Workers of the world, unite!
--Karl Marx

Last Friday was International Workers' Day. Every year, May Day celebrates the power, dignity, and solidarity of the working class and highlights the brutality and exploitation of the capitalist system.

These are always relevant, urgent themes. But the COVID-19 pandemic makes this a historic, horrifying moment for American workers, who are being told to return to work without paid sick time, adequate workplace protections, or any other options. This is a nightmare; a mass murder in the name of profit.

It's also perhaps the clearest illustration many Americans have ever had of class politics. What do you mean by the working class? What do you mean by the capitalist class? What are the "means of production," the "levers of power"?

Well, there's us, and there's the people telling us to get back to work. We’re afraid for our families' lives. They would rather kill us than lose profits, and they’re pulling that lever now.

So in this moment, we see both the necessity and the unprecedented opportunity to organize the working class and fight back. East Bay DSA is holding elections for our steering committee (online, of course) to choose a vision and a path for how we do that. Read statements from the candidates to get informed and inspired, then check out our events to get involved.

Solidarity!


News and Information
Here's some of the latest news and information from a socialist perspective.


** WORKERS AT EAST OAKLAND MCDONALD'S STRIKE FOR SAFETY
------------------------------------------------------------
An Oakland McDonald's restaurant is forcing its employees to work in unsafe conditions. Its workers are going on strike to demand hazard pay and protective gear for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Read more ([link removed])


** THE COURTS WON’T SAVE US FROM THE PANDEMIC

------------------------------------------------------------
A recent California judicial ruling suspends cash bail for some defendants and halts most evictions during the Covid-19 state of emergency. But we can’t rely on court orders to deal with the ongoing social crisis.

Read more ([link removed])


** DSA COVID-19 BULLETIN #11
------------------------------------------------------------
The DSA COVID-19 Bulletin from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is designed to keep working-class people informed about the evolving COVID-19 crisis and its political implications. If you'd like to get the DSA COVID-19 Bulletin by email, sign up here, and share this link with your friends and comrades ([link removed]) ! Anyone can sign up. New bulletins come out at least once a week.

In the latest issue:
* DSA is Continuing the Fight for Medicare for All ([link removed])
* Socialist Forum Call for Submissions ([link removed])
* DSA Announcements ([link removed])

Read more ([link removed])
Featured Events
While we are still unable to meet face-to-face, events are still going on that you can be a part of. RSVP below to stay updated. You can also keep track on our Events page ([link removed]) .


** GREEN NEW DEAL COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING (VIRTUAL)

------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, May 13 | 6:45–8:45 p.m.
Online via Zoom—RSVP for info ♿️
Our Green New Deal Committee meets on the second Wednesday each month. We will discuss eco-socialist issues, upcoming events and actions, committee priorities, and campaigns. All are welcome!

Please note that due to COVID-19, that this committee meeting will be conducted via Zoom video call. Please RSVP to receive the URL to the meeting.

RSVP ([link removed])


** MAY GENERAL MEETING AND STEERING COMMITTEE CANDIDATE FORUM

------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, May 16 | 1–3:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom—RSVP for info ♿️
It’s time to elect a new East Bay DSA Steering Committee!

Join us for our May General Meeting and Steering Committee Candidate Forum via online conferencing (link TBA). During the first hour, we’ll hear updates from our committees and learn about ways to plug in to DSA. The second half of the meeting will be dedicated to our Steering Committee Candidate Forum. You’ll get to hear candidates talk about their vision for our chapter’s future and answer moderated questions from assembled members.

All Steering Committee members are elected for a one-year term, including two Co-Chairs, a Vice-Chair, a Recording Secretary, a Communications Secretary, a Treasurer, and seven At-Large members. You can read the role descriptions in our bylaws.

More info ([link removed])

Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, all voting will take place electronically through OpaVote. Each eligible voting member will receive a unique link through the email address that corresponds to their national account. Voting will open on May 17 and close one week later on May 23 at 11:59 p.m.

Eligible voting members must have joined East Bay DSA at least 1 month before the election, be current dues paying members at the time of the election, and not have been lapsed for the full year preceding the date of the election in order to vote in the Steering Committee election.

RSVP ([link removed])


** STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, May 17 | 2–5 p.m.
RSVP for info ♿️
See how your elected leadership works as we deliberate on current chapter issues. This meeting is open to all DSA members to observe the proceedings. Please RSVP for meeting info.

RSVP ([link removed])


** RACIAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, May 18 | 7–9 p.m.
RSVP for info ♿️
Join the Racial Solidarity Committee for our monthly meeting!

The Racial Solidarity Committee (RSC) is dedicated to fighting for the rights of BIPOC communities here in the Bay Area as well as around the world. We are committed to building a multiracial democratic socialist organization that reflects the diversity of the Bay Area working class. Our work ranges from immigration justice and open borders to workers' rights and access to fully-funded public education. In our general meetings, we hold political discussions and report on upcoming RSC campaigns and events. Join us and become a part of the fight for Racial Solidarity!

Racial Solidarity Committee is open to all, and we especially welcome self-identified BIPOC folx. BIPOC facilitators take progressive stack, and we maintain community agreements. Contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) for meeting information.

RSVP ([link removed])


** SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, May 20 | 7–9 p.m.
RSVP for info ♿
Our Social Housing Committee meets on the third Wednesday each month. The first half of the meeting is dedicated to learning together about social housing and about the broader housing justice movement. The second part of the meeting we discuss campaigns and working group updates. All are welcome!

RSVP ([link removed])
Upcoming Events


** LABOR COMMITTEE MEETING

------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, May 24 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ♿️


Please join the East Bay DSA Labor Committee for our regular monthly meeting. It's open to all DSA members who are interested in getting involved in labor work with their comrades! Learn more about how to get involved in the committee, our ongoing projects, and upcoming solidarity actions!

If you'd like to submit an item for the agenda, please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

RSVP ([link removed])


** INTRO TO DSA
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, May 30 | 1–3 p.m.

Online–stay tuned for details
New to DSA or to democratic socialism? Let's talk about it. Come to our next Intro to DSA event and hear from experienced DSA organizers, discuss topics related to DSA and democratic socialism, and get involved with our campaigns and projects.

Stay tuned to [link removed] for details.
Catch up on Socialist Night School
CATCH UP ON NIGHT SCHOOL
With social distancing guidelines still in place, now's as good a time as any to catch up on our Socialist Night School.

Catch up on past night school readings and videos below.

Watch past Night School videos ([link removed])

Catch up on Night School readings ([link removed])
Not a Member Yet? Let's Fix That.
DSA now has 60,000 members nationally, and we're still growing. There's never been a better time to get involved than right now! Join our national organization by clicking below and become an official socialist organizer.

Join DSA ([link removed])


Caucus Corner
Our caucuses organize events too! Check out the Caucus Corner of our website ([link removed]) to learn more about the activities of East Bay DSA caucuses and how to participate.


Announcements


STEERING COMMITTEE CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
Elections for our chapter’s steering committee are this month (online voting starts May 17), and candidate statements are now online. Get informed for this election and inspired for this crucial moment by reading up on each candidate’s goals and priorities for the chapter.

More info ([link removed])

The only way to end class domination is to dissolve the class that dominates. There is no evidence that this class will dissolve itself. Individual members may repudiate their affiliation with the class, but for the class as a whole to be dissolved, its most intransigent members must be stripped of their power.
--Victor Wallis



-=-=-
East Bay DSA - United States
This email was sent to [email protected]. To stop receiving emails: [link removed]
-=-=-

Created with NationBuilder - [link removed]