Author: Critical Resistance

Join us for a powerful mobilization against global militarization and policing.

We are only one day away from what will be the 10th Urban Shield, the largest annual SWAT training and weapons expo in the world. Forces from around the country and globe will be convening in Pleasanton to share the oppressive tactics that have been used on Black, Indigenous, Brown, and poor people in the US and abroad. Join us on September 9th at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton at 8am sharp!

FRIDAY, SEMPTEMBER 9th

8am-12noon

Alameda County Fairgrounds

Pleasanton Ave & Fairgrounds Rd., Pleasanton CA

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Stop Urban Shield Coalition has been hard at work organizing for our mass mobilization tomorrow. As we gear up to bring communities from across the state together to rally against Urban Shield, please review some important information about tomorrow:

• We are planning to meet at the intersection of Pleasanton Ave. and Fairgrounds Rd.
• We are planning to be out there for four hours. It will be warm, so please dress accordingly. We will have water, but do bring some with you in case.
• Reem’s Arab Street Food will have food available for purchase.

Spread the Word! Social media info
In order to make this event even more powerful, we are calling on people to help amplify our message. We will be livestreaming on Facebook out of the accounts below. Additionally, please follow and share information coming out of these social media accounts:Spread the Word! Social media info

Facebook

Stop Urban Shield
Critical Resistance
AROC:Arab Resource and Organizing Center
BAYAN USA

Twitter

@StopUrbanShield
@C_Resistance
@AROCBayArea
@Asians4BlkLives

Transportation

The Stop Urban Shield Coalition is coordinating transportation to ensure that as many people as possible can participate in the September 9th mobilization and action day.

Accessibility

Please let us know any accessibility needs for attending on September 9th. Contact information: stopurbanshieldnow@ gmail.com or call (510) 444-0484.

For a wheelchair accessible ride, please email or call the above contacts.

Carpooling from the Bay Area and across the state

As of today we are no longer using the google form to field requests. Please email or call the above contacts.

Public Transportation

We are also encouraging local Bay Area residents to take BART to Dublin/Pleasanton BART station for those who are able. There will be some cars and a bus shuttling from the BART station. From BART, if the car shuttles are at capacity, there’s also the 10R bus that goes close by (15 min ride leaves every 15 minutes).

ACE train from South Bay

The ACE train goes directly there from San Jose and Santa Clara if you are coming from the South Bay. Note that tickets are pretty steep at $14 each way.

Parking

There is street parking in the neighborhoods near the mobilization site. We recommend you park near the intersection of Rose Ave and Pleasanton Ave. Look for signs or individuals directing you where to walk for mobilization.

There may also be parking in the ACE lot at the nearby intersection of West Angela St and Pleasanton Ave, however please note there are “commuter only” parking signs.

Sign our petition to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors here!

To the Alameda County Board of Supervisors: We urge you to take steps to end the militarization of our communities by rescinding all present contracts and declining all future collaborations with Urban Shield. Divest from policing and militarization, and invest in our communities!

To Communities Everywhere: Support our Mass Mobilization against Urban Shield on September 9!

Although proponents of Urban Shield claim that it provides police departments with emergency response training, we know that these weapons, training, and tactics become normalized and broadly used against our communities, such as in drug raids, to issue search warrants, and against protesters. These weapons and surveillance tools get integrated into the violence of everyday policing targeting Black, Brown, and poor communities. For instance, Black people are up to 40 times more likely to be impacted by SWAT raids than whites, clearly demonstrating the racism inherent in militarization and policing.

As a national and international event, Urban Shield is not only increasing militarization in Alameda County, but across the country and world. To the Alameda County Board of Supervisors: Stand with our communities in the Bay Area and everywhere, and rein in the Sheriff’s unchecked attempts at increased militarization by cutting all ties with Urban Shield!

As part of our efforts to build opposition to Urban Shield for our September 9 mobilization, the Stop Urban Shield Coalition has been hosting town halls to engage community members on what Urban Shield is, what we are doing to fight it, and how people can get involved. To make these political education events more widely accessible, we held a webinar last week, with presentations from organizers in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, to discuss Urban Shield, policing and militarization, and community resistance. Below is the recording, please circulate to your networks!