TODAY’S NEWSLETTER INCLUDES:

1. ANNOUNCING NEXT NO KINGS - MARCH 28
2. NATIONWIDE GENERAL STRIKE JAN. 30
3. SVHS GSA PROGRESS
4. “BEYOND THE RAINBOW” DOCUMENTARY AND PANEL ABOUT SF PRIDE

REMINDERS

ANNOUNCING!!!
NO KINGS #3 IS HAPPENING!
Please stay tuned for more information as the Protest and Action team rallies to put a plan together. If you are interested in joining the Protest and action team to help with this event, please send an email to wakeupsonoma@gmail.com. These protests take a LOT of planning and work. We will need monitors, organizers, and doers to help us bring our community together to say loudly - “NO thugs terrorizing our neighborhoods. NO troop deployments in our streets. NO imperial wars of conquest. NO KINGS!”

From NO KINGS Central - “As we prepare for a massive mobilization months from now, we cannot lose sight of the work right in front of us -- in Congress, in our statehouses, and in our neighborhoods -- to rein in ICE and protect each other from this regime’s chaos, corruption, and violence. 

👉 That’s why the No Kings coalition will be leading regular ICE watch trainings throughout the winter. 

👉 That’s why we must continue to put pressure on Democrats to hold the line on reining in ICE and denying it a single additional penny in taxpayer funding.

👉 And that’s why we’ll likely be asking you to exercise your First Amendment rights through a number of mobilizations before the big one.”
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ABOUT THE CURRENT NATIONWIDE SHUT DOWN

NATIONWIDE SHUTDOWN! FRIDAY JANUARY 30, 2026
NO WORK
NO SCHOOL
NO SHOPPING
ICE OUT EVERYWHERE!
Wake UP Sonoma is not sponsoring a protest on this date due to bandwidth. We are hosting an ICE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD training on Saturday Jan 31, so we won’t be doing anything Saturday either. (This training is full and another one may be offered soon) However, everyone is invited to join the ongoing Vigil Protest group on Friday at 12 - 1:00 at the Sonoma Plaza. They are there every Friday, rain or shine. They would be very glad to have people join them. Bring your signs and your sounds!
THERE ARE ALSO MOBILIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WITH INDIVISIBLE. SEE THEIR CALENDAR HERE:
Calendar - Indivisible Sonoma County
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Pictured below, Madeline Edwards, President of SVHS GSA, planting pride flags on January 20th in front of SVHS lawn as a statement of support for LGBTQIA+ students, after the school’s Dragon Pride Flag was taken down on Friday January 16th without community or school process or public notification in a unilateral decision by School Board President David Bell. The flag was restored on Tuesday January 20th after major community concern was expressed about this action, and the way it happened, by students, parents, community members, teachers, the teacher’s union, and school administrators. It will be interesting to see how this is going to be dealt with, but many are calling for Bell to step down, or at least censured among a list of other options. We will continue to update you with what we know, and we will continue to advocate for the students. Follow us on our FaceBook page and instagram for frequent updates.

UPDATE ON SVHS PRIDE FLAG ISSUE

THE STUDENTS SHOWED UP WITH IMPORTANT THINGS TO SAY AT THE JANUARY 26 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

The City Council Chambers were full of supporters, and the 6 students from the SVHS GSA who showed up for public comment were there with a very real and deep sense of purpose and solidarity. Their statements were powerful. These ARE the leaders of tomorrow.

Below is an excerpt from the Press Democrat Story from January 28th about the City Council meeting.
The full article in the Press Democrat can be found here:
Sonoma students push back after Pride flag removal – The Press Democrat

”Student after student stepped to the microphone to say the same thing in different ways: the flag wasn’t decoration, it wasn’t politics, and it wasn’t symbolic fluff. It was a signal of safety. Taking it down—even briefly—sent the opposite message.

Madeline, a member of the school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, (Awareness) reminded council that the flag first went up in 2019 after student organizing led by then-senior Jose Valdiva, in response to persistent bullying of LGBTQ+ students.
“This feeling of acceptance quickly dissipated,” she said, when the flag was removed. Bell later claimed the issue was that the Pride flag was the only flag flown on campus, but Madeline wasn’t buying it.

“If it were really about the Pride flag being the only flag flown, he would have decided to put up other flags on Friday,” she said. “Instead, he took ours down.”

“At a time of increasing politicization of my community,” she continued, “I call upon you to protect LGBTQ+ students in Sonoma. We are members of your community. We are your neighbors. And we are the leaders of tomorrow.”

City Council decided to bring this back for discussion about how to show support for this issue and will bring it back at a later date.

Read the whole story for an excellent recap.
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REMINDER TO SHOW UP FOR THE FEBRUARY 12 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

On February 12, School Board meeting public comment on this issue will be critical. Comments should be heard by the board BEFORE it goes to the agenda for a vote at the March 12th School Board meeting, which will be an important show up day as well, but ideally, public comment on Feb. 12 will influence whether or what goes on the March 12 School Board agenda for a vote.

SONOMA VALLEY PRIDE PRESENTS THIS VERY IMPORTANT SHORT DOCUMENTARY SCREENING
Hosted in partnership with Wake UP Sonoma, Out in The Vineyard and Matthew Long Design

BEYOND THE RAINBOW - DOCUMENTARY ON SF PRIDES GROUND-BREAKING LEADERS
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Beyond the Rainbow (Documentary) screening with a meet-and-greet and wine reception featuring Suzanne Ford and the film’s director, benefiting Sonoma Valley Pride. - Sonoma Valley Pride

Sebastiani Theatre, Sonoma Valley Plaza
Saturday, March 15
Doors open at 2:30 PM
Screening begins at 3:00 PM

Tickets and additional event details are available through Sonoma Valley Pride as well as the Wake UP Sonoma website events page.
Beyond the Rainbow | Press Democrat News Group

Beyond the Rainbow chronicles a historic and transformative moment for San Francisco Pride, highlighting the leadership of two groundbreaking figures: Suzanne Ford, the first openly transgender woman to serve as Executive Director of SF Pride, and Nguyen Pham, the first gay Vietnamese American to serve as Board President of the organization. Through their stories, the film explores themes of representation, resilience, and the evolving future of LGBTQ+ leadership.

This event is intentionally designed as a trans-safe space, centering dignity, visibility, and belonging for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive community members. We ask all attendees to show up with respect, care, and openness.

Immediately following the screening, attendees are invited to stay for a Q&A discussion and meet-and-greet featuring Suzanne Ford and the film’s Director Antonio Contreras, offering a Rare opportunity for conversation and reflection on the impact of inclusive leadership within one of the world’s most visible Pride organizations. Panel will also include Nguyen Pham, first gay Vietnamese American to serve as Board President of SF Pride.
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REMINDERS

COME FOR HEALING, STAY FOR THE RESILIANCE
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Rev. Curren Reichert of FCC presents
Building Resilience - 7 Pauses
Pause and refresh in times of trouble
Feb. 7th 10:30 - 1:00
Burlingame Hall

RSVP TO REGISTER

Wake UP Sonoma - Seven Pauses RSVP — Wake UP Sonoma
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Signs of Fascism Flash Mob
Next one
Feb. 12 at the Sonoma Plaza
Sign up to be part of this team. wakeupsonoma@gmail.com, or just show up to support.

WATCH VIDEO OF OUR LAST FLASH MOB

RUNNING FOR THE MOUNTAINS - TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Documentary Screening - "Running for the Mountains" | Press Democrat News Group

Join us for this informative Wake UP Sonoma Fundraiser Screening.
JUST ADDED - AUTHENTIC APPALACIAN MUSIC BY LOCAL FRONT PORCH PLAYERS.
When: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. Doors open at 4:15
Where: Sebastiani Theatre, Sonoma Valley
Ticket Link:
Documentary Screening - "Running for the Mountains" | Press Democrat News Group
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STAY SAFE AND DON’T LET GO OF YOUR JOY.
Wake UP Sonoma Board
Lisa, David, Josette, Matt, Gary, Martín

Our Vision: To foster a vibrant, just, respectful and welcoming Sonoma Valley community.

OUR MISSION IS TO:
EDUCATE - by providing resources to Sonoma Valley residents to be informed and engaged.
ADVOCATE - for local diversity, equity, inclusion, civic and corporate transparency.
ACTIVATE - by promoting democracy and providing opportunities for local engagement.

We Educate. Advocate. Activate.
on issues related, but not limited to:
- LGBTQIA+ safety and visibility
- Protection of our immigrant population
- Defense against Christian Nationalism
- Transparency in large corporate investment and responsible development
- Active local civic engagement