Election days come and go. But the struggle of the people
to create a government which represents all of us and not just the one
percent—a government based on the principles of economic, social,
racial and environmental justice—that struggle continues.
--Bernie Sanders
Comrades,
It feels cruel, dispiriting and stupid, that in this moment of
historic unrest, there are still people who resist the radical and
necessary change we're fighting for. Some people even feel vindicated
by Bernie Sanders's announcement this week that he would suspend his
campaign for the presidency.
Meanwhile, the facts are that people can't get adequate care from
our healthcare system, are left hanging by our welfare system, and are
made to put their lives on the line in order to make rent or even to
vote. This state is indefensible. The need for democratic socialism is
clear.
Bernie's campaign turned public attention to these faults in our
society, while radicalizing millions of people to the urgency of this
moment. And its greatest lesson was always this: change takes all of
us, working together, fighting for each other and for a better
society. Not Bernie, us.
The same people who wanted his campaign to blow over want this
economic and public health crisis to blow over, too — for us to let it
pass without asking how it happened. But we're still in the height of
a crisis. More people than ever see the necessity of a political
revolution. And we can't let this moment pass.
Solidarity!
News and Information
Here's some of the latest news and information from East Bay
Majority (https://eastbaymajority.com/) , East Bay DSA's news source
with a socialist perspective.
** CALIFORNIA HEALTHCARE WORKERS FIGHT FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
DURING THE
PANDEMIC
------------------------------------------------------------
Healthcare
workers across the state are putting their lives on the line to battle
Covid-19. They are demanding that Gov. Gavin Newsom take immediate
action to equip them to fight the pandemic—and to rein in a public
health catastrophe.
Read more
(https://eastbaymajority.com/california-healthcare-workers-fight-for-the-public-good-during-the-pandemic/)
** ALAMEDA BOARD CONSIDERS GIVING SHERIFF AHERN $85 MILLION,
WHILE HIGHLAND HOSPITAL GOES WITHOUT
MASKS
------------------------------------------------------------
As
the Covid-19 crisis looms, Alameda County considers beefing up Sheriff
Ahern's militarized police force while starving Highland Hospital.
Read more
(https://eastbaymajority.com/alameda-board-considers-giving-sheriff-ahern-85-million-while-highland-hospital-goes-without-masks/)
** COVID-19 IS A MAJOR THREAD TO OAKLAND'S HOUSELESS
POPULATION
------------------------------------------------------------
Oakland's
unhoused residents are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus.
Elected officials must go beyond small gestures and take drastic
action to protect our houseless population.
Read more
(https://eastbaymajority.com/covid-19-is-a-major-threat-to-oaklands-houseless-population/)
Featured
Events
While we are still unable to meet face-to-face, events are
still going on that you can be a part of. RSVP below to stay updated.
You can also keep track on our Events page
(http://eastbaydsa.org/events/) .
** COVID RESPONSE TEAM MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
TONIGHT!
Friday, April 10 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Zoom meeting details below
We will be (virtually) meeting on Friday April 10th from
6:30–8:30pm to check in on our COVID Response Team's work. We will
also be hearing from DSA member and SEIU Local 1021 nurse John Pearson
about what is happening on the ground in our public healthcare
system.
More details on how to join coming soon. Stay safe—solidarity!
(Please consider calling in via video if possible to increase the
sense of community we are trying to build in this time!)
Join via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/897942198)
** EAST BAY DSA VIRTUAL GENERAL MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
April 11 | 1–2:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom ♿️
Join our first virtual General Meeting of East Bay DSA
(https://dsausa.zoom.us/j/638983293) ! Please RSVP and invite other
comrades to hear updates on our campaigns and events, including our
chapter’s response to Covid-19.
The meeting will be conducted via ZOOM and can be accessed using
the following link: https://dsausa.zoom.us/j/638983293
Join us to hear updates on:
* Alameda Health System Solidarity
Campaign
* Mobilizers program
* Social Housing pressure
campaigns
* Political education/night school update
* Committee
reports
* Member announcements
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1275/2020-04-11-east-bay-dsa-virtual-general-meeting/)
** CAREWORK & CORONAVIRUS: ANALYZING THE PANDEMIC THROUGH
SOCIAL REPRODUCTION THEORY
------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday,
April 14 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom ♿️
As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, we're taking a look at Social
Reproduction Theory. Social reproduction Theory studies how we feed
each other, how we raise and educate our children, care for the
elderly, the sick, and manage our households within capitalism. To
quote leading scholar Tithi Bhattacharya, Social Reproduction Theory
studies "this relationship between profit making and life making under
capitalism."
By now, the scope and implications of the COVID-19 crisis are
clear—our economy and healthcare system buckle under the strain of an
unprecedented challenge. However, this crisis also highlights our
connectedness and interdependence. The economy is people doing things,
buying things, making things, providing services, having fun, and
resting. When these everyday activities can't happen, the economy
crashes.
In this class, we will focus on the work that is so often unpaid,
hazardous, and invisible—the work that has to happen no matter
what—the essential work now being lauded as heroic but which in
"normal" times is completely devalued, for example, healthcare,
education, childcare, and household management.
Join us via Zoom (https://dsausa.zoom.us/j/307978083) as we dive
into Social Reproduction Theory to explore, understand, and fight
during this time of crisis.
Watch eastbaydsa.org/events/ for updates
** SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
April 15 | 7–9 p.m.
RSVP for info ♿️
Our Social Housing Committee meets on the third Wednesday each
month. The first half of the meeting is dedicated to learning together
about social housing and about the broader housing justice movement.
The second part of the meeting we discuss campaigns and working group
updates. All are welcome!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/927/2020-04-15-social-housing-committee-monthly-meeting/)
Upcoming
Events
** STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
April 19 | 2–5 p.m.
RSVP for info ♿️
See how your elected leadership works as we deliberate on
current chapter issues. This meeting is open to all DSA members to
observe the proceedings. Please RSVP for the address.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1091/2020-04-19-steering-committee-meeting/)
** RACIAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
April 20 | 7–9 p.m.
RSVP for info ♿️
Join the Racial Solidarity Committee for our monthly
meeting!
The Racial Solidarity Committee (RSC) is dedicated to fighting for
the rights of BIPOC communities here in the Bay Area as well as around
the world. We are committed to building a multiracial democratic
socialist organization that reflects the diversity of the Bay Area
working class. Our work ranges from immigration justice and open
borders to workers' rights and access to fully-funded public
education. In our general meetings, we hold political discussions and
report on upcoming RSC campaigns and events. Join us and become a part
of the fight for Racial Solidarity!
Racial Solidarity Committee is open to all, and we especially
welcome self-identified BIPOC folx. BIPOC facilitators take
progressive stack, and we maintain community agreements.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1098/2020-04-20-racial-solidarity-committee-monthly-meeting/)
** LABOR COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
April 26 | 6–8 p.m.
RSVP for info ♿️
Please join the East Bay DSA Labor Committee for our regular
monthly meeting. It's open to all DSA members who are interested in
getting involved in labor work with their comrades! Learn more about
how to get involved in the committee, our ongoing projects, and
upcoming solidarity actions!
If you'd like to submit an item for the agenda, please email
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/929/2020-04-26-labor-committee-meeting/)
CATCH UP ON NIGHT SCHOOL
With social distancing guidelines
still in place, now's as good a time as any to catch up on our
Socialist Night School.
Catch up on past night school readings and videos below.
Watch past Night School videos
(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeMYhhCCTFq1jGdOt6lcF8l7HQJwnJndD)
Catch up on Night School readings
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/night-school/)
Not a Member Yet? Let's Fix That.
DSA now has 60,000 members
nationally, and we're still growing. There's never been a better time
to get involved than right now! Join our national organization by
clicking below and become an official socialist organizer.
Join DSA (https://act.dsausa.org/donate/membership/)
We're sort of out of photos now, because all of our events have
moved online—even our chapter's general meeting! Join our first
virtual GM this Saturday and see your comrades. What a radical
idea!
Caucus Corner
Our caucuses organize events too! Check out the
Caucus Corner of our website
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/about/caucuses/) to learn more about the
activities of East Bay DSA caucuses and how to participate.
Announcements
2020 LOCAL CONVENTION AND STEERING COMMITTEE ELECTIONS
Due to
the Covid-19 pandemic, the SC decided unanimously to hold online
elections for our next Steering Committee (SC), the 13-member elected
leadership of our chapter. We plan to hold an online candidate forum
and vote for our new leadership via OpaVote, an online voting
system.
The rules for election eligibility and process were approved by
majority vote at our February General Membership Meeting, and ratified
by a unanimous Steering Committee vote.
Candidates must be nominated in order to run for Steering Committee
positions. Nominees must be in good standing and have been East Bay
DSA members for at least 3 months before the date of the election.
They must be nominated by ten members in good standing before 11:59
p.m. on April 26 in order to be on the ballot. Candidates receiving
ten or more nominations before 11:59 p.m. on April 26 will be notified
and asked to submit a candidate statement.
Nominate Someone
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdphPMeLHo2O3x5EeKtI_V54UOsXkMHrXlicQTUaMLwsKS7dg/viewform)
Thus we find that, not only can we manage very well without the
interference of the capitalist class in the great industries of the
country, but that their interference is becoming more and more a
nuisance. Again we say to them, "Stand back! Give the working class
the chance of a turn."
--Friedrich Engels
============================================================