Showing Up for Racial Justice, Santa Maria

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” MLK Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend of events in Santa Barbara.

We endorse Gloria Soto for City Council District 3!

Repost- Councilwoman Gloria Soto I am honored to have earned the endorsement of many organizations across Santa Maria that represent people from right here in District 3. These endorsements state loud and clear, 4 More Years! Join our grassroots movement to build a thriving Santa Maria. It starts with us, it starts here.

Volunteer here!: https://tinyurl.com/VolunteerNowD3
Donate now: https://tinyurl.com/sotoforsantamaria

SURJ supports the expansion of the Santa Maria Levee Trail!
📣Action is needed before Tuesday, May 17. Do you have a couple minutes to send an a email to our county supervisors?
🗞Here is our letter to the editor: Santa Maria Levee Trail - Community Builder

On May 17, the County Board of Supervisors will discuss the much-needed extension of the levee trail from the North end of Santa Maria to Guadalupe. The existing Tom Urbanske Multipurpose Trail is very popular but is only 2.7 miles of unpaved trail. The extension would begin where the existing trail ends and continue to the town of Guadalupe. Think of it-an improved bike and pedestrian-friendly trail that unites the communities of the fifth district! As exciting as that is, this extension would be more than just adding miles of improved trail but also building community.

It has been well documented that communities of color are often the sites for industry and receive less investment in green spaces all the way down to having fewer trees in their neighborhoods. This is clearly the case in Santa Barbara County. Despite being the largest city in the county, Santa Maria has only eight miles of trails over two locations while Santa Barbara has over 130 miles of trails over 52 locations! Why the big discrepancy? Our residents are majority working class, communities of color, with few local options for healthy activities such as walking, hiking, and bicycling. We deserve better.

We can work through the obstacles but Santa Maria needs this extended trail. Investing in this trail is investing in the community. SURJ Santa Maria urges the Supervisors to approve this project and to begin the process of building community.

SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) Santa Maria works to eliminate racism and support those most impacted by it.

Add your name to the petition in support: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/santa-maria-river-trail-expansion-support-petition

Take action, support Santa Maria river trail extension | Guest Commentary Guest Commentary: In just a few weeks, our county Board of Supervisors will be voting on an exciting prospect to extend the river trail to the city of Guadalupe, creating