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This week in MoCo DSA
Hello!

News in MoCo has been relatively quiet this week, so our newsletter is on the shorter side. Read on for more.

DSACon2019 - DSA's biennial national convention was held this past weekend, and MoCo DSA members were present to represent our branch as part of the Metro D.C. chapter!

Convention delegates voted, among other things, to endorse a Green New Deal and open borders for the United States ([link removed]) , and enjoyed an address from Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International President Sarah Nelson (whose union almost single-handedly ended the U.S. government shutdown earlier this year). Nelson's speech is not yet available, but interested comrades can check out her address ([link removed]) at Chicago DSA's annual Eugene Debs-Lucy Gonzalez Parsons-A. Philip Randolph Dinner earlier this year.

The national convention also voted to endorse a set of housing justice resolutions that enjoyed support from multiple caucuses. Metro D.C. DSA member Allison G. has an insightful essay ([link removed]) describing the passage of these resolutions. Well worth the read, considering Montgomery County continues to struggle with housing justice issues.

Bethesda's BBQ Becky - You may have heard of the "BBQ Becky" phenomenon, in which innocent African-American families are targeted for police harassment by unaffected-yet-intrusive white people who seek to harass anyone who isn't white in a public space. Unfortunately, MoCo has joined the list of communities with a "BBQ Becky." The Silver Spring Justice Coalition ([link removed]) has reported ([link removed]) that County police were called against a condo resident enjoying a day at the condo's pool with their friends and family. County police harassed the party multiple times, up to and including demanding the resident present the condo bylaws to prove they had the right to use the pool. Racist harassment in Montgomery County continues.

This Weekend's Shootings - This past weekend also saw yet more horrific acts of domestic terrorism from reactionary white supremacists energized by the Trump regime. El Chuco del Norte DSA has issued a statement ([link removed]) on the El Paso attack, and Dayton/Miami Vally DSA has issued a statement ([link removed]) on the Dayton attack.

Upcoming DSA events:
Wednesday, August 14 at 7:00 PM: Socialist Night School - Prison and Police Abolition
Join Montgomery County DSA and MDC DSA's Socialist Night School for a discussion on the politics of police and prison abolition, situated in the context of our community and the larger region. At Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center. Details here ([link removed]) , including suggested readings.

Thursday, August 15 at 6:30 PM: Migrant Justice Action - Stand Up to Deportation Profiteers
From the organizers: As ICE detains and deports immigrants, they are helped by for-profit companies. These profiteers allow ICE to function by operating detention centers, making electronic ankle bracelets, building lists of undocumented immigrants, and more. Join MDC DSA as we expose another profiteer on August 15th! We will be providing the location and time as we get closer to the date of the action. Further details here ([link removed]) .

Wednesday, August 21 at 6:30 PM: Queer Caucus Happy Hour at Silver Branch Brewing Company
Our chapter's Queer Caucus will have its August happy hour at the Silver Branch Brewing Company in downtown Silver Spring. All LGBTQIA+ comrades, allies & accomplices are welcome! Details here. ([link removed])

Don't forget to check out the Metro DC DSA Meetup Events page ([link removed]) to find many DSA events throughout the Washington Metro region!

Upcoming community events:
Thursday, Aug. 8 at 7:00 PM: Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC) Lecture Series
This set of lectures and discussions will be held at the "Plans to Prosper You" exhibit ([link removed]) at the American University Katzen Arts Center Museum. BAAC is fighting to stop the desecration of the Moses African Cemetery. August 8 is the final lecture and will feature music.
Also, check out this great article ([link removed]) about the exhibit and the history it explores from the Washington Post.

September 20-27: Global Climate Strikes
From the organizers: This September, millions of us will walk out of our workplaces and homes to join young climate strikers on the streets and demand an end to the age of fossil fuels. Our house is on fire — let’s act like it. We demand climate justice for everyone. Details here. ([link removed])

Good Reads:
From The Atlantic: "Why Millennial Socialists Aren't Into Elizabeth Warren" ([link removed]) by Elaine Godfrey. Several of our comrades from Metro D.C. DSA are quoted in this article! An insightful piece about socialist views on the respective strengths and weaknesses of Senators Sanders and Warren.

From Naked Capitalism: "Private Equity: The Perps Behind Destructive Hopsital Surpirse Billing" ([link removed]) by Yves Smith. "I have to confess to having missed how private equity is a central bad actor in the 'surprise billing' scam that is being targeted by Federal and state legislation. This abuse takes place when hospital patients, even when using a hospital that is in their insurer’s network, are hit with charges for 'out of network' services that are billed at inflated rack rates. Even patients who have done everything they can to avoid being snared, like insisting their hospital use only in-network doctors for a surgery and even getting their identities in advance to assure compliance, get caught. The hospital is in charge of scheduling and can and will swap in out-of-network practitioners at the last minute."

From BuzzFeed News: "More Than 100 Immigrants Were Pepper-Sprayed At An ICE Facility" ([link removed]) by Hamed Aleaziz. "We cannot have an uprising period." Truly chilling.

From Jacobin: "They're Not Moving Until We Get Paid." ([link removed]) Sarah Lazare interviews Josh Holbrook. "Harlan County miners are blocking trains full of coal until they get their back pay. One miner explains what's at stake and whether miners like him would support the 'just transition' proposed in the Green New Deal."

In solidarity,
Frank, David, Elissa, John, Lily and Zach
MoCo DSA Steering Committee

Follow us on Twitter: @MoCo_DSA ([link removed])
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DSAMoCo
{MoCo DSA is a branch of the Metro DC chapter of DSA}

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