Contact DC Council to reject Pepco rate hikes; Abolition Night School on July 30; Online GBM this Sunday and more ...
This is the weekly newsletter of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America (MDC DSA), which is produced by local members of the chapter's Publications Working Group. The Weekly Update publishes every Friday at 9am.
Paid for by Metro DC DSA (mdcdsa.org). Not authorized by any candidate or committee.
UP FRONT
Pepco planning rate hikes for DC residents of over 20% over three years — residents urged to contact Council to reject rate hikes
The DC Public Service Commission continues to consider Pepco's rate case application, which would raise rates in DC by 20% over three years, despite Maryland already rejecting Pepco’s proposal back in June. If approved, this would only worsen DC’s crisis of energy injustice: one in five residents are already in debt to the utility. While Pepco claims these costs are necessary for decarbonization goals, the Office of the People’s Counsel, which advocates for ratepayers, previously found that 95% of the proposed investments cannot be tied to any reductions in greenhouse gasses.
Despite hundreds of public comments against the multiyear rate hike, the PSC still has not reached a decision. This regulatory neglect in the face of rabid pursuit of profit on the backs of DC’s poorest residents is exactly why DC needs a utility that is owned by and accountable to the people of DC — public power now!
We Power DC is organizing residents to contact the DC Council, demanding councilmembers ask the PSC to rein in Pepco's spending and put DC residents over the utility's profit margin. DC residents are urged to write to the Council on this issue (use this form).
Socialist Night School: Police Abolition 101, sponsored by our Abolition Working Group — Tuesday, July 30
Continuing Metro DC’s long-running Socialist Night School series, the NoVA and DC Abolition working groups are proud to announce Police Abolition 101 to be held July 30 at 7pm. In this session, abolitionist organizers will discuss what policing and prisons are, their codependent relationship with capital, their alternatives and how abolitionist approaches differ from other critiques (like mass incarceration). RSVP here.
Online-only GBM this Sunday, July 21 — to include discussion on internal security resolution
Metro DC DSA’s July general body meeting is taking place THIS SUNDAY, July 21 at 2pm (the meeting will be online only). Members and attendees will hear reports from our chapter secretary, treasurer and campaigns coordinator, each of the chapter’s three branches, and from our campaigns, working groups, sections and committees. There will also be time for second reads of and debate on chapter business, including a security resolution being considered by the chapter. An in-person happy hour will take place following the GBM; RSVP here to receive Zoom details for the meeting and location details for the happy hour.
BRIEFS
Rockville residents express disappointment with mayor and council on vote to end rent stabilization discussions
After a lengthy hearing on Monday, July 8 where dozens of Rockville residents shared why they need rent stabilization in the City of Rockville, Mayor Monique Ashton and City Councilmembers Adam Van Grack, Kate Fulton, Marissa Valeri and Barry Jackson abruptly voted to end all discussions on rent stabilization. Councilmembers Izola Shaw and David Myles wanted to advance the rent stabilization discussion and voted in opposition to their colleagues. Montgomery County DSA, in coalition with tenants and allied organizations opposed to large rent increases and tenant displacement, has been organizing for rent stabilization in Rockville. Residents of Rockville are urged to use this guide to email the Rockville City Council in support of rent stabilization.
Tenants at Oaklawn Apartments to rally for better living conditions on July 22
Tenants at the Oaklawn Apartments (3620 16th St NW) are rallying on Monday, July 22 at 6pm to demand that Van Metre Apartments deal with the systematic infestations of rats, cockroaches and bedbugs in the building. Since the start of the summer, the infestations have increased dramatically. Tenants report having to spend hundreds of dollars a month on baits and pesticides to keep their apartments habitable. The Oaklawn Tenant Association is demanding Van Metre to perform a fumigation of the building, and provide pest control supplies to tenants dealing with rampant infestation.
Young Democratic Socialists convention begins today — DMV youth socialists holding day-long local meetup today, July 19, at 10am
DSA chapters from across DC, Maryland and Virginia are meeting today at the DC Festival Center in Adams Morgan in preparation for the launch of the 2024 YDSA Convention — YDSA members and interested youth socialists are invited to attend. At the day-long event, young socialists plan to sharpen their organizing skills with workshops, learn more about YDSA’s role in Palestine solidarity and labor organizing, and socialize with local comrades. At the meetup, young socialists also plan to discuss resolutions for the upcoming YDSA convention, which is set to begin at 6:15pm. Programming will end at 6pm so we can observe the beginning of YDSA convention.
Praying for Armageddon screening — Saturday, July 20
The Metro DSA Internationalism Working Group and Jewish Voice for Peace are screening Praying for Armageddon, a documentary exploring the bizarre and politically powerful relationship between Zionism and American Evangelical apocalypticism. After the film we will have a discussion with Pastor Jenn Hosler of the Washington City Church of the Brethren and a happy hour nearby for DSA and JVP members to get to know each other. DSA members and community members are invited to RSVP here.
“Arrest Netanyahu” protest scheduled for Israeli prime minister’s address to Congress — July 24
In the midst of Israel’s horrendous ongoing genocide in Gaza, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address Congress on July 24; one of the US government’s most flagrant displays of approval yet for Israel’s war crimes. Mass protests are scheduled in response: On Wednesday, July 24 at 11am, protesters will gather to surround the Capitol for an “Arrest Netanyahu” rally, showing the world that the American people support Palestine, not war criminals.
NoVA DSA Electoral planning monthly social on Tuesday, August 1
The MDC DSA NoVA Branch is planning a social at Atlas Brew Works in Alexandria on Thursday, August 1, 7pm. All socialists, progressives and lefties in the DMV (and particularly in Northern Virginia) are invited to attend. At the gathering, attendees will talk all things politics and review political conditions in Northern Virginia in the lead-up to November. RSVP for notices, updates and reminders at link.
Old Joe Medicine Show — Biden loyalists outflanked in fight for Democratic presidential nomination
Growing calls for President Biden to drop from the Democratic Party ticket have grown over the past month, with Biden loyalists failing to convince an increasing number of Democratic party leaders to hold behind Joe. Although Biden attempted to assuage Democrats of his viability in a press conference last Friday, flubs in that speech and in those delivered since have only increased Democratic anxiety about Biden’s position on the ticket. As reported by Axios on Thursday, top Dems appear unified on the need for President Biden to step down for a stronger Democrat to take on the Republicans in the general election. In the case of a Bidexit, Democrats should expect Vice President Kamala Harris to be tapped in.
The DSA was one of the first political organizations to call for Joe’s ouster. In a statement published on June 28th, the DSA National Political Committee called for Joe Biden to drop out: “This is not the candidate for the moment to defeat Trump, prevent the rise of fascism….Biden must be replaced by a candidate who will stop the genocide in Gaza and will stand with the people of Palestine, who will fight for working class people, and who can stand up with the masses against both fascism and the capitalist class.” Chapters of the DSA across the country were crucial in organizing the Vote Uncommitted campaign in presidential primaries across the country, in protest of the Biden Administration’s enabling of Israel’s genocide on the people of Gaza.
On Saturday, a progressive group called Pass the Torch is planning a rally at the White House between E and W Executive Avenues on Pennsylvania Avenue. The rally, set to meet at 3pm, was endorsed by Metro DC DSA’s Steering Committee earlier in the week. RSVP for notices and updates on this rally at link.
Compass Coffee workers await election results as challenged ballots are reviewed
Workers at Compass Coffee voted in their union election on Tuesday, July 16. Across five elections representing seven locations, there were 22 unchallenged ballots — all of which were cast in favor of the union. However, there are 101 ballots challenged due to questions of voter eligibility and employment status, meaning workers will have to wait to find out whether or not they won their union.
A union victory could have been achieved on Tuesday — or when workers initially announced their intent to unionize, if management had voluntarily recognized and worked with employees — but instead Compass CEO Michael Haft engaged in a blatant, scorched-earth union-busting campaign against his own workers, hiring more than 100 employees for the petitioned cafes and engaging in a variety of illegal anti-union tactics.
“Today was an amazing achievement,” Compass Coffee United wrote on Twitter/X on Tuesday. “We stand strong against the blatant and egregious union busting that Michael Haft has enforced and our collective strength and confidence does not waver. Please continue to support our campaign and congratulate your baristas for standing up for themselves …”
New worker-led news organization The 51st launches as pro-cooperative legislation introduced in DC Council
On Tuesday, a group of local journalists laid off by WAMU announced their launch of a new worker-led news outlet. In just a few days following launch, The 51st announced that it had met over 50% of funding needed to launch the workers’ cooperative. In its launch announcement, The 51st stated this new publication will be organized to start as a weekly newsletter, with plans to build a reciprocal relationship with readers and the wider community.
Interest in expanding worker cooperatives appears to be growing in the District. New legislation also announced on Tuesday by Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker — called the OWNERS Act — would task the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection to survey potential business closures and create a strategy for business conversions into worker co-ops. Meanwhile, the Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op is currently in the middle of its Co-Op Film Festival, with two more film screenings planned over the next two weekends. On July 22, locals can catch The Co-Op Wars, a 2022 documentary on the major clashes that took place around race and power in Minnesotan co-ops. And on July 29, Can We Do It Ourselves? — a Swedish documentary analyzing all of the possibilities of democratic ownership — will be screened. Screenings start at 7pm and take place at Rhizome DC. (RSVP for July 22 here and July 29 here.)
Baltimore community activist Barb Ruland memorialized in Baltimore Sun
Baltimore community activist Barbara L. Ruland, an active member of Metro DC DSA in the 1980s, passed on June 1st at 78 in Towson, Maryland. Barbara was an active community organizer in Baltimore and a fixture in Baltimore politics. Barbara was best known for her leadership in redevelopment of the Memorial Stadium site in Baltimore, fighting to ensure construction of affordable senior citizen housing, recreational space and a YMCA built on the old play-site of the Colts and Orioles. Barbara is survived by her husband Rich Bruning, who was instrumental in building the chapter in its foundational years, before departing for Baltimore. Read more about Barbara’s legacy in The Baltimore Sun.
INFO ACCESS
Find out in depth about our MDC DSA chapter — structure, campaigns and working groups, Night School and reading groups — HERE. And live from our studio, Wednesday, July 31, 7 – 8pm, Why You Should Join DSA / New Member Orientation (with Q&A).
MDC DSA Publications is information central for not just MDC DSA but the entire DMV left. TheWashington Socialist publishes on a quarterly schedule; the Summer 2024 edition is now live and will be updated on a rolling basis. Added recently: coverage of the DC coffee wars – battle at the Wydown – has received wide readership. Anyone, MDC DSA members or not, interested in contributing to the Washington Socialist can email submissions or questions to [email protected]. Get your socialist self on the record.
Weekly Updates are scheduled and emailed on Fridays; current and past Updates are on the web here. We’re proud that the wider DMV left sees the Update as a utility for activists: Our Weekly Updates attract over 5k readers a week. Are we missing something? Submit your Update suggestions to the tip line, including nominating articles for ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES. MDC DSA members: Join our Slack for real-time info and inspiration. Email [email protected] with your most recent DSA dues receipt to get Slack access. #Publications (our working group’s Slack channel) is always ready to onboard new socialist communicators. We write, we edit, we do the tech. Donate to our Comradery page if you would like to financially support socialist publishing in the DMV.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN
Excluded Workers Celebration TONIGHT, July 19 | Restaurant Opportunities Center — DC
The Excluded Workers Coalition won $75 million for excluded workers across DC who were formally left out of government benefits during the pandemic. The last round of funding is currently being distributed to residents. Join them in celebrating historic victories from the last several years! There’ll be an open mic and karaoke from 6-10pm tonight, July 19, at the Festival Center. Kids and families welcome!
Fighting for DC Chinatown: Student Voices | 1882 Foundation
On July 21 from 2-3pm, visit the 1882 Foundation office for a student intern-led Talk Story, presenting the impacts of displacement and ever-present cultural erasure happening in Chinatowns, along with its intersections and ongoing impacts tied to anti-Asian violence, racial capitalism and settler colonialism. Discover how student activism plays an important role in reclaiming cultural spaces. RSVP here.
IPS Presents: Countering American Fascism: Lessons from Organizing in the US Heartland | July 22, 6:30 – 8pm
Panel with John Nichols (The Nation), Sulma Arias (People’s Action), Erica Smiley (Jobs with Justice) and Tope Folarin, executive director, Institute for Policy Studies. RSVP in person at Busboys and Poets, 14th & V (seating limited) or livestream.
CCP Film Series at Suns Cinema | Belated Bastille Day Celebration: Marker’s On Strike! & Renoir’s La Marseillaise CCP is a monthly, Sunday film series dedicated to presenting politically left-wing cinema, currently hosted by Suns Cinema in Washington, DC. We cover a vast array of socialist, communist, anarchist, trade unionist, anti-imperialist, and other revolutionary movements featured in lesser-known left-wing films. As a belated Bastille Day celebration, this Sunday, July 21 will feature two greats of French leftist cinema. At 6pm we’ll be screening On Strike!: Be Seeing You & Class of Struggle, dir. Chris Marker & the Medvedkin Group, 1968-69, French, 76 mins. Between 1968 and 69, French New Wave director Chris Marker documented two separate strikes which broke out in the French city of Besançon, producing two short documentaries, Be Seeing You and Class of Struggle. We’ll be screening both films back to back as a double feature of just under 80 minutes. This will be followed at 8pm by Jean Renoir’s Popular Front-inspired French Revolutionary historical epic La Marseillaise, 1938, French, 131 mins. “… a fictionalized depiction of the march to Paris by the Marseillaise Fédérés, the volunteer revolutionary militia famous for popularizing the eponymous anthem, and who … were largely responsible for the Tuileries Insurrection that led to the final overthrow of the Bourbon monarchy in 1792.” Tickets are available here.
ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES
ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES are articles and opinion pieces of interest to DMV leftists but not, generally, appearing in local media. They should have links without paywalls. Readers are invited to submit candidates at our tip line.
Attacks on the bearers of uncomfortable news:
The Death Squads Hunting Environmental Defenders Around the world, government forces regularly attack environmental activists with impunity—and U.S. support. And as deep-pocketed corporations desiccate rivers and destroy peasant livelihoods in a nationwide plunder supported by the state, it’s also [an environment] where human rights are abused with impunity. In These Times
Disinformation poses an unprecedented threat in 2024
– and disinformation researchers are under fire from the Right. “Republican politicians and activists responded to the wave of disinformation in 2020 by targeting the researchers, universities, tech companies and journalists who pointed it out. Using social media campaigns, the courts and congressional committees, far-right critics have aired unfounded accusations that efforts to curtail disinformation around the election and the pandemic were part of a plot to censor conservatives. Some researchers said those partisan campaigns, which have included burdensome information requests and threats of reputational and legal harm to institutions, have had a chilling effect on new research going into 2024.” NBC News
The Only Kind of “Political Violence” All U.S. Politicians Oppose
“The issue, rather, is what picture of “political violence” this messaging serves: To say that “political violence” has “no place” in a society organized by political violence at home and abroad is to acquiesce to the normalization of that violence, so long as it is state and capitalist monopolized.” The Intercept
Some are just slow; others actively seek influences. If you wonder about JD Vance, Trump’s new wingman, and his self-described status as being “plugged into a lot of weird, right-wing subcultures,” try this ambitious attempt to round up the people and ideas he listens to. Some surprises here, maybe. From POLITICO’s magazine.
This is the weekly newsletter of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America (MDC DSA), which is produced by local members of the chapter's Publications working group. The Weekly Update publishes every Friday at 9am.
Paid for by Metro DC DSA (mdcdsa.org). Not authorized by any candidate or committee.
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
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