u/Scatcycle

There's a real answer and there's a politician's answer.

If you want to watch what rest of the forum was published, see here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=964678159258355 . It was a great discussion to help get an idea of what the candidates stand for and plan to do once in office.

Book: Elite Capture: How the powerful took over Identity Politics - Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò (Intro + Chapters: 1-2)

Date: May 23rd, 4:00 - 6:00pm

Location: Juilliard Park, 227 Santa Rosa Ave

As always, if you can't find the time to read, feel free to join us for discussion anyway!

PS: Looking for something more introductory and a breeze to read? Join us for the ABCs of Socialism from the comfort of your home on May 20th! We'll be using zoom to discuss the Introduction through page 61 at 6:30pm.

Right now we are electing a candidate to replace Rabbitt (Republican) as Board of Supervisor for our district. This is a very important position and we have an opportunity to make real change for the people here in Sonoma County.

Joanna Paun is a grassroots progressive candidate backed by the people: unions, progressive organizations, students, librarians, democrats, and citizens like you and me. She was the president of the school board of Petaluma and promises to deliver affordability, healthcare, and infrastructure remedy to the people - not tax breaks and legal protections for big business. She is the only candidate who has promised to vote for the sanctuary ordinance that would prevent Sheriff Engram from inviting ICE to our county.

Sylvia Lemus is a corporate-funded establishment candidate backed by the institution - Law Enforcement, Realtor Associations, and Big Farm Bureaus. She's consulting with Rob Muelrath, a corporate lobbyist finagling tax breaks and labor loopholes for corporations such as Walmart at PG&E at the expense of the people. Muelrath is already in bed with 4 of our 5 elected supervisors, and recruited Lemus to run only after Joanna Paun entered the race, given that she threatened the establishment.

In a recent forum, each candidate was asked how they would hold Sheriff Engram accountable for his ICE collaboration. Here is how each candidate answered:

Joanna Paun stated firmly that she would vote to terminate all county collaboration with ICE, no exceptions. She was clear in her determination to make Sonoma County a sanctuary county.

Sylvia Lemus did not remark on the Sheriff, only saying "I will continue to do what I can within my legal powers to create change". At the end of the forum, candidates were asked who their top 3 supporters were - Sylvia cited the Deputy Sheriff's Association as her third top supporter. Ain't that rich.

Joanna is an agent of change, while Sylvia is a continuance of the money in politics that is bleeding us dry. Sylvia's corporate money has funded huge signs all over the county, while Joanna's unpaid volunteers canvass neighborhoods to raise awareness simply because they believe in her. We have a chance to truly challenge the system here.

If you're still wondering which candidate you align with, consider their supporters:

Endorsement Type	Joanna Paun	Sylvia Lemus
Unions	6 Unions (SEIU, Teamsters, UniteHere, Steamfitters, IBEW), as well as the North Bay Labor Council and North Bay Building Trades Council	3 Unions, two of which are law enforcement (Deputy Sheriff's Association, Law Enforcement Association, and IAFF 1401)
Political Organizations	The Democratic Party, Young Dems of Wine Country and SSU, College Dems, Democratic Socialists of America, Working Family Party, Asian Pacific Islander Dems	Political Action Committee
Political Figures	Damon Connolly & Chris Rogers (Assembly members), Chris Coursey (Supervisor of District 3), Linda Hopkins (Dual endorsed), Jackie Elward (Vice-Mayor of Rohnert Park)	The 4 Supervisors that consult with lobbyist Muelrath (Hermosillo, Rabbit, Gore, and Hopkins), Sheriff Engram, Emily Sanborn (Mayor of Rohnert Park)
Other Notable Support	Planned Parenthood, Sonoma County Conservation Action	North Bay Association of Realtors, Sonoma County Farm Bureau

Joanna's information: https://www.electjoannapaun.com/

Sylvia's information: https://www.votelemus.com/

Joanna Paun will represent us, and Sylvia Lemus will represent corporate interests. Let's make change in Sonoma County and elect a candidate by the people and for the people.

May Day, also known as International Workers' Day, is both a celebration of the people that keep America (and the world) running and a demand for labor justice. Unions and organizations of Sonoma County came together on May 1st to celebrate and demonstrate, marching from Southwest Santa Rosa to Juilliard Park. Here are some photos of the beautiful and powerful unification of our community that day.

Photo Reel:

1. A beautiful array of color and culture are seen among marchers in their final stride toward Juilliard Park, with Old Courthouse Square visible in the background (Bill Clark, Pro Bono Photo)
2. The people of Sonoma County begin their march from Southwest Community Park, with Jobs for Justices' mascot, the Woodpecker, leading the way
3. A band performs at the post-march celebration, where food is offered unconditionally to the community
4. The W.I.T.C.H Bloc of DSA hold anti-fascist and pro worker signs in Southwest Community Park. I can think of a few people who could use some hexing...
5. A Jobs With Justice member in a wheelchair is seen powering through the march, flanked by two others on bikes sporting flags - Indivisible + DSA and SEIU members respectively
6. SEIU holds a banner saying "The services we need, not billionaire greed!" (Bill Clark, Pro Bono Photo)

Together we can make a difference. Consider joining a union or organization that aligns with you.

Press Democrat Article: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/05/02/hundreds-mark-may-day-call-for-worker-power-at-santa-rosa-march/

For more photos, check out Pro Bono Photo: https://www.probonophoto.org/2026/MayDay2026/1May26SantaRosa

>“Right now, we are witnessing various injustices — immigration raids, the economy, the decline of the wine industry, little work, high inflation... As workers we are feeling the pressure of historically low wages.” - Valentina Sosa, Organizer

And this is how we reclaim our rights. As we unite we become impossible for our oppressors to ignore, and a better future becomes achievable. Find a union or an organization that aligns with you, and together let's continue to make a difference. We deserve better - you deserve better.

For more history on May Day, see: https://archive.iww.org/history/library/misc/origins_of_mayday/

But there is more work to do! Stay tuned for our next cleanup, which is likely to be the Smart trail. Keep an eye on reddit as well as our events page!

PS: If you know of any places in need of a cleanup, let us know!

What: All day economic shutdown + ~2.7 mile march from Southwest Community Park to Juilliard Park that concludes with a festive celebration. Unions, local organizations, and people of the community have teamed up to make this event a strong message to corporate america and a day to remember for the people

Where: Southwest Community Park (Community Park, 1698 Hearn Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95407)

When: 4pm, May 1st. March leaves at 4:15

Come together to demonstrate the power of this movement and celebrate the historical progress toward labor rights made by those who walked before us. I took part in the May Day march last year and it was touching to see people driving alongside the march to provide water bottles and other basic needs, and that's what this movement is all about: supporting one another as we reclaim our rights from the elite and their puppets.

Curious about the history of May Day, what chants are planned, and water/assistance for the march? We've got you covered: https://socodsa.org/p/ (Spanish information included)

What: Community Creek/Park Cleanup - We'll meet up at the Prince Gateway Park to situate before taking on the Creek. We'll bring supplies, you bring the energy

Where: Prince Gateway Park, Santa Rosa (Just north of Juilliard Park)

When: May 3rd, 10am - 1pm

We will provide gloves, grabbers, and bags, but feel free to bring any of your own tools as well! The park itself is small but once we've cleaned that up we will be heading down the creek, where there will be much more trash to pick up. Potluck and hangout afterwards!