Join DSA at Gender Liberation March; Alexandria Trans Sanctuary resolution expected to pass; PG County DSA picnic 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
Thousands expected in Gender Liberation March; DSA comrades organizing turnout — Saturday, September 14
Thousands are expected to protest against right-wing assaults on bodily autonomy and gender-affirming care this Saturday in the Gender Liberation March. The march targets the Heritage Foundation, the far-right think tank plotting to overhaul the federal government to attack trans and abortion rights, and the Supreme Court, which is set to hear United States v. Skrmetti in October and will have wide-reaching implications for medical access of trans youth. Metro DC DSA has endorsed the march and will be coordinating turnout.
The march will begin with a festival and rally at Columbus Circle (35 Columbus Monument Dr NE) just outside of Union Station at 12pm. There will be a DSA tent marked with a banner in the tabling area, so members and comrades are invited to find the table at 12pm to link up. Organizers have requested attendees wear white in honor of the Brooklyn Liberation marches, the NAACP silent protests and as a callback to the women’s suffrage movement. There will be portable toilets and plenty of water, but marchers are recommended to bring water bottles and sunscreen if they can.
RSVP with DSA here. Socialists interested in tabling with DSA can fill out this form to sign up. Members can get access to the day-of Signal channel by RSVPing, or referring to the #trba-campaign or #repro-justice channels on Slack.
Alexandria Trans Sanctuary resolution expected to pass on September 24th
Organizers with Metro DC DSA’s Trans Rights and Bodily Autonomy Campaign have confirmed that a resolution enshrining the city as a Trans Sanctuary will be on the legislative docket on September 24th, with majority support on the council. When passed, the resolution will direct the city attorney against recognizing out-of-state laws that interfere with residents’ practice of gender-affirming health care. It will also direct the city manager to make sufficient allocations for LGBTQ+ and reproductive justice rights.
The effort to pass this legislation was initiated and led by DSA’s TRBA campaign, and it will mark the campaign’s first legislative win since inception earlier this year, as well as the first sanctuary in Virginia. Organizers are urging Alexandria residents to submit written statements in support of this resolution by emailing [email protected]. Alexandria residents can also contact council members to provide statements in support through the city’s 311 system. Future updates will cover this resolution through passage, and members interested in getting involved in the campaign can join the #trba-campaign on the Metro DC DSA Slack.
Socialists in Prince George’s County are throwing a county-wide picnic — THIS Sunday, September 15
This weekend, PG County residents are planning to picnic with a purpose. Join Prince George’s County DSA THIS Sunday, September 15 from 2 to 5pm for a community cookout featuring delicious grilled food, engaging games and meaningful discussions on making our county work better. We will have childcare and art activities for all ages. Come hungry for both food and ideas; RSVP here for the popular mid-county location.
BRIEFS
Member statement period open on MD reproductive freedom amendment — member statement deadlines due September 17
At last week’s Metro DC DSA general body meeting on September 8, the chapter considered Resolution 2024-09-GR1: Endorse the MD Reproductive Freedom Act.
All members in good standing have the opportunity to submit a ballot statement either in favor or against the resolution. The deadline to submit statements that will appear on the ballot is Tuesday, September 17 at 11:59pm ET. Member statements will be uploaded to the member portal with the first name and last initial of the submitter, and will be linked on the ballot when it goes out on Thursday, September 19.
Members can submit ballot statements on Red Desk here by selecting “Agenda Item / Submit Member Statement.” Fill out the information and enter a link to a Google doc with your text where prompted. Make sure you receive a confirmation page and email, otherwise the page might have timed out. We recommend typing the statement in a separate Google Doc and submitting the link rather than typing it out in the form itself to avoid timing out. Questions can be directed to [email protected] or post in #steering channel on Slack.
Circulator drivers set to confront Mayor Bowser and DDOT over closing approach to popular service — rally on September 23
Circulator drivers represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 are planning a rally at the Wilson Building on Monday, September 23rd at 10am to demand that workers are not left behind as the city moves to close the popular service at the end of the year.
Current Circulator workers are set to be transitioned into drivers with WMATA — however, without a negotiated transition agreement, drivers who have worked for the city’s contractors for 20 years are likely to be treated as brand-new hires. This would reduce their pay and require drivers to work for five to seven years to get back up to what they were making. Some of these workers are close to retirement and unable to work for this period.
Emergency legislation is being drafted by the Council to support a transition that respects Circulator drivers in the city. However, Mayor Bowser and DDOT have repeatedly dodged questions on plans for DC Circulator transition, despite making assurances to ATU Local 689. In addition, Bowser and DDOT have shortened the timetable for transition even further, thereby making it harder to organize an orderly transition. District residents are encouraged to submit written support for workers and responsible service cuts to Mayor Bowser and DDOT, and attend the workers’ rally on September 23rd.
Bowser pulls bait and switch on families facing homelessness
Over the past few months, termination notices were sent to ~1,000 families on DC’s rapid rehousing program outlining termination of benefits. Now, another ~950 have received a similar notification that their benefits are being terminated just weeks before the city is able to match them to housing vouchers available on October 1. Bowser ran for mayor on a platform as a housing leader — but this affront, along with other budget retreats, reveals Bowser as a neoliberal avatar for capital interests in the city. The left wing of the DC Council, and Council housing chair Robert White, are looking for bridge funding to prevent these cuts.
The travails faced by those experiencing homelessness in DC continue to mount through the increased policing of life on the streets. Laws passed in the DC Council earlier this year gave police further authority to break up encampments, criminalize mask wearing and restrict access to transportation through fare evasion crackdown. Lack of public investment also makes life on the streets harder and dangerous: The DC Public Library is cracking down on use of its facilities by the homeless, further limiting access to people’s basic needs. Even bathroom use becomes difficult: MPD also frequently issues fines to residents, and new “public” restrooms installed by the city require a phone or ID card in order to be used.
Arlington locals to pack county board meeting to confront ICE and protect community members — Saturday, September 14
This Saturday, Arlington locals are planning to pack the Arlington County Board on Saturday, September 14 at 8am to support migrant community members in demanding ICE out of Arlington. With the outcome of the upcoming election uncertain, directly impacted community members will be testifying before the board on why it’s crucial for local government to take action to protect migrant communities. Organizers have asked residents to pack the board room to show their support. Locals can RSVP and find additional details here.
Stop Fueling Genocide campaign launch — Monday, September 23
Chevron is the largest natural gas supplier to Israel. Through the company’s ownership of the largest Israeli natural gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean, they are directly complicit in the theft of Palestinian natural resources and the violation of their sovereignty. Tax revenue from these fields further make Chevron a key economic partner of the Israeli government. Chevron also operates and partially owns the East Mediterranean Gas (EMG) Pipeline, which runs from Israel to Egypt, off the shores of the Gaza Strip. This helps to bolster Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza.
DSA is part of a global campaign led by the BDS National Committee targeting Chevron and its illegal and immoral support of Israeli apartheid, colonization and ethnic cleansing. Join this launch webinar on September 23 to hear from experienced BDS activists about Chevron’s activities in Palestine, how to run a BDS Campaign, and how we can harness our collective power to win this campaign and kick Chevron out of Palestine.
Show support for banning consent searches in Montgomery County
The Freedom to Leave Act is an important bill in the Montgomery County Council that will ban consent searches and prolonged detention at traffic stops. Banning consent searches will remove one of the reasons police stop drivers and reduce racial disparities in traffic enforcement. Join the Montgomery County DSA and coalition partners at the upcoming Public Safety work session on September 16th at 9am in Rockville to show support for this critical piece of legislation.
Compass Coffee workers call for continued community support
While the NLRB evaluates disputed ballots two months after their union election, union-supporting workers at Compass Coffee United are still facing unsafe conditions, retaliation and firings. Workers would like you to participate in “Union Tuesday” actions by talking to baristas, telling management that you don’t support union busting, leaving pro-union reviews on social media, and using #realgoodunion when ordering drinks or tagging the company on social media. Check out @compasscoffeeunited on Instagram or @compasscoffeu on Twitter/X for more information.
Environmental and indigenous rights activist Brandon Lee to visit DMV — Saturday, September 21
Support Rent Stabilization in Rockville, MD — Monday, September 16
This past July, the Rockville City Council voted to end consideration of rent stabilization and, instead, hold a series of discussions on housing issues other than rent stabilization this fall. This means that Rockville tenants remain vulnerable to large increases while the majority of tenants in Montgomery County are protected by the county’s landmark rent stabilization law. The city council will hold the first of those discussions, focused on housing supply, this Monday, September 16th. Starting at 7:30pm, Rockville tenants and residents will share the continued need for rent stabilization to keep tenants housed during the open forum period before the discussion. RSVP here to show your support.
INFO ACCESS
Learn more about our local MDC DSA chapter — structure, campaigns and working groups, Night School and reading groups — HERE. And live from our studio, Wednesday, September 25, 7 – 8pm, Why You Should Join DSA / New Member Orientation (with Q&A). MDC DSA members: Join our Slack for real-time info, convo and inspiration. Email [email protected] with your most recent DSA dues receipt to get Slack access. And, all chapter members are invited to read MDC DSA’sinternal wiki — and write it too. It’s a newish but ever-evolving handbook of processes, procedures, records and generally helpful information. If you don’t have your SSO login yet, email [email protected] to get set up, or ask in #helpdesk on Slack.
MDC DSA Publications is information central for not just MDC DSA but the entire DMV left. Weekly Updates are scheduled and emailed on Fridays; current and past Updates are on the web here. Not subscribed? DSA member or not, sign up to get the Update here. Submit your Update suggestions to thetip line, including nominating articles for ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES. Donate to our Comradery page if you would like to financially support socialist publishing in the DMV. #publications (our working group’s Slack channel) is always ready to onboard new socialist communicators.
TheWashington Socialist, published since the 1970s, publishes articles on a quarterly schedule; the Summer 2024 edition is now live and will be updated on a rolling basis. Check our archive to see what we write, and what you can write. You can also follow our chapter’s political blog, REDBUG. Anyone, MDC DSA member or not, interested in contributing to the Washington Socialist can email submissions or questions to [email protected] Get your socialist self on the record.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN
Idiocracy screening | Labor Heritage Foundation
The Labor Heritage Foundation’s Bread & Roses will screen Idiocracyon Tuesday, September 17 at 7pm (doors open at 6:30p), Busboys and Poets Takoma, 235 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC 20012. FREE but please RSVP here. Busboys’ full menu available for purchase.
“Ernie and Joe” screening | Reel and Meal at the New Deal
“Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops” is a film showing how two San Antonio officers are responding to folks with overt mental health crisis episodes and diverting them away from jail and in the direction of treatment. It’s the feature at the Monday, September 16 Reel and Meal at the New Deal. The film (free) starts at 7pm in the café at Roosevelt Center (113 CenterWay) in Greenbelt and can be watched remotely here (register).
Liberation Theology & Anarchism on Screen: Ya No Basta Con Rezar & Eros + Massacre | CCP Film Series at Suns Cinema CCP is a monthly Sunday film series dedicated to presenting politically left-wing cinema, currently hosted by Suns Cinema in Washington, DC. CCP covers a vast array of socialist, communist, anarchist, trade unionist, anti-imperialist, and other revolutionary movements featured in lesser-known left-wing films. This Sunday, Sept. 15th will feature a classic liberation theology drama from Chile and an experimental anarchist film from Japan. Screening will begin at 6pm with Ya No Basta Con Rezar (Enough Praying). One of the few pieces of left-wing cinema produced during Chile’s short socialist period to have survived intact, director Aldo Francia’s liberation theology flick follows a young Catholic priest distraught by the indifference shown by both his colleagues and wealthy parishioners towards urban Chile’s working poor. When a strike breaks out at a local factory, the priest begins to recognize that words may not be enough to solve Chile’s deepening social problems, setting him on a path towards increasingly radical forms of action. This will be followed at 8pm by Japanese director Yoshishiga Yoshida’s Eros + Massacre, “… an experimental exploration of anarchism, feminism, and free love in 20th century Japanese society.” Tickets available here.
Help End Torture in DC Jails | Unlock the Box DC Coalition
Join the movement against solitary confinement! Push to pass the ERASE Act with DC Justice Lab and Unlock the Box DC next Thursday, September 19, from 6 to 8pm at Foundry UMC. RSVP here.
The People’s Budget Forum | Fair Budget Coalition
On Saturday, September 14, join the Fair Budget Coalition for their People’s Budget Forum, 1 to 4pm, and take part in creating the budget that DC deserves. They will have refreshments, Spanish and ASL interpretation, and childcare. Register here.
Ward 2 Meetup | DC For Ceasefire
On Sunday, September 15, from 4 to 6pm, meet the DC For Ceasefire Coalition in Ward 2 to build community and discuss ward-level actions for a free Palestine. RSVP 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.
Washington, DC and the wider metropolitan area need more transit options rather than fewer. Not many people in office would propose anything different. Yet Mayor Bowser has refused to act to save the Circulator bus service by the simple expedient of folding the system into WMATA. Raymond Jackson, president of ATU [Amalgamated Transit Workers] Local 689, explains in a Greater Greater Washington op-ed why it would be in DC’s interest to act now to save union jobs and serve residents – and visitors to – the nation’s capital. TX our comrade Kurt S.
Is Europe turning its back on the Left? Though the bourgeois Left had some narrow electoral escapes in Europe this year, the NYT’s David Wallace-Wells details how slippage is taking place in some of the most consequential polities. France’s snap election held off the fascist National Rally – but President Macron’s subsequent maneuvers open the doors anew to the nationalist right, while the very nativist AFD more recently won its first plurality in a German state and that country’s Social Democrats and coalition partners there are on shaky ground. “In Britain,” he says, “the turn away from the left looks a bit different — less like an explicit post-election betrayal and more like a slow centrist creep. In 2019, Jeremy Corbyn, Labour’s leader at the time, campaigned on promises of more than £80 billion in new spending, and won more than 10 million votes. In 2024, Corbyn’s successor, Keir Starmer, promised less than £5 billion in new spending per year and won less than 10 million votes.” Stay tuned.
Socialism gains strength by building out a vision of what can be — the world we imagine growing from and out of our struggle to change the world in which we live. Often we can find traces of such a vision in popular culture, especially in science fiction. Star Trek, at its best, embodied both, as expressed in this article from Truthout, a longread podcast transcript, on an episode from Deep Space Nine. TX our comrade Kurt S.
Who won the debate? The swirling existential void — Who won the Trump v Harris matchup last Tuesday? Hard to say, explains this piece in coop news outlet Defector. The ruling? Harris did what she needed to do to win this election, but her performance reflects the lowered expectations for political substance in the Trump era. Where to go from here? A strong NYT guest essay checks off the economic issues Harris will still have to address post-debate to avoid losing on public issue no. 1. In the same vein, Bernie Sanders in The Guardian argues Harris should engage the high popularity of policies reducing inequality.
Local elites in poverty-burdened rural areas are the real Trump fans — Who are the actual Trump voters/enthusiasts/influencers? A new book by sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild, Stolen Pride, identifies our old friends the Tea Party, petty-bourgeois entrepreneurs who prey economically on the lowest-income households in poor, rural areas. “Those most enthralled with Donald Trump were not at the very bottom — the illiterate, the hungry,” she writes. Rather, Trump’s biggest fans could be found among “the elite of the left-behind,” meaning people “who were doing well within a region that was not.” The same author’s Strangers in their Own Land (2016) detailed how Hochschild spent months in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley” where chemical toxins pervade every community, examining workers’ complex resentments as Trump’s election approached. From Vox via Portside.
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
Sent via ActionNetwork.org.
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