Democracy OJAI

05/02/2026

A call to action!!
Thank you Elizabeth Kucinich:
Despite today’s vote to remove the chemical liability shield, the Farm Bill currently under consideration in the House remains a devastating failure of policy and responsibility.

This is a moment for caution, not celebration. If we signal victory now, before the full House vote, we risk sending exactly the wrong message to America, that this bill is now safe to support. It is not.

This Farm Bill still erodes states’ rights, limits the ability of communities to protect their citizens, entrenches industrial agriculture, and locks farmers further into dependence on costly chemical inputs and consolidated corporate power.

This bill represents massive federal overreach, overriding constitutionally established protections and preventing states from improving standards beyond federal baselines across agriculture, from pesticide use and spray protocols to animal welfare. It replaces a system in which federal law sets a floor with one that imposes a ceiling, locking in the lowest standards nationwide, stripping states of their authority, and opening the door to the destruction of the very land we call America.

Read more: https://kucinichreport.substack.com/p/house-must-vote-no-on-the-farm-bill

04/27/2026

There are moments when the world feels especially loud, when the weight of current events, conversations, and constant noise begins to settle into our bodies.

You may have felt it lately, a heaviness in the heart, a fatigue in the spirit, and a longing for something simpler, softer… more human.

And yet, even in times like these, there are spaces where we can come back to ourselves.

Where we can reconnect—not through debate or division—but through something far more ancient and unifying.

This Sunday, we invite you into a gentle, joyful pause from it all…an opportunity to stand side by side with your neighbors and lift your voice in songs of peace, connection, and shared humanity.

No singing experience is needed. Just bring your presence…your open heart…and a willingness to let your voice move freely.

Because something beautiful happens when we sing together.
And for a little while, harmony replaces the noise.

🎶 Singing for Peace 🎶

Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00 PM

Libbey Park, Ojai

04/21/2026

Urgent this week! 💥

Perhaps you’ve already made up your mind as to which gubernatorial candidate you are going to vote for in the upcoming June primary or, or you have yet to decide.
In either event, because of the uniqueness of this election, Democracy Ojai is asking you to wait until after the upcoming debates to fill out and submit your ballot.

There are 62 candidates running for Governor on the June ballot, but only the top two vote-getters will be on the November ballot.
This opens the possibility that the two final candidates could be from the same party.
It is vitally important to choose more wisely than usual.

We're asking you to be a more informed voter by waiting to fill out your ballot until after the three debates.

The debates will be televised:

April 22nd on KTLA

April 28th on CBS

May 5th on CNN

Listening to what each candidate says might reinforce your original choice. On the other hand, you might change your mind on who you want to support, but it will be too late if your ballot has already been sent.

The strategy is this:

⭐️Avoid voting early
⭐️Listen to the debates

Whoever emerges as the clear winner after May 5th should have ALL of our votes.

We will also be doing much more research and sharing what we learn.

⭐️And here in Ojai, we have our Ventura County Clerk and Recorder, Michelle Ascencion, coming to speak at Sarzotti Park this coming Saturday. Come speak with her and learn how to protect Ventura County against dangerous misinformation. ⭐️

04/12/2026

This is one of the most important articles ever written about the current state of our country!

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/12/united-states-trump-destruction

04/10/2026

URGENT ALERT

HR 1897 is ground zero for destroying the federal Endangered Species Act.

Our good friend James Hines at the Sierra Club let us know, his sources at the U.S. Dept of the Interior, specifically the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who worked with Congressman Westerman to write the bill, tell him that a full U.S. House vote on HR 1897 will come on April 14,15 or 16.

The legislative office at the U.S. Dept of the Interior is already lobbying House members in support of HR 1897 and will do a full court push starting on April 13th.

It is so important that as many people as we can get to contact as many members of the House (both Republican and Democrat) as soon as we can and urge a NO vote on HR 1897.

Here is a list of current House members:

https://www.house.gov/representatives

No time to waste, please, please please, folks need to start calling, texting or emailing ASAP.

04/08/2026

Due to the upcoming rain on Sunday, we will be postponing our Songs for Peace event to May 3rd! Save the date!

04/06/2026

Legal Observer training opportunity! If you’re interested in becoming a legal observer, please submit your application by EOD April 1st to allow for vetting to be completed. This application is submitted to the CA Central Coast NLG Chapter.

We have a training in Ventura and San Luis Obispo!

https://form.jotform.com/252266577714162
Have a question? Please email [email protected]

03/25/2026

How to Be an Activist from Home

TRAINING
This coming Monday, March 30th, 5:30-6:30

Feeling helpless, hopeless, or afraid in the face of what’s happening in our country and around the world?

COME TO THE DO SOMETHING WORKSHOP AND LEARN HOW YOU CAN BEСOME А HOME ACTIVIST.

WHAT: In this essential workshop you will learn how to: Use the 5 Calls.org for easy representative contact Participate in Postcards to Voters to boost voter turnout Engage in phone and text banking (if that interests you) All from the convenience of your home, on your schedule.

WHEN: March 30th from 5:30 – 6:30 pm
WHERE: Sane Living Center, 316 E Matilija St. in downtown Ojai WHY: Regaining control of the House and Senate in the midterms is critical to preserving democracy. This workshop will provide you with powerful, actionable tools to amplify your voice and drive real impact with legislators, our country and our community. You will leave ready to make a difference.

Please Join Us! RSVP [email protected]

Your voice matters, and now is the time to use it! DO Something!

This Saturday we also have the NO Kings Protest here in Ojai, as well as Ventura, and Santa Barbara! If you are able to attend, please register here:

https://www.nokings.org/

If you are not able to join on the ground, please drive by and honk your horn! Libbey Park 11:00

Save the date!!🌟
Our next date for Singing for Peace in Ojai is Sunday April 12th

Singing for Peace is a local Ojai expression of the broader Singing Resistance movement, which began in Minneapolis and has grown into a decentralized, nationwide practice of collective song in public places in response to injustice, fear, and division—choosing connection, courage, and love instead.

All are welcome—no singing experience required.

Together we make a difference!

As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power belongs to the people.

03/17/2026

How to Be an Activist from Home
TRAINING

Feeling helpless, hopeless, or afraid in the face of what’s happening in our country and around the world?

COME TO THE DO SOMETHING WORKSHOP AND LEARN HOW YOU CAN BEСOME А HOME ACTIVIST.

WHAT: In this essential workshop you will learn how to: Use the 5 Calls.org for easy representative contact Participate in Postcards to Voters to boost voter turnout Engage in phone and text banking (if that interests you) All from the convenience of your home, on your schedule.

WHEN: March 30th from 5:30 – 6:30 pm

WHERE: Sane Living Center, 316 E Matilija St. in downtown Ojai WHY: Regaining control of the House and Senate in the midterms is critical to preserving democracy.
This workshop will provide you with powerful, actionable tools to amplify your voice and drive real impact with legislators, our country and our community.

You will leave ready to make a difference!
Please Join Us! RSVP [email protected]

Your voice matters, and now is the time to use it! DO Something!

We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

03/11/2026

How to Be an Activist from Home TRAINING

Feeling helpless, hopeless, or afraid in the face of what’s happening in our country and around the world?

DO Something!

Join us Monday, March 30th

5:30 – 6:30 pm

at the Sane Living Center, 316 E Matilija St. in downtown Ojai, for a FREE training on How to Be an Activist from Home.

 Get set up on 5 Calls (App or website) to make calls to your

elected representatives on issues that matter to you.

 Learn how to send 5 Calls scripts and representatives’ contact

numbers to friends and family in other locations—in California, as

well as other states.

 Get started with PostcardstoVoters.org to write personalized

postcards to voters all over the country.

 Find out where to buy special eye-catching postcards to send

to voters

 Learn about text- and phone-banking from home (if that’s

something you’re interested in doing) with Vote Save America

and other similar organizations.

Some people like to go to protests; some like to canvass, while others enjoy writing postcards or making calls to voters together in a group. But if you aren’t up for those activities or are just too busy, there are lots of things you can do at home at your convenience.

Being an activist doesn’t have to take a lot of time—even a few minutes a day can make an important difference.
If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to [email protected] so we can have enough supplies on hand.

Please feel free to invite your local friends and family.

We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Our next date for Singing for Peace in Ojai is Sunday April 12th, save the date!!

Together we make a difference!