TODAY’S NEWSLETTER INCLUDES:

1. NO KINGS 3 - REGISTRATION LINK
2. SALE OF CORNERSTONE COMPLETE
3. BLOG - WATCHED ON THE WAY HOME
4. THE STUDENTS SPOKE OUT!
5. WE ARE HIRING!!
5. RUNNING AND RUNNING AND RUNNING FOR THE MOUNTAINS! - LAST CHANCE FOR TIX
6. REMINDERS

WE UNITE IN PEACEFUL RESISTANCE, STRENGTH, AND Demand Democracy, Liberty and Justice for All.
In Solidarity with Minneapolis and Immigrants EVERYWHERE  

REGISTRATION LINK IS NOW OUT!

REGISTRATION LINK: https://mobilize.us/s/TxDrNS
REGISTER TO HELP US PLAN.

TIME:  11:00 am - 1:00 pm
PLACE: To MAXIMIZE IMPACT, groups will march to the plaza from two directions as Group A and Group B.
We will unite at the Sonoma Plaza.

GROUP A - Will begin north of the intersection of Broadway and Napa Road and walk up both sides of Broadway. 

GROUP B -Will begin on Hwy 12 east of Staples and march on both sides of West Napa Street/Hwy 12. 

Sign up to be a protest monitor to keep our space safe and keep us visible. Training and support provided.
https://www.wakeupsonoma.org/monitors

_______________________________________________

SALE OF CORNERSTONE COMPLETE - LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW BEGINNING THERE!

The sale of Cornerstone and the Barn at Harrow Cellars is complete. 
We don't know much about the buyer, Highland Pacific Capital LLC, which describes itself as a Real Estate Holding Company and just formed late last year.  According to bankruptcy court documents, the new owner will be honoring all of the events already booked at Cornerstone for 2026.  Hopefully, the new owner will work to make Cornerstone a thriving place once again. We have anecdotal information from locals that the new owners are very nice, and are looking forward to creating a beautiful venue reminiscent of its former self.
IN FACT, our own Gary Saperstein will be holding his annual Gay Wine Weekend there! “The new owners are thrilled to be hosting the Twilight T-Dance, the signature event of Gay Wine Weekend on July 18th. They are excited to bring Cornerstone back and have it be a part of the Sonoma community once again”, said Gary. Ticket Link: Gay Wine Weekend | Out in the Vineyard

BLOG CORNER - “WATCHED ON YOUR WAY HOME”
By Inform and Educate Team
For all of our blogs - visit our website
BLOG — Wake UP Sonoma

(above) ONE OF THE ALPR CAMERAS IN SONOMA

Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR’S) and the Future of Privacy in Sonoma
___________________

If you drive through Sonoma today, your license plate has likely been scanned, logged, and stored by an automated license plate reader (ALPR) camera—without your explicit consent. These cameras are now installed at several entry points and major roads around the city. While often marketed as a public-safety tool to recover stolen vehicles or solve crimes, ALPR systems create a far broader impact than many residents realize.

At scale, ALPRs don’t just capture isolated moments in public. They generate a persistent, searchable record of where ordinary people travel, when, and how often. Courts have increasingly recognized that this kind of comprehensive tracking can cross constitutional lines. In Carpenter v. United States (2018), the Supreme Court warned against “near perfect surveillance” that reveals the whole of a person’s movements—a concern that applies directly to citywide ALPR networks.

The risks are not theoretical. ALPR platforms are designed for easy data sharing, and multiple California cities have discovered their data was accessed by unauthorized or out-of-state agencies, sometimes in violation of state law. Santa Cruz, Mountain View, and Los Altos Hills have all recently terminated or paused ALPR contracts after uncovering data-sharing failures, policy violations, or lack of vendor transparency.

For a small city like Sonoma, the quiet normalization of mass surveillance risks eroding public trust. As Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley put it: “We trust our police. We don’t trust the company.”

ALPR programs are policy choices—not inevitabilities. Sonoma residents can demand transparency, meet directly with City Council members, and speak at public meetings to ensure that public safety does not come at the cost of privacy, accountability, and community trust. 
FOR THE FULL STORY, GO HERE
Watched on the Way Home

Note: Wake UP Sonoma shared a version of this article with Sonoma Chief of Police, Brandon Cutting. He made several points which we felt were important to bring forward as well for a balanced viewpoint of this issue. You can find those notes in the full story.
___________________________________________________

Julie Eisenberg and Babette Hogan, award winning Marin film makers of RUNNING FOR THE MOUNTAINS will be on the panel.
LAST CALL FOR TICKETS - STILL SOME LEFT
LOW TICKET ALERT!!!

Sun, Feb 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM (Doors 4:15)
Sebastiani Theatre
Short set - Opening band “Wild and Blue” to set the mood
We need to stay AWAKE!!
This award winning documentary carries a critical message for our times. A message about staying engaged in how big money could influence our Sonoma County resources and ultimately our way of life. The reason we brought this film to our community, is because of its message about the critical ways we need to stay engaged with the politics of our times, including who you vote for, what do they stand for, and do they walk the walk of greater good for community.  Clearly in W. Virginia, that was not the case. This deeply engaging panel will make you think and act locally. Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Janelle Kellman is on the panel to inform about local environmental concerns and what we can do.

TICKET LINK: Documentary Screening - "Running for the Mountains" | Press Democrat News Group

___________________________________________________

THE SONOMA VALLEY STUDENTS SPOKE UP! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO WERE THERE FOR THE STUDENTS!
If you could not be there, I urge you to visit the website to watch the recording. Watch the public comment at beginning and end.
SonomaTV - YouTube

Last night at the overflowing and packed School Board meeting, there was a lot going on. Slated on the agenda was discussion and voting on the cutting of many services and teacher positions at SVUSD. The Teachers Unions showed up in force, and so did parents and many students to talk about the devastation this would cause to their families, and education in Sonoma Valley. Many students there as young as Jr. High school, stood up for education, and for their teachers which was sad (they shouldn’t have to do that) and yet heartwarming - they were nervous and so brave - there were tears - because it mattered. Amidst all of that, the consistent theme of the night was the action David Bell took in removing the Pride Flag and call for him to resign or be censured. The Teachers Union made a statement that I wish we could publish - it was powerful and accurate - they stood up for these students even as their own positions are on the chopping block. The discussion of items NOT on the agenda were pushed to the end, so that meant that the students who were there to talk to the pride flag issue, were pushed off until 11:00 PM!!! What kind of message did that send to these kids who were already feeling like their concerns and safety were low priority. What kind of care did that demonstrate for those students who have homework and have to get up early for school the next day. THEY COULD HAVE ALLOWED THESE STUDENTS TO SPEAK UP FRONT, but they chose not to do that. Yet, these students stayed, and they spoke. Their statements were incredible - I urge you to listen. We have some community leaders there.
Many were also able to slip in the pride flag issue up front with the granted 90 seconds of time, and relate it to the item on the agenda about the Director of Education Wellness and Inclusion position - one of the positions slated to be cut. Clearly the school needs inclusion oversight! Wake UP Sonoma made a statement demanding his resignation, and lot many others who spoke, pointed out how unqualified he is for the job and does not deserve to hold that position.

NEXT STEPS
We have heard that this issue will be put on the agenda for discussion on a future agenda, and it will probably be March 12th. We will keep our ear to the ground on this and let you know what’s needed. From what we understand - the plan is to have a “flag discussion” to decide what kind of policy around the pride flag will be put into place. THEREFORE, last night was very important and I believe will influence how that discussion get’s reflected on the agenda. We are in it for the long haul. We also are working with PFLAG to help advise us on how to proceed on the bigger issue of how SVHS is carrying out their policies on anti-harrassment and discrimination - including mandatory training of all school staff on these policies. Stay tuned for a separate artilce on this issue.

Lisa Storment, President Wake UP Sonoma

REMINDERS

Wake UP Sonoma is seeking an experienced Volunteer Program Manager to take a lead in organizing, support, and deployment of 300+ volunteers across 10–12 in-person events annually, including community meetings, film screenings with panel discussions, and speaker forums. This role is ideal for a seasoned nonprofit or community engagement professional who enjoys taking ownership of volunteer coordination and event operations. 
.
For full Job description and application details, visit the home page on our website here: Wake UP Sonoma
____________________________________________________

WE NEED AN EXPERIENCED VOLUNTEER GRANT WRITER TO JOIN OUR TEAM.
PLEASE - IF YOU HAVE THIS SKILL, CONSIDER LENDING US YOUR TALENT! Wake UP Sonoma is growing. Be part of the growth! We have much work to do.

Reach out to: wakeupsonoma@gmail.com
__________________________________

Signs of Fascism Flash Mob
Upcoming, all from 12:00 - 1:00
February 25 - Boyes Hot Springs
March 11 - Sonoma Plaza
Sign up to be part of this team. wakeupsonoma@gmail.com, or just show up to support.
______________________________________

BEYOND THE RAINBOW - DOCUMENTARY ON SF PRIDE’S GROUND-BREAKING LEADERS
TICKETS ON SALE NOW at these locations.
SVP website:
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
Wake UP Sonoma website - event page:
Beyond the Rainbow | Press Democrat News Group
Sebastiani Theatre, Sonoma Valley Plaza
Saturday, March 15
Doors open at 2:30 PM
Screening begins at 3:00 PM
includes Wine and food reception
___________________________________________

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