Activists for social justice are often unsung heroes. To help remedy that, the John George Democratic Club will virtually hold its Eighth Biennial Social Justice Awards ceremony on Saturday October 16 at 300 p.m. to recognize local social justice activists.

The tireless work for racial and economic justice by the late Alameda County Supervisor John George stands as a model for elected officials. The John George Democratic Club strives to keep George’s spirit alive by getting progressive candidates elected to posts in Oakland.

The keynote speech will be delivered by newly elected State Assemblymember Mia Bonta, on the topic “Advancing Democracy for the 2022 Election and Beyond.”  Clearly, reactionary forces on the right are attempting to undermine voting rights and overthrow democracy itself, so all progressives need to mobilize to defeat this attack.

This year the Club will honor Pamela George, daughter of John George, who was the first African American elected to the Alameda Board of Supervisors in 1978.  Come on the 16th to meet Pamela (virtually) and hear more about her work as well her father.

The Club will also give lifetime Social Justice Awards to Geoffrey Pete and Gus Newport, longstanding activists in Oakland and Berkeley.  The Club’s Young Adult Social Justice Award will go to Brandon Waugh, active in the NAACP.  Dr. Noha Aboeleta, founder of the Roots Community Health Center will receive the Public Health & Social Justice Award.  And the Club will honor ILWU Local 10 with the Labor and Social Justice Award, not only for fighting for the rights of its members, but also for its international solidarity efforts from South Africa to Palestine.

You can register for the event at the Club’s website: jgdc.org. For more information, please e-mail the Club at JohnGeorgeDemocraticClub@gmail.com.

Isabelle Price

Posts by Isabelle Price