TODAY’S NEWSLETTER INCLUDES:

1. SHOW UP FOR THE STUDENTS FEBRUARY 12!!
2. NO KINGS 3
3. CRITICAL MESSAGE IN RUNNING FOR MOUNTAINS
4. ICE OUT FUNDRAISER
5. GRANT WRITER NEEDED
5. REMINDERS

CALL TO ACTION!
STAND UP FOR OUR SVHS LGBTQ STUDENTS. THEY NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

On February 12, SVHS students and supporters will show up at the Sonoma Valley Unified School District Board meeting to talk about the way in which the pride flag was removed from campus grounds without any public notice or legally required governance. Our community and students deserve accountability for the resulting consequences of this action and exposure of the possible underlying motivation for this action.

Wake UP Sonoma calls for School Board President David Bell, to be censured for his abuse of power, and that he be removed as President of the School Board.

Wake UP Sonoma also calls for the School Board to place the public comment bylaw on the agenda to reverse the recently changed public comment policy back to being allowed up front for items NOT on the agenda. We feel this new process is in place to silence dissent and to minimize public input.
California Code, EDC 35145.5.

Wake UP Sonoma calls for greater transparency within the school board process, and that the BP 5157 Policy which addresses Anti- Discrimination and Harassment be reviewed for compliance with ongoing training mandates for staff put in place in 2024. Records show this was only done one time, but was meant to be annual and ongoing training. Policy link below.
View Regulation 5157: ^Gender Identity and Access
(See section on Curriculum and Training and Harassment and Bullying)

Public presence matters. Strong turnout can help ensure the Pride flag remains a visible symbol of safety, belonging, and inclusion on campus. We want to make sure the students have the chance to speak their mind. Just your presence will be important. Although public comment is scheduled to be near the end of the meeting, the proposal to eliminate the position for student services Director of Equity and Inclusion is the agenda item we can speak to at the beginning. Attachment.aspx.pdf
WHO will continue to provide oversight of inclusive practice to implement required Title 9 laws. WHY would they even consider this action? Removing the flag is an example of why we need this oversight.

If public comment does get pushed to the end by a School Board trying to dodge accountability, we hope you can try to stick around, and talk about your own feelings related to the flag issue. Why inclusion and symbols of inclusion are important, and what is YOUR experience as a parent with homophobia, bullying, and harassment in the school system that has impacted your child. You can speak to why you feel that David Bell’s actions are not appropriate and should have consequences.
WE cannot allow this to continue. We are better than this!

This is the meeting where community voices can ask that the Board eliminate any further debate about the flying of the pride flag on campus. THIS SHOULD NOT BE UP FOR DISCUSSION. The flag should continue to fly. The students have a voice, and they need you to stand behind them.

📍 Sonoma City Chambers
177 First Street West, Sonoma
🗓 February 12
🕕 Open session begins around 6:00 PM
Be visible - wear your dragon pride shirt or bring a rainbow flag and/or signs of protest

Virtual access available:
https://sonomaschools-org.zoom.us/j/97674745649
Zoom Webinar ID: 976 7474 5649
Phone: +1 669 900 9128

Show up for SVHS students. Show up for inclusive schools. Show up for community.

NO KINGS #3 - MARCH 28TH RAIN OR SHINE

THE NATIONAL NO KINGS CALL IS TUESDAY NIGHT. WE HOPE TO FIND OUT THEN WHEN THEY WILL LAUNCH THEIR REGISTRATION MAP.
NO KINGS #3 IS HAPPENING!

OUR SONOMA VALLEY PLAN SOON TO BE RELEASED
WE KNOW WE WANT MUSIC
CALL FOR MUSICIANS - BRING ON THE MUSIC!!
reach out - wakeupsonoma@gmail.com

RUNNING FOR THE MOUNTAINS
THIS IS A FUNDRAISER FOR WAKE UP SONOMA. FILMS LIKE THIS HELP SUPPORT OUR WORK. CONSIDER GETTING YOUR TICKET TODAY.

RUNNING FOR THE MOUNTAINS
Sun, Feb 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM (Doors 4:15)
Sebastiani Theatre
Short set - Opening band “Wild and Blue”

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. It’s about knowing who you are voting for and what they stand for in your community, and how critical it is to be engaged. 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

Panel members:
 Co producers/ Directors Julie Eisenberg and Babette Hogan
Janelle Kellman, former Sausalito Mayor, now candidate for Lieutenant Governor of California in the 2026 elections. 
Moderator - local KSVY radio host and Program Director Ronny Jo Grooms who is an experienced interviewer and story researcher. 
Paul Corbit Brown, Deeply passionate activist featured in the documentary in West Virginia will be here with a powerful message

A MESSAGE FROM CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENTANT GOVERNOR JANELLE KELLMAN**
Panelist on Running for The Mountains

Some events to know about from Janelle who is doing important local work - getting to know your candidates is essential.

SAVE THE DATES and join if you can.

Mon, Feb 9 (12:00pm PT) - Instagram Live: ICE in California / Know Your Rights
I’m going live with Attorney Lisa Bloom (national civil rights attorney) for a practical conversation: what authority federal agents actually have in California, what rights people have in the moment, and what I would do as Lieutenant Governor - to protect Californians and uphold the rule of law.
Watch live: https://www.instagram.com/lisabloomesq

Sun, Feb 15 - Sonoma: “Running for the Mountains” screening and panel
I’ll be in Sonoma at the Sebastiani Theatre (doors 4:15pm, screening 5:00pm) for Running for the Mountains - a powerful documentary about extraction, corruption, and the people who refuse to look away - followed by a community discussion with the filmmakers and local leaders.

Wed, Feb 19 - LiveStream: wildfire, insurance, and what California can actually do
I'll be live in conversation with:

• John Clarke Mills, founder/CEO of Watch Duty (the wildfire alert app so many Californians rely on in real time), and

• Fire Chief / Brigadier General Dave Winnacker, a wildfire and property insurance expert working at the intersection of risk, insurance, and real solutions.

We’ll share the public link as soon as it’s live. (This is the conversation I wish California had been having ten years ago.)

**Wake UP Sonoma does not endorse political candidates

WANTED - 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

SONOMA IMMIGRANT SERVICES PINS FUNDRAISER GOING STRONG, IN MEMORY OF ALL OF THOSE WHO PAID AN ULTIMATE SACRIFICE OF THEIR LIVES IN THIS MOVEMENT.

ICE OUT!
Pins - BE GOOD, ICE OUT AND “ARE YOU OK”
ALL available now. At Refill Madness and Sonoma Swim Club
Or purchase at our store link below, and pick up at the indicated locations above.
Home | ICE OUT Fundraiser
THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT
THIS is an easy way to support Sonoma Immigration Services
Proceeds will go directly to SIS to support their legal defense funds.
Button and campaign design collaboration with Jocelyn Simone for Wake UP Sonoma

REMINDERS

Signs of Fascism Flash Mob
Upcoming, all from 12:00 - 1:00
Feb. 11 at the Sonoma Plaza
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
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A FOCUS ON PODS
We have now had 12 neighborhoods sign up to start a pod at our community meeting. You can still sign up your neighborhood here.

If you are interested in this concept as well, you can visit our BLOG PAGE
Neighborhood Pods to review the Mutual Aid tool Kit here:
NO-LOGOS-Mutual-Aid-101_-Toolkit.pdf and learn more about Neighborhood Pods. Here is a quickie overview:
Pod Training
Also, if you want to sign up to be a point person, you can submit the form here:
NEIGHBORHOOD PILOT POINT PERSON SIGN UP — Wake UP Sonoma

We have reached out to possible community Partners to join in the building of these Pods. More information to come.

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