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Week of May 4, 2020This is obviously a very difficult time for the world, and for political organizing. Just as all of us have been quickly adjusting to the new normal of daily life under social distancing given the current COVID-19 virus public health emergency, we will now be holding meetings online. |
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STIMULUS SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN
Since more than 30 million workers have applied for unemployment, and since many immigrants and undocumented workers cannot apply for unemployment, we can expect to face unemployment levels rivaling that of the Great Depression because of the inefficient decisions made by our government to respond to COVID-19. As such, DSA-LA has launched “Slowdown for Immigrant Worker Power” campaign, which intends to raise funds from the federal stimulus checks to distribute them to individuals and labor organizations. The campaign aims to organize our immigrant members and neighbors in the political struggles in Los Angeles.
We've raised $2,270 since Thursday evening -- Commit to redistributing your stimulus check if you're financially able. Help the population most attacked by this administration and excluded from the current stimulus!
DSA-LA immigrant members in need of support should get in touch right away |
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CALLS TO ACTION |
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#HEALTHYLA: CALL YOUR REPS: PASS THE RENT CANCELLATION ACT NOW!xt. |
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More than 1.3 million people in LA County have lost their jobs since COVID-19 safety measures were implemented in March, and the economic impact has already been devastating, especially on top of LA's already terrible housing crisis. We need to do everything possible to keep people in their homes and prevent them from being burdened with massive debt they'll never be able to pay off. That’s why we need Congress to forgive all rent and mortgage payments, incentivize fair rental and lending practices for landlords and lenders, and keep properties out of the hands of speculators and turn them into permanently affordable housing for our communities.
House Financial Services Chair Maxine Waters and the entire LA County Congressional Delegation have begun taking important action to provide necessary relief to Angelenos, but much more needs to be done! Our Representatives in Congress need to hear from YOU today.
Send a message to your Representative and Senators urging them to include rent and mortgage forgiveness, and a fund to acquire distressed properties in the next federal relief package. Click here to send your message and get a script for making calls. |
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ORGANIZE! |
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Restaurant Organizing Project (ROP) The Democratic Socialist Labor Commission (DSLC) has launched a national project to teach chapters how to organize laid off restaurant workers. We’re helping chapters set up local restaurant organizing campaigns to fight for immediate relief and organize around a longer term vision to reshape the entire industry so it works for workers. We’re holding national calls twice monthly. You can find out more about this project here.
Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee The Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee (EWOC) is a joint effort between DSA and the United Electrical Workers (UE) to help workers organize for safer working conditions under COVID-19. If you need help organizing in response to COVID-19 in your workplace or know someone who does, fill out and share this form. We can help!
Want to volunteer as an EWOC Workplace Organizer? Fill out this form today. Our growing team of volunteers and UE’s organizing department are taking calls from workers now.
Join the DSLC The DSLC is a body of DSA members active in the labor movement — whether as union members and stewards, union staff, workers center activists, union officers, labor journalists, union retirees, students in labor solidarity groups, labor-oriented academics, or in any other kind of role in the movement. The DSLC can provide a central node of labor-related organizing resources, advise the NPC on matters relating to labor, build channels within DSA for labor activist networking and discussions, develop resources to tackle the challenges faced by socialists in their workplaces, and ultimately strengthen an intersectional, worker-led struggle. If you’re a DSA member active in the labor movement, fill out this membership application to join the DSLC today!
NATIONAL CALLS Beyond Bernie: DSA Electeds on Building Power with Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 // 8:00 PM EDT / 5:00 PM PDT
We Own the Future: A Virtual Discussion with Kate Aronoff, Sarah Leonard, and Bill Fletcher Jr. Thursday, May 7th, 2020 // 8:00 PM EDT / 5:00 PM PDT |
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CALENDAR Check our calendar for all weekly Committee Meetings |
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ORGANIZING WHILE BLACK: AN AFROSOCIALIST VIRTUAL KICKBACKFriday, May 8, 2020 at 7:00 PM Register in advance for this meeting These are chaotic times, so we want to hold space for people to be in community with each other. Come together with like minded people to socialize, conspire, or just kick your heels off. Bring your favorite food, drink, pets, PJs - come as you are! We won't police people's identities, but this is an event for those who identify as Black or part of the African Diaspora. THIS WEEK'S READING: THE MYTHS OF COALITION FROM "BLACK POWER: THE POLITICS OF LIBERATION IN AMERICA" BY STOKELY CARMICHAEL & CHARLES V. HAMILTON |
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DSA 101Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 11:00 AM Are you new or newly returning to DSA? To Los Angeles? To the Left? Then join us for DSA 101! At this orientation, we'll talk about what capitalism is, how it functions, and why socialism is ideologically opposed to it. Participants will also learn about the history of our organization and our chapter in particular, the current projects we're working on, and how you can get involved. This is not a lecture, but a meeting for new and veteran organizers. We're excited to chat with you! Preregistration for this event is required. Click here to RSVP! |
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ART & SOCIALISM - SORRY TO BOTHER YOU
Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 2:00 PM |
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BIGGER THAN BERNIE BOOKCLUB 4Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 5:00 PM Join DSA-LA's Bernie Working Group as we continue to read "Bigger Than Bernie" by Meagan Day & Micah Uetricht. This week, we're reading Chapter 6 and the conclusion about DSA and labor and the rank-and-file strategy. The book is available to purchase on Verso's website. If you missed a session, or this is your first session, no problem! Here's an example study guide. |
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SAVE THE DATE: OUR NEXT BRANCH LOCAL MEETINGS WILL BE ON SATURDAY, MAY 16TH. |
STAY SAFE AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK |
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