Submit member statements on GBM resolutions — most due by March 31
At the March 2024 Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America General Body Meeting, the chapter considered the following items:
Pleasure Activism or Resolution for a Regular Social Event (deadline for statements: March 31)
Resolution for MDC DSA to Endorse Uncommitted Vote in the Democratic Primary in Maryland (deadline for statements: March 31)
Per our bylaws (Section 3.5), this resolution was approved by the Steering Committee on March 12 as an urgent matter and is now being brought to the full general body for ratification. It is being considered as a general resolution, rather than a chapter-level endorsement because Uncommitted has already been endorsed by DSA at the national level.
Proposed amendment to Choose Solidarity - Build the Left, Fight the Right (deadline for statements: March 31)
Choose Solidarity - Build the Left, Fight the Right (deadline for statements, either as amended or not: April 7)
Members in good standing received an email earlier this week with resolution and amendment text as well as instructions on how to submit statements in favor or against (resolutions and instructions can also be found in the #announcements channel on the chapter Slack). If you didn’t receive an email but think you should have — or need some assistance with ballot statements — please reach out to [email protected] or post in #steering on Slack.
And look out for the OpaVote ballot(s) to vote on these items. A ballot for Pleasure Activism or Resolution for a Regular Social Event, Resolution for MDC DSA to Endorse Uncommitted Vote in the Democratic Primary in Maryland, and Amendment to Choose Solidarity - Build the Left, Fight the Right will be sent on April 1. A ballot for the Choose Solidarity - Build the Left, Fight the Right resolution will be sent April 8, following the close of both the vote on the amendment and the statement period.
Canvass to re-elect DSA-endorsed Janeese Lewis George to the DC Council
Last weekend, Metro DC DSA members knocked more than 1,000 doors for Councilmember Janeese Lewis George’s campaign. Unions and community groups around DC are joining the campaign: Just this week, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, which represents WMATA and other transit workers around the area, also endorsed Councilmember Lewis George. Socialist canvassers will be out in Ward 4 this Saturday in Crestwood and every weekend after to talk to our Ward 4 neighbors about the issues that matter to them.
While canvasses are usually on both Saturday and Sunday, we will only canvass on Saturday this weekend; sign up here to join a future canvass and help protect Councilmember Lewis George’s seat.
Battle to advance crucial tenant protections in the Maryland General Assembly reaches apex — tenants to rally in Annapolis on April 2
Two crucial tenant protection bills recently passed the Maryland House of Delegates and now must pass the State Senate before the 2024 session ends on April 8. An alliance of renters and community members in Maryland, including Montgomery County DSA, are making a strong push to anchor this pro-renter legislation in the state.
The Good Cause Eviction Bill allows county councils to pass legislation preventing landlords from not renewing leases without a justification. The Tenant Safety Act would allow Maryland tenants to jointly pay rent into escrow with their neighbors and allows tenants to pay a reduced rent into escrow if repairs are not made. Metro DC DSA’s Stomp Out Slumlords project has used similar provisions in DC law to organize tenants to go on rent strikes and win concessions from landlords. Advocates are urging current focus on Maryland State Senator Will Smith and Senate President Bill Ferguson before the committee vote on these bills. Sen. Smith is the chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, which is responsible for these bills, and represents downtown Silver Spring and surrounding areas and Takoma Park. Residents can use this script to make a call and can send an email to their legislators here.
This Tuesday, April 2, tenants will hold a rally in Annapolis and then pack the hearing room for the committee vote. The rally will begin at 11am at Lawyers Mall outside of the Maryland State Capitol.
BRIEFS
Join the new fight for universal healthcare in Arlington — March 30, 10am
Fresh off a victory in Alexandria, the fight for universal healthcare continues in Arlington. The Arlington M4A Resolution Campaign will kick off on April 7 at 2pm with a screening of the documentary Healing US at Arlington Central Library. Tickets are free but limited, so RSVP to reserve your tickets. As part of the campaign, Arlington M4A has also launched a fundraiser for RIP Medical Debt. By helping to meet an ambitious goal of $1,000 raised, tens of thousands of dollars of outstanding medical debt in northern Virginia can be canceled.
In preparation for the campaign launch, come out this Saturday, March 30 at 10am at Met Park in Arlington to hand out flyers for the movie screening and gather petition signatures. The next working group meeting will be on Tuesday, April 2 at 6pm. Please note that the Zoom link for these meetings has changed, so please RSVP for info and the new link.
Annual Trans Day of Visibility performances this Sunday, March 31 at 3pm
Metro DC DSA members will be participating in a Trans Day of Visibility event this Sunday, March 31 at As You Are, a queer community space on Capitol Hill. Hosted by Trans Pride Washington, this all-ages event will feature an open mic and performances by trans, nonbinary and gender expansive artists. All are invited to stand in solidarity with trans comrades and celebrate in joyful community. Register here.
Labor Working Group meeting and Walking Tour planning — April 1, 6:15pm
The MDC DSA Labor Working Group’s next meeting will be held on Monday, April 1st at 6:15pm at the Shaw library. The working group will be hearing updates from ongoing labor struggles, as well as hosting two breakout discussions on workplace organizing and exerting power in local unions. The working group is also collaborating with MDC DSA Political Education in planning a Labor History Walking Tour to take place on Saturday, May 11th. Please sign up and consider volunteering for wheatpasting or day-of logistics.
MDC DSA to hold fundraiser for reproductive care kits — Thursday, April 4, 6pm
Join Metro DC DSA’s Repro Justice Working Group on Thursday, April 4 to fundraise for reproductive care kits to be provided to the DC Abortion Fund (DCAF), starting at 6pm at As You Are bar in DC. The event will host crafts, camaraderie and a raffle.
Supporting local abortion funds is more important than ever, given recent and continuing rollback of reproductive rights across the country. DCAF helps women traveling to the area fund their abortions and is one of the only abortion funds in the area that has no income restrictions, helping close the gap for funding from national abortion funds, which often only cover 50% of a procedure. DCAF has had a huge surge of applications since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Now, they need support — RSVP here. People that are unable to attend but would still like to donate to DCAF can do so here.
MDC DSA Publications Schedule:Washington Socialist is on a quarterly schedule. Updates to the current number will be published on a rolling basis over the next month. Get on record about your socialism! Contributors to the Washington Socialist can email submissions or questions to [email protected]. Weekly Updates are scheduled for Fridays — April 5, 12, 19 and 26 this coming month. Want more INFO ACCESS? Submit your Update suggestions to the tip line, including nominating articles for ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES.
Or even better, participate in MDC DSA’s Publications effort. 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.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN
Socialism 2024 Conference | Haymarket Books Happening in Chicago between August 30-September 2, this four-day Socialism Conference sponsored by Haymarket Books will feature participatory discussions, lectures and workshops organized by activists from all over the country. Existing organizers, the politically curious and everyone in between are welcome to join in building a radical movement. Learn more and get early bird tickets for $99 before June 28.
Environmental Justice Summit | Empower DC Our allies at Empower DC are hosting an Environmental Action Summit on Saturday, April 27th with a focus on environmental justice for communities overburdened by pollution, residents affected by lead exposure, efforts to stop illegal dumping, expand food access, and more, plus an introduction to useful tools, laws and resources to further your EJ efforts.
The summit runs from 10am to 5pm (doors open 9:30) at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 945 G St, NW (next door to MLK Library); register here.
Defend Chinatown | Save Chinatown Solidarity Network Earlier this week, the Board of Zoning Adjustments denied elders from Wah Luck House and Museum Square in Chinatown, who testified in opposition to a development plan that would displace existing cultural spaces in DC’s Chinatown in favor of a nine-story hotel development. If this development occurs without intervention, the proposed zoning exception would reduce retail in a neighborhood that, over decades, has already seen many low-income, working-class residents of color and small businesses pushed out. The Save Chinatown Solidarity Network is organizing a campaign to save Museum Square tenants and defend Chinatown businesses. Fill out this form to get involved.
Social Struggles and Leftwing Opposition in China | Bol Coop Join Bol Coop and Ralf Ruckus, the author of The Communist Road to Capitalism and The Left in China, on Monday, April 15th, for a conversation that dives into the complexities of social movements and political opposition in China. The event starts at 7pm and takes place at Creative Grounds on 1822 N Capitol St, NW; RSVP here.
Department of bad news, good news on housing: Study: Huge Rent Increases Hit Poor, Minorities Hardest. Today about 37% of US homes are occupied by renters. By 2020, almost 46% of US renters paid more than 30% of their household income toward rent. As of June 2021, the median monthly rent in the 50 largest US cities was $1,575 — an 8.1% increase from June 2020. The heaviest rent burdens fall disproportionately on minorities. Almost 46% of African American-led renter households are rent burdened, compared with 34% of white households. The Conversation. BUT: Meet Your Landlord’s Worst Nightmare: Tenants Unions. Nearly half of all renters in 2019 were spending more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities. Tenants have had enough — and they’re doing something about it. In These Times
What’s the answer? Here’s a framework: AOC, Sanders Renew Fight for Green New Deal for Public Housing “Every American deserves to live in a safe, vibrant, and environmentally conscious community — including public housing residents,” said Rep. Ocasio-Cortez. Common Dreams via Portside.
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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