A Day of Activism in Sacramento

Hero Image: Arianna Soriano

The theme of this year's 19th annual California Ocean Day was ”Waves of Activism, Oceans of Opportunity.” And boy, was it fitting! With over 300 advocates from over 5 organizations, we rallied to bring a bit of California's Pacific edge to the suits and ties of Sacramento.

California Ocean Day is an opportunity for constituents to meet with their state senators, assemblymembers and/or their staff to talk about active legislation that could have a big impact on the coast! A wave of activism was felt on May 7th at our state capitol. Within the 300 advocates, we had our very own Surfrider Foundation San Diego County representatives. Five volunteers and three staff members made their way to Sacramento to lobby for clean waters, coastal equitable access,  climate change, ocean ecosystems, and plastic pollution prevention. After careful consideration, the five volunteers selected to attend Ocean Day were identified by our Executive Committee and staff. 

The five volunteers selected are among many instrumental in supporting our initiatives at a local level in San Diego:

• Erika Rodriguez: Ocean Friendly Restaurants Co-lead
• Janis Jones: Rise Above Plastics Co-lead
• Vicki Conlon: Ocean Friendly Restaurants Co-lead
• Acxel Herrera: Blue Water Task Force, Clean Border Water Now volunteer, and core volunteer at-large
• Gabriela Torres: Clean Border Water Now core volunteer

The Surfrider Foundation San Diego County staff that attended were:

• Mitch Silverstein: San Diego County Policy Coordinator
• Sarah Davidson: Clean Border Water Now Campaign Manager
• Joana Guerra: San Diego County Chapter Manager

Ocean Day was filled with excitement, passion, and enthusiasm as we gathered at Westminster Presbyterian Church to listen to Marce Gutiérrez-Graudins, Executive Director of Azul and Albert Yasuro Muratsuchi, California State Assemblymember. Following the keynote speakers, groups gathered off and we walked to meet with our first representatives. All teams attended 2-4 lobby meetings throughout the day from 10 AM - 5 PM and were encouraged to attend other Ocean Day programming as available.

As midday came, we gathered at the Capitol Lawn to rally for Ocean Day, ate lunch, and participated in an art build for clean water. The day also included an Outdoors for All: Equitable Coastal Access Panel, and the evening concluded with a reception at the California Museum.

Ocean Day came and conquered. We feel optimistic about the key issues we brought forward and asks of state legislators to support our ocean, waves, and beaches for all people. None of this would be possible without the support of our volunteers, members, and donors. Please continue to support our Chapter and sign up to be a part of making waves of change from sunny San Diego all the way to the state capitol.

KEY ISSUES & ASKS OF STATE LEGISLATORS 

1. Restore the State’s Coastal Resilience Budget
2. Support the Climate Bond
3. End the Environmental Justice Emergency at Our Border
4. Stand up for the Coastal Act (Oppose AB 2560)
5. Celebrate Our Marine Protected Area Network

BILLS WE SUPPORT: WATER QUALITY

• Charge Polluters for Waste in the Tijuana River Valley (Pass SB 1178)
• Control Pollution and Protect Salmon (Pass AB 1798)

BILLS WE SUPPORT: EQUITABLE ACCESS

• Facilitate Equitable Access to State Beaches (Pass AB 2038 and AB 2939)

BILLS WE SUPPORT: CLIMATE CHANGE 

• Support Blue Carbon Projects (Pass AB 1992)
• Coordinated Science for Offshore Wind Development (Pass AB 80)
• Prepare Tribes and Communities for Offshore Wind (Pass AB 2537)

BILLS WE SUPPORT: OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS 

• Restore California's Kelp Forests (Pass AB 1407)
• Prevent Boat Strikes on Whales (Pass AB 2298)
• Protect Beavers for Upstream Restoration (Pass AB 2196)

BILLS WE SUPPORT: PLASTIC POLLUTION PREVENTION

• Ban Plastic Bags (Pass AB 2236)
• Phase Out Single Use Beverage Bottles (Pass AB 2468)