Avery Arbaugh

Six panelists sitting in chairs, with Avery currently speaking

BTU Chair @averyarbaugh.bsky.social speaks at @demsocialists.bsky.social Convention's tenant movement panel, with @latenantsunion.bsky.social, @triangletenantunion.org, Greater Austin Tenant Organizing (GATO), Puget Sound Tenants Union, and NYC DSA's (@socialists.nyc) Tenant Organizing Working Group

Already, one of our buildings had essentially all of its non-rent adjustment-related demands met by the landlord, while others are undergoing bargaining and seeking building-wide rent reductions for habitability issues. We're creating a proven track record of Measure BB tenant union power!

Feel free to reach out to me if you're interested! Me and the Berkeley Tenant Organizing Task Force have already helped 5 buildings successfully organize and get recognized, and have ~10 more on the way. We also have materials and guidance lined up to help folks talk to their neighbors!

WANT LOWER RENTS? UNIONIZE YOUR BUILDING! The Berkeley Tenant Organizing Task Force is hosting a training for tenants interested in learning more about their rights under new Berkeley laws. Under Measure BB: • Tenants have the right to collectively organize and petition for a decrease in rent due to habitability and lease violations. • Landlords are required to negotiate in good faith with tenant unions formed under Measure BB KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TRAINING: 5-6:30 PM, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30TH ASUC SENATE CHAMBERS ESHLEMAN HALL, 5TH FLOOR (2465 BANCROFT WAY) RSVP HERE: TINYURL.COM/RENTERKYR The Berkeley Tenant Organizing Task Force is a joint initiative of the Berkeley Tenants Union, the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America, and Berkeley City Council Member Cecilia Lunaparra

Join us Wednesday for a know-your-rights training and learn how to unionize your building with the Berkeley Tenants Union!

Big thanks to Berkeley Councilmember @cecilialunaparra.bsky.social for introducing and getting passed a city resolution last night that calls for:
- $2 Billion in state funds for transit
- A funding measure for transit in the Bay Area that comes from progressive funding sources!

WANT LOWER RENTS? UNIONIZE YOUR BUILDING! The Berkeley Tenant Organizing Task Force is a training for tenants interested in learning more about their rights under new Berkeley laws. Under Measure BB: • Tenants have the right to collectively organize and petition for a decrease in rent due to habitability and lease violations. • Landlords are required to negotiate in good faith with tenant unions formed under Measure BB rules KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TRAINING: 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30TH ASUC SENATE CHAMBERS ESHELMAN HALL, FLOOR 5

Join us April 30 for a know-your-rights training and learn how to unionize your building with the Berkeley Tenants Union!

As of yesterday - the confirmed numbers of international students who received notice of visa revocations at each UC are:

Twelve at UCLA
Twelve at UC Davis
Six at UC Berkeley
Five at UC San Diego
Five at UC Irvine
Three at UC Santa Barbara
Three at UC Santa Cruz

Front page of Bay Area Reporter for March 13-18, 2025. Headline: Newsom to Trans Athletes: Drop Dead by Matthew S. Bajko LGBTQ leaders were swift to denounce California Governor Gavin Newsom for his remarks on the debut episode of his new podcast during which he said it was “deeply unfair” to allow transgender athletes to participate in female college and youth sports. The affinity group for out lawmakers in the state Legislature called Newsom’s comments sickening and anti-trans, while gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) criticized the governor for having on the inaugural edition of his “This is Gavin Newsom” podcast as a guest Charlie Kirk, the conservative provocateur and founder of Turning Point USA who is a vocal supporter of Republican President Donald Trump and routinely attacks the transgender community. During their discussion, which was released online March 6, Newsom told Kirk that he “agreed” with him when it comes to the issue of requiring trans athletes to play on sports teams based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Kirk told Newsom that, “You, as the governor, should step out and say ‘no, no.’” To which Newsom replied, “Right… I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It’s deeply unfair.” Telling Kirk that he was “completely aligned” with him on the issue, Newsom blamed California’s policy requiring trans female student athletes to be allowed to play on women’s sports teams to a bill signed by his predecessor, former governor Jerry Brown, more than a decade ago. “It turns out in 2014, years before I was governor, there was a law established that established the legal principles that allow trans athletes in women’s sports. The issue of fairness is completely legit. I completely align with you, we have to acknowledge it,” said Newsom. California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus chair gay Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego), and vice chair lesbian state Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) were qu…

Bay Area Reporter @bayareareporter.bsky.social , our local LGBTQ newspaper, pulls no punches in its front page headline on how we feel about the Governor right now.

The article also has quotes from state legislators condemning the Gav's hateful comments.
issuu.com/bayarearepor...

Kidnapping an activist and jailing him in the middle of the night is a brazen act of authoritarianism.

Punishing dissent by revoking legal status is a dangerous precedent to set.

Together we can push back against the illegal arrest & jailing of immigrants & the threat to everyone's rights.
- Organize with groups in your community that are already doing the work on immigrants rights.
- Ask your state & local leaders to do the same.
- Contact your congress rep and Senators.

East Bay Stonewall Democrats is committed to fight for LGBTQ rights in CA's Bay Area and beyond. Proud to be on the board with @averyarbaugh.bsky.social , @brentblackaby.bsky.social , @queerspawn.bsky.social , @shayfrancoclausen.bsky.social and others!

Join us at www.eastbaystonewalldemocrats.org

In a shocking turn of events, many of the people who said they wanted "free speech" actually just wanted to be the ones in charge of which speech is free.

Vote for the AD14 progressive labor Slate for California Democratic Party delegate Avery Arbaugh La Trena Robinson Kate Harrison Sadia Khan Carol Coyote Cook Cecilia Lunaparra Cheri Johansen Alfred Twu Jamin Pursell Seth Morrison Cameron Sasai Michael Cheng Devin T Murphy Giovanni Jordan

Here's the ADEM slate Cecilia and I are on! We've got a lot of young Dems like @averyarbaugh.bsky.social , Devin Murphy, and Cameron Sasai (who is Pinole mayor & on the WestCAT board) who've been leading the way on transit & housing.

I couldn't agree more.

As legislators, trans people have so many issues we care about and want to pass policy on (infrastructure, housing, healthcare, etc.)

But as TRANS legislators, we must first and foremost stand defiantly against the efforts of our government to eradicate our community.

If you are an ally, it is your duty to not sit by idly while this happens

You might want to reach out to the support team at adem@cadem.org, I've heard that some people who changed their registrations recently have been barred from online registration, likely because of them using slightly outdated voter rolls. So far the support team has been able to help with that.

The president can veto or support legislation. He can make recommendations to Congress. But he doesn't have the unilateral right to change laws.

Trump has very little respect for the rule of law & our Constitution. He is moving us toward authoritarianism.

We must stop him.

transition has been mostly DIY and community-organized since forever. when you're ready, figure out what you can offer and what you need. talk in real life, use signal, get creative, don't get caught. they can't break us in a way that matters!!!! I love you.

Paint the curbs red: New parking law will cost Berkeley at least $1.25M Over 80% of Berkeley's severe and fatal traffic crashes occur in or near crosswalks. At least 918 intersections need curbs painted, upgrades.

“Every single one of the traffic fatalities that we have seen in this city is preventable, and it is especially preventable through infrastructure,” -Councilmember Cecilia Lunaparra
www.berkeleyside.org/2025/01/24/b...

This is the ethos of project 2025, dismantling the federal government by any means necessary

MOM SAYS SHE IS PROUD OF BOTH OF US EQUALLY

Well written thread by @trans.bsky.social Whatever storms may come, keep on shining on and may we all find our way to calmer seas 💓🏳️‍⚧️⛵

Telegraph For People has made its way to Bluesky! Join Berkeley students in the fight for public transit, affordable + equitable cities, bike + pedestrian safety, and a car-free Telegraph Avenue.

Tenant / Community Opportunity to Purchase Act laws give tenants & nonprofits the time to buy their homes when their landlord wants to sell.

They can often pay full market price, but need more time to put together a deal vs. a private investor.

This reduces risk of renovictions or rent increases.

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It is illegal (and evil) for landlords to discriminate against, evict, harass, etc. Palestinian tenants

Tenants in college housing are doubly protected via civil rights laws in education; eg schools (K-12 & higher ed) are legally (and morally) obligated to prevent harassment of Palestinian students

Alfred with Jovanka Beckles and Sasha ritzie Hernandez campaign signs and lit

It's election season again! Knocking doors in Fruitvale for Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez (Oakland school board election this fall, supported by Oakland teachers), and Jovanka Beckles for State Senate (March 2024 primary). Moved recently? Re-register to vote at registertovote.ca.gov #Oakland #Election2023