Hello Comrades!
Welcome to your latest update on the Phoenix DSA! We have events, actions and much more in store for members and neighbors in the month of June. So let’s jump right in:
THIS WEEK: JUNE CHAPTER MEETING - TEAMSTER Q&A!
This Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 1:00pm until 3:00pm, please join Phoenix DSA for our monthly regular meeting! You can RSVP HERE!
Aside from our usual updates from committees and votes on any resolutions submitted by members, we also have an exciting guest attending to speak with our chapter!
Jesse Dreyer is a member of Teamsters Local 162, a Portland DSA co-chair, and a former UPS worker. His work with the Teamsters and the Portland DSA Labor Committee, plus his experience in DSA leadership, make him an amazing source of insight for growing chapters and union organizers alike. For more information about Jesse and his ideas, members can read this article that he published last year!
We’re certainly looking forward to our discussion with Jesse, and we hope to see you there! We will also cover any regular chapter business, so please RSVP to make your voice heard!
PHX DSA IS STRIKE READY!
When DSA National announced a campaign in support of UPS Teamsters, our chapter was among the first to sign the Strike Ready Pledge. Now, as the union votes to authorize a strike, we’re continuing our important work.
On June 24, from 3:00pm until 5:00pm, Phoenix DSA will be holding a Strike Ready Rally to raise money for the DSA Labor Solidarity Fund at Tempe's Westside Multi-Generational Center. We'll be in the large multi-purpose room (the senior center) raffling off prizes, enjoying refreshments, and socializing with socialists! Attendance is completely free and attendees will receive Strike Ready Pledge cards!
If you are available, please join us to support Teamster comrades (RSVP HERE)!
Additionally, we’re holding weekly virtual phonebanking sessions on Thursdays from 6:00pm - 7:30pm. To attend and support workers rights by rallying DSA members to support the Strike Ready campaign, please join us at the following zoom link on Thursday evenings:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89606158921?pwd=OWxUYzF6RnIvWGFpT056SHM4cjdnUT09
(Please check the chapter slack for the zoom passcode or reach out to [email protected])
The potential scope of this Teamster action is certainly historic, and as a chapter, we hope to support strike efforts from unions of all sizes. So we enthusiastically encourage everyone with interest in workplace organizing, worker rights, and labor unions to get involved. This is an excellent opportunity for us to develop the collective knowledge and individual skills that will empower our future efforts.
If you want to support Phoenix DSA’s labor efforts but can’t attend in-person events, there are still options. To show your support you can donate to Phoenix DSA at this link, you can reach out to [email protected], you can join our chapter slack to get in touch with our Labor Committee Chair, Comrade Nia Amazeen, or you can attend a regular monthly meeting to learn more about joining the DSA and organizing for worker rights within our chapter.
REALLY, REALLY FREE MARKET
On Sunday, June 25, 2023, from 8:00am to 10:00am at Daly Park in Tempe, please join Phoenix DSA’s Mutual Aid Committee to support the Really, Really Free Market (“RRFM”). In order to show our official support, several comrades from our Chapter will be in attendance, providing refreshments, purchasing needed supplies, and volunteering time and resources to support our local communities.
For over two years, RRFM has gathered and provided fresh produce, frozen and canned foods, diapers, baby food, toys, clothes, and so much more to local residents. Last month, at our yearly General Meeting, the chapter overwhelmingly voted to support this effort with chapter funds and official support, but we still need your help. Basic goods cost more today than they have in years. New parents are often hit the hardest, as diapers and formula are often snatched up by stockpiling hoarders shamelessly generating artificial scarcity for profit.
With that in mind, the chapter has earmarked $1200 to support RRFM over the next 12 months, and we’re asking for your support as well. If you can volunteer your time and efforts please consider attending. Our Mutual Aid Committee Chair, Comrade Dillon Dugan, has put many hours of hard work into sustaining and supporting RRFM. Anything that we can do to empower his work will go a long way.
If you can’t attend or you can’t volunteer to stay the whole time, please consider donating. If you are able to provide supplies but you want advice on what to bring, know that diapers, baby formula, and other items for new parents are always in high demand.
In addition, if you are financially able, we ask that you please make a donation to support Phoenix DSA’s mutual aid work.
Secondhand items are accepted, but be conscious that not everything will be taken, and Comrade Dillon Dugan has to store all the remaining items. PLEASE, do not treat RRFM like a dump.
But this isn’t just a chance to give back. Mutual Aid is about community support - giving what you can and taking what you need. This isn’t charity. If you find something that you need at the Really, Really Free Market, then you can have it. No charge, no catch.
If you want to support Phoenix DSA’s mutual aid efforts but can’t attend in-person events, there are other ways to get involved. To show your support you can donate to the Phoenix DSA at this link, you can reach out to [email protected], you can join our chapter slack to get in touch with our Mutual Aid Committee Chair, Comrade Dillon, or you can attend a regular monthly meeting to learn more about joining the DSA and organizing for worker rights within our chapter.
If you’ve made it to the end, congratulations! Your reward is the gift of knowledge!
But seriously, organizing for socialist policies in a "purple" state like Arizona can be exhausting. Burnout is real, and isolation only makes it worse. So if you're unionizing your workplace, writing ballot initiatives, preparing to run for office, supporting mutual aid efforts, or fighting for a socialist future, we have space for you. You are not alone!
If you have questions, comments, or ideas, please reach out to us at [email protected]. We're happy to help neighbors in need, and we're always excited to meet new comrades!
If you aren't a member, but you want to get involved, then JOIN THE DSA TODAY! Let us know that it's official by forwarding your welcome email to [email protected] once it arrives. We look forward to working together!
If you want to get involved but you’re not sure where to start, check out our calendar or send us an email or a DM. Be sure to check back regularly! We have new events in the works.
Finally, our work isn’t possible without your support. Local DSA chapters receive a small portion of member dues from DSA national, but the majority of our support comes through donations from members and allies. If you are able, please make a donation to support the Phoenix DSA’s work.
We hope to see you all at our Chapter Meeting, our Strike Ready Fundraiser, and Really, Really Free Market! But in the meantime, have a great month and solidarity forever!
Quote of the day:
"In a democratic socialist society, it's the many, not the few, who have control. It's about giving power back to the people."
- Michael Parenti: The Culture Struggle (2006)
