Canvass for MD reproductive freedom; RSVP for DC Police Violence Walking Tour; Rally to Stop Project Pipes 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
Canvassing for Maryland Reproductive Freedom Amendment continues this weekend
Maryland’s Reproductive Freedom Amendment — Question 1 — is on the ballot on November 5. If passed, it will enshrine abortion access and other rights into the state constitution. Metro DC DSA is canvassing for Question 1 in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, and chapter members and allies are invited to participate in the efforts. Reproductive rights and bodily autonomy are under attack nationwide, and we need your support to protect these essential rights for the people of Maryland.
Volunteers knocked ~500 doors last weekend, and will continue this momentum with canvassing opportunities. Here is the rollout for this weekend:
Saturday, October 12 at 10am at Blues Park (3801 Newton St, Colmar Manor, MD) to canvass the eastern parts of Mount Rainier
Sunday, October 13 at 10am at the parking lot of Cheverly Metro Station to canvass Cheverly
Chapter members can join the Slack channel #md-repro-amendment (forward your dues receipt to [email protected] for access), and all those looking to get involved can sign up to volunteer here.
Metro DC DSA to hold next DC Walking Tour: A History of Police Violence in DC on Sunday, November 17 at 1pm
What does “safety” mean in a city where selling food, being unhoused, wearing a mask during a pandemic or protesting police violence or genocide are met with violence from the very group that many believe is supposed to keep us safe? On Sunday, November 17 at 1pm, Metro DC DSA will kick off its next walking tour to explore downtown DC sites of historical and recent police violence. Kicking off at Black Lives Matter Plaza, the walking tour will also explore how police, prisons and carceral logic are used to put forward an idea of “safety” that in practice only makes life even harder for DC residents with the least access to resources. The tour will also dive into alternative visions for the abolition of police and prisons, to build the city we deserve where we keep ourselves and our neighbors truly safe. RSVP for the tour and for wheatpasting here.
Rally to Stop Project Pipes outside the Wilson Building on Tuesday, October 15 at 9am
In June, DC’s Public Service Commission unanimously rejected phase 3 of Project Pipes, due in big part to pressure from DMV residents like us. Since then, Washington Gas had three months to propose a new plan, with strict guidelines from the PSC to narrowly focus on the worst pipes, consider making pipe repairs over replacements and to thoughtfully incorporate the plans into the District’s electrification efforts. Yet, last week, Washington Gas submitted its so-called “new” plan, which they’ve tried to rebrand with the misnomer District SAFE. Shocker!
Their latest plan represents no significant difference from their original flawed proposal — Washington Gas seeks an additional $215 million from customers, all without significantly addressing major concerns raised by the regulators, flaunting the PSC’s instructions. The Stop Project Pipes Coalition will be joined by We Power DC on Tuesday, October 15 from 9 to 10:30am on the steps of the Wilson Building to deliver 1,000 petition signatures to the PSC telling them to stop Project Pipes once and for all. Socialists and locals are invited to attend. RSVP for notice here.
BRIEFS
Montgomery County DSA to host BDS campaign planning workshop — Wednesday, October 16 at 7pm
Join MoCo DSA on Wednesday, October 16 at 7pm for a campaign planning workshop led by our National DSA liaison, focusing on research and campaign planning tactics for BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) efforts in Montgomery County and Maryland at large. We’ll be using lessons from the success seen by our comrades in Maine DSA with their BDS campaign work. RSVP here.
We’ll send the address to those that RSVP to attend in person — the location is next to the Bethesda Metro. Those who RSVP to attend virtually will be sent a Zoom link. Dinner will be provided at this event, so attendees are asked to RSVP if planning to attend in person and email [email protected] if you have any dietary restrictions.
New in the Washington Socialist
Three new articles have been published in Metro DC DSA’s longform publication, the Washington Socialist.
Organizing for Uncommitted: A Retrospective — From chapter member Alexandra M, how Maryland organizers used electoral canvassing to make voting about something more than a candidate—a tool in the fight for Palestinian liberation.
Mutual Aid Organizing in Western NC— North Carolina chapters of the DSA have been organizing mutual aid efforts for those affected by Hurricane Helene in Asheville and its surrounding area. Here is one NC member’s dispatch on organizing and moving mutual aid efforts.
Presente, “Farmer” Steve Melkisethian — Longtime chapter member Steve Melkisethian tragically and suddenly passed away in early September. InIncluded here is a collection of memories of Steve from Montgomery County Branch members.
Stop and Frisk: A Tale of Two (Atro)cities — Years ago, a judge found the NYPD’s Stop and Frisk practice a form of systemic racial discrimination. The Stop and Frisk program in DC is even worse. Why can’t we stop it?
Canvass for Rockville Rent Stabilization — this Sunday, October 13 at 12pm
Tenants in Rockville, Maryland are organizing for rent stabilization legislation in the city after the Montgomery County law exempted incorporated cities in the County. Get involved in this campaign and join Metro DC DSA’s Montgomery County branch to knock on tenants’ doors to get them involved in this campaign this Sunday, October 13 at 12pm. RSVP here.
On the evening of Monday, October 21, the Rockville City Council will hold a hearing about housing subsidies and tenants will testify about the urgent need for rent stabilization in the city. RSVP here to attend and show your support. Interested in getting more involved in this campaign? Email [email protected].
Montgomery County releases list of troubled properties, landlords cannot raise rent at these properties
Earlier this month, the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs released its annual list of “troubled” properties, detailing properties that failed to meet basic standards of habitability during inspections. Importantly, under the county’s new rent stabilization law, landlords cannot raise rent for properties categorized as “troubled” or “at risk” by the county until landlords fix all code violations. Large properties in these categories include parts of the Summit Hills apartment complex in downtown Silver Spring, the Fields of Bethesda, Cider Mill in Gaithersburg and the Enclave in Silver Spring, where there is an active tenant association. Find the full list of properties here.
Stomp Out Slumlords continues tenant organizing outreach, next canvass on Saturday, October 19 at 1:30pm
Stomp Out Slumlords, Metro DC DSA’s tenant organizing campaign, is hitting the streets next week to defend renters’ rights. On Saturday, October 19, 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. RSVP here. If you’re interested in our work but can’t canvass, reach out to [email protected] to learn about other ways to get involved.
North Carolina DSA chapters developing mutual aid networks in response to Hurricane Helene
Western North Carolina is reeling from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which has left dozens dead, destroyed vital public infrastructure and displaced hundreds. DSA chapters in North Carolina have sprung to action to develop mutual aid relief for impacted communities and launch political organizing efforts to address impacts of the disaster. NC chapters are currently involved in fundraising, coordinating, participating in logistics efforts and developing communications to coordinate broader statewide relief. Immediate requests from NC chapters:
Share information about mutual aid relief funds on Instagram and Twitter.
Initiate conversations with regional skilled trade unions to bring volunteers down for “mucking and gutting” operations.
You can read more about NC mutual aid efforts in a retrospective published today on Washington Socialist, written by NC Triangle DSA member Mika Murphy.
Fundraising for 120+ Palestinian families and two mutual aid projects in Gaza by Internationalism working group
As the US-funded genocide against Palestine passes the one-year mark, comrades in the Internationalism working group are planning a large fundraiser for 120+ Palestinian families and two mutual aid projects in Gaza to help provide access to water, food, medicine, shelter and other basic necessities, as well as access to online learning for 86,000 students. This campaign will build on a July 2024 fundraising campaign that raised over $106,000 for 21 Palestinian families and a mutual aid project providing clean water to a refugee camp of 3,500 people, with over $90,000 raised in just two days. If you would like to help fundraise by posting on your Instagram stories/grid (you will receive graphics like last time), please sign up here. Reach out to [email protected] for any questions or to add a Palestinian family to the fundraiser.
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, October 23, 7 – 8pm, Why You Should Join DSA / New Member Orientation (with Q&A). MDC DSA members: Join our all-member Slack for real-time info on working group and campaign events, convo and inspiration. Email [email protected] with your most recent DSA dues receipt to get Slack access. Chapter members are also invited to read — and edit — MDC DSA’sinternal wiki. Email [email protected] to get set up, or ask in #helpdesk on Slack. Members are also invited to Steering’s recurring Ask Me Anything hours on Thursdays.
MDC DSA Publications is information central for not just MDC DSA but the entire DMV left. #publications (our working group’s Slack channel) is always ready to onboard new socialist communicators.
>> Weekly Updates like this one 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 or chapter political blog REDBUG tips to the tip line. >>TheWashington Socialist, published since the 1970s, offers 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. 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. Donate to our Comradery page if you would like to financially support socialist publishing in the DMV.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN
Disaster Relief Benefit Night | Mutual Aid Disaster Relief | October 11
Lyman’s Tavern is hosting a mutual aid night tonight from 5pm until close. 10% of their sales will go to help Appalachia-based mutual aid groups helping people recover from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Don’t forget to tip your bartender!
Direct Action Training | DC4Palestine | October 19
Over the month, the DC for Palestine Coalition will be leading a series of trainings for Palestine solidarity activities and campaigns across the city. The coalition’s next campaign, in coordination with the Movement Infrastructure Project, will cover a variety of topics including action roles and affinity groups, brainstorming, planning and strategy and decision making methods. RSVP here, and check out DC4P on Instagram for direct updates from the campaign.
W1MA Halloween Party + Fundraiser | W1MA | October 31
There’s nothing spookier than late-stage capitalism. Ward 1 Mutual Aid is shaking off the scaries and celebrating Halloween at classic neighborhood dive Lyman’s Tavern on Thursday, October 31 at 7pm. The party will feature a costume contest, handmade W1MA swag and other spooky fun and games. All proceeds from DC Brau sold on Halloween night will go straight to mutual aid efforts in the neighborhood like food and income redistribution, eviction defense and support for our unhoused neighbors. (The DC Pinball League will also be hosting a partners split flipper tournament starting at 8pm!). 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.
The Far Right, a Reactionary Backlash “The antithesis to the far right is the defense of feminism, the concept of class versus nation, the defense of peace, diversity, equality, social justice, solidarity, ecology, and a common world.” But when examining the roots of far-right growth, “the analytical blindness is not only gender-based. I detect a stubborn reluctance to accept that there is no direct relationship between economic inequality and the growth of the far right; in other words, economic orthodoxy does not serve to analyze the phenomenon.” transform! europe via Portside
Ta-Nehisi Coates Is Bucking the Media’s Palestine Consensus “The problem with Ta-Nehisi Coates’s recent grilling on Palestine by CBS News’s Tony Dokoupil isn’t that it was rude.” That’s an analytical distraction. “It’s that Dokoupil’s questioning betrays a fundamental lack of concern for Palestinians’ basic humanity, shared across mainstream media.” Jacobin
Released this week, Return to Bandung is a new podcast that explores questions of imperialism, resistance and internationalist solidarity throughout history and into the present day, with an eye toward its interactions with the contemporary left. In the inaugural episode, listeners get a brief overview of anti-imperialist history and analysis. Produced by local comrade Pranay Somayajula.
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.
To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Metro DC DSA, please click here.
