On Monday (10/21/19) at La Peña there was an emergency community gathering to discuss the political crisis unfolding over the past few days in Chile. The gathering brought together a diverse community of Chileans and allies living in Northern California, including: exiled Chilean refugees, University students, artists, teachers, union members, cultural workers and community organizers. This will be the first of many gatherings. Here is our unified message:

This past Saturday (Oct. 18th, 2019) President Piñera decreed a state of emergency, which granted the military control of public life throughout Chile and imposed a curfew, reactivating dark moments of the Pinochet dictatorship.

We express our admiration for the courage of the Chilean people, especially the youth, that are standing up for their rights and dignity.

We stand in solidarity with all of the Chilean people that are suffering the consequences of the violent repression and militarization.

We demand the Chilean state lift the State of Emergency, end the curfew, and remove military police from the streets.

Ways to get involved:

• If you want to help organize, join us on Sunday, Oct. 27th at 2:30pm at La Peña for Qué está pasando en Chile?, an event presented by Wallmapu Support Committee!
• Come out Thursday, Oct. 24th at 8am to the Chilean Consulate in San Francisco! Peaceful solidarity actions are being organized all over the world to stand with the peoples’ uprising in Chile! Bring your signs! Bring your pots and pans to bang! Bring your instruments!

Our friends at Berkeley Patients Group, the nation’s longest-running cannabis dispensary founded in 1999, are celebrating 20 years of helping Berkeley by committing a total of $1 Million in charitable donations to La Peña Cultural Center and nine other local nonprofit organizations.

At a private celebration yesterday, BPG awarded the each of the 10 community partners a check for $5,000!

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin was one of the speakers at the event, lauding the groundbreaking work BPG has been doing as a leader in community service.

Be sure to visit BPG on San Pablo Ave frequently, as every purchase helps make Berkeley better, and the most popular brands are offering huge sales throughout the year with additional donations each month.

Learn about the initiative and meet the other community partners here!