National Guard Campaign and Contra Costa Country Board of Supes

We almost didn't go to Contra Costa Board of Supervisors meeting today due to the last-minute removal of the resolution from the agenda. And because we had a meeting scheduled with Joe Nation at his office in Marin. Well, Joe postponed our meeting due to a death in his family, so Brenda and I headed to Martinez and met up with the awesome CodePinker Ivette, a young woman Cindy, and Mike, a veteran for peace, at the Board of Supes meeting.
Ivette & Mike both filled out speakers cards so they could speak during the public comment portion of the meeting. Ivette was just awesome - she addressed the board with firm conviction, from her heart. She spoke of all the work she's been doing to get petitions signed, city councils to adopt the resolution, and why she's been working so hard to bring home our National Guard. She enlisted the Supervisors' help in adopting the resolution at the next board meeting. Everyone on the board, even the opposing votes, appeared to be moved by her words.
The next woman who came to speak about something unrelated to the guard, took time out of her 3 minutes allotted to her for public comment to first say how deeply touched she was by Ivette's words and how she supported the Supervisors adopting the Resolution - people broke out & applauded loudly!
Mike spoke also from his heart, talking about being a veteran and supporting the Resolution to bring home our guard. He also spoke about his experiences in South Korea and rattled off lots of statistics about who is getting hurt in this war and again, encouraged the Supervisors to do the right thing at the next meeting.
It was a very heartening experience, especially after we almost didn't go. When we started to leave, another excited womon from the audience, a Local 1 Union Rep, came out with us and wanted to know more about our campaign. We asked if she was willing to get an endorsement from her local, and she said she'd take it to the right folks. Ivette is going to stay in touch with her.
We also spoke with a man from ACORN and the IMS - we solicited his help in getting ACORN to endorse our campaign.
Then, KRON 4 came outside where we were standing, to interview one of the Supervisors, Mark DeSaunier - one of our supporters on the Board. We waited until she was thru interviewing him & then surrounded him in our pink to thank him for his support - the reporter kept the camera on us so maybe we got some coverage. At the very least, we got to thank him for putting the item back on the agenda for the next meeting. He reiterated his support for the Resolution.
We decided to walk the several blocks to the office of Assembly Member Canciamilla in case we were able to meet with him! Canciamilla has told us he wants to leave the decisions about the National Guard up to the Federal Government. Hmmmmmm. When we got to his office, located in a small bungalow-type house, his District Manager was just closing his office door as I was requesting to speak with either Canciamilla or Tim Farley, the District Manager. Tim identified himself and said he'd be right with us!
Soon we were invited into his office & were able to sit down and rattle off our talking points to Tim, who dutifully said he would convey our concerns to Canciamilla. We requested a meeting with the Assembly person - an "impossibility" before the new year - but maybe after! We need to lobby Canciamilla heavily from now until January to get his support. Tim suggested getting City Councils in his district to adopt the resolution -= that's Antioch, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Martinez, etc. etc. etc.
Today just reaffirmed how action makes an impact! We all agreed it was so worthwhile for us to be there today! We do have our work cut out for us in Contra Costa County - but we are up for the challenge! In pink peace, protest, power, participation, Sam