TODAY’S NEWSLETTER INCLUDES:

1. MAY DAY STRONG SONOMA VALLEY
2. SUPPORT OF OTHER LOCAL ORGS
3. MAY DAY ART BUILD
4. EARTH DAY
5. WAKE UP COMING EVENTS
6. SONOMA VALLEY PRIDE
REMINDERS

OUR VISION - TO FOSTER A VIBRANT, JUST, RESPECTFUL AND WELCOMING SONOMA VALLEY COMMUNITY.

Wake UP Sonoma’s mission to inform and educate and provide resources to the community so they can be informed and engaged and to encourage active local civic engagement is on display today. Today we bring you information about the work of other agencies that are also promoting democracy and who at it’s core advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are a collaborative organization that believes we cannot do this work in a vacuum and that we are stronger together although some strategies about how to get there may vary in some ways. Basically though, we are in this together and holding up each other’s good work. Please feel free to share with your networks, what these other organizations are doing.
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This is a Sanctuary Coalition Free event. Should be fun!!!  Materials are provided. Kid and family friendly. 
Refreshments will be served.
Art Build for May day! Silk screening.
Bring a T-shirt if you want to silkscreen your own shirt. 
For more info, visit the Sonoma Community Center event link
Arte para el primero de mayo - May Day Art Build - Sonoma Community Center
Next General Meeting for the Sanctuary Coalition will be on Saturday, April 18th from 10-12pm at 1717 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa, 95405. They will be celebrating how far they've come and discussing next steps!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EARTH DAY
The City of Sonoma’s inaugural Earth Day celebration will be held in partnership with the Sonoma Community Center’s beloved Trash Bash. The event is designed to bring together sustainability-minded organizations, community members, and visitors for a lively, family-friendly day focused on creativity, environmental action, and local connection. 
City of Sonoma Event Page - sonomacity.org/event/earthday2026/
Volunteers needed for vendor set up, in the auditorium/speakers, parking lot direction/event ambassadors, entrance welcome table, breakdown. To Volunteer, Contact John Baston, City of Sonoma Climate Action Commissioner - (510) 872-2825 | johnwbaston@gmail.com

DEMOCRATS CORNER

Sunday, April 19th - The Sonoma Valley Democrats SPRING SOCIAL and FUNDRAISER for the Gerald Hill Memorial Scholarships. TIME: 3-5 PM at the Pueblo Serena Clubhouse, 951 W. 5th St., Sonoma.

Enjoy music by Tim Curley and the Cork Pullers, light refreshments, and good company! There will be a $20 donation per person at the door to help fund the scholarships and also a fun raffle with beautiful art works, wine and more. (Cash or checks only please.) State Assembly Member and Candidate for State Senate Damon Connelly will speak, as will Sonoma City Council Member Sandra Lowe. Other elected officials and candidates have been invited. Mingle with like-minded friends and help our local students! We still need a few more volunteers for set-up and clean-up, please email bethh@sonic.net.
Monday May 18 - Sonoma Valley Democrats Virtual MAY GENERAL MEETING via Zoom, 6:30 PM, more details soon!

MAY DAY STRONG ACTIONS IN SONOMA VALLEY
And make it personal.
Take the pledge:
May Day Pledge — Wake UP Sonoma
1. Shop local.
2. Support Sonoma Valley small businesses.
3. Skip Amazon, Prime, and the big box stores.
4. Buy less gas on May 1. (if possible)
5. Show up at the Farmers Market on May 1 and put your money into the local economy.

Then gather in the Plaza from 5 to 6 PM and make your voice heard. Sidewalk on Napa Street.
CommUNITY is power.
Solidarity is power.
The people have the power.
SONOMA VALLEY MAY DAY STRONG.

OUR EVENTS AND INFORMATIONAL GATHERINGS UPCOMING THAT SUPPORTS OUR WORK
Here are some reminders and encouragement to join us for these important, informative and one of a kind events.

FREE COMMUNITY TALK
As we approach May Day Actions -- how is the labor movement fighting fascism?
As things escalate wildly in our government, and wars actually take hold in an unbelievable expansion of American Fascism with threats of further genocide, this is a timely moment to come together in Solidarity to hear the very important perspective of expert Fred Glass. What exactly IS American Fascism (can you believe we are even saying that now?), and WHAT can we do about it? Join us for this important moment and see what other groups in the region are doing as well.

American Fascism: What It Is & What To Do About It
Wake UP Sonoma’s Community Conversation with Fred Glass
MAY 2, 2026 - 11:00 - 1:00 -
FEE RSVP LINK: COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH FRED GLASS — Wake UP Sonoma
Check out this video put out by Fred
Tax the Rich: An animated fairy tale
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SALLY KOHN A CONVERSATION ON CHANGE, EMPATHY AND A “NO HATE” ATTITUDE IN THESE TIMES.

FIRESIDE CHAT WITH SALLY KOHN
Moderated by Martín Gobbée, of Wake UP Sonoma
Friday, April 24
5:30 PM–7:00 PM

Doors open at 5:00 PM

Sebastiani Theatre - Sonoma Valley

Wake UP Sonoma’s April Community Conversation
TICKET LINK: Fireside Chat with Sally Kohn - No Hate | Press Democrat News Group
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SONOMA VALLEY PRIDE PRESENTS A WEEKEND OF PRIDE EVENTS! RISE WITH PRIDE CONCERT AS KICK OFF EVENT.

You will want to get these tickets before they sell out, and sell out they will!
Rise With Pride - First Annual Concert Benefiting Sonoma Valley Pride featuring J. Graves, Kochina Rude & Tila Pia - Sonoma Valley Pride
Kick off Sonoma Valley Pride weekend with an unforgettable night of music, energy, and unapologetic expression at our First Annual Pride Concert. This high-impact evening brings together a dynamic lineup of queer and allied artists—headlined by J. Graves, alongside Kochina Rude and Tila Pia—each delivering powerful performances that celebrate identity, creativity, and community. From bold lyricism to electric stage presence, this is more than a concert. It’s a moment of visibility, connection, and joy.
Set against the spirit of Pride, the night invites you to come as you are, dance freely, and be part of something bigger. Whether you’re here for the music, the movement, or the community, this is where Sonoma shows up loud, proud, and together.
Join us as we celebrate queer artistry, amplify voices, and ignite Pride weekend in Sonoma.
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MORE PRIDE IS COMING - STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES ON THE PRIDE WEEKEND JUNE 12-14 AS DETAILS UNFOLD.

Get Involved! We are looking for Entertainment, Vendors & Volunteers for our June 14 day on the Plaza

How can you help? We need Vendors for our Sunday festival, Volunteers for support staff, talent, food, wine, and more to help us put on a great celebration. Contact us to help move us forward! Contact us - Sonoma Valley Pride

Sonoma Valley Pride is a vibrant, inclusive celebration of LGBTQ+ joy, visibility, and community set in Sonoma Valley. Produced by Out In The Vineyard, Wake UP Sonoma and Matthew Long Design, this multi-day event will draw locals and visitors alike for a weekend of connection, culture, and celebration.

WHY SPONSOR SV PRIDE?
Align your brand with diversity, inclusion, and celebration while gaining exposure to an engaged and loyal audience.

Benefits include:

• Brand visibility across all event marketing

• On-site engagement opportunities

• Social media promotion

• Direct access to attendees and influencers

• Support of an important cultural and community event

  Visit this link to find out more
  Sponsors - Sonoma Valley Pride
  

REMINDERS

Neighborhood Pod Point Person Meeting
We Continue to Grow. THANK YOU COMMUNITY!!
WE NOW HAVE 25 NEIGHBORHOODS!
If you recently signed up, we will be in touch soon.
We meet on the last Monday of each month.
If you want to find out more about Neighborhood Pods, visit our Blog Page - Neighborhood Pods

Next one is April 27 - 5:30 - 6:30
Come see what we are up to - fill out this form to join as a Pod organizer or point person.
NEIGHBORHOOD PILOT POINT PERSON SIGN UP — Wake UP Sonoma
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SIGNS OF HOPE FLASH MOB
ON DISPLAY - WEDNESDAY APRIL 15TH - 12 - 1:00
BOYES HOT SPRINGS POST OFFICE.
If you want to be part of this team, fill out this form
FLASH MOB SIGN UP — Wake UP Sonoma
ALERT! If you borrowed one of the yellow signs of hope signs at the NO KINGS 3, please return it by reaching out to Ed Clay, edclay@edclay.com
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CONTACTS FOR WAKE UP SONOMA
Lisa Storment - President. Lisa@wakeupsonoma.org
Josette Brose-Eichar - Vice President -josette@lavenderfloral.com
David Eichar - Treasurer - eichar@sbcglobal.net
Martín Gobbée - Board member - mgobbee@gmail.com
Gary Saperstein - Board member - gsaperstein@gmail.com
Anne Neeley - Contracted Event Manager - anneneelyconsulting@gmail.com
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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