Forum to discuss addressing hate speech, violence

How to combat the increase in racist violence in local communities is the theme of a forum to be hosted by a group of activists on July 9 at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.

“United Against Hate,” will start at 3:30 p.m. and go until 6:30 p.m.

A panel consisting of members of the organizations AFFIRM, Northern California Anti-Racist Action, National Lawyers Guild San Francisco Bay Chapter, Arab Resource and Organizing Center, and Anti-Police Terror Project will discuss white supremacy and anti-racist organizing. Small group discussions will follow on how to build unity and defend against hate.

Organizers say there has been an increase in hate speech and racist and anti-LGBTQ violence nationwide since Donald Trump began his winning bid for the presidency.

“The recent stabbing of three people in Portland by a white supremacist who was spewing Islamophobic hate and the murder of Nabra Hassanen in Virginia on the way back from her mosque should make the stakes here very clear,” Lara Kiswani of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center says in a press release. “This isn’t about protecting ‘free speech,’ it’s about protecting ourselves and each other from escalating racist violence. Hate speech is not free – it costs us our sense of belonging in our own community and our sense of safety. And it can cost us our very lives.”

Arreguin to give State of the City address

Mayor Jesse Arreguin will deliver his first State of the City address July 10 at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison St.

The public is invited to the event, which will begin at 6 p.m. and run to 7:30 p.m., but seating is limited. To RSVP, contact Arreguin’s director of communications, Karina Ioffee, at kioffee@cityofberkeley.info or 510-981-7102.

Arreguín, who was elected mayor in November, will discuss what Berkeley is doing to tackle the Bay Area’s affordable housing and homelessness crises, and to preserve the city’s unique character amid unprecedented growth, according to a release from his office.

He also will talk about how to continue Berkeley’s commitment to progressive values at a time when many victories of the past four decades are being eroded, from protection of the environment to the treatment of immigrants and other vulnerable populations, the press release continues.

A question-and answer session and reception will follow the mayor’s presentation.

Path Wanderers holding trails challenge

The second annual Parks and Paths Challenge Fundraiser will be held by Berkeley Path Wanderers Association on July 16 starting at Great Stoneface Park, 1930 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Self-guided walks of varying lengths will depart from the park at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon.

“You can contribute toward a handrail corridor in the Berkeley Hills — and have a great time in the process,” says the group. “version of choose-your- own adventure, this family-friendly fundraiser will offer something for all ages and fitness levels.”

Participants should twenty minutes early to get a list of questions and a map with marks indicating where to find each answer.

They will then plot the most efficient route to reach all the locations and head out to complete their challenge, returning at 1 p.m. for refreshments and prizes.

Tickets are $15 ($20 day of event) for adults; $10 for students; and $5 for children age 6-12. The family maximum is $35.

All proceeds go toward installing handrails on Berkeley paths.

For details and a link for advance tickets visit berkeleypaths.org.

Police seize stolen gun, arrest two in traffic stop

Two East Bay men were arrested last week after a stolen pistol was found in their car, police said.

Just after midnight June 25, a Berkeley police officer tried to stop an SUV for alleged vehicle code violations. Police said the SUV did not immediately yield and instead pulled into the rear parking lot of an apartment building on the same block, police said.

A check of the occupants’ information revealed that the driver and passenger were on active probation, police said.

A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up a loaded .22-caliber pistol, which previously had been reported stolen, police said. Arrested were Jason Holman, 35, of San Pablo, and Laquon Walker, 24, of Berkeley.

“The Berkeley Police Department takes great pride in our ongoing efforts to take illegally possessed firearms off the streets and help make our community a safer place,” police said in a statement.

Actors Ensemble presents ‘Caucasian Chalk Circle’

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley continues its 60th season with Bertolt Brecht’s most heartfelt (and funny) play “The Caucasian Chalk Circle,” written by Brecht in California while in exile from Germany during World War II.

“The story centers on the peasant girl Grusha, who, while fleeing violence perpetrated in her home city of Nukha, rescues the abandoned child of a member of the ruling class. In her adventures (narrated as a play-within-the-play by ‘The Singer’), she encounters numerous characters from village and city, including the ‘corrupt judge with a heart of gold’ Adzak and her one true love, Simon.”

Anna Smith directs.

Performances are at 4 p.m. July 8 and 9 at John Hinkel Park, 41 Somerset Place. Details: www.aeofberkeley.org.