Metro DC DSA Weekly Update for Friday, August 9, 2019


** What's On This Week
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Comrade, The weekend: Saturday morning a Migrant Justice Action: Art Build II ([link removed]) preparing for an Aug. 15 action; in the afternoon a Stomp Out Slumlords: Anti-Eviction Canvass ([link removed]) and then Sunday afternoon at 3 the Metro DC DSA Monthly General Body Meeting ([link removed]) at Friends Meeting of Washington - 2111 Florida Ave. NW with a focus on Rent Control ([link removed]) and reports and discussions from the Atlanta convention– here is a draft agenda ([link removed]) , subject to change of course. Click on the links or see the MDC DSA calendar below for details.
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Good Reads (below) are loaded with accounts from friends, frenemies and more about our just-adjourned 2019 Convention in Atlanta, so check them out.
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In the news: MDC DSA comrade Sam N reports in national DSA Labor Activists ([link removed]) on responses to the massive ICE raids on Mississippi chicken processing plants, noting they were “plants owned by Koch Foods (no relation), AND where workers had organized and won ([link removed]) discrimination lawsuits.
“The Southeast Immigrant Rights Network is helping to coordinate a response. They have asked for groups who want to help to fill out this form with what you can offer: [link removed] . What we know from the TN raids last year is that immediately it will be helpful if you can plug Spanish speakers into the hotline to help return calls and collect initial legal intake information (can be done from anywhere). It would also be helpful if you can ask around for attorneys that can help pro-bono.”
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Curious about Metro DC DSA? MDC DSA’s website has expanded resources on our chapter Campaigns, WGs and Caucuses – check it out here ([link removed]) . Is your campaign, caucus or working group properly represented? Contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , attn: web managers .
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MDC DSA Publications Schedule for August: Friday Updates will appear on August 16 and 23 and the Labor Day issue of the Washington Socialist will appear Friday, August 30 with an article deadline of Sunday, August 25.

Our activism gains support when it is explained in a socialist context and voice, so submit your contribution to our ongoing narrative here (mailto:[email protected]) . “Pessimism of the intellect and optimism of the will,” to use Gramsci’s formulation, are best explicated as a paired mental activity in – what else – the written word. Get busy...

Opinion pieces, campaign updates, coverage of rallies, socialist illustrations or photo essays – all are welcome and valued. Check our submission guidelines ([link removed]) , and mind the deadlines.

Thinking about writing an article but wondering if the subject has been covered here, and how recently? You can find out in the Index for 2016-18 ([link removed]) . The 2012-2015 issues are collected in per-month PDFs; look at the Archive section on the right of the mdcdsa.org website’s Washington Socialist page ([link removed]) . And web warriors can start with us about keeping the mdcdsa.org site fresh and up to date. It’s all of a piece, comrades.
Yours in solidarity,
The Publications Working Group
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** MDC DSA Events for August-September
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Follow links for details
Saturday AUG 10 10:00 AM
Migrant Justice Action: Art Build II ([link removed])
501 3rd St NW, 501 3rd St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Come make posters and props for our next deportation profiteer action! MDC DSA will provide poster board, markers, paint, and snacks. Bring your best anti-ICE slogans! Follow link for details.

Saturday AUG 10 1:30 PM
Stomp Out Slumlords: Anti-Eviction Canvass ([link removed])
L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station, 600 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
Come help us connect tenants facing eviction with legal resources! Tenants we speak to are twice as likely to go to court and fight their eviction, so every volunteer can make a big impact. We’re meeting at the L’Enfant metro — 7th St and Maryland Ave Exit. If you’ve never canvassed before, Follow link for details.

Sunday AUG 11 3:00 PM
Metro DC DSA Monthly General Body Meeting ([link removed])
Friends Meeting of Washington, 2111 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, DC
The monthly meeting of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America! The focus this month is Rent Control ([link removed]) . The agenda will be distributed the week before the meeting.

Tuesday AUG 13 7:00 PM
NOVA Branch DSA 🌹 Organizing Meeting ([link removed])
Westover Branch Library, 1644 N McKinley Rd #3, Arlington, VA 22205
Welcome to our monthly NOVA DSA organizing and planning meeting. Please take a minute to read our short, brief, not very long, sort-of-illustrated NOVA DSA Socialist Meeting Participation Guidelines ([link removed]) . We will be welcoming new members and continue discussing planning for our current actions and campaigns including support for DSA candidates in Virginia Elections and more. Follow link for details.

Wednesday AUG 14 7:00 PM
Prison and Police Abolition – Socialist Night School comes to MoCo! ([link removed])
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Ln # 100, Bethesda, MD 20814
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. The first session will be led by Metro DC DSA Socialist Night School co-organizer David Kaib. Follow link for details.

Wednesday AUG 14 7:00 PM
“Health Justice Now,” book event by Tim Faust ([link removed])
Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Author Timothy Faust will be in DC to discuss his new book, “Health Justice Now” at Politics and Prose. Book description and author bio below. —In Health Justice Now, Timothy Faust explains what single payer is, why we don’t yet have it, and how it can be won. Follow link for details.

Thursday AUG 15 6:30 PM
Migrant Justice Action: Stand Up to Deportation Profiteers ([link removed])
TBA
As ICE detains and deports immigrants every day, they are helped by for-profit companies. These profiteers allow ICE to function by providing key services: operating detention centers, making electronic ankle bracelets, building lists of undocumented immigrants, and more. The executives of these companies make millions for destroying lives in our community. Follow link for details.

Saturday AUG 17 1:00 PM
Images of Social and Political Struggle at the National Portrait Gallery ([link removed])
Gallery Place Metro, 8th and F St NW, Washington, dc 20004
Beat the August heat with veteran DSA member and Washington Socialist museum correspondent Bill Mosley for a tour of artworks highlighting struggles for justice at these two Smithsonian museums. See the bust of Eugene Debs and other important figures of the left; paintings by labor artist Ralph Fasanella; works by important woman artists and artists and more. Follow link for details

Wednesday AUG 21 6:30 PM
Queer Caucus Happy Hour in MoCo 🌹 ([link removed])
Silver Branch Brewing Company, 8401 Colesville Rd #150, Silver Spring, MD 20910
The Queer Caucus (all LGBTQIA+ comrades and our allies/accomplices are welcome!) will be having our August happy hour at the Silver Branch Brewing Company in downtown Silver Spring ! The brewery is in the Silver Spring Metro Plaza Center building, across the street from the Silver Spring metro. The ADA-accessible entrance is on 2nd Ave, Follow link for details.

Wednesday AUG 21 7:00 PM
Steering Committee ([link removed])
Institute for Policy Studies, 1301 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20036
Steering Committee meetings are open to any MDC DSA member who would like to attend. Please RSVP and message the hosts if you would like to join by videoconference so we can make arrangements to get you the appropriate URL. Follow link for details.

Sunday AUG 25 4:00 PM
Socialist Feminism Reading Group 🌹 ([link removed])
The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20009
Please read our reading group Participation Guide ([link removed]) () and join us as we explore and discuss topics within Socialist Feminism. 🌹 This month, our readings are collaborative; suggest some here ([link removed]) . Follow link for details.

Thursday AUG 29 6:30 PM
DSA Happy Hour ([link removed])
The Midlands Beer Garden, 3333 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
Join us for our monthly happy hour! This is a great chance to meet and mingle with fellow comrades. No agenda, no work, and no politics… well, maybe a little politics. Happy hours, like most MDC DSA events, are open to members and non-members alike! Come join us in an informal setting to learn more Follow link for details.

Thursday AUG 29 6:00 PM
Disability Justice Working Group Meeting ([link removed])
The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
Join Metro DC DSA Disability Justice Working Group for our monthly meeting. Learn how to get involved in the various campaigns to empower and liberate the disabled community from the oppressive capitalist system. We meet on the first floor of the ADA-compliant Festival Center. ASL interpretation will be provided on request. Follow link for details.

SEPTEMBER

Wednesday SEP 4 7:00 PM
Steering Committee (remote only) ([link removed])
Steering Committee meetings are open to any MDC DSA member who would like to attend. You can find the Zoom link in the #steering channel in the chapter’s Slack. Follow link for details.

Sunday SEP 8 3:00 PM
Metro DC DSA Monthly General Body Meeting ([link removed])
Friends Meeting of Washington, 2111 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, DC
The monthly meeting of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America! The agenda will be distributed the week before the meeting.


** Events from Our Allies in the DMV
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Follow links for details
WED Aug 14 Book Talk: Tim Faust ([link removed]) discusses Health Justice Now: Single Payer and What Comes Next 7 PM at Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave DC 2008. Faust “lays out five clear, feasible steps we can take to achieve this goal.” Free, RSVP at link. See a review of Faust’s book ([link removed]) in Democratic Left.

THURS August 15 The Many Exciting Ways to Wage Peace: A Training In Tools ([link removed]) 6-8 PM Institute for Policy Studies, 1301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 6th Floor Washington, DC 20036 + Google Map ([link removed]) A unique interactive session on how movements for justice have successfully applied media other than speech successfully in actions against racism, xenophobia, fascism and sexism. Find out more » ([link removed])

THU Aug 15, 2019 Monthly Legal Clinics for Restaurant Workers ([link removed]) ! 1 – 5 PM 1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009. Hosted by Restaurant Opportunities Center of Washington DC (ROC-DC): RSVP HERE ([link removed]) : calendly.com/roc-dc/legal-clinic ([link removed]) . Do you have questions regarding your legal rights in the workplace?

SAT Aug 17 Deep Canvass with SURJ ([link removed]) 11 AM-5 PM Hosted by SURJ NoVa RSVP ([link removed]) Deep canvassing is a long-term, research-based strategy that SURJ is using to invite our neighbors to re-think their support for systemic white supremacy. Info at link or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

SAT August 17 M4A comes to Prince George’s with a Medicare For All Town Hall ([link removed]) -- 2 PM – 4 PM Mt. Ennon Baptist Church 9832 Piscataway Rd., Clinton, MD ([link removed]) (Prince George’s, south county) An Open Invitation For Majority Leader Steny Hoyer ([link removed]) to discuss the healthcare of his constituents within House Dist. 5, as well as the rest of us (no response from Steny, yet…)
Progressive Maryland in coalition with the Maryland Progressive Health Care Coalition are sponsor/hosts.

SAT Aug 17 Support Our Sisters and Siblings! NJNP House Party ([link removed]) 9 PM – 1 AM TBA, Columbia Heights -- Hosted by Showing Up for Racial Justice - SURJ - DC and No Justice No Pride:

SUN August 18 When They See Us: Screening & Discussion ([link removed]) 6:30 – 8:30 PM UUCF-Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax 2709 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, Virginia 22124 Hosted by SURJ Northern Virginia: [link removed] ([link removed]) Documentary about the Central Park Five. More information coming soon! Mark your calendars!

THURS, August 22 ONE DC Fundraiser and Open Mic At Dew Drop ([link removed]) 7:30 – 10:30 PM The Dew Drop Inn DC 2801 8th St NE, Washington, DC 20017 Come out for an evening of open mic performances to support ONE DC (Organizing Neighborhood Equity) and the vital work they are doing in DC! Info [link removed] ([link removed])

MON Aug 26 ROC DC Monthly Meeting ([link removed]) 1-3 PM Restaurant Opportunity Center DC, Second Floor, 1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Come together and meet other restaurant and tipped workers in DC who want to build worker power in order to improve wages and working conditions in the DC restaurant industry! Dinner will be provided and children are welcome!

SAT Aug 31 Black August Street Law 101: Know Your Rights Training ([link removed]) 1-2:30 PM Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library 3935 Benning Rd NE, Washington, DC 20019 Hosted by Black Lives Matter DC and Keep DC 4 Me -- This Black August, we continue to hold MPD accountable for illegal stop and frisks, jumpouts, brutality, and murder.

SAT September 7 When They See Us: Organizing Conversation ([link removed]) -- 1:00 PM, ATU 689, 2701 Whitney Pl, District Heights, MD 20747 -- Join Progresive Maryland's Justice Task Force, Former NAACP President Ben Jealous, and other special guests for a discussion about our criminal legal system and learn about our plan for action to end mass incarceration here in Maryland.

Compiled by David E with the edit team

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GOOD READS:
REPORTING ON THE 2019 DSA CONVENTION IN ATLANTA
The NYT account of our convention, published Tuesday (Aug. 6) [link removed]

More MSM reporting on the convention, from CNN – reporting on this convention seems to be rather more about power and action and less about ideology and side issues that might fall under the category of obsessive disputation and “politically correct posturing,” which might have been more common in MSM reporting after the 2017 gathering: [link removed]

And The Guardian, not quite MSM [link removed]

Here's a static Google doc with one of the early report-backs – it’s from the Boston delegation scribe -- very useful roundup about what got passed. [link removed]

Our comrade Brandon H passes along Collective Power Network's write up of their successes and failures of Convention [link removed]

Here is Nathan Robinson of Current Affairs’s quite long and discursive piece ([link removed]) that gives a sense of place and there-ness once you get accommodated to the unreliable-narrator stance. Maybe because it is not MSM, he engages in a Homeric catalogue of quirks and oddities, but his take on Sara Nelson’s blockbuster address and the news conference of our elected officials are pretty deeply affecting. It’s also loaded with links, such as this Current Affairs colleague’s deep dive into several of the prominent caucuses contesting at the event ([link removed]) .

Delegate Eric Blanc wrote this account for The Nation, probably not the last discussion of the convention that will appear there, but a first (and hopeful) quick take: [link removed]

Our MDC DSA comrade Allison G reports on specific housing issues and how they played out in Atlanta: [link removed]

And… our MDC DSA comrade Kaiser F has kept a spreadsheet of convention issues and proposals with details about support and about the outcomes of the votes. Check it out here [link removed]

Just in case you thought everybody saw DSA as cuddly, comes now KeyWiki Man, with a data dump of staggering proportions and a lavish awarding of credit to us and our predecessors for infiltrating just everything. [link removed]

AND ANOTHER THING
Where are the angry voices? Academic examinations collected by the Nieman Lab at Harvard show that there are pissed-off lefties, too – but there are nuances. [link removed] ([link removed])

Interesting in its detail, an account of the, er, “greening” of the Fed. Actually mentions the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act of 1978, one of the last genuinely left pieces of legislation in our recent history, and its mandate to the Fed that full employment and economic growth must be kept mutual constants. [link removed]

The virtues of a “single transferable vote,” which swayed DSA convention delegates in one of the most grueling debates of last weekend’s get-together, are touted by author John Moser ([link removed]) as a way to keep Maryland’s multimember legislative districts but end what our Maryland comrade Rich Elliott described as the incumbent protection system ([link removed]) in our most recent Washington Socialist. Interestingly, author Moser also runs a website called Nordic Model USA ([link removed]) in which he explicitly states “Whereas Social Democracy USA ([link removed]) and the Democratic Socialists of America ([link removed]) specifically seek a transition to a Socialist future, Nordic Model USA believes in Social
Democracy as an end goal.” Check it out.

A video of our comrade David Schwartzman’s presentation “From the Capitalocene to the Solarcommunicene” at the conference on “The Future of Global Systems Thinking: Celebrating James Lovelock’s Centenary”, 29–31 July 2019 at the University of Exeter – his presentation is 6 minutes and change in length, followed by questions, and starts at 3:16:00.
[link removed]



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