Circulator drivers set to confront Mayor Bowser and DDOT over closing approach to popular service; Alexandria Trans Sanctuary resolution expected to pass on September 24; Join Stomp Out Slumlord’s TOPA and anti-eviction canvasses
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
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 23 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 are currently
making. Some of these workers are close to retirement and unable to work
for such a 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 the DC Circulator
transition, despite making assurances to ATU Local 689. In addition,
Bowser and DDOT have shortened the timetable for transition even
further, 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 23.
Alexandria Trans Sanctuary resolution expected to pass on September 24
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 24, 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 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]. Residents can also contact council
members to provide statements in support through the city’s 311 system. Members interested in getting involved in the campaign can join the #trba-campaign
on the Metro DC DSA Slack. Comrades interested in celebrating the
passage are invited to meet at Market Square outside City Hall at 7pm
when the session begins, and file into the chamber as the resolution
comes up for a vote later in the evening. RSVP here.
Join Stomp Out Slumlords' TOPA and anti-eviction canvasses — September 25 and 28
Stomp Out Slumlords, Metro DC
DSA’s tenant organizing campaign, is hitting the streets next week to
defend renters’ rights. First, SOS will be canvassing on Wednesday, September 25 at 6:30pm at the Cromwell (1515 Ogden St NW) in defense of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), which is under attack from the landlord lobby.
These canvasses are important to gain renters’ support to not just
protect, but expand this vital right. Then on Saturday, SOS will be
kicking off their monthly anti-eviction canvass.
Every month, organizers talk to people facing eviction to inform them
of their rights, connect them with legal resources, and see if they are
interested in organizing their building. The canvass will meet at
L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station at the D Street exit at 1:30pm. Following
the canvass, the crew will meet at Sonny’s Pizza in Park View to debrief
and socialize. All levels of experience are invited to attend both
canvasses — newer participants will have a quick training beforehand and
be paired with someone more experienced for the canvass.
WASHINGTON SOCIALIST
The Washington Socialist is Metro DC DSA’s quarterly publication, collating reporting, political analysis, DSA commentary and regional gossip. This edition releases begins with six articles, with more to follow in coming weeks. In this issue:
How a Hot Shop Burns — UMD grad workers have been trying to organize their campus for decades. An organizer shares grim lessons learned in the latest attempt
Anticapitalism in the Real World— Through writing, we can envision a better world. Amanda Liaw shares how the After the Storm collective planned a series of workshop to practice their anticapitalist imaginings.
Into the Fire: Organizing Against Extreme Heat — As global temperatures rise, workers are making workplace safety and protections a new focus for labor. Claire M summarizes how farm workers, garment manufacturers, and delivery drivers have all found climate issues to organize around.
The Case for Initiative 83 — The option for ranked choice voting has been waiting to appear on the District’s ballot. Initiative 83 would create a better electoral candidate pool, despite opposition, chapter member James E. argues.
Opening Closed Eyes— This summer, the New Deal Cafe screened a documentary on Israeli propaganda. *Israelism* shows how two Jewish people come to challenge their Zionist upbringing.
In Memoriam: Bernice Johnson Reagon — DC civil-rights activist and music legend Reagon passed away this summer, an immense loss to the movement. Maxwell Rott calls for a new appreciation of her historical research on music in the Black Freedom Movement.
Washington Socialist is produced by the Metro DC DSA Publications Cooperative, which produces this weekly.
BRIEFS
Ballots are out for Resolution 2024-09-GR1: Endorse the MD Reproductive Freedom Amendment
All members in good standing should have received a ballot for Resolution 2024-09-GR1: Endorse the MD Reproductive Freedom Amendment,
as discussed at our September General Body Meeting. The ballot includes
the resolution as well as member statements on the resolution. The
email, sent out Thursday morning, has the subject line “2024 September
General Body Meeting Ballot” and the sender is “OpaVote Voting Link.”
The ballot closes on Monday, September 23 at 11:59pm.
Per
our Chapter bylaws, ballots were sent to members in good standing
(dues-paying members since August 9, 2024, 30 days before the September
GBM) and all dues-paying members who joined within the last 30 days who
attended the GBM on September 8. If you cannot find or think you did not
receive a ballot and should have, first please check your spam folder,
then reach out to #helpdesk, #steering or email at [email protected] for assistance.
State Department report grudgingly concedes use of US weapons in apparent IDF war crimes
As campus activism resumes
stemming from the IDF’s wanton slaughter in Gaza and the West Bank, a
long-anticipated US State Department report concedes “Given Israel’s
significant reliance on US-made defense articles, it is reasonable to
assess that defense articles covered under NSM-20 [signed by Joe Biden
in February to assess whether recipients of US arms are complying with human rights laws]
have been used by Israeli security forces since October 7 in instances
inconsistent with its IHL obligations or with established best practices
for mitigating civilian harm.”
While the State Department muddies the
report with no-proof language, dissenting congressional figures accuse
it of dodging the facts — Sen. Bernie Sanders announced his intention to
take action on the Senate floor to stop the flow of American weapons
to Israel. “There is extensive evidence that these systems are being
used in violation of U.S. and international law,” said Sanders, citing
the administration’s own report pursuant to National Security Memorandum
20 (NSM-20).” Closer to home, “A pro-Palestinian student group has brought suit, accusing the University of Maryland in College Park of violating
students’ First Amendment rights by canceling a vigil planned for Oct. 7 to mourn the people who have died in the Gaza Strip over the past year.” As well, “Two pro-Palestinian student groups at George Washington University say they have been suspended by the university.”
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 get Chevron out of Palestine.
Metro DC DSA to hold workshop on socialist internationalism — September 26
Have you ever wondered about
the connection between Palestine and Ferguson? Or why socialists are
showing up to support Cuban solidarity? Or how to talk to your family
and friends about socialism and why it matters in the internationalist
context? These questions and more will be discussed at this upcoming workshop, hosted by Metro DC DSA’s Internationalism working group at Shaw Library on Thursday, September 26 from 6 – 7:30pm. RSVP here.
Pleasure Activism: Finding Joy in building a better world — September 28
Inspired by adrienne maree brown’s
Pleasure Activism, the socialist feminist reading group will host a
workshop on Saturday, September 28 from 4 – 6pm where we ask ourselves,
“How can we fight for a better world and not forget our pleasure along
the way?” Attendees will be given a series of prompt questions, then
discuss their reflections in breakout groups. All members are welcome.
Please email [email protected] for information and to RSVP.
Rockville tenants speak out for rent stabilization
This past Monday, September 16,
Rockville tenants and allies representing diverse perspectives,
including Metro DC DSA chapter members, packed the Rockville City
Council chambers and testified about the urgent need for rent
stabilization to stop the displacement of community members. In July,
the Rockville City Council voted to end consideration of rent
stabilization, choosing instead to hold a series of discussions about
other housing policies. Rockville tenants continue to organize for rent
stabilization in the city and plan to remind the council about the need
for rent stabilization at future housing policy forums. To get involved
in this campaign, email [email protected].
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.
The Washington Socialist, published since the 1970s, publishes articles on a quarterly schedule; the Fall 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
Cop Watch Training | Harriet’s Wildest Dreams
Get trained with the DC Safety Squad
on Saturday, September 21, from 4 – 6pm. Learn how to document police
interactions, inform folks of their rights and hold police accountable.
RSVP here.
Barry Farm: Charting a New Future | Empower DC
On Saturday, September 28, join
Empower DC at the Capitol View Neighborhood Library from 3 – 5:15pm to
watch a screening of the 50-min film Barry Farm: Community, Land & Justice in Washington, DC, followed by a community conversation. RSVP here.
Militarism and Pollution | Prince George’s County Peace & Justice Coalition Prince George’s County Peace &
Justice Coalition will be hosting a talk and discussion with Miriam
Pemberton, research fellow and director of the Peace Economy Transitions
Project at the Institute for Policy Studies from 2 – 4pm on Saturday,
September 28 at the Greenbelt Community Center (15 Crescent Road, room
201). Email [email protected] for details and to RSVP.
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.
Rather
than understanding right-wing attacks on the government’s ability to
tax and spend as univocally austere, Melinda Cooper shows [in Counterrevolution: Extravagance and Austerity in Public Finance]
how an unlikely alliance of financiers and anti-debt moralists came to
synthesize a new approach, one that could countenance extraordinary
public spending – as long as it came in the form of subsidies for asset
holders or missiles. Melinda Cooper interviewed by Malcolm Harris, n+1 (TX to our comrade Dan S of Five Lefty Links)
The United Nations is hosting world leaders on September 22 and 23 for a “Summit of the Future.” Unfortunately, the draft action plan
for the summit, while full of lofty language and some good intentions,
does not challenge the neoliberal model or corporate control of the
global economy. On the contrary, it proposes, for example, to
“facilitate access of developing countries to the WTO and promote trade
and investment liberalization.” A draft action plan would perpetuate an
international investment regime that grants corporations excessive power
to undermine public interest regulations. Natural resource extractive
industries have used the existing investor-state dispute settlement
(ISDS) system to undercut national sovereignty and sustainability and to
foment conflict. The mining sector, in particular, has used this
system, enforced through almost 3,000 treaties, to sue governments in
supranational tribunals, bypassing national legal systems. Inequality.org 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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