Metro DC DSA Weekly Update for Friday, February 7, 2020

Comrade,   

THE WEEKEND TODAY Fri Feb 7 6:00 PM Libertarian Socialist Caucus (LSC) Happy Hour And 7:30 PM Debate Watch Party; Sat Feb 8 12:30 PM DSA for Bernie Alexandria Canvass at King Street Station; Sun Feb 9 3:00 PM Get Labor Literate! February MDC DSA General Body Meeting at Friends Meeting of Washington

UP TOP
 

FEBRUARY GBM FOCUSES ON THE LABOR FACTS YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW

Sunday, February 9 3-5 PM -- Get Labor-Literate! Come on out to our February General Body Meeting! All are welcome, especially new members. At the Friends Meeting House, 2111 Florida Ave. NW https://www.facebook.com/events/234362980893551/

 

This month, at Metro DC DSA GBM, we've got a session your boss won't want you to come to:

 

Do YOU live under capitalism? Do YOU exchange your time for wages? Then it sounds like you should learn about a little something we in the socialism business like to call "unions." Our Labor Working Group is going to give a talk about the importance of the labor movement in history and then run through an exercise where you will get the chance to network with others about your work, your issues, and brainstorm ways to make life at your job better. 

 

Afterwards we will have our usual post-GBM happy hour, so build some time into your schedule for a drink with comrades.

 

MDC DSA ECOSOCIALISM BUILDING POWER

The next Ecosocialist Caucus meeting will be on Wednesday, February 26, at the Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) neighborhood library in the WTD meeting room from 7-8:30 pm.
Topics will include brief updates on our energy democracy and climate strike campaigns, as well as longer breakout sessions for a reading group discussion, space for working groups to make progress on campaigns, and new member onboarding. An agenda will be sent out the week before the meeting. Please send any suggestions for agenda items to [email protected].

 Due to popular demand, we're excited to announce that an ecosocialist reading group is forming! Thank you to Rahel and Mac for taking the lead and getting things started. The first discussion will start off with DSA's Ecosocialist Green New Deal: Guiding Principles and AOC's Green New Deal video with the Intercept. A longer text will be chosen for the next discussion at the end of the meeting.

 Upcoming events: Wednesday, February 12, 7 – 9 PM: Greenbelt Climate Action Network: The Science Behind Drawdown Solutions on Renewable Energy  Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Road (Room 114), Greenbelt, MD 20770 -- The presentation will be given by our comrade Vijay P., who is a scientist with a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and Greenbelt resident who has worked on research in renewable energy for a decade. Read more about the event and RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1460589707429311/

 Finally, it was great to see so many people [probably about 65-70 -- ed] at the Socialist Night School: Ecosocialist Principles of the Green New Deal talk on Tuesday. Thank you to Ashik for the great presentation and a warm welcome to all the new ecosocialists!  --Sebastian R, co-chair

 

BRIEFS  

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Please note that this email message may be clipped around the beginning of the MDC DSA calendar -- be sure to click "view entire message" for the full story. 

 

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MD DIST. 5 HOUSE RACE -- HOYER IS PRIMARIED BY MDC DSA ENDORSEE

 

 The race has rapidly consolidated in Maryland District 5 race against House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. His challenger, McKayla Wilkes, is now the effective opposition. For those interested in learning more, be sure to read this. For those inspired enough to want to get involved in the area, especially in Prince George’s, contact Tyler Sylvester @ (240) 422-5067 or join the working group on Slack. --Adam S

AND a late breaking entry in the electoral gamestakes -- save the date for a Simpsons Trivia Night to benefit Mckayla’s campaign. It’s Wednesday, February 19th 7:30 - 10 pm at the Dew Drop Inn, 2801 8th Street NE (metro accessible). More in next week’s Update.

 

STEERING COMMITTEE BIWEEKLY MEETINGS MOVE TO TUESDAYS

From Zach E., MDC DSA secretary: “Steering has voted to move our biweekly meetings to Tuesdays due to space issues at the Institute for Policy Studies.” Next Steering Meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 11 -- at IPS but members can also participate by Zoom. And the second February meeting, a remote-only meeting that can be attended by Zoom, is Tuesday, Feb. 25 . Follow the links for details on location and remote participation. 

 

DSA 4 BERNIE WEEKLY UPDATE

 --What’s happened/ing  

Feb 1st Canvass: Over 70 canvassers! Biggest turnout yet!

Over 70 excited Bernie supporters rallied at the Court House Metro Station in Arlington, VA on the first Saturday of February. We knocked over 1900 doors on a gorgeous, sunny afternoon and spoke with voters one month before their Super Tuesday election day. Afterwards we celebrated our work at a nearby pub and made tons of new friends. 

Group photo HERE.

 

Feb 3 Iowa Caucus Watch Party Blowout: Holy $#!+ !!

Nearly 200 (!) comrades packed together in sPACEY cLOUD in AdMo to watch the Iowa Caucuses unfold in real-time. We enjoyed food, drink and lots of cheering—even a countdown to the official start time. This was hands down the coolest and nicest group of 200 folks to ever be packed together under one roof.

As of the filing deadline for this update the caucus count showed Bernie neck and neck with some other fella. Be sure to join our next social event this Friday!

  Links to photos/vids HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE. 

  Bonus pic live of Iowa Dem HQ on election night is HERE. 

 

—-Upcoming: 

Public Service Announcement: If you’re not canvassing for Bernie this month you’ve officially been cancelled.

 

TONIGHT New Hampshire Debate Watch Party this Friday the 7th

Blow off your Friday plans (or bring them with you!) and join us for another Watch Party extravaganza, this time at Penn Social in Penn Quarter. Kicks off at 7:30pm.

RSVP if possible: http://meetu.ps/e/HGh9d/cMgsq/a 

 

Sat Feb 8th Canvass in Alexandria

Meet at King Street Station at 12:30pm (meet at the corner of King Street and Cameron Street for training and organizing -- Katlyn C)

RSVP if possible: http://meetu.ps/e/HGh6Q/cMgsq/a 

 

Fri Feb 11: New Hampshire Election Watch Party: 

If you enjoy watching Bernie crush it in elections this is a Don’t-Miss shindig. Fair warning: there may be some cheering. Kicks off at 7:30 at Penn Social in Penn Quarter.

RSVP if possible: http://meetu.ps/e/HH2Kw/cMgsq/a

 

Sat Feb 15: VA Canvass (Meet at East Falls Church Station): https://www.meetup.com/mdcdsa/events/268285730/

 

Sat Feb 22: NoVa Canvass (Location TBD): https://www.meetup.com/mdcdsa/events/268285340/ 

 

Sat Feb 22: Nevada Caucus Watch Party (Location TBD): https://www.meetup.com/mdcdsa/events/268323507/ 

 

Tues Feb 25: Debate Watch Party (Location TBD): https://www.meetup.com/mdcdsa/events/268286080/ 

 

Sat Feb 29: Get Out the Vote Canvass in NoVa (Location TBD): https://www.meetup.com/mdcdsa/events/268285105/ 

 

Bring to the canvass: Please bring a smartphone fully charged, with data, and MiniVAN app pre-downloaded. A portable charger (charged!) is great. Appropriate clothes and shoes are a must. You’re welcome to bring friends! 

--Assembled by Sara BC

 

GO-GO FOR ATLANTA

Saturday, February 8 — A NIGHT OF GO-GO WITH DC JWJ — 5-9 pm, Josephine Butler Center  2437 15th Street NW DC 20009 — fundraiser to pay for local activists’ travel to the National Jobs With Justice gathering in Atlanta, Georgia. Donation requested. Info: Sequnely Gray 202-674-2847 | [email protected]

 

NEW SOCIALIST NIGHT SCHOOL CLASS:

Thursday, February 27, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Trumpism and All-American Nativism: Socialist Night School
Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library 4450 Wisconsin Ave NW · Washington, DC

With Daniel Denvir, author of All-American Nativism: How the Bipartisan War on Immigrants Explains Politics as We Know It Follow link for details

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Follow links for details

Friday FEB 7  6:00 PM

Libertarian Socialist Caucus (LSC) Happy Hour

1314 9th St NW, , Washington, DC 20001 Follow link for details

 

Friday, February 7 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

DSA for Bernie Debate Watch Party

Penn Social   801 E St NW · Washington, DC

DSA for Bernie has a debate watch party

 

Saturday FEB 8 12:30 PM

DSA for Bernie Alexandria Canvass

King Street Station, 1900 King St, Alexandria, VA 22301

We only have ONE MONTH until Super Tuesday, and we need to make sure Virginia shows up for Bernie! Help us reach our goal of knocking 5,000 doors in Virginia during the month of February. We will be in Alexandria

 

Sunday FEB 9  3:00 PM

Metro DC DSA Monthly General Body Meeting — Get Labor-literate!

Location TBA

The monthly meeting of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America. Follow link for details

 

Tuesday FEB 11  7:00 PM

Steering Committee Meeting

Institute for Policy Studies, 1301 Connecticut Ave NW #600, Washington, DC 20036

All members are welcome to attend. Follow link for details 

 

Tuesday FEB 11 7:00 PM

Migrant Justice Working Group: Campaign Planning Session

501 3rd St NW, 501 3rd St NW, Washington, DC 20001

As ICE detains and deports immigrants every day, they are helped by for-profit companies. These profiteers allow ICE to function. Follow link for details

 

Tuesday FEB 11 7:30 PM

New Hampshire Primary Watch Party

Penn Social, 801 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Join us on February 11 as we await the results of the New Hampshire Primary! Where do you want to be when those results come in? Make sure you’re surrounded by fellow socialists! 

 
Saturday FEB 15 12:30 PM 

DSA 4 Bernie Virginia Canvass 

East Falls Church Metro Station, 19th Rd N, Arlington, VA 22205

Can you commit to knocking doors in February to make sure Virginia turns out for Bernie? Help us reach our goal. Follow link for details.

Tuesday FEB 18 6:30 PM 

Queer Caucus Happy Hour 

The Bronson Bierhall, 4100 Fairfax Dr #100, Arlington, VA 22203

Smashing the cis-hetero patriarchy is hard work! Come take a breather and have a few drinks with the Queer Socialists Caucus. Follow link for details.

 

Tuesday, FEB 18 6-7:30

Internationalism Working Group Meeting. 

 Mt. Pleasant Library 3160 16th St. NW Washington,  D.C. 20010

 

Thursday FEB 20  6:30 PM

Disability Justice Working Group

The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

Planning and organizing meeting. Follow link for details

 

Thursday FEB 20  7:00 PM

NOVA Branch DSA 🌹 Organizing Meeting

Thomas Jefferson Library, 7415 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042

Monthly NOVA DSA organizing and planning meeting. Follow link for details

 

Saturday FEB 22 12:30 PM

DSA for Bernie Canvass in Northern VA!

BERNIE NEEDS YOU – This canvass will be just TEN DAYS before Super Tuesday, and we need to do everything we can to make sure Virginia shows up for Bernie! Help us reach our goal of knocking 5,000 doors in Virginia during the month of February. 

 

FEB 22 - 23

Nevada Caucus Watch Party

Join us on February 22nd as we await the results of the Nevada Caucus! Make sure you’re surrounded by fellow socialists by coming to DSA’s Nevada Watch Party! at [TBD – sPACY lOUNGE/Penn Social] Follow link for details.

Tuesday FEB 25 7:00 PM

Steering Committee Meeting

Remote only meeting

Get Zoom info at Slack: # steering Follow link for details

 

Tuesday FEB 25 7:30 PM

DSA for Bernie 2/25 Debate Watch Party

Join us for the last Democratic debate of February! The SC primary will be right around the corner on the 29th, and Super Tuesday just after that. We always say the debates are ones not to miss, but this is REALLY one you do not want to miss.

Wednesday FEB 26 7:00 PM

Ecosocialist Caucus February Meeting

Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Neighborhood Library, 1630 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Please join us in the WTD meeting room from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm --Topics include next steps for our energy democracy and climate strike campaigns, as well as breakout sessions. Follow link for details.

 

Thursday, FEB 27, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Trumpism and All-American Nativism: Socialist Night School

Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library 4450 Wisconsin Ave NW · Washington, DC

It is often said that with the election of Donald Trump nativism was raised from the dead. But although his actions may often seem unprecedented, they are not as unusual as many people believe. Daniel Denvir, author of All-American Nativism: How the Bipartisan War on Immigrants Explains Politics as We Know It explains the long but often forgotten history that gave us Donald Trump. Follow link for details

 

Saturday FEB 29 12:30 PM

February 29 Get Out the Vote Canvass

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE to reach voters before Super Tuesday, and we need to do everything we can to make sure Virginia shows up for Bernie! Help us reach our goal of knocking 5,000 doors in Virginia by the end of February. We will be in canvassing in Virginia, location TBD Follow link for details

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INFO ACCESS 

PUBLICATIONS SCHEDULE: Updates for February will be sent Fridays, February 14 and 21, and the March issue of the Washington Socialist will be sent Friday, February 28 with an article deadline of Saturday, Feb. 23. Send article submissions to [email protected]
 

New article in this issue: On Being an Autistic Socialist 

“It is my hope that this starts a needed conversation within the Metro DC chapter, and that other comrades will feel comfortable talking about their own struggle, and how other comrades can best understand, and best accommodate.”

 FAQ

>How many newsletters, updates and articles have we published? Articles on what topics? Check our Index here.

>What does the MDC DSA local chapter do, week in and week out? See our working groups, caucuses and campaigns in the DMV here.

> What can I find out from MDC DSA Slack and how do I join?: Many of our campaigns, working groups and caucuses keep the conversation going between meetings on our MDC DSA Slack platform. If you are a DSA member in good standing and aren’t on our Slack you may not be getting the full picture about the rich array of activities suggested above in the chapter structure link. To get on Slack, use the email by which DSA knows you and request access from [email protected]

 

If you missed them -- articles published in the February Washington Socialist

Impeachment and the DC Statehood deficit

Maryland’s legislative high road — if taken

MD Dist. 5 contest: Then there were 2

The local’s history: the obligations of conscience

Friday FEB 7 Conversation with the Squad  12:00 – 3:00pm  Livestream link on event page  Rising Majority hosts live-streamed event between grassroots organizers and progressive politicians Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib — happening at Howard University (event attendance option below). This event will highlight the importance of fighting for an unapologetically progressive agenda in 2020 and a Voter strategy in 2020 and beyond. THE RISING MAJORITY coalition was formed in 2017 and includes over 50 organizations nationally. If you want to attend in person with ONE DC, send an email to [email protected] to RSVP.  You can register here to join the Viewing Party.

Saturday, FEB 8 — A NIGHT OF GO-GO WITH DC JWJ — 5-9 pm, Josephine Butler Center  2437 15th Street NW DC 20009 — fundraiser to pay for local activists’ travel to the National Jobs With Justice gathering in Atlanta, Georgia. Donation requested. Info: Sequnely Gray 202-674-2847 | [email protected]

Saturday FEB 8 Yellow Earth: An Evening with John Sayles  6:00 – 7:00pm  5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008  A reading, discussion and Q&A with author, screenwriter, actor and feature film director, John Sayles, about his new novel, set in economic and social conflict within indigenous peoples in fracking country, USA. RSVP here.

Saturday FEB 8, How To Reclaim Our Schools Organizing Training 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at CASA De Maryland, 8151 15th Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20783 Sign Up Now

Sunday FEB 9 February SURJ DC Orientation + Welcome Session 2pm – 4pm Cleveland Park Public Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC -- Hosted by SURJ-DC: https://www.facebook.com/events/542204989721291/ New to SURJ? Been getting our emails for a while and not sure of your next step? Join us for this 2-hour introductory event RSVP

Sunday FEB 9 Prince George’s County Environmental Forum  4:00 – 6:00pm  West Lanham Hills VFD, 8501 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706  Co-hosted by Greenbelt Climate Action Network, the Patuxent Riverkeeper and County Council member Tom Dernoga and focused on County legislation.  Groups joining us include Sierra Club, Anacostia Watershed Society, Laurel for the Patuxent, Climate Parents, College Park Committee for a Better Environment, Our Revolution/PG, opponents of the Brandywine power plants, and more. RSVP here.

Monday, FEB 10  Prosecuting Defenders of Sovereignty: A People’s Briefing  7 - 9 pm Tuesday, February 11 begins the trial of the four Venezuelan Embassy Protectors who were arrested last May, Kevin Zeese, Margaret Flowers, David Paul and Adrienne Pine, and an IPS People’s Briefing reviews the details of this case and the crucial campaign to defend The Embassy Protectors. Institute for Policy Studies 1301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 6th Floor Washington, DC 20036 + Google Map

Tuesday  FEB 11 - LCLAA membership meeting - 6 pm, IAM headquarters, 9000 Machinists place, Upper Marlboro, MD -- LCLAA is the Labor Committee for Latin American Advancement, the largest national organization for Latinx workers.  For further information contact Sonia Lozano at [email protected]. 

 

Wednesday  FEB 12 - Arlington Dems Labor Caucus - 6 pm This is an organizational meeting to launch an Arlington Dems Labor Caucus. Westover Library, 1644 N McKinley Rd  (on Washington Blvd.) Longfellow Room.

 

Wednesday FEB 12 "The Science Behind Drawdown Solutions On Renewable Energy" Greenbelt Climate Action Network  -- at Greenbelt Community Center, Room 114 Greenbelt, MD   https://www.facebook.com/events/1460589707429311/  -- presenter Vijay Parameshwaran is a scientist and Greenbelt resident who has worked on research in renewable energy for a decade. Learn about some of the scientific concepts behind renewable energy processes that apply to several of the drawdown solutions. They include photovoltaics, chemical energy storage and delivery, the electrical grid, nuclear, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric. -- a platform to discuss basic principles and how they tie into current trends, with plenty of Q&A.

Thursday FEB 13 ONE DC Right to Housing Committee Meeting 6-8 pm, ONE DC, 614 S St NW, Washington DC 20001Also Thursday FEB 20 -- Join the Right to Housing Committee every Thursday from 6 PM to 8 PM at our Shaw Office! Come together with other ONE DC members to discuss our tenant rights, and build power to fight displacement and gain community control of land and housing for low-wage, long-standing Washingtonians. Food, transportation, and childcare will be provided! Contact Patrick Gregoire ([email protected]) or 202-232-2915 for more information. See you then!

Saturday FEB 15 Our Revolution MoCo meets, 1-3 PM, Council Office Building in the Cafeteria, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850

Saturday  FEB 15  Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents  3 – 4:30pm  Sankofa Video, Books & Café, 2714 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 Book talk and signing with Editor and Senior Columnist at Black Agenda Report, Margaret Kimberley.

Tuesday FEB 18 MORE Network Community Meeting , 6-9 pm  Grace Episcopal Church, 1607 Grace Church Rd, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Hosted by MORE Network - Montgomery County Racial Equity Network and 3 others: Engage and connect via an overview and update on the Racial Equity and Social Justice bill/ Bill 27-19;  and plan next steps. https://www.facebook.com/events/202636414255374/

Monday FEB 24 Monthly Restaurant Worker Meeting  1:00pm – 3:00pm Restaurant Opportunities Center of Washington DC Hosted by ROC-DC: https://www.facebook.com/events/2483401995210664/  share stories & grievances, build solidarity and talk through how we can address the challenges of the restaurant industry and build our power.

 Friday  FEB 21st - NoVA Labor Airport Union Caucus - 2 pm Unions representing airport workers will meet to discuss issues of concern. At new ALPA headquarters:7950 Jones Branch Dr #400s, McLean, VA 

Monday FEB 24  2020 Mayoral Forum on Environment & Equity at 6pm at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church (2821 Reisterstown Rd). Hosted by Baltimore Blue Green Just, Charm City mayoral candidates and their visions regarding environmental and social justice issues in Baltimore. Moderators: local radio host Tom Hall and UMD associate dean Dr. Sheri Parks. Doors open at 5:30pm  register online

Tuesday  FEB 25th - NoVA Labor/Coalition to Repeal Right to Work with KRYSTAL BALL - 7 pm to 9 pm at Shirlington Busboys & Poets -- Krystal Ball is the noted tv host, political commentator, and author. A native of Virginia, she ran for Congress in 2010. She will discuss progressive movements in Virginia and nationwide. 

4251 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA. 

 

Saturday FEB 29 All Hands On Deck DC! Part 1 1-4 pm, 300 A St NE, Washington, DC 20002-5938 -- first of a multi-part event series aimed at educating, organizing and mobilizing to end mass incarceration and displacement. Hosted by LinkUp and Brookland Manor/Brentwood Village Residents Association:  RSVP at link.

SAVE THE DATE: Virginia Tribute to Labor Dinner will be on Friday May 15th at 6 pm at the Sheraton Tysons.  Here is the link to the sponsorship/ticket form: file:///Users/virginiadiamond/Downloads/2020%20Flier%20NoVA%20Labor%20Dinner%20%20(1).pdf

 

SAVE THE DATE: Jacobin editor Bhaskar Sunkara will speak at Shirlington Busboys & Poets on Tuesday March 24 at 7 pm for NoVA Labor/Coalition to Repeal RTW March monthly meeting.

 

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Baltimore progressives, Check in on the wide-ranging Baltimore Activist Alert calendar and tip sheet at http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/
 

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GOOD READS 

 

>>John le Carre, the British novelist, on the occasion of receiving the Olof Palme prize. “I want a Palme for my country, which in my lifetime hasn’t produced a single statesman of his stamp. I want him now. I’m not just a remainer. I’m a European through and through, and the rats have taken over the ship, I want to tell him. It’s breaking my heart and I want it to break yours.” https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/feb/01/john-le-carre-breaking-heart-brexit

 

>>Prof. Richard Wolff of “Democracy @ Work” outlines his cooperative perspective on socialism in Yes! Magazine, in a ten-point summary of his most recent book. https://www.yesmagazine.org/democracy/2020/01/30/socialism-understanding/

 

>>A PSL perspective on the Sanders campaign from its journal, Liberation News https://www.liberationnews.org/the-bernie-sanders-campaign-and-building-the-movement-for-socialism-in-the-us/

 

>> Bill Fletcher Jr., our local comrade (Prince George’s), explores a critical issue for now and for the future: “How Socialists Can Govern.” It’s in the latest issue of Dissent and also circulated by Portside. ““Governing power” is something altogether different [from “seizing state power”]—effectively, progressives or leftists winning political office within the context of a capitalist state." https://portside.org/2020-02-06/how-socialists-can-govern

>>From Yahoo News, a pretty thorough account of the plans of various youth-focused groups for climate action in the streets in 2020. Obviously a “developing story.” Circulated by the Popular Resistance aggregator. https://popularresistance.org/kids-are-taking-the-streets-climate-activists-plan-avalanche-of-events-as-2020-election-looms/