What is on the ballot?
We will get our mail in ballots the first week in May. If you can't wait...go to Ballotpedia and enter your address.
What is on the ballot?
We will get our mail in ballots the first week in May. If you can't wait...go to Ballotpedia and enter your address.
Where we work: We are based in Huntington Beach and are involved in nearby Orange County areas.
What we do: Help educate our communities on current issues, advocate for causes that represent our values, and help elect candidates from local to national that represent progressive ideas.
When we meet: Typically, on the 3rd Saturday morning of the month from 10am to noon--currently on Zoom. Lately we've been having in person early evening meetings
How we work: We have Action Teams. You can see them listed on the top menu on our header. Each Action Team has monthly meetings where we either schedule speakers or actions.
How you can help: Join us in our activities. Sign up for our newsletter. Volunteer -- we post possible options. Donate! We don't have dues. Engage in your community! ! !
News: We post news on the NEWS page which you will find on the top of our banner.
CANDIDATES FORUM ON JANUARY 31
November 2025 Special Election
Proposition 50 passed overwhelmingly on November 4. It was a show of the power people have and it was an encouraging sign that with the right cause and the right message people can engage and vote. See below for the new districts coming to California. Our 47th District becomes #42 which will be part of Long Beach; our new Representative will be Robert Garcia. The 45th District stays the same. Dave Min's 47th District moves south.
VOTE YES AND YES on A and B
WE WON--WE WON--WE WON--WE WON
We did it! The Protect HB Leadership Team credits this win to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers who worked tirelessly on the Vote YES campaign. The voters in Huntington Beach made it clear that government overreach on the operations of the Huntington Beach Public Libraries was unacceptable. Our Public Libraries do matter and voters, across party lines,overwhelmingly said so with their vote. Let us use this opportunity to find ways to work together to hold our elected officials accountable. Thank you Huntington Beach for supporting Democracy.
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THANK YOU FOR ALL THESE FOOD DONATIONS FOR STUDENTS IN NEED
AID AGAINST ICE
On December 6 for persons were abducted by ICE in HB. One may have been released. Because of this continued outrage an organization has been formed to provide assistance. A grassroots volunteer group called HB Aid has sought to reduce the number of ICE kidnappings. HB Aid is a group of dedicated Huntington Beach volunteers who organize community watches and mutual aid for our immigrant neighbors. Each morning, different members of this group meet in the Home Depot parking lot on Warner and Goldenwest to provide coffee, snacks, and conversation to the day workers.
HB Aid is not affiliated with Home Depot in any way, yet they do sit with the day workers each day. If abductions occur, volunteers can act as witnesses whose accounts can help those abducted. HB Aid is also present at car washes and stands with local street vendors. The group provides aftercare by notifying families, connecting them to legal aid, providing emotional support, and connecting them to food and rent resources.
According to these activists, it is believed that these eyewitness accounts are an actual deterrent to ice raids, and these hubs have been shown to decrease the number of raids or the number of kidnappings that may happen.
If you want to help this group as they support the day workers, you can contact them on Instagram at HB.aid or donate through their Venmo account. They use donations to provide food, gas money, and other needed resources for those who are at risk of being abducted.
BOOK BANNING NATION WIDE
Our local MAGAites are using a national playbook. The assault on books and libraries is one of their goals. Read the following for a taste of what might be coming: project2025truth.com/book-ban/
October 5-11 is "Banned Books" week. Join the resistance: bannedbooksweek.org/
CENSORSHIP LAW SUIT--WE WON!!!
A lawsuit filed in February by Alianza Translatinx, Erin Spivey, a HB resident and a local librarian, and two HB minors claims that the City's Resolution 2023-41 violates the State of California's Freedom to Read Act, which was enacted in August 2024.
On October 7, the court ruled in our favor resolving the the city has to
The court ordered the City to cease enforcement of the resolution, return removed books, eliminate youth access restrictions, and restore designated reading areas.
The City must develop a publicly accessible collection development policy by January 1, 2026, and submit it to the State Librarian.
Library staff cannot face retaliation for refusing to remove materials without proper review.
The City must not restrict access to library materials based on content or personal characteristics and must restore access to previously restricted materials.
Policies limiting access must be justified for safety or effective management, not based on content.
The court retains jurisdiction to enforce the order, and petitioners are recognized as prevailing parties, eligible to claim costs and attorney fees.
GATES IS NOW RUNNING FOR CALIFORNIA STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL!!!!
Musk and tRump Accomplishments
IMMIGRATION ISSUES
In anticipation of whatever actions #47 will take please turn to this site for ideas and assistance: www.justice4all.org/rapid-response-toolkit/#KYRVIDEOS. See the Voter Engagement page for more resources.
AIR SHOW SCANDAL
For a review watch this short video on the city's probably illegal million dollar settlement with Code 4, the company that runs the airshow. Outrageous! www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMPtTkOnvVw
4th of July HB Parade
Please go to our NEWS page for updates on the attack of HB Public Library and Cultural Center by the MAGA 4
PROTECT HUNTINGTON BEACH
PROTECTHB.ORG is a new PAC whose mission is centered on good governance in Huntington Beach. Please support this organization. Go to their website, learn more about it and donate whatever you can. There is also a YouTube Channel you can check out. Here's the latest video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bkOTQb-8BY
Click here to send your emails: city.council@surfcity-hb.org and supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
WHAT ARE THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES?
Below is a letter from Rob Bonta, CA Attorney General informing the HB City Council of the implications of changing elections protocols.
What can you do about this?
Attend the meetings and voice your opinions. If you can't attend in person, call, write or email the city council members repeatedly if need be. You will find their emails at www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/government/elected_officials/city_council/
Also, keep up with what the press coverage is by going to our internal page: sites.google.com/view/orange-coast-huddle/voter-engagement/from-the-press
Friends of the Huntington Beach Library have been actively supporting HB library since 1971. The recent threats from the HB city council shines a spotlight on their efforts to educate, organize events and raise funds benefiting our community treasure. Members of the Orange Coast Huddle are pleased to share their link in support of them. Please visit their site and more importantly their store in the library to help.
Learn about the issues re church and state from this thoughtful and lengthy article from the Anti-Defamation League:la.adl.org/news/me-southern-california-church-leaders-pushing-political-extremes/
HOLDING ELECTED LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE
In February we sponsored a program on this extremely timely topic. HB is a hot spot right now, but other governmental entities are also vulnerable. In any case, the right thing to do being concerned citizens is to keep informed and act on issues we care about on behalf of ourselves and our community. The program slides are available by clicking here. Learn how to
Find your city council's agendas and subscribe to them
Offer comments at meetings
Contact your representatives and more.
Just when HATE CRIME is on the rise HB eliminated the Human Relations Committee which was established 25 years ago.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Agendas are available at huntingtonbeach.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx City Council meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. Search for the live session or the archives. The city website is www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/
PLEASE COMPLETE INTEREST FORM HERE
HB COMMUNITY CAFE is hosted by Council Member Natalie Moser at the HB Public Library on the last Wednesday of the month. Early registration is suggested. Seats fill up fast. Sign up here: hbpl.libcal.com/event/9298157
HOW TO GET TO 55% OF THE ELECTORATE
This is a listing of articles that show how we can win--get to 55%
On the emerging anti-MAGA majority: portside.org/2023-06-12/emerging-anti-maga-majority
GETTING TO 55%
We know the country is evenly divided politically. In this article, dated March 9, 2023 Simon Rosenberg argues that we must get to 55% because that will guarantee Democrats win. simonwdc.substack.com/p/memo-get-to-55-expanding-our-coalition?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
DEMS WIN IF WE VOTE!
See March Primary election data below
Change your browning grass yard to a draught tolerant landscape
Same Grassroots Action
New Huddle Name
In February 2017, after the first Women’s March, a group of strangers responded to the call, “First we march, then we huddle.” We were united in our goals to become more politically active and to counteract the actions of the newly elected president. We agreed upon the issues we would focus on and formed our action teams. We persisted!
Since that time, we’ve continued to pursue our goals and have learned that the challenges that concern us are best corrected by electing like-minded officials and providing community service opportunities. We are most effective when we work together to educate the public and encourage the electorate to vote. We have determined that a PAC is the most appropriate structure for our organization.
For archived issues of our newsletter go to: us15.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=fefda7d67dd51caf8aad96c88&id=b4f9961904 SIGN UP FOR THE NEWLETTER BELOW.
OUR CURRENT REPRESENTATIVES
OTHER ELECTED US/CA REPRESENTATIVES
Janet Nguyen CA Senate 36 – Republican
Tony Strickland CA Senate 36 – Republican
Diane Dixon CA Assembly 72 – Republican
Tri Ta CA Assembly 70 – Republican
LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES
Progressive candidates are highlighted in blue
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Doug Chaffee, Chairman, 4th District: Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Stanton, portions of Anaheim, and unincorporated communities.
Donald P. Wagner, Vice-Chairman, 3rd District: Anaheim (portions of), Irvine (portions of), Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Orange (portions of), Rancho Santa Margarita, Tustin (portions of), Villa Park, Yorba Linda, and the Unincorporated Communities of Modjeska, North Tustin, Silverado, Trabuco Canyon and Williams Canyon
Janet Nguyen, 1st District, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove (portions of), Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, La Palma, Seal Beach, Westminster, and the Unincorporated Communities of Midway City and Rossmoor
Vicente Sarmiento 2nd District. Anaheim (portions of), Garden Grove (portions of), Orange (portions of), Santa Ana, Tustin (portions of), and the Unincorporated Communities of North Tustin
Katrina Foley, 5th District, The Cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Irvine (portions of), Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, and Rancho Mission Viejo
HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL
Andrew Gruel Term ends in 2026
Gracey Van Der Mark, Term ends in 2026
Pat Burns, Term ends in 2026
Casey McKeon, Mayor,Term ends in 2026
Don Kennedy Term ends in 2028
Butch Twining Term ends in 2028
Chad Williams Term ends in 2028
FOUNTAIN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
Kim Constantine, Term expires 2026
Glenn Grandis, Term expires 2028
Ted Bui, Term expires 2028
Jim Cunneen Maupr.Term expires 2026
Patrick Harper Mayor Pro Tem,Term expires 2026
COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL
John Stephens, Mayor, Term expires 2024
Jeffrey Harlan, Mayor Pro Tem, Term expires 2024
Andrea Marr, Term expires 2026
Manuel Chavez, Term expires 2026
Loren Gameros Term expires 2024
Don Harper Term expires 2024
Arlis Reynolds Term expires 2026
NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL
Noah Blom, District 5, Mayor, Term expires 2024
Will O’Neill, District 7, Mayor Pro Tem, Term expires 2024
Joe Stapleton, District 1, Term expires 2026
Brad Avery, District 2, Term expires 2024
Eric Weigan, District 3, Term expires 2026
Robyn Grant, District 4, Term expires 2026
Lauren Kleiman, District 6, Term expires 2026
SEAL BEACH CITY COUNCIL
Thomas Moore, Mayor, District 2--Leisure World, College Park West & Rossmoor Center, Term expires 2024
Schelly Sustarsic, Mayor Pro Tem District 4--College Park East & Town Center, Term expires 2024
Joel Kalmick, Mayor, District 1--Old Town and Surfside Colony, Term expires 2026
Lisa Landau, District 3--Cove,Hill, Bridgeport and Heron Pointe, Term expires 2026
Nathan Steele, District 5--Leisure World, Term expires 2026