Spies and US Imperialism Walking Tour next weekend; Carceral DC Crimnibus legislation advanced through public safety committee; Socialists march on Washington and continue to organize for a free Palestine and more ...
Metro DC DSA to lead Spies and US Imperialism Walking Tour on Saturday, January 27 at 1pm
The American empire is fraying. Learn about its appendages, operations, schemers and weirdos at Metro DC DSA’s Spies and US Imperialism Walking Tour, taking place next Saturday, January 27th at 1pm. Sign up here.
The tour will explore three sites (including two about to be demolished) connected to how imperialism and spycraft have shaped the landscape and architecture of the region over the past century — specifically, how global reactionary networks were forged in Rosslyn and Langley by the Reagan CIA, how the “Watergate Scandal” reflected larger systems of repression against the Left, and the history behind why the region is a hub for the internet’s infrastructure.
Walking tours are great ways to learn about socialism, bring friends to DSA events, plan events and get connected to local organizing. Hot chocolate and hand warmers (and more) will be provided — readers should sign up in advance for weather updates and to volunteer at the tour. The tour group will be meeting at the center of Gateway Park in Rosslyn, Virginia (1300 Langston Blvd, VA 22209) and will be followed by a happy hour at the Continental Pool Lounge in Arlington.
Carceral DC "Crimnibus" legislation advanced through public safety committee
Last year, Mayor Bowser and Councilmember Pinto introduced numerous pieces of legislation that harken back to the racist 1994 federal crime bill and double down on policing methods while drawing back common-sense oversight of MPD. Now, Pinto and the mayor have combined these bills into the Secure DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024, or “the crimnibus.” The DC Council Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety unanimously voted to advance the bill on Wednesday, although Councilmembers Allen (Ward 6), Henderson (At-large, up for reelection this year) and Bonds (At-large) expressing reservations about police accountability and unconstitutional drug-free zones outlined in the legislation. (Further context: A reform effort last year would have clarified DC’s criminal codes and drawn back excessive and out-of-date carceral policies in the District, but was overturned by Congress in an affront to DC autonomy.)
Civil rights activists have been organizing at the Wilson Building to draw back this new legislation. The DC ACLU released a statement two weeks ago that outlined the misguided policies employed in this legislation, which you can read on their website. Stop Police Terror Project DC also released an analysis describing the legislation's failure to address actual causes of violence. District residents upset by this legislation are encouraged to send an email to their Councilmembers — residents can use this form to message the Council.
Metro DC DSA’s abolition working group is continuing to monitor the legislation and identify ways to protect the policing reforms won from the 2020 uprisings. At 1pm this Saturday, the working group will hold a retreat to strategize for the upcoming year at the Shaw Library. The retreat will also include planning and discussion on anti-carceral efforts in Montgomery County and Northern Virginia. Socialists or allies interested in coordinating with these efforts are invited to attend — sign up here.
Stomp Out Slumlords to resume anti-eviction canvassing on Saturday, January 20 at 1:30pm
Metro DC DSA’s tenant organizing project, Stomp Out Slumlords, will resume its DC canvassing operations on Saturday, January 20th. SOS canvassers will take to downtown DC to inform tenants facing eviction of their rights in court, how to get a lawyer, and solicit interest in organizing their building. Tenants spoken to are twice as likely to go to court and fight their eviction, so every volunteer makes a big impact.
SOS will meet at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station on the D street exit between 6th and 7th above the escalators (if the weather is bad, the group will meet downstairs just before the turnstiles). At 1:30pm the team will conduct a short training to explain why these canvasses are necessary, how to talk to tenants about their upcoming eviction suits, and how to fill in walk-sheets. Members new and old, or readers interested in joining this effort, are invited to join. After the canvass, we’ll meet at Sonny’s in Park View to debrief and socialize.
If you’re interested in getting involved in Stomp Out Slumlords’ regional tenant organizing, but can’t canvass, reach out to [email protected] to learn about other ways to get involved.
BRIEFS
Last call for Political Engagement Committee endorsements
The Political Engagement Committee, which oversees Metro DC DSA’s electoral organizing and legislative advocacy work, is seeking new members for 2024. The PEC works to ensure the chapter’s endorsement process runs smoothly, coordinate electoral canvasses and fundraisers and maintain relationships with socialist electeds in the DMV. The five-person body must have three current Steering members (including branch delegates and the YDSA delegate) as well as at least one member who resides in DC, MD and VA. The Steering Committee will consider applications and intends to vote on the new PEC members at their January 30 meeting. Those interested should reach out to [email protected] with questions, ask in#steering on Slack, or message Bakari W about the process. Apply by January 24 at 11:59pm ET using this form.
Masses march on Washington for a ceasefire and free Palestine
Metro DC DSA members joined fellow socialists from nation-spanning DSA chapters and tens of thousands of protestors (organizers estimated 400,000) at a march on Washington on Saturday, January 13. The demands were clear: a full, permanent and immediate ceasefire, an end to US military funding for Israel, and a free Palestine.
Gaza health authorities have reported that Israeli attacks have killed over 24,000 Gazans as of January 16th. In its warpath, Israel has nearly destroyed all potential for civil life in Gaza — all of Gaza’s universities have been destroyed and there are no fully functioning hospitals left remaining in the city (the World Health Organization recently reported that only 15 remain functional with only limited services). Reports of mass casualty, hunger and disease are reported and readily accessible through both social and official media outlets, although Israeli political leadership continues to deny accusations of genocide. The Biden administration has continued to publicly and militarily support the fascist Netanyahu regime, although the position is untenable — the administration has shed staff and morale as Biden’s public approval continues to dissolve.
As the occupation and genocide continues, masses are doing their part to confront this crisis at home. If you’d like to get involved in DSA’s operations, join a No Money For Massacres Solidarity Phonebank, being led by New York City DSA, to apply strategic pressure to members of Congress. If you are not a DSA member, also consider joining today. To stop the military industrial complex and its agents of empire, a mass member base capable of executing coordinated political pressure will be one of the few ways to change political reality.
National DSA kicking off Trans Rights and Bodily Autonomy campaign on February 3rd
At last year’s national convention, DSA made a national Trans Rights and Bodily Autonomy campaign a key national priority. Many chapters have begun the work of organizing their own Trans Rights/Abortion campaigns, and we have seen incredible results blossom from these efforts (shoutout to comrades in Ohio, Kentucky, Montana and elsewhere). The campaign will officially kick-off with a national online rally on February 3, and DSA will stage a National Day of Action on March 31, National Trans Day of Visibility — follow the link to sign up. Campaign leaders plan to rally throughout the year for local and national demands for trans and reproductive rights, and are beginning to map chapters now.
Montgomery County DSA sets off on rent control wheatpasting expedition this weekend; additional branch updates
On Saturday, January 20th, the Montgomery County DSA branch will be wheatpasting posters with information about Montgomery County’s new rent stabilization law in Wheaton. Montgomery County supporters of rent control are invited to join, and can RSVP at this link. The expedition will be meeting at Wheaton Veteran’s Urban Park, next to the Wheaton Metro. Community outreach to tenants is vital for ensuring tenants know their rights under the new DSA-backed rent control legislation. RSVP to join the wheatpasting expedition here.
The branch will also be hosting a game night tonight, Friday, January 19th, at 7pm. Members new and old are invited to RSVP here to receive the full information.
The Montgomery County branch has scheduled its next general body meeting for Sunday, February 4 at 2pm. This meeting will be hybrid, with the in-person component at the Silver Spring Library. During this meeting, candidates for the branch steering committee will have the opportunity to share why they are running for branch steering.
Email [email protected] or post in #montgomery-county on Slack to get in contact with the branch steering elections committee and to learn more about the Steering Committee before deciding to run. RSVP here.
Join the chapter’s Training Commission — info session to take place on Monday, February 12 at 7pm
All DSA members are invited to apply to join the chapter’s Training Commission, which is responsible for planning and holding chapter-wide training programs. The Training Commission is looking for three stewards and additional members to build the skills of Metro DC DSA members to organize for a socialist world. The Training Commission hosted the Nuts and Bolts and Organizer Trainings last year and will expand its offerings next year — but it needs people with sufficient interest, skill and vision to plan and hold trainings in 2024. Please apply if that’s you. There’s an online information session at 7pm on Monday, February 12 and applications are due at 11:59pm on Monday, February 19. Apply and sign up for the February 12 information session at this link.
Socialist Training Series: The Power of 1 on 1 Conversations — Tuesday, January 30 at 7pm
Metro DC DSA members are invited to attend a special online training on 1 on 1 Conversations at Petworth Library on Tuesday, January 30th at 7pm — sign up here. The training is intended to assist anyone in Metro DC DSA’s campaigns with conversing with the public, helping anyone talk 1 on 1 with family and friends who aren’t socialists about socialist values, and go through principles of effective conversations you’ll need at canvasses and legislative campaigns. This training will include active discussion participation, real-life scenarios, and simple exercises designed to improve your conversational skills — exploring types of relationships, effective conversation techniques, making an ask and maintaining engagement. Sign up now and note the training will be in-person.
Spring 2024 socialist reading group sign-ups now open
Sign-ups are now open for Spring 2024 reading groups
through Metro DC DSA. These reading groups are a great way to meet new
people, learn core works connected to socialism, build our capacity to
learn and debate ideas and get connected to political education in the
chapter. Spring reading groups include: cultural readings in Late
Capitalism, a group reading through Marx’s Capital Vol. 1, Liberation Theology, the Radical Climate Fiction group reading Parable of the Sower, the If We Burn
group reading about 2010s social movements, a group covering two key
works related to The Nonprofit Industrial Complex, the Palestinian
Liberation Film and Reading Group alternating films with readings, and
groups sponsored by formations such as the Socialist Feminist section,
the Migrant Justice working group and Public Power (We Power DC). Most
groups will meet online but with regular in-person social meet-ups to
build group camaraderie.
Metro DC DSA Political Education working group planning Street Team info session — Saturday, February 3 at 2:30pm
Build power in the DMV and join the Metro DC DSA Street Team by attending a hybrid info session at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, February 3 from 2:30 to 5pm. This event is for anyone interested in getting active in the chapter’s newly formed Street Team, organized by the Metro DC DSA Political Education Working Group. The Street Team’s intention is to host and attend community events and to connect Metro DC DSA and its campaigns with the community in the DMV in order to expand the chapter’s base and build a more democratic society. This hybrid session will share basic information about the chapter, the set up of the Metro DC DSA Street Team and ways to contribute to Metro DC DSA. While this is a hybrid event, all are encouraged to attend in person on the fourth floor of the MLK Memorial Library, 901 G St NW, Washington, DC, room 401-E. RSVP here.
Longtime DSA National Director Maria Svart to step down mid-February
At the DSA National Political Committee meeting that took place on January 14th, it was announced that longtime National Director Maria Svart will be stepping down from her role. Maria served as national director for the organization for over a decade, seeing the organization grow from a few thousand members into a mass membership organization. Read Comrade Svart’s letter to the membership here.
The DSA’s National Political Committee (DSA’s convention-elected leadership) also appointed NPC members Cara Tobe (Louisville DSA) and John Lewis (New Orleans) as Secretary and Treasurer of the NPC.
INFO ACCESS
MDC DSA Publications Schedule:Washington Socialist is now publishing on a quarterly schedule. Updates to the current edition will be published on a rolling basis over the next two months. Anyone interested in contributing to the Washington Socialist can email [email protected].
Would you like to participate in MDC DSA’s publications? We write, we edit, we design, we do the tech — there are so many ways your hand could lighten the load in 2024 and beyond. Check us out on #publications and let us know what you would like to write, or write about, or …? If you would like to see something included in the Update, submit your suggestions to the tip line.
DSA Feed, an RSS feed that aggregates multiple DSA publications — including our own Washington Socialist — in one convenient place. More from the National Tech Committee here.
Makers Market | Atlas Brew Works Need an escape from the cold weather, football season, your own apartment? Head over to Atlas Brew Works (2052 West Virginia Ave NE #102) tomorrow, January 20 and check out the Makers Market! This recurring market features an eclectic mix of DC’s best makers and creators, which you can peruse while enjoying local beverages, eats from The Burger Shop DMV, and staying warm and cozy away from the wintry weather. Vendors will be selling from 1 to 7pm. This event is free to attend, no RSVP required.
Pass the Child Tax Credit Testimony Prep | Serve Your City & DC Guaranteed Income Coalition The final Child Tax Credit Testimony Preparation workshop from Serve Your City and DCGIC will take place virtually on Monday, January 22 at 11am. Click here to register for the January 22 session.
New Prince George’s Location | Capital Area Food Bank Curbside Groceries The Capital Area Food Bank Curbside Groceries initiative has a new location at Ebenezer Church of God (7550 Buchanan Street) in Landover Hills, MD for community grocery needs. Curbside groceries at this location are available every Saturday from 8:30-10am. Cash, credit/debit and EBT/SNAP are accepted.
Winterizing Tents + Support Needed | Remora House Help out your unhoused neighbors during this extreme weather by making a donation to Remora House, a local mutual aid organization providing direct support to unhoused encampments and individuals. Propane heaters and other winter gear is in high demand, you can help with the purchase of these items by donating or purchasing wish list items here (see linkinbio). Remora House has also updated their list of tips for winterizing tents here.
GOOD READS / ESSENTIAL TRAFFIC
The Military-Industrial Complex Is the Winner (Not You) – Overspending on the Pentagon Is Stealing Our Future There was one clear winner in this avalanche [in Ukraine, Gaza, East Africa and elsewhere] of violence, suffering, and war: the U.S. military-industrial complex. Bill Hartung writes in TomDispatch via Portside
There’s a growing push to develop social housing in DC
“These trends – burdensome housing costs and the planned obsolescence of public housing chief among them – have prompted a growing chorus of leftists to urge lawmakers to reimagine what communities look like and how they’re developed. In short, they’ve started a push for social housing.”
An ecosocialist strategy to make 1.5° possible
“The critical political tipping point we must fight to reach before climate tipping points kick in can only come with creating a global movement uniting the broadest coalition possible to defeat fossil capital and its political instruments, one led by the working class and its allies, notably indigenous communities around the world, a coalition which includes sections of capital, so-called green capital, while vigorously confronting the latter’s agenda of extractivism.” From the webpub Climate and Capitalism, by our comrade David Schwartzman.
Meanwhile, if Maryland is such a deep Blue state, why does the supermajority Dem trifecta show a Red-state aversion to tax increases? Moore promises no tax hikes, trims money for state programs in a ‘refocus’ –“Governor’s budget invests in child care, job training, affordable housing but pares back scores of [spending programs] his administration deemed ineffective” (WaPo). The Maryland Center on Economic Policy has a different banner: Fair Tax Reform Is Key to Meeting Marylanders’ Needs. And they have details.
At MLK Conference, Unionists Strategize to Organize the South
“Unionists at the AFL-CIO’s annual Martin Luther King conference, held January 12-14 in Montgomery, Ala., tackled what one panelist called a decades-long problem for the labor movement: Organizing the South.”
The flame of thought, the magnificence of art, the wonder of discovery, and the audacity of invention all belong to revolutionary periods when humanity, tired of its chains, shatters them and stops inebriated to breathe the breeze of a vast and free horizon.
- Virgilia D'Andrea
Sent via ActionNetwork.org.
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