracking in her role with Indivisible.  A couple of us decided to join her for the rallies. More on that later. Also, she reports that ICE activities targeting immigrants and people of color are being thwarted by a strong mutual aid network in our county.  If you see any ICE presence, please report it to (408) 290-1144.  ICE agents have become the “brown shirts” of the Trump regime, so we need to track their activity and give aid to their targets. Thanks, Mimi, for highlighting this and for staying on top of state legislation.

Robin has been staying away from news this week – it’s becoming all too much to bear.  Thanks, Robin, for joining us -- we will always give you an earful!

Matt remains energized by the weekly #teslatakedown rallies on Wednesday and Saturday with the Tesla Takedown Wolves and the Raging Grannies.  He is also looking forward to the upcoming Stand Up For Science and Sanity Rally on June 6 and 5PM in Lytton Plaza, and the No Kings Democracy Fair on June 14 at 3PM in Rinconada Park, with a march to Rinconada starting a 2PM from Town and Country. Also, there is now a petition to encourage the City of Palo Alto to disengage with all Musk-controlled businesses. Please sign the petition here: https://www.mobilize.us/thewolves/event/794842 

We welcomed first-timer Sven, long time green activist.  He plans to speak at city council and discourage the city from using hydrogen as a fuel source since it is mostly derived from fossil fuels.  He also thinks that SB540 is a good idea, so we continued the debate on that bill.  Also, he is looking for a metal drum for an art exhibition he is planning for the Democracy Fair. If you know where to get one, please let me know.

Stanford is hosting a green-washing, Gaza-washing climate conference with an Israeli climate liaison this week.  Curiously, Councilmember Vicki Veenker agreed to speak at the conference despite city council last year voting to stay out of international affairs.  If she really does speak at this event, we hope she reminds the Israeli official that there can be no Climate Justice without Social Justice, especially when a country is actively engaged in ethnocide.  If she plans to break the rule, go against council and speak, we hope she does it for the right reasons. Depending on how it goes, we will go to city council and let her know what we think. Stay tuned. 

Mimi, Teddy, Robin and Matt headed up to Sacramento for TWO rallies. The first was to encourage legislators to vote NO on AB942 and not break solar contracts with 2 million California residents. The second was to encourage legislators pass the Make Polluters Pay bill and create a Climate Superfund funded from oil company profits to pay for the damages that they knowingly inflict on us with their dangerous products. We had a fun full day of rallying and lobbying.  Here is an amazing speech from a youth climate leader from Fridays for Future Sacramento here.  Please remember to contact Pat.Burt@PaloAlto.gov and Keith.Reckdahl@PaloAlto.gov and let them know that you would like them to endorse the Make Polluters Pay bill and have the city endorse the bill, too. Thanks, Mimi, for organizing this fun trip to the Capitol!

Carol, Emma and the Stand Up For Science and Sanity (SUFSAS) team are preparing another terrific rally, this time in the late afternoon of June 6 at 5PM in Lytton Park. Thanks, Carol, Emma and team!

Also, Emma is organizing a Rally to Defend Education and Research at Stanford’s White Memorial Plaza this Friday May 30 from 12:00 to 1:30PM. We will attend this rally in solidarity with the teachers and students at Stanford. 

David P. is organizing a 101 Bannering event on Friday (5/30) morning from 8AM to 9:30AM.  This action is coordinated with a national banner action taking place. Thanks, David, for organizing it. We will be there! RESIST!

Friday is a busy day. First the bannering action in solidarity with Indivisible at 8, and then the rally at Stanford at noon.  See you on the streets!

May 22, 2025 - Weekly Report

During these abnormal times, having a normal Friday Climate Strike was quite refreshing – normal, yet quite eventful.  Ingrid gave the land acknowledgement -- we are on unceded lands of the Muwekma Ohlone and we bear a responsibility to live in harmony with the land and all life on our shared planet. She next shared how she is practicing having discussions about the climate crisis with those only now awakening to our collective predicament.  Thanks, Ingrid, for everything that you are doing.

Christa shared her dismay that so many organizations providing aid in Africa have lost funding and are struggling due to the dismantlement of USAID. She is working to find alternative funding sources to keep those efforts alive.  Thanks, Christa, for working to plug those funding holes.

Rick is pleased with the leadership that Yale, his alma mater, is demonstrating on climate and continues to stay connected with and support Yale’s climate activities.  Thanks, Rick, for boosting their climate leadership.

David continues to support Carbon Free Palo Alto and works on reducing the biggest component of carbon emissions in our community, transportation emissions. He is working with the city of Palo Alto and Third Thursday to entice more people to ride their bikes to these community events. One technique that he suggests is for organizers to provide a reward (free snack, cool sticker, sustainable merch, etc.) to anyone who shows their helmet. We can socially engineer our way to lower emissions and healthier lifestyles!  Thanks, David, for all your efforts.

George is reading Ingrid’s book and is enjoying hearing the diverse perspectives of the people that she interviewed.  George is inspired by the different approaches to climate action that each activist takes.  We all need to be doing everything, everywhere, all at once, so there is no wrong approach!  Thanks, George, for sharing your thoughts on Ingrid’s book and thanks to Ingrid for writing it!  

Robin is alarmed at the news coming out of Antarctica. Its glaciers are melting much faster than previously thought, sea ice is disintegrating, sea ice extent is at record lows, the current encircling Antarctica is being disrupted, and wildlife and food chains are struggling as their stable habitat disappears. It is truly a hot mess.  Thanks, Robin, for keeping our attention on this climate bellwether.

Brigetta injected some humor quoting Rahm Emmanual who said that Trump’s corruption would make Al Capone blush. Specifically, she points to how Trump’s crypto coin provides an easy mechanism to transfer money surreptitiously  to Trump in exchange for favors.  Of course, you could also just openly give him a Palace Plane.  No more rules, no more lines, the sky’s the limit!  Thanks, Brigetta, for highlighting Trump’s abhorrent corruption.

Matt is by encouraged the rise in people engaging in ritualized protest.  Palo Alto has long had regular weekly protests, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom with their weekly Silent Vigil for Peace & Justice, Fridays For Future’s Climate Strike, and Vigil4Gaza. Now we also have multiple weekly Tesla Takedown actions, Bannering 101, and monthly Stand Up for Science and Sanity Rallies.  Even Rachel Maddow is promoting ritualized protest as an important strategy to stand up to fascism and the kleptocratic, authoritarian takeover of our nation. Here’s her video and here’s an article on the topic she that she promoted. 

Jeralyn, a long-time climate superhero, came to hang out and share her concerns about the turn our nation is taking. We reminisced about Jeralyn’s many climate actions, and David noted that she is in the Top 1% of activists – those willing to be arrested.  As a biologist, she is horrified by the attack on science. Thanks for coming, Jeralyn, we appreciate all you have done and for just showing up. 

Mimi joined us and we discussed Sen. Josh Becker’s bill SB540.  The law would allow for the creation of an expanded western electricity market overseen by a regional organization (RO), an independent entity with specific protections for individual state policies and the public interest. Mimi worries that the legislation would take away control of California’s grid from the people and hand it to the bill’s backers, Big Tech companies who will influence  the RO to ensure they have power for their data centers. David, on the other hand, notes that we need a more robust and resilient grid to move off of fossil fuels and electrify everything.  On Monday, the bill did NOT move out of the Appropriations Committee – it is in Suspense waiting for a fiscal analysis on its impact to the state budget.  Thanks, Mimi and David, for the lively debate!

As we wrapped up, we encountered Councilmembers Pat Burt and Keith Reckdahl in King Plaza and took that opportunity to encourage them to endorse as individual elected officials the Make Polluters Pay bill.  Councilmember Burt even suggested that we have the City of Palo Alto endorse the bill – great idea, Pat!  Please contact Pat.Burt@PaloAlto.gov and Keith.Reckdahl@PaloAlto.gov and let them know that you, too, would like them to endorse the bill and have the city endorse the bill.

Carol is lining up another terrific Stand Up For Science and Sanity (SUFSAS) Rally on June 6 at 5PM in Lytton Park, where she wants to continue highlighting the impacts that cuts to Medicaid will have on our community. You can hear two brief speeches on the topic from the last rally here and here.   Thanks, Carol and to the Media Team, Emma and Joanna, for all you are doing to create and promote these rallies.

The Tesla Takedown Wolves and Indivisible Palo Alto Plus are keeping up the energy at the weekly Tesla Takedown Rallies. We are having a blast out there, getting more creative and theatrical with each rally. Scott, one of the organizers, will speak at the next SUFSAS Rally.  But don’t wait until then to meet him - come to Stanford Shopping Center at Noon this Saturday and join in the fun. Thanks to all the Wolves and to IPA+!  Check out a brief video of last week’s Wednesday protest here.  For upcoming actions, look here: https://www.mobilize.us/ipaplus/.

The Bannering 101 Team made 600,000 vehicular impressions in May with action in Belmont, Menlo, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Gatos.   Well done, team!  Please sign up for the next action here, or contact: bannering101@gmail.com.

Meanwhile, we will see you Friday at noon in King Plaza!  It is GO TIME!  See you out on the streets.

May 15, 2025 - Weekly Report

What a fantastic rally!  I am so grateful to be in this community of brave people willing to stand up and speak out against the fascist, authoritarian takeover of our nation.  I love that we are coming together to resist the Trump regime. Please view and “like” these video highlights of the rally so they get more impressions:

• Stanford Prof. David Palumbo-Liu speaks on harmful shift in academic freedom:  Short version;  Full version.

• Stanford Prof. Larry Goulder speaks on harmful shift in US climate policy:   https://youtu.be/8v5hSo8wOxk

• Former Mountain View Mayor Lenny Siegel shares the ingredients to organizing a movement: https://youtube.com/shorts/0xZJQfG9TBk

• Rick speaks about fighting for our kids: https://youtube.com/shorts/XKqXgWnP4kA

• Ingrid sings a song for her kids: https://youtube.com/shorts/MU_2LT-M6GM

• The Raging Grannies and the rally goers join Judy and Matt singing This Little Light of Mine: https://youtube.com/shorts/bN4hH4q7JZg

• Matt encourages the crowd to stand up and fight back:  https://youtube.com/shorts/fNxpQpwKmD4

• Local FOX News coverage of the rally: https://youtu.be/H98sYC2fQUE

Many thanks to Stand Up For Science and Sanity organizers Carol, Perry and Emma for all your superb work. Thanks to all the brave and powerful speakers for sharing your important messages. Thanks to musical groups The Raging Grannies, Redwood Souls and Mitchell Park Band for bringing musical joy to the rally.  Mark your calendars for the NEXT RALLY on Friday, June 6 at 5PM. Since it’s late afternoon, we encourage students and workers to join the action!

#TeslaTakedown protests continue at the Stanford Shopping Center and El Camino Tesla showrooms.  Thanks to all the amazing organizers at Indivisible Palo Alto Plus for organizing and energizing these actions! For upcoming actions, look here: https://www.mobilize.us/ipaplus/. Check out these fun Instagram reels of the recent actions:

• Ghoul leads march through Stanford Shopping Center on May 10: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJgGWIMOdQs/

• Stanford Shopping Center protest and two-loop march on May 3: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJN5C6kRdj3/

The 101 Bannering Team is busy organizing and energizing upcoming actions. Be sure and check them out! To get all the latest information in these actions, send a request to bannering101@gmail.com.

• Thursday May 15th 4:30 Belmont https://mobilize.us/s/1NQra1

• Thursday May 15th 4:30 Menlo https://mobilize.us/s/ERbfue                    

• Thursday May 22nd 4:30 Belmont https://mobilize.us/s/bEi7iX

Rick identified that the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom at 525 University Ave works for Trump and suggests that we target them for and upcoming action. Excellent idea, Rick!

This Friday we return to King Plaza to celebrate all our amazing actions, sing and enjoy snacks!  See you there Friday at Noon!

May 8, 2025 - Weekly Report

We marched!  Our somber funeral procession wound its way through downtown streets as we grieved the apparent loss of our democracy and rights, our science and educational institutions, our public health systems and social safety nets, and our stable climate and habitable planet.  The Grim Reaper followed close behind to make the point very clear.  Many diners and passersby positively acknowledged us and applauded our action. Several engaged us in conversation asking the question, “what can I do?”  The answer is clear – if you care about preserving our democracy and our country, we must be out on the street –  NOW! It only takes 3.5% of the population engaged in non-violent protest to affect change. If you do not like the direction our country is headed, find an action near you and join the caring cadre of concerned citizens. Thanks to our intrepid marchers, Brigitta, Casey, George, Ingrid and Rick.

Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts – and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change

Remember, Palo Alto lies at the heart of technofascism so there is no better place in the country than right here to let the tech oligarchs, and their tech-bro followers know that we will not stand for this fascist takeover of our country. It is so mean and unfair that they are smashing, grabbing and taking all that we have for so long fought for, especially stealing from our younger generations.  While young people may not yet recognize that the people we elected to protect us are stealing our futures, we elders do. Let’s continue to stand up and fight back to make the best possible future for our youth and for everyone. 

After the march, we sang and wished Ingrid a happy birthday and enjoyed a delicious cupcake, some with surprise jelly filling! We find joy in the small things.  Happy birthday, Ingrid!

Thursday was MAY DAY – demonstrations were held around the country. We demonstrated in front of the Tesla showroom at Stanford Shopping Center. Around 150 people lined both sides of the street delighting passing cars who honked and encouraged us. We also marched through the center of the mall drawing out surprised shoppers.  Here is a terrific reel of the May Day action.  We were at SSC again on Saturday.  The Saturday action at the Tesla showroom on El Camino was memorialized by Pro Bono Photo. Thanks to Indivisible Palo Alto Plus for organizing these #TeslaTakedown actions that will continue every Wednesday and Saturday.

• Wednesday 4 to 6PM: Tesla Showroom on El Camino

• Saturday Noon to 2PM: Tesla Showroom at Stanford Shopping Center

• Saturday Afternoon: Tesla Showroom on El Camino (start time may vary, see link)

You can find the details of upcoming actions here: https://www.mobilize.us/ipaplus/

David P and Dave C continue to impress commuters with their banner actions on 101 overpasses up and down the peninsula. Thanks to you both for all the great work you are doing!

Aiden and the Youth Climate Advisory Board are generating interest in public transportation. Transportation emissions are the biggest contributor to carbon emissions in our city, and public transportation options can lower those emissions. If you are a Palo Alto student or a parent of a student, please fill out this survey. Thanks Aiden and team for working on this important issue.

On Tuesday, Avroh, Aiden and the PASCC team attended the Palo Alto Unified School District board meeting. If you have not done so already, please write board@pausd.org and ask the board to include climate action and sustainability in Palo Alto Promise.

Diane kindly updated us on the heat pump water heater program. See the update below.  Thanks, Diane!

This Friday we demonstrate in Lytton Plaza at the Stand Up for Science and Sanity Rally with Carol, the Raging Grannies and Mitchell Park Band.  See in Lytton Plaza at Noon!

April 29, 2025 - Weekly Report

MAY DAY!  See details below for the upcoming May Day actions, as well as others.

Friday we celebrated the many  recent energizing actions: the Earth Day climate rally organized by PASCC and the rallies and bannering events organized by Indivisible.  There is so much energy in our community now!

Rick performed the land acknowledgment reminding us that we are on unceded Muwekma Ohlone land and that we bear the responsibility of caring for our land, community and environment. Thank you, Rick.

We each shared:  Ingrid is alarmed that Act Blue is under investigation; Robin is entertained by the many creative political cartoons; Brigitta was amused that hackers took over the audio at local crosswalks; George’s sister is afraid to drive her Tesla; Rick is sending letters to college presidents to encourage them to stand with Harvard and resist the Trump regime; Matt recounted attending Cirque du Soleil’s ecology-focused ECHO performance and how the ghost-white animals reminded him of the ghost-white coral on over 80% of global reefs now. David P. encourages us to support Pramila Jayapal’s Resistance Labs to build the resistance movement.  Thanks, everyone, for sharing this important information!

MAY DAY!  Yes, there will be plenty of action this Thursday May 1.  Join the Indivisible rally at the Tesla Showroom at Stanford Shopping Center from 4 to 6PM.  Also check out the rally at 500 Castro St. in Mtn. View from 6 to 7PM.  Rumor has it Joan Baez will make an appearance at the Mtn. View event.  See you on the streets this Thursday! (and Wednesday 4-6PM, and Friday 12-1PM, and Saturday 1:30-3:30PM).

Justin wants to take down Tesla.  He is alarmed that the City of Palo Alto is considering a RoboTaxi deal with Tesla.  He encourages us all to give this idea two-thumbs down.   Meanwhile, more details are being released on the fatal Cybertruck crash and explosion that asphyxiated three Piedmont students.  Thanks, Justin, for encouraging us to keep these dangerous vehicles off of our city streets.

On Saturday, Pamela showed off her new sign and fashionable dress for a rainy-day rally. Justin reminded us:   Rain or Shine, Justice is on Our Minds!  The Raging Grannes performed Tiny Hands Street Theater.  Thanks to Pamela, Justin, Cindy, Robin, the Grannies David P. and everyone for showing up at Saturday’s Takedown Tesla Rally!

Avroh encouraged us to attend the Palo Alto Unified School District meeting on Tuesday April 29.  If you missed it, please send an email to the board asking that they please incorporate climate action and sustainability into the Palo Alto Promise. There is so much that PAUSD could be doing to minimize our community’s impact on the climate.:  lowering carbon emissions by electrifying everything –  fleet, buildings and pools;  minimizing food waste; creating more vegetarian and vegan food options; planting more trees, etc. Take a minute and write the school board at board@pausd.org Thank you, Avroh, for leading this charge!

Carol reports progress on lining up speakers for the Friday May 9 Stand Up For Science and Sanity rally in Lytton Plaza.  She also launched a new website for these actions. The Raging Grannies and the Mitchell Park Band are looking forward to entertaining the crowd. Thanks, Carol, for organizing these important rallies!

Hilary was inspired to create a music play list for upcoming rallies. She also encourages us to sign up with Indivisible Palo Alto Plus here:  https://indivisiblepaloaltoplus.org/ You can follow IPA+ on BlueSky: @indivisiblepaplus.bsky.social.  Thanks, Hilary, for your organizing and for the rally music! 

Dave C. is organizing a number of bannering actions further up the peninsula.  You can get more details here:

• Belmont:  Thursday 5/1 at 4PM: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/782219/

• Belmont: Saturday 5/3 at noon:   https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/782475/

• Menlo Park: Thursday  5/1 at 4PM: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/782453/

He also encourages us to tell our representatives to vote no on AB942.  Thanks, Dave, for everything you are doing!

Instagram is doing their best to take down any posts by people organizing a general strike.   This is an important movement and may be our best chance to activate 3.5% of the population to stand up to the oligarchy.  You can learn more about it here: https://generalstrikeus.com/

This Friday we take to our downtown streets. Reportedly, the Grim Reaper will be there trying to take the soul of our democracy. Let’s make sure he doesn’t get it!

April 24, 2025 - Weekly Report

Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition organized an amazing Earth Day Climate Rally in Palo Alto’s King Plaza on Friday. MCs Brendan and Deepika masterfully guided us through the rally by introducing the speakers and energizing us with chants.  Thanks to the great speakers: Alida, Avroh, Carlos and Sam. Thanks to the Climate Strikers! and the Raging Grannies for lots of music and dancing.  Thanks to Chris Cassell and Pro Bono Photo for the beautiful pictures. Thanks to the entire PASCC team for organizing an amazing rally!

Here’s a video of the rally: https://youtu.be/JFXpnE8kNX8?si=CfZMTebwiDMtTn81

Here’s our final chant at the end: https://youtube.com/shorts/eK-RtcKm6pA?feature=share

Here’s pictures by Pro Bono Photo’s Chris Cassell: https://www.probonophoto.org/2025/18AprPAEarthDay

Here’s a playlist of some songs performed by The Climate Strikers!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iKFuGrnWxI&list=PLi4ADlZjXj1ZIvWoNn-SxTK7JQ9H5NIRH

At the rally, Avroh demanded that polluters pay for the damage they are perpetrating on our climate and our biosphere and urged us all to support the "Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act", introduced as Senate Bill 684 (SB 684) and Assembly Bill 1243 (AB 1243), which aims to establish a fund financed by fees collected from major fossil fuel companies, who would be identified as responsible parties for a portion of the state's climate damages. These funds would then be used to address climate-related costs and harms in California. Avroh encourages us to call and email our representatives. Thanks, Avroh, for this call to action.

Diane is excited to announce a new contest sponsored by the City of Palo Alto to give away a free heat pump water heater!  Sign up now before it’s too late:  https://www.paloalto.gov/News-Articles/City-Manager/Win-a-Free-Heat-Pump-Water-Heater Thanks, Diane, for sharing this exciting program. What a great way to celebrate Earth Day!

Co Co shared that she has been attending four actions a week, especially those targeting Musk and Tesla like #HandsOff and #TeslaTakedown.  These actions appear to be very effective!  This week, Musk said he was stepping back from DOGE as he announced that Tesla profits plunged.  This is amazing news and demonstrates the power of our actions. Also, last week it was reported that Trump’s team advised him against invoking the Insurrection Act -- more good news! Meanwhile ICE continues to target, detain and deport our immigrant neighbors and friends, so we must stay vigilant and work to protect vulnerable members of our community. Thanks, Co Co and everyone, for your amazing organizing and actions.

Carol is making progress on organizing the next Stand Up for Science and Sanity Rally on Friday, May 9 at Noon in Lytton Plaza. Mark your calendars! The Raging Grannies and the Climate Strikers! will be here for dancing, music and fun.  Also, Carol is arranging to build a website for these ongoing rallies.  Fighting to save our country from authoritarian rule is a marathon not a sprint. Thank you, Carol, for your vision and energy to keep these rallies going. 

This Friday we will celebrate the successful Earth Day Climate Rally and Musk’s reduced involvement in dismantling our government.  Also, we will decide on our message for the upcoming Climate Slow March on Friday May 2.  Come join the conversation!

April 16, 2025 - Weekly Report

TFolake joined us and graciously performed our land acknowledgment reminding us that we occupy unceded land of the Muwekma Ohlone and of our obligation to be good stewards of this land. Folake continued by informing us that she is starting an African rhythm drumming class with an instructor.  Music is such a great way to build community. We all expressed interest in incorporating drumming into our group. Thanks, Folake, for everything you are doing!

Rick reports great progress building the Indivisible San Mateo group. He has taken the role of communicator and promoter.  He is eager to participate in upcoming actions with that group.  Thanks, Rick, for providing your energy to all our groups.

Casey assuages her horror and fear of the Trump regime malevolence by writing letters to all her representatives demanding that they stand up and fight back! She is particularly horrified that the Trump regime mistakenly sent an innocent man – Kilmar Abrego Garcia - to the El Salvador gulag without due process and has abandoned him there. The Trump regime is testing the limits of what they can get away with and will be emboldened to do more unless we push back. So, push back we will!  Thanks, Casey, for highlighting Abrego Garcia.

Brigitta applauds the City of Palo Alto for considering the “Dark Sky” ordinance that would impose a 10PM curfew on outdoor lighting, including streetlights, to reduce light pollution.  This ordinance would benefit human and wildlife health.  Brigitta imagines being able to see stars in the sky again!  Thanks, Brigitta, for sharing progress on lowering light pollution in our community.

George rejoined us this week and shared the wonderful news that Pria is healing well from her surgery.  He is also grateful for all the actions that we are taking.  We are grateful for you and Pria.  Thank you for everything you both do.

Robin expressed concerns about Trump’s aims to use our military against us.  He tried to do it in his first term, but the military didn’t abide.  She worries about how the military will respond when he tries again. Clearly, the best way to dissuade the military from attacking us is for all of us to be out on the streets.  They will think twice about using force against their moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, daughters and sons, friends and family.  Thanks, Robin, for expressing your concern and for being one of those consistently out on the street!

Ingrid will attend the "Make Polluters Pay" Rally in front of Palo Alto's City Hall at 5 PM on Friday. She will bring copies of her new book, Facing the Climate Future Together: Voices for Advocacy and Action. This is an opportunity to get a signed copy!  Thanks, Ingrid, for highlighting the voices of climate leaders in our community.

We next turned to a discussion about the importance of non-violent protest.  We anticipate that there will be detractors at our protests.  We agreed that it is best to ignore them and to not engage.  But if there is engagement, to use our lowest, calmest voice repeating, “everybody calm down.”  We also noted the importance of using our phones to record any disruptive people as that may dissuade them from engaging.  Thanks, everyone, for sharing your wisdom and experiences on this.

David L checks in from France celebrating the settlement against Chevron which you can read about here. Thanks, David, for sharing this amazingly good news!

Aiden invites us to table at the Paly Earth Day Environmental Expo 2025 to share with Paly students the efforts around environmental action, like advocacy, volunteering opportunities, and more. Thanks, Aiden, we look forward to attending!

On Tuesday, David P organized another great demonstration on the 101 overpass. About 20 of us attended that action and we covered both sides of the overpass with signs. We even had drum accompaniment!  Thanks David and Indivisible for keeping up the actions.

Later on Tuesday, Carol attended a rally in Mountain View on behalf of Kilmar Abrega Garcia. Thanks, Carol, for demanding that Kilmar be freed.

This Friday we meet at 5PM instead of noon for the Earth Day Rally with PASCC, the Raging Grannies and others.  We demand that polluters pay for the damage they are causing to our homes, our environment and our economy. Looking forward to scintillating speeches, merry music, and delightful dancing. Come join the fun – bring your signs and your friends.

April 10, 2025 - Weekly Report

This is a good news/bad news edition.  I will start with the bad news. Please read this SF Chronicle article (paywall) and this essay. More on both later.

SF Chronicle article: https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/insurrection-act-president-trump-20201819.php

Essay: https://medium.com/@aletheisthenes/on-april-20th-2025-the-united-states-will-cross-the-point-of-no-return-0aecac04cfc3

Science is under attack. Good news: We stood up and fought back. Carol and Perry organized another powerful Stand Up for Science and Sanity rally in Lytton Plaza. We had great speakers and the Mad Scientists (aka the Mitchell Park Band) performed several songs with the Raging Grannies. Check out these speeches by our courageous scientists:

Dr. Mary: https://youtu.be/yLy7hDykB0E

Dr. Carol: https://youtu.be/yLy7hDykB0E

Sen. Josh encouraged us to attend rallies:  https://youtu.be/szyRoBmppvk

Here’s great NBC coverage of the event: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/protest-palo-alto-federal-health-cuts/3836656/

Pro Bono Photo’s Jim Colton covered the event: https://www.probonophoto.org/2025/4Apr25PA-Science

After the rally, a burly person dressed all in black driving a large black SUV with blacked-out windows and hidden police lighting stopped their vehicle in the middle of the University Ave, turned on the hidden lighting, got out of the vehicle, and shouted at me. As I wondered why are you yelling at me, I realized this is at hellava coup.  I supposed they were monitoring our rally. We live in interesting times.

On Saturday, many of us attended the Hands Off! rally in front of the Tesla showroom on El Camino.  Rick, Ingrid and Robin were out on the street encouraging passing cars to RESIST! We enjoyed many honks of encouragement.   Robin even took an opportunity to shout down and shoo off a fascist. Way to go, Robin! There were about 2000 protesters lining both sides of El Camino Real for at least 3 blocks.  Thanks to the City of Palo Alto for re-striping the street in front of the showroom on both sides of ECR to make it safe for protesters – we appreciate you!

Pro Bono Photo’s Jennifer Fraser covered the event: https://www.probonophoto.org/2025/5Apr25HandsOff/5Apr25HO-PaloALto

Twiana notes that while the black community is fully conscious of the ongoing coup, they are cautious about protesting as a singular community for fear of providing an excuse for Trump’s fascist regime to deploy National Guard troops directed only at them. It is important that our resistance be multi-ethnic to show that we are all committed to preserving our uniquely multi-cultural democracy. Thanks, Twiana, for making this important point.

There are upcoming rallies!

Dave P reports an overpass banner rally planned for Tuesday, 4/15, Noon to 1PM that will be posted to Inivisible/Norcal. I believe it is on the pedestrian overpass just north of the San Antonio overpass.

Dave C reports an overpass banner rally planned for Thursday, 4/17/25, 3PM to 5PM: a coordinated Bannering Event with Belmont, Menlo and Palo Alto. Location:  3803  Bayshore Road https://maps.app.goo.gl/hjD3ewJMzg3JbJsbA, or 3600 West Bayshore Road, Palo Alto.  

Avroh and PASCC encourage us to join the Earth Day rally, Friday 4/18 from 5 to 6:30, King Plaza in front of Palo Alto City Hall.

Thanks, everyone, for organizing all these amazing actions!

As our Spaceship Earth’s life support systems begin to crack and fail under the pressure of our intense consumerism, those with great wealth and power are flooding the zone with a final smash and grab as we watch on in shock and awe.  The Trump regime is implementing Project 2025 right on schedule. SF Chronicle reports that the next step is to invoke the Insurrection Act on or around Easter (coincidentally Hitler’s Birthday.)  It is too late for panic. Please read this essay and Friday, as we enjoy our delicious snacks, let’s discuss how we will respond when the Insurrection Act is invoked.

April 3, 2025 - Weekly Report

Ingrid acknowledged that we are on unceded lands of the Muwekma Ohlone and that we have an  obligation to be good stewards of the land.   Also, she reported that she is busy promoting her latest book Facing the Climate Future Together.  Thanks, Ingrid, for highlighting all the terrific climate leaders in our community.

Rick is participating in anti-Musk demonstrations organized by the San Mateo chapter of Indivisible.  He is delighted to be connected with that group. Way to go, Rick!

Casey was impressed by the tremendous participation on a recent Zoom webinar organized by Indivisible. She appreciates how people are motivated to push back against the takeover of our federal government. Thanks for the great news, Casey!

Brigitta is flabbergasted that Trump is setting the table for the US to take over Canada and Greenland. She noted that Trump is using the word “belong,” and how Canada and Greenland belong to the US.  Thanks, Brigitta, for highlighting this disturbing rhetoric.

Kimberly notes how authoritarians use otherization and demonization of certain classes of people to  divide and conquer. She is very concerned for our immigrant neighbors, how they are being rounded up and sent to concentration camps in another country (El Salvador), and how all this resembles the Nazi perpetration of the Holocaust. Thanks, Kimberly, for keeping our attention focused on these horrifying actions by the Trump Regime.

Matt notes how societal transformation occurs once 3.5% of the population is out on the streets. For the US, that is 11.5 million people.  We did this recently with the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. We are doing it again now.  He is eager to participate in the upcoming demonstrations in our community this Friday and Saturday (more details below). 

Co Co is concerned about travelling abroad and has postponed a trip she was planning next month.  On 4/2, Democracy Now! reported how federal law enforcement agency resources, not just ICE, but FBI, Homeland Security, ATF, and even IRS, are being diverted to focus on identifying and expelling people from the country.  See all the great reporting by Democracy Now! here. Thanks for sharing your concerns, Co Co, and everyone please be aware of your situation. 

Diane sent us an update on the Heat Pump Water Heater Program.  We are making progress towards the first 1000 installations!  See the details below. Thanks, Diane!

Tasheana at the Opportunity Center sent us the calendar of upcoming opportunities to volunteer at the Opportunity Center. Check them out here. With all the demonstrations, I imagine people are feeling overwhelmed and tapped out.  Volunteering at the Opportunity Center may be just the thing you need to re-energize.  Please consider volunteering. Thanks, Tasheana, for all the terrific work you are doing. 

Carol and Co Co posted flyers for the Stand Up For Science and Sanity rally in Palo Alto and in our neighboring communities. Looking forward to a great turnout this Friday.  Thank you, Carol and Coco.

This Friday we will meet in Lytton Plaza at Noon to support the Stand Up for Science and Sanity rally.  We will don our ponchos and display our RESIST! signs.  On Saturday, we will be in front of the Tesla showroom for the Hands Off! rally that starts at 1:30. See you on the streets!

March 27th, 2025 - Weekly Report

Co Co joined us for the first time. We met Co Co at the Stand Up For Science rally where she used one of our signs which she kindly returned.  While a grad student at Stanford in the 90’s she was dismayed by the lack of environmental studies options there so she started taking courses at DeAnza which was way ahead of Stanford on the subject. Thanks for sharing your story with us, Co Co. Hope to see you again soon!

After introducing ourselves, we took time for a check-in.  Self-care is an important part of movement activism.  We are running a marathon, not a sprint. Marathon runners know how to check in during the race to make sure all systems are working – mental, physical and spiritual.  Sometimes it feels like the 20-mile mark where you feel spent but know you have another 6 miles to go.  Preserving democracy and navigating climate collapse is not a race, it is a process in which you often feel like you are at that 20-mile mark with no end to the race in sight. But know that if you feel that way you are not alone, you are making progress, and with each other’s support we can all carry on. 

Each of us reported ways we are taking time out for recreation and rejuvenation: Matt meditates daily, snuggles with his dog, and makes music with his friends with whom he plays frequently in Mitchell Park and at rallies; Casey practices mindfulness meditation, snuggles with her cat, and celebrates her favorite trees on her daily walk; Ingrid works on her book, walks, swims, plays piano and even dances twice a week; Robin reads, learns Chinese, and enjoys her pets; Rick collects people’s dreams and ponders how our subconscious communicates with consciousness; Sheena processes her feelings with a rigorous workout regime that includes biking, weight lifting, walking and swimming; George focuses on supporting his “village” and continuously learning; Co Co practices techniques to recognize and calm extreme feelings, and she enjoys satirical comedy to help laugh at our collective selves.   How are you taking time out to maintain spiritual, mental and physical health?  Everyone, thank you for sharing and stay well.

Ingrid is on her book tour!  Aaryan conducted another of his brilliant interviews for the Earth Day Every Day podcast. Watch here.  They discuss Ingrid’s book, Facing the Climate Future Together. Please buy her book and leave a glowing review so that this important work gets lots of attention.   Many thanks to Aaryan and Ingrid

Carol, Perry and Granny Ruth are organizing another great Stand Up For Science and Sanity rally in Lytton Park on Friday 4/4 at noon.  Joanna made a brilliant poster to promote the event. Please share it far and wide.  Thanks you, Carol, Perry, Ruth and Joanna! 

Amy encourages us to pay attention to an upcoming seminar by the Environmental Law Institute called Creating a Glide Path for Municipal Action: An Overview of Model Ordinances and Executive Orders on Food Waste Reduction (long name!) on April 8.  Please REGISTER HERE.  Thanks, Amy, for keeping us focused on our food system.

Avroh informs us that the Palo Alto Unified School District has rescheduled the matter of getting climate change and sustainability as a part of the district's goals statement to guide climate action.  The new day is April 29.  Details below. Thanks, Avroh, for keeping us posted.

Both David and Stevie checked in from France. Stevie notes that what is happening in the US is coo coo (coup coup?), and David gives his positive encouragement for our efforts to #TakeDownTesla.  Thanks to you both for your support!

There are important actions coming up next week, Stand Up For Science and Sanity and Tesla Takedown. Join us this Friday to make preparations to support and provide energy to these efforts.

March 20th, 2025 - Weekly Report

Due to the threat of rain, we retreated to City Hall lobby where we first we acknowledged that we are on unceded Ohlone Muwekma land and reconfirmed our commitment to care for the land and all life that inhabits it. Rick recalled how his Boy Scout troop gave tribute to Gitche Manitou, the Anishinaabe culture’s Great Spirit.  Ingrid and Brigitta, who both grew up in Germany, fondly recalled German author Karl May’s work that popularized Native American culture in that country.

Kimberly is excited to participate in SF Climate Week events the last week of April. You can learn more about this event here: SFClimateWeek.org.  Thanks for sharing, Kimberly!

Robin noted all the extreme weather events being reported in the media lately and how the media loves to report on these disasters but never mentions the cause—global warming. Great point, Robin!

Deb attended Sam Liccardo’s town hall and expressed pleasant surprise as he encouraged his constituents to take to the streets to send a loud and clear message to the Trump regime. Take to the streets we will! The #TeslaTakedown campaign is proving to be particularly effective as Musk is vulnerable both emotionally and financially to the action.  Granny Ruth encourages the next demonstration at Palo Alto’s Tesla showroom on Saturday 4/5 from 1:30 to 3:30PM. She also urges us to attend the Stand Up for Science rally on Friday 4/4 in Lytton Park from Noon to 3PM.  Thanks Deb and Ruth for encouraging us to take to the streets!

Also, Deb notes that the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s  Environmental and Water Resources Committee has a vacancy for a representative from District 7 (Palo Alto’s district).  She would like more progressive representation on that committee, and she encourages us to consider applying for the open committee seat.  Find more information here:  https://www.valleywater.org/how-we-operate/committees/board-advisory-committees/committee-vacancies Thanks, Deb, for highlighting this opportunity.

Finally, Deb asserted that she is a Zionist and will not participate in conversations about the horrors that Israel, aided by the US, is perpetrating on Palestinians in Gaza.  When we discuss that topic, which we frequently do, she will excuse herself.  Coincidently, Israel broke the cease fire this week killing more than 400 people. When political leaders like Netanyahu find themselves in political precarity, they will turn to war to solidify power and show strength, sadly at the loss of innocent life.  Thanks, Deb, for letting us know your position.

Ingrid’s released her book Facing the Climate Future Together. Congratulations!  In it you will find words of wisdom from climate leaders in our community.  Please buy the book and leave a glowing review so that this important work gets lots of attention.  Buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/Facing-Climate-Future-Together-Advocacy-ebook/dp/B0F1PTNPSJ.  Congratulations again, Ingrid, and thank you for creating this!

Mimi is actively advocating for the Make Polluters Pay campaign. You can sign up for the next organizing meeting on Monday March 24 at 5pm: Register here  She also participated in March for Veterans event organized by https://www.fiftyfifty.one/.  Thanks, Mimi, for highlighting these important actions.

Carol, Ian, Casey and Karen are participating in a nation-wide postcard campaign to flood the White House with millions of messages.  They know that Trump won’t care but they hope the action will compel more people to continue taking action.  Thanks, team, for making this effort and growing the numbers of activists!

Avroh is making great progress organizing our Rally for our Future: Make Polluters Pay! event scheduled for Friday, April 18 in King Plaza.  Be sure to RSVP here:  Rally for Our Future: Make Polluters Pay! - Action Network  Thank you, Avroh!

Sandra vociferously denounced white supremacy, patriarchy and fascism.  I appreciated her succinct and passionate summary of her feelings. Thanks, Sandra, for sharing!

Twiana was disappointed that Gavin Newsom invited Steve Bannon on his podcast.  Really?!  And, Newsom did not challenge Bannon’s views.  Newsom appears to be signaling he’s not in the fight to push back against the fascist takeover of our federal government. What a disappointment.  After Musk is neutralized, is Newsom the next target? Thanks, Twiana, for highlighting this.

Thanks to everyone taking bold actions.  We need you and your energy now more than ever!  We live in “interesting times.” Come this Friday and share your interesting stories and actions.

March 13th, 2025 - Weekly Report

We marched in solidarity with the Stand Up for Science rally that occurred in Lytton Plaza and around the country.  While many speakers raised concerns about NIH funding and staff cuts, the attack on science spans the gamut of our civil service, including food safety, environmental safety, and climate and weather modeling and forecasting.  It is a shocking reversal for our scientifically advanced country to be cast back to pre-enlightenment, dark age governance. Shocking though it is, we come together to resist and fight the retrograde forces.  An estimated 500 people gathered in the plaza. The action was covered by Channel 7 News and by Pro Bono Photo. Here are Matt’s photos.  Organizers are planning another action soon, and we intend to support them.

After acknowledging that we are on unceded Muwekma Ohlone land, Rick noted that there are many distinct constituencies. Friday brought out the pro-science constituency. We in the environmental movement tend to be systems thinkers, and we see how the challenges we face are intertwined with the oppressive and extractive system within which we all exist.  We realize that one’s challenge is everyone’s challenge.  Now, there’s more energy to build a broad inclusive movement. Let’s do it!

Council Member Pat stopped by after the rally, and we discussed strategies.  I told him how much I admired Congress Member Al Green’s action to stand up to Trump and his lies during his address to congress.  We need more courageous leaders to stand up for us like Al Green did for his constituents.  Pat countered how important it is to maintain decorum.  In my opinion, Palo Alto City Council’s obeisance to wealth and power was exposed when it failed to condemn the ongoing atrocities in Gaza—Dems reluctance to condemn the Gaza atrocity deactivated many Dem voters is swing states and is arguably one of the reasons we’ve become an oligarchy. Some Dems are getting the message and joined together to sing “We Shall Overcome” in solidarity with Congressmember Green.  Recall that Councilmember Julie was out with us at the Tesla protest demonstrating the importance of standing up to power.  Thanks, Pat, for stopping by, and thanks, Julie, for joining our protest.

Matt reported that he shared his monthly  Climate Moment to his Provisors group, video here, in which he highlighted how our food systems are not adapted for the new state of the climate and how we are seeing ever increasing crop failures, animal die-offs, pollination failures and food scarcity.  If you think the pro-science constituency is big, just wait until the pro-food constituency becomes active—we will need more megaphones!

On Saturday, Folake and the AWỌ Center organized an amazing Women’s Day event featuring speakers, song, dance, verse and delicious Nigerian food. Thank you, Folake, for creating this energizing experience.

On Monday, Ingrid organized a talk about our shifting cultural values with her neighbors.  We had a very lively and important conversation. Thank you, Ingrid, for organizing this event.

David is organizing another demonstration on the 101 overpass on Monday 3/17. Thank you, David, for continuing to be a beacon—what is happening is NOT normal and should NOT be normalized.  Here is a link to the action:  https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/762779/ 

Avroh is organizing with FFF Sacramento to support the Make Polluters Pay action planned for Friday 4/11 at 11AM in Sacramento’s Crocker Park.  Thanks, Avroh, for adding energy to this important campaign!

Kat points out that PASCC is encouraging participation at the PAUSD board meeting on Sunday March 23 from 6:30 to 10:30PM to urge the board to take more district level climate action.  Thanks, PASCC, for organizing this action, and thanks to Kat for the heads up!

Amie and Palo Alto Forward encourage us to support new homes in Palo Alto. You can send a letter to Palo Alto City Council to signal your support here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/support-new-homes-in-palo-alto/  Thanks, Amie, for keeping a focus on housing!

Diane provided us with an update on the heat pump water heater and home electrification programs.  See the data below. Good news: there was a big jump in installations in February!  Thanks, Diane, for moving this program forward!

Sakura, Ken, Nicholas and Jill all expressed enthusiasm for the continued Channel 5 coverage of the Tesla protest coverage in Palo Alto: https://www.instagram.com/p/DG5olO_OLo9/

March 6th, 2025 - Weekly Report

Our Friday action took on a different tone and sense of somberness. Ingrid acknowledged that we are on unceded Muwekma Ohlone land.  Land grabs are capturing news headlines lately– colonialism is alive and thriving today. Perhaps this is one reason for our somberness.

We covered a broad range of topics. Ingrid is finding it hard to sleep, waking up at 3.  Rick continues to focus on our dreams – one mechanism for our subconscious to send messages to our conscious mind. Several of us shared our recent dreams. Sheena reports that she has taken a new position with a non-profit that focuses on Alzheimer’s, particularly how air pollution increases its rate.  We also discussed possible links to plastic pollution and obesity. Brigitta worries about how tariffs are being used to extract concessions and the consequences on the price of goods which we all must now endure. Robin remarked at how few birds there have been in the Baylands in the past few weeks and worries that the avian flu is having an impact. Finally, we turned to planning for our upcoming march—more details below. 

Eleanor of FFF El Cerrito on Sunday gave a presentation about the Climate Literacy Resolution. She encourages local FFF groups to have their school board pass a resolution and submit it to Schools For Climate Action. You can see that many school boards in the Bay Area have already passed resolutions. Surprisingly, Palo Alto has not yet — an opportunity for our advocacy! Thanks, Eleanor, for the great presentation

Hilary reports that 350 Silicon Valley Palo Alto is hosting two high school service day events – one at Gunn and one at Paly – to enable teens to make videos about electrification.  Maybe we should make videos about climate literacy, too! Thanks to Hilary and the 350.org team for organizing these service events.

It's Women’s Month, and this Saturday is National Women’s Day. Folake is organizing a Women in Action event in San Jose.  Sign up here: AWỌ Presents Women in Action 2025 Tickets, Sat, Mar 8, 2025 at 1:30 PM | Eventbrite Hope to see you there! Thank you, Folake, for organizing this important event.

Ingrid is organizing a conversation about our shift in cultural values on Monday, March 10 at 2PM in Menlo Commons. Thanks, Ingrid, for organizing this important conversation.

Sakura and Nicholas were delighted to see the Palo Alto Tesla dealership protest covered by Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan. They both frequently watch this channel and were surprised to see their dad being interviewed! Sharat is also prominently featured.   It is encouraging to see that our protests are being covered by well-watched channels—the video already has nearly 1 million views!  See the full video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/a4GCLKB_YTU?si=Y0DkXEcftlXWLnRK  Here is a shorter version on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGygg4fybmx/

Granny Ruth informs us that there will be a Stand Up for Science Rally in Lytton Plaza at noon on Friday.  We plan to march directly from King Plaza to Lytton Plaza and join them in solidarity. Thanks, Granny Ruth, for letting us know!  Here’s more information about this action:  https://standupforscience2025.org/

February 26th, 2025 - Weekly Report

We celebrated Rick’s 80th birthday with some delicious vegan pizza from Pizza My Heart.  Happy birthday, Rick! We appreciate all your contributions and activism.

Folake brought her friend Toyin who is visiting from the UK.  Toyin focuses on investing in clean energy projects, and she is working with UK energy firm that will be doing a project in California.  Meanwhile, Folake continues her focus on social and environmental justice education and is organizing a panel discussion on gender equity for Women’s Day (March 8) and Women’s History Month. Sign up for the event here.  Thanks to you both for the great work you’re doing!

Kathleen joined us for the first time.  She recounted her activism with the League of Women Voters which focus on have people register to vote and them encouraging them to get to the polls. A former schoolteacher, she was dismayed with the lack of civics education in the curriculum, so she focuses on getting people to vote.  Now she wants to promote more civic education and engagement. We do, too! Thanks for joining us, Kathleen!

We also celebrated the 2/14 action on the overpass that David and his partner Stephanie organized. You can view great photos of the event by Jim Colton of Pro Bono Photo here.  You can find pictures of the 2/16 action in front of Tesla here. David is energized by the numerous actions going on around the Bay Area.  You can find photos of the many events on the Pro Bono website.  David also encourages us to visit Congressman Sam Liccardo, who is hosting a town hall this Friday 2/28 evening: 5:30PM at West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave in Saratoga. David encourages us to communicate our displeasure about do-nothing Democrats in as pleasant a tone as possible. He is happy to provide transportation to the event. Thanks, David and Stephanie!

Nicholas, who attended Ohlone Elementary in Palo Alto, learned about the Muwekma Ohlone in school and is eager to keep learning. Thanks for joining us, Nicholas! 

Casey looks forward to attending the Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action meeting in Cupertino where Senator Josh Becker plans to speak.  By the way, if you are interested in taking a quick action, call the Senator’s office at 916-651-4013 and ask him to co-author the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Bill introduced by Sen. Menjivar in the CA Senate (Bill number SB 684).  Thanks, Casey, for holding the senator’s feet to the fire!

Ingrid is burning the candle at both ends conducting multiple interviews a week for her upcoming book.  Thanks, Ingrid, for your energy and enthusiasm for this amazing project!

Pria joined George this week and shared her concerns about the carbon footprint of flying and of making new cars, electric or gas.  Yes, we need both to stop flying and to stop buying new cars. George and Pria set a good example for us—thanks to you both!

Robin remains upset as our democracy decays into oligarchy and the billionaires conduct a smash and grab campaign on our national civil service.   Thanks for keeping this emergency top of mind!

Brigitta expressed her concern about the endangered nuclear plant in Ukraine and the likelihood of another Chernobyl disaster if the plant is compromised.   She is also concerned about how so many US scientists are being silenced and fired.  Thanks, Brigitta for raising the alarm.

Daly and Climate Defiance disrupted Larry Summers talk at Stanford for over 10 minutes.  Not used to being disrupted, Summers called for punishing these students. See the courageous protest here: https://youtu.be/249apgr74hM  I included the text of the press release in the video description so that you can understand why it’s so important to make climate criminal Larry Summers feel uncomfortable wherever he goes.  Thanks to the Climate Defiance  action!

Wow, do you feel the energy building in our movement?  I have not felt this energized in a while!  When we and our allies have a common enemy attacking our core values – social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and preserving a habitable biosphere – it provides focus for movement building.  Thanks to everyone for bringing your energy to this moment!

This Friday, is BUY NOTHING DAY!  Plan ahead and  buy nothing on Friday. Also, let’s choreography our upcoming first-Friday Climate March (in March).

February 20th, 2025 - Weekly Report

We felt the love as we enjoyed demonstrating in solidarity with Indivisible at our Valentine’s Day climate strike.  About 20 folks showed up for the action organized by David, including George, Ian, Carol, Karen, and Robin.  Casey was there in spirit.  We enjoyed the honking sounds of encouragement from passing cars on the freeway. We estimate that we conveyed our message – resist the people in power that are dismantling the civil services of our national government – to over 10,000 cars over the course of our 2-hour action on the pedestrian overpass.  Thanks, David, for organizing this impactful event, and thanks everyone for coming out.

On Sunday, the resistance continued.  Indivisible organized an action in front of Palo Alto’s Tesla dealership on El Camino Real.  Hundreds showed up – I estimate over 400 people!  We lined the sidewalks on both sides of the street and occupied the meridian.  We communicated the following messages to passing cars and people in the dealership:

What Do We Want?  ELON OUT! When Do We Want It? NOW!

Stand Up, Get Down, Tesla Get Right Out Of Town

Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum, Look Out Elon Here We Come

Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Elon Musk Has Got To Go

Boycott Tesla

Who’s Country? Our Country!

Tell Me What Democracy Looks Like. This Is What Democracy Looks Like!

The kind folks at the neighboring Volvo dealership brought out boxes of doughnut holes to keep us energized and encouraged – thank you, Volvo!  Many of our friends attended the rally – Hilary, Kat, Julie, Ian, Carol, LeeAnn, Robin, David and others. Ruth and the Raging Grannies put on a great show.  Even Joan Baez joined the Grannies in song – what a treat! Thanks, everyone for the great demonstration of community and solidarity!

This Friday, we celebrate Rick’s birthday with delicious vegan pizza while we plan our next actions including the BIG action to BUY NOTHING DAY (2/28.) Come join the celebration!

February 13th, 2025 - Weekly Report

We performed our theatrical slow march through downtown where we were greeted warmly by lunchtime diners and those we met on the street. We reminded a couple of banks and a law firm of their complicity in the climate crisis by their support of fossil fuel firms.  At the law firm, the receptionist gave us a smile and the thumbs up!  Kimberly wants to bring candy and encourage people to march with us next time. Let’s give it a try! Ingrid is eager to take the mic and lead us in chants and songs. Thanks to George, Rick, Karen, Patrick Casey, Kimberly, Ingrid and Brigitta for bringing your energy to the march. Yoohoo! Can’t wait for next month!

After our exciting but brief respite from the ongoing coup and our grief for the evisceration of our federal government’s civil service, we turned tearfully to review the loss of services and institutions we’ve counted out for most of our lives: USAID, health, food safety, education, science, weather, climate, financial protections, and on and on. We also are grieving for our trans and immigrant friends, family and neighbors who are under extreme duress. With this regime’s “Shock and Awe” strategy, chaos is the point, intended to demoralize and demobilize us. But mobilize we must.  David is initiating a fun resistance action this Friday that I describe below.

On Saturday, Rick and Matt attended a follow up meeting of the Intergenerational Climate Action group sponsored by Elders Climate Action. We heard inspiring talks from climate leaders of many different ages.  We listened to the amazing video narrated as if from the year 2050 produced by We, The Hopeful. Thanks, Rick, for organizing this important event.

Avroh and PASCC are organizing another Earth Day Rally on Friday April 18 from 5 to 6:30p.m., followed by a concert by the Climate Strikers!  There is a great line up of speakers and, depending on the size of the crowd, there may be a march, too. I hope so!

Scot encourages us to follow Vienna Teng, Saratoga native and Stanford CS grad turned musician and climate advocate. I joined her Patreon group and plan to attend her monthly climate talks. Thanks, Scot, for the great tip! 

Ingrid asked Matt to give a talk at Menlo Commons on our cultural shift in values.  Spiral Dynamics is a value systems framework that helps to understand how a society’s value system shift over time. Thank you, Ingrid, for platforming this important conversation. 

Matt gave presented his monthly Climate Moment to his business networking group. In this talk, he briefly summarized what has happened during the last 3 months with the climate – a wild ride.  Watch the video here.

David is organizing an anti-Trump action at the new pedestrian bridge over 101 near Adobe Creek Loop Trail THIS FRIDAY. We decided to join this action in solidarity. We made a 25-foot-long series of signs for the occasion: R-E-S-I-S-T-! Get more details and sign up for the action here: https://mobilize.us/s/KygDZ5  Thank you, David, for organizing this action!

See you at the overpass this Friday!

February 6th, 2025 - Weekly Report

George acknowledged that we are on unceded Muwekma Ohlone lands and reminded us of the importance of paying respect to elders both past and present.  Matt noted that ICE is conducting raids across Indian Country and Native American citizens are being urged to carry proof of citizenship to avoid being arrested. Our hearts go out to all those being victimized by the current administration.

Robin shared  a story about how giant kites are being used to assist cargo ships resulting in dramatic reductions in emissions.  Wind powered boats!  What’s old is new again. Thanks, Robin, for sharing.

Ian and Carol are very concerned for the safety of transgender peoples.  They note that passports are being denied to people who are having them re-issued with a gender that is different than the one assigned to them at birth. Also, they are alarmed that trans women are being transferred to men’s prisons. Thanks, Ian and Carol, for highlighting these important stories.

We next turned to heat. At the recent Council Retreat, Julia spoke about the need for our community to prepare to protect our most vulnerable residents during extreme heat events. Since our community enjoys moderate weather much of the time, we may be less prepared for extreme heat than a community like Phoenix that grapples with it much of the year. When extreme heat does strike, it may be accompanied by electrical power outages.  The very young and the elderly are both highly vulnerable to extreme heat. We all agreed that our community must identify our vulnerable community members and have measures to keep them cool and safe.

Diane gave us an update on the Heat Pump Water Heater Program. We are now over halfway to the goal of 1000 installations! Thanks, Diane.

Amy shared Municipal Good and Emission Guidelines: Best Practices and Recommendations published by the Center for Biological Diversity. These guidelines are a great source of inspiration for future actions. Thanks for sharing, Amy

Mimi is celebrating the release of Leonard Peltier by Biden on his way out of office. There was a celebration organized by the Leonard Peltier Support Group Silicon Valley, a truly joy-filled event.  Leornard will have many expenses reacclimatizing to society, including medical expenses. Please consider chipping in to help him out.  Thank you, Mimi, for sharing this great news with us!

The Make Polluters Pay – California campaign is off to a great start.  Nearly 500 people attended the first meeting. The recording  is linked here. If you want to get started on building support for the bill, please help circulate this petition to friends, family and neighbors. If you have not already, please fill out this survey to get regular updates and opportunities for supporting the bill. The next meeting is 2/24 at 5PM. You can register for the meeting here.

Amie and Palo Alto Forward encourage us to attend City Council on Monday, February 10th at 9:00 p.m. A 55-unit affordable teacher housing project will be heard by Council. The staff report is here under Agenda Item #15. Please support this project by attending the meeting and providing public comment. Also, write a letter of support to city council: city.council@cityofpaloalto.org.

This Friday we take to the streets for our monthly Climate March. Come join the action!

January 30th, 2025 - Weekly Report

After Matt acknowledged that we were occupying unceded Muwekma Ohlone land and encouraged everyone to be good stewards of the land,  Robin jumped in concerned about the effort to allow Trump to have a third term. Rick, an aging expert, asserted that the need to put a third term at the top of the concern list is low. He also reminded us of Napoleon who said that when your adversary is digging themself into a hole, let them do it.  Thanks, Robin and Rick.

Ingrid remarked on Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s moral courage when she addressed Trump in the National Cathedral. Ingrid noted that Matthew Sheppard, a gay man who was the victim of a hate crime, was interred by Bishop Budde at the cathedral. Bishop Budde exhibited model behavior by reminding Trump of his obligation to care for all people in the country. Thanks, Ingrid, for highlighting this brave act 

Brigitta, who is German, is reminded of Germany in 1933.  Then, the Catholic Church sided with Hitler. Now, she notes that the Pope has assigned a left-leaning Cardinal to the US.  She is grateful that the Catholic Church, too, is reminding the new administration of their obligation to care for everyone.  In the Pope’s words, "It is my hope that under your leadership the American people will prosper and always strive to build a more just society, where there is no room for hatred, discrimination or exclusion." Thanks, Brigitta, for raising this very good point.

George admits he is still in shock that we are going though this, and Pria is disappointed by a friend who lives in England who hopes that Trump will straighten out the UK, too. People in both the US and the UK have lost faith in the two dominant parties, neither of which works on behalf of the people but rather on behalf of corporations and monied donors.  Dems and Labour would be wise to reconnect with the working class and rebuild power to help people, not just corporations. Doing so would help the climate, too.  Thanks, George and Pria, for sharing this.

While walking his dog earlier in the day, Matt noted a murder of crows making a lot of noise. Matt suspects it’s because the CDC stopped reporting on bird flu outbreak.  Notably there is also an outbreak of tuberculosis in Kansas City. Tuberculosis!  Wow, we really are going back to the 1930’s.  Meanwhile, the Senate is considering an anti-vaxxer to oversee public health!  Oh dear.

Ian noted that AI news summaries lie and cannot be trusted.  He hopes that everyone realizes that. He encourages people to seek trusted sources of information. Carol encourages us to look past the noise and the hype and stay focused on important issues like caring for all and protecting the climate. Thanks, Ian and Carol!

Fridays For Future Palo Alto endorsed the ban on artificial turf in Santa Clara County. Shamefully, the supervisors voted against the ban on Tuesday.  Artificial turf is terrible for the environment and for our kids health. Looking forward to the next steps we can take to ban these toxic products from our schools and neighborhoods.

What can we do?  We next turned to that question and created a list of focus areas:

1. Support the legal organizations like the ACLU, South Poverty Law Center, and Earth Justice that are fighting to preserve the institutions that can resist the Trump administration.

2. Support labor movements who organize and build grassroots power that can stand up to corporations.

3. Don’t eat meat and dairy, one of the biggest things an individual can do to lower GHG emissions.

4. Don’t drive a car. Walk, bike, and use public transportation. Use public commons rather than cars and fuels that are exacerbating climate collapse.

5. Build Community: share information and take action together.

Finally, Israel noted that the World Cup comes to Santa Clara in 2026. He thinks there will be opportunities for global recognition of our local climate activism. Thanks, Israel, for highlighting this opportunity!

This Friday looks like rain, in which case we will meet in the lobby of city hall.  See you there!

January 23rd, 2025 - Weekly Report

After Rick acknowledged that we were occupying unceded Muwekma Ohlone land, Robin shared her alarm that scientists have found plastic in Rocky Mountain rainwater. Yep, the toxic stuff is everywhere and embedded into all parts of our life.  Thanks, Robin, for sharing your concern.

We welcomed Kate, a sustainability and journalist student at Stanford. She is writing an article on local climate action and was interested in hearing about the various actions in which our group members are participating. We all agreed that the meeting was “on the record.” Thanks, Kate, for joining us. We are eager to read your article!  You may want to consider sending it to Palo Alto Online, the Daily Post and the Weekly, too.

Ingrid did 10 interviews in the past week for her upcoming book, Facing the Climate Future Together: Voices for Action and Advocacy. She reports she’s having wonderful conversations and making great progress. Thanks, Ingrid, for taking on this project!

Folake, who leads a non-profit for environmental stewardship and sustainability that focuses on health, environment and wellness, has turned her attention to hair products and their effects on the climate.  Thank you, Folake, for raising awareness about these harmful products!

George recounted that as a youth he imagined that if every human had a gravesite, the Earth would eventually become one big cemetery. He knew that this burial practice was unsustainable. Additionally, cremation uses fossil fuels equivalent to driving about 700 miles (535 lbs of CO2 pollution), which is also unsustainable.  Clearly, we need more sustainable end-of-life practices. Thanks, George, for raising this awareness.

Rick, who writes an amazing aging and climate newsletter and is author of his most recent book Here, Now, You, Hope, noted how a disproportionate number of victims of climate catastrophes, like fires, floods and heat, are elderly. He also quoted, “Some are guilty, all are responsible.” Thanks for your insights, Rick!

Margo, who is a photographer and language and art teacher, noted that underserved communities are also disproportionately victims of the climate crisis and is saddened by the LA fires, noting the loss of the schools in the black community of Altadena, who have long called that city home. Thanks, Margo, for joining us and for raising this important point.

Casey is looking forward to an upcoming talk by Ellie Cohen, CEO of The Climate Center, who will be sharing what we, as Californians, can do right at this moment in history.  “As goes California, so goes the world…”  I signed up! Thanks, Casey, for encouraging us to action!

Brigitta shared stories of her anti-war activism and her participation in the 1986 LA-to-DC nuclear disarmament peace march. She also worked at a non-profit helping the unhoused in LA for 10 years and then at another non-profit helping the mentally unwell for 10 years.  Thank you, Brigitta, for all your years of service!

Matt reflected on the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and wondered what he would say about the hundreds of California prisoners doing the dangerous work of fighting the LA fires for $5~$10 per day (per day, not per hour!)  We also acknowledged the teamwork of Martin and Coretta King, and that Palo Alto’s King Plaza is dedicated to both these great leaders. And, here is a quote from Dr. King:

Ingrid was delighted and amused that Japanese scientists and engineers have created toilet paper from  recycled diapers.   What goes around comes around? The means justifies the ends?  This doesn’t stink?  Thank you, Ingrid, for reminding us of how clever humans can be.

Cheryl and Mark encouraged us to endorse the petition to call on Santa Clara County to divest from fossil fuels. We are delighted to support this effort!  Thank you, Cheryl and Mark for promoting this action!

Next, we reflected on the powerful word “shame” and how we’ll use it.   We agreed that shame is useful when punching up, but should not be used to punch down.  We agreed that it’s okay to use shame when calling out the shameful behaviors of institutions when they perpetrate and perpetuate the climate crisis. We also agreed that it is acceptable to use this word to describe the shameful behavior of leaders in power who have decision-making control over whether we exacerbate or mitigate the climate crisis. Thanks, team, for this helpful conversation.

Meanwhile, our new (old?) president has taken a number of shameful actions that I suspect need venting this Friday.  Breathe deeply, and come Friday to share your feelings.

January 16th, 2025 - Weekly Report

First, we marched, and then we celebrated 157 weeks – 3 years! – of consecutive weekly climate actions.

The weather was perfect for our climate march through downtown. We received an unusually positive response, with cheers of encouragement along the way.  We speculated that the LA fires may have brought the climate crisis to the front of most people’s minds.  We appreciated all the heartfelt encouragement.

After the march, we headed over to NOLA for a celebratory lunch. Food, drink, weather and company were all delightful.  Thanks to everyone who came out, and thanks to everyone who has been party to our 3-year journey. We felt your presence and could not have done it without you, without all of you!  Thanks also to Roger and Spiritual Life Foundation for hosting the lunch. After the march and lunch, we all felt energized to keep up the momentum in 2025.  We feel our voices and presence are needed now more than ever!

Both Brigette and Timothy shared stories of how they have loved ones who have lost their homes and belongings in the fires.  Our hearts go out to them and to all of those who have been impacted by these horrific blazes.  It’s hard to imagine the pain they are going through, and we are thinking of you.  Thanks, Brigette and Timonthy, for sharing your stories.

Since banks in our community have pulled out of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), namely Bank of America and Citibank, we reminded them of that fact when passing by their branches on our march.  Here’s our protest in front of Citibank. Though we think it is shameful for these banks to have pulled out of the alliance, is it appropriate to use the “shame” in front of their offices?  Shame is a potent tool to bring attention to anti-social behaviors, like these bank’s financial backing of carbon polluters. But, the word can also backfire if used inappropriately. We will continue to reflect on the use of the word “shame” on our marches. Thanks, team, for raising this issue.

Ingrid is on a roll, interviewing many people for her upcoming book highlighting the voices of climate activists. I served as her inaugural interviewee to test out the recording tools.  I plan to make video excerpts of the interviews.  In this excerpt, I share my emotional journey as a climate activist (trigger warning – pretty heavy stuff):  https://youtu.be/jeJBlrzta7I Thanks, Ingrid, for taking on this important project!

We return to King Plaza this Friday. As we approach MLK Day, we can take the opportunity to reflect on the messages and assassination of this inspirational leader and resolve to keep his activism alive.

January 10th, 2025 - Weekly Report

Due to rain, we postponed our climate march to Friday 1/10 and instead met in the City Hall lobby where we shared our thoughts and concerns for the new year.  (Having taken a newsletter break last week, this edition is a special 2-week bonus edition.)

Ingrid, after acknowledging that we are occupying unceded Ohlone land, went on to update us on her effort to replace her community pool’s gas-burning water heater with an alternative heating system.  She is meeting with members of the Menlo Park community who have done replacements and hopes to get approval from her community board to move forward.  Thanks for making this effort, Ingrid!

Robin is alarmed that Morgan Stanley pulled out of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). All U.S-based major banks have since followed suit.  Oil industry representatives are thrilled.  As we veer into authoritarianism, we will increasingly see examples of “preemptive obedience” and “anticipatory compliance.” These U.S. banks are exemplifying those behaviors. Thanks, Robin, for pointing this out.

These banks’ bad behaviors reminded Rick of Timonthy Snyder’s book On Tyranny.  Lesson 1. Do not obey in advance.  I suppose U.S. banks did not read the book. Thanks, Rick, for pointing this out.

Casey has inspired Ingrid to start interviewing people engaged in climate action for her upcoming book.  Our connector Rick is full of ideas of people for Ingrid to interview.  We may make brief videos from these interviews to post to social media.  Thanks everyone for your enthusiasm for this New Year’s project! Green mic Kadir would be proud!  Also, Kadir sends New Year’s greetings.

George encourages us all to stay attentive to our health.  Please monitor your media diet and make sure that you do not let the news overwhelm you. It is important to take self-care breaks.   Thank you, George, for highlighting this!

Folake joined us from Los Gatos where she is looking to help her community lower emissions and become more climate resilient.  She is interested in learning more about the heat pump water heater program we’ve implemented here in Palo Alto.  We can help!  Thanks, Folake, for your enthusiasm and commitment.

Israel, who is a big fan of the Climate Strikers!, joined us and shared his low-carbon ambitions for the new year.  Thanks, Israel, for your climate awareness.

David is still exuberant from the monies that have been allocated at COP 29.  After his travels through India, he knows how the funds are going to help those communities. He is particularly enthusiastic about biodigesters which are important for capturing agricultural methane, a very potent greenhouse gas that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.  Thanks, David, for highlighting this important success!

Mora kindly sent over details for a number of Reverand Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration events.  Please find them listed below.  Thank you, Mora!

Deb reports that court mediation has concluded, and 12 of the 14 ranches in Point Reyes National Seashore will cease operations within 15 months. Thanks, Deb, for sharing this fantastic news!

Diane updated us on the heat pump water heater program. She reports the rate slows down at the end of the year. The last two months have seen an install rate of 15~16 per month.  Hopefully, we will see the rate tick up now. Thanks, Diane!

This Friday marks three years of successive weekly climate actions.  Thanks to you all for making this happen!  We will celebrate by conducting our monthly climate march and having lunch together.  Looking forward to it!