Residents of the Central Valley openly discussed how to take action in their community during the monthly Valley Solidarity Assembly: Democracy Action Movement Now! (D.A.M.N.) event on Sept. 16 in the Old Administration Building at Fresno City College.
The assembly was hosted by Central Valley Partnership in collaboration with the Social Justice Center. Central Valley Partnership offers programs like training workshops, regional solidarity meetings and educational trips to see important landmarks of the Central Valley such as the farms that fill our grocery stores.
The assembly welcomed different organizations who want to bring change to their communities. Organizations like Community Alliance, a Fresno based news organization focusing on social and economic justice.
The Human Rights Coalition of the Central Valley wants to strengthen voter education, uphold human rights, encourage non-violent civil disobedience and to fight discrimination.
Reclaim Our Power called out for profit “utility monopolies” like PG&E and Southern California Edison to take the power back for the people.
American Islamic Relations is planning to speak at Fresno City College on Nov. 1 about Black liberation and Palestinian solidarity.
Erin Garner-Ford, a consultant with Central Valley Partnership, believes that the time to act is now.
“The time for democracy is now. We think that by engaging our community [with] open discussion we will be able to generate action,” Garner-Ford said.
Garner-Ford emphasized the importance of finding the right place to host these assemblies to bring together the whole community.
“I think that community colleges are really for the community, this is a space where we can come together and learn,” Garner-Ford said. “The beauty of us all coming together here [at FCC], it’s an equitable [and] inclusive space. We’re able to invite whoever.”
After representatives from all the different organizations got to introduce themselves and their causes, participants separated into breakout groups to go into further discussions.
Assembly attendant Taylor Heine reflected on being able to engage with like-minded individuals in the breakout groups.
“I think it was going to the breakout rooms, being able to connect with like 20 different people, and being able to talk about issues and what we can do about them,” Heine said.
“Really important conversations we had was making sure you have your village to protect you, before you start risking being arrested,” Heine said. “You can’t [get] arrested and then not have someone to watch your kids or feed your pets or whatever it may be.”
After the breakout groups wrapped up the attendees then returned to OAB-188 so every group got to share what they discussed. The representatives of Central Valley Partnership ended the assembly by asking for feedback from participants so the next monthly meeting on FCC campus will be an improvement.
