MDC DSA Local Convention deadlines this weekend; ballot for special election endorsement to be sent on Tuesday; ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, 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. Want to fight fascism from the heart of empire? Join DSA and fight to build socialism!
Paid for by Metro DC DSA (mdcdsa.org). Not authorized by any candidate or committee.
UP FRONT
MDC DSA Convention Bulletin: Important deadlines coming up this weekend for resolutions and bylaw amendments
Metro DC DSA’s annual convention will be taking place on December 7 & 8 at the Festival Center in Adams Morgan. At the local convention, socialists from across the DMV will convene to deliberate on chapter positions, procedural rules, budget, priority campaigns, and leadership for 2025.
Local chapter members should RSVP for the event at this form— early RSVP will aid convention coordinators in day-of planning. Members interested in discussing local resolutions or interacting with candidates running for the Steering Committee should head to the #2024-local convention channel in the chapter Slack. This event will be hybrid, although chapter members are encouraged to attend in person.
Submission of bylaw amendments and general resolutions to be considered by the chapter are due this Saturday, November 23 by 11:59pm.Bylaw amendments and resolutions can be submitted using this form. Current bylaws are here. There will be a period for members to propose amendments to resolutions and proposed bylaw changes.
Nominations for the Steering Committee are due this Saturday, November 23 by 11:59pm. Candidates can be nominated using this nomination form, and tracking of live nominations can be found on this sheet. Candidates will have until Wednesday, November 27 to confirm participation. A candidate forum will be scheduled after the Internal Elections Department consults with nominated candidates.
Future updates will cover the convention and outline proposed resolutions and amendments.
Ballot for socialist endorsement in PG County Council race to go out next Tuesday (11/26) — member statements for/against endorsement now open
Shayla Adams-Stafford, a current representative on the PG County School Board, is seeking the chapter's endorsement for the PG County Council District 5 special election, which will take place in early 2025. Last Tuesday, the chapter held a Q&A with the candidate and held a debate session on endorsement between members of Metro DC DSA. Chapter members will be sent a ballot on endorsement on Tuesday, 11/26, which will be open for one week.
Members of Metro DC DSA can submit statements for or against endorsement that will appear on the endorsement resolution ballot. To do so, go to Red Desk and select “Agenda Item / Submit Member Statement” under Help Topic. Fill out the information and enter a link to a Google doc or appropriate file with the text of your statement where prompted. 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 Tuesday, 11/26.
Members can read Shayla Adams-Stafford's endorsement questionnaire and endorsement resolution in the chapter Slack by accessing the #electoral channel or #announcements channel. Questions can be emailed to [email protected] or posted in #steering.
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The NYT considers this an “an extraordinary blow to Israel’s global standing;” however, the United States will continue to supply arms to the ongoing genocide.
This week, there were three votes in the senate — all proposed by Sen. Sanders (S.J.Res 111, 113, 115) — which would stop the sale of different specified offensive weapons or technical equipment to Israel. Not shockingly, all three of these bills failed, only getting 17 to 19 votes each. The US House also passed legislation (HR 9495) by a count of 219-184 this week, which will give the Treasury Department unilateral authority to strip tax-exempt status from nonprofits that it claims support terrorism — a bill that will expand power of the incoming Trump administration. Betrayal from a sect of Democrats, all acting in deference to the Israel lobby, helped to pass this legislation.
DMV socialists are continuing to organize against the genocide in Gaza and the occupation of Palestine by apartheid Israel. Get involved by attending the next Internationalism Working Group meeting and/or hopping in the #internationalism channel in the chapter Slack. National DSA is also holding a know your rights training on Sunday, November 24 at 12pm, which will focus on educating attendees about their rights in resisting anti-immigrant pushes coming down the pipeline.
BRIEFS
AdCom Social and Happy Hour — TONIGHT, Friday, November 22 at 5:30pm
DSA members interested in participating in our chapter’s internal organization and logistics — or those looking to learn more about how the chapter functions — are invited to join the Administrative Committee (AdCom) happy hour! Come blow off some steam and have some happy hour drinks with your AdComrades at Dew Drop Inn TONIGHT, Friday, November 22 from 5:30 – 9pm. You can talk to department stewards about the work their teams do to keep our chapter functioning smoothly, as well as meet new people. AdCom helps coordinate things like events, social media posts, website updates, member engagement, security, technical operations, and more. The chapter can always use more people to keep the administrative wheels of our chapter turning, so come out and meet your new AdCom friends.
Socialists to convene cross-campaign political forum this Saturday, November 23
Socialists often find themselves in rapid-response mode, jumping from fight to fight. In the wake of the presidential elections and a resurgent fascism, and with MDC DSA Local Convention coming up, it's a good idea to take a breather and discuss the bigger picture with comrades.
Comrades are convening on Saturday, November 23 at 2:30pm in Petworth Library Meeting Room 1 to host a discussion forum on local and national political conditions and the state of socialist and popular movements. It’s a chance for the left to come together, share insights, and build towards a unified chapter analysis that will shape our direction for the coming years. The event will be hybrid, with a Zoom option available for those who RSVP.
Stomp Out Slumlords launching eviction defense canvass tomorrow, November 23
Rescheduled from original November 16th date.
Stomp Out Slumlords, Metro DC DSA’s tenant organizing campaign, is hitting the streets tomorrow, Saturday, November 23, to help defend renters’ rights with 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 for canvass notices and updates. If you’re interested in our work but can’t canvass, reach out to [email protected] to learn about other ways to get involved.
Bodily Autonomy Working Group continues rapid-response organizing against a barrage of far-right attacks
The far right has been emboldened by Trump’s recent win, and the reverberations are already being felt by marginalized communities across the country — weeks before his official presidential term is set to begin. Bodily autonomy, trans rights, and reproductive freedom are on the front lines of the fight against fascism, and we must organize to protect ourselves and our communities from the coming attacks.
This is not the leadership we deserve now — we need those with large platforms to demand we are treated with dignity and respect at all levels, to not back down from the fight, and to stand firm against those who seek to deny us our basic rights and harm our communities.
Socialists are looking to push our leaders to do better. MDC DSA’s new Bodily Autonomy Working Group runs two broad campaigns on Reproductive Justice and Trans/Queer Liberation. Whether you want to support mutual aid work, rapid-response communications, legislative organizing, or mobilization efforts, we want to bring in as many comrades as possible to make our community stronger and safer in the coming years.
To get involved, see our Linktree for more information and fill out our interest form.
Tenants pack Rockville City Council and Mayor hearing in support of rent stabilization
Dozens of Rockville tenants and supporters urged the Rockville City Council and Mayor to pass rent stabilization legislation on Monday before a “housing stability” discussion. Diverse tenants from across the city shared stories about how uncontrolled rents have disrupted their lives and condemned the City Council and Mayor for bowing to landlord and developer interests by refusing to pass rent stabilization. Rent stabilization supporters filled the council hearing room and spilled into three overflow rooms. In response, members of the Rockville City Council and the Mayor suggested that the city should do everything except pass rent stabilization — including passing a renter's bill of rights, regulating the fees that landlords can charge, and even awarding “gold stars” to landlords who do not raise rents. Council Members Zola Shaw and David Myles urged their colleagues to reverse their July decision to stop consideration of rent stabilization. Tenants are continuing to organize for rent stabilization, but active community engagement is needed. To get involved in this campaign, email [email protected].
And in related news, Maryland is sloppy on monitoring low-income housing grants. An Assembly-ordered audit has shown that the state housing authority [DHCD] allowed developers loans and breaks for “low-income housing” that actually catered to higher incomes, the Baltimore Sun reports. “DCHD did not retain any documentation to support the verification of renter eligibility,” the report said. Developer capture confirmed.
National Park Service hacking into Rock Creek Park — locals staging rallies in defiance
The National Park Service has begun to cut down over 1,000 trees in Rock Creek Park to expand the park’s golf course and build a new driving range. Rock Creek Park, one of DC’s most cherished public spaces, is supposed to be preserved for the people and the environment — this new planned development will destroy the public good and serve the wealthiest at the cost of the city’s already-frayed local ecosystems.
Locals have already begun staging rallies and meetings to defend the park. The next meeting of this coalition will take place this Saturday, November 23 at 10am. Locals and allies should meet at the intersection of 16th Street NW & Sheridan St NW. To learn more, visit the homepage of Golf Course for All, which is also using Instagram for rapid communications.
DC activists continue to fight against gas bill increases as Washington Gas attempts a cynical rebrand
We Power DC and the Stop Project Pipes coalition have been organizing for months to stop Washington Gas’s Project Pipes in its tracks. Local resistance is working: Last spring, almost 200 comments from DC residents and activists helped get the Washington Gas Project Pipes 3 proposal rejected by the Public Service Commission. Now, Washington Gas is back with a “new” plan… but it’s really the same as ever.
Washington Gas is planning to jack up DC residents’ gas bills to fund their $12 billion Project Pipes and lock the District into methane gas with new infrastructure we do not need. Because the utility is trying to improve its image, the company renamed the proposal “District SAFE,” even though the gas in those pipes is anything but. Activists are urging DC locals to take 30 seconds to send a comment to the PSC now to stop Washington Gas’s shady tactics to charge DC gas customers even more. Tell DC regulators to say NO to the misleadingly named “District SAFE” plan.
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.
MDC DSA Publications is information central for not only 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 our 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. Next issue’s deadline is December 6. 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
Music in the Garden | Temperance Alley Garden
Join the Garden plants and critters at Temperance Alley Garden TONIGHT, November 22nd from 7pm to 9pm, for a FREE evening of home-grown music featuring Silence Echoez and No Cheese. Silence Echoez is a singer/songwriter from the DC area whose tunes come in flavors from café ambience to protest anthem, and No Cheese is a Pop Power Pop trio with roots in Southeastern PA. Learn more about the event here.
Spanish/English language exchange | DSA Housing Justice Commission
On Tuesday, November 26, the DSA Housing Justice Commission will have their weekly virtual Spanish/English language session for organizers interested in practicing their Spanish/English language skills. The goal is to build enough proficiency and confidence in each participant to have simple conversations in Spanish. If you don't feel confident enough to speak you can practice your listening skills! Sessions are every Tuesday at 8pm on Zoom. Sign up here to receive the Zoom link.
The Tyranny of the Two-Party System reading group | Third Space Politics
On Thursday, December 5th, Third Space Politics will host a reading group to discuss The Tyranny of the Two-Party System by Lisa Disch. Participants will meet at the Coupe, 3415 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010. RSVP here.
Third Space Politics is a grassroots organization based in Washington, DC that aims to build multi-party democracy in the United States. Third Space Politics opposes discrimination in ballot access, supports intra-party democracy, and advocates electoral reforms that give opportunities to more parties to participate.
Holiday Party 2024 | DC Abortion Fund
On Tuesday, December 10, from 7pm to midnight, join the DC Abortion Fund for their annual Holiday Party at Lost Generation Brewing Company. This year’s theme is We Lived Through This,inspired by the righteous anger of Hole’s 1994 album “Live Through This.” Become a sponsor or buy your tickets 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 2017 Trump Resistance Playbook Is Out. Community Organizing Is In. The Women’s March is now the People’s March, and groups working to oppose Trump’s agenda are highlighting specific actions volunteers can take.
“Former President Donald Trump once again won a presidential election. Again, his opponent was a highly qualified woman. And again, intense rhetoric about gender and race defined his candidacy. But for many who find themselves thinking about what it means to mobilize against MAGA, this moment feels very different from Trump’s first win in 2016. Then, it was pink pussyhats and the Women’s March, loud calls for public action and visible outcry. Today, progressive leaders and policy experts say, things feel quieter, more contemplative, more focused on practical, on-the-ground community action — even as women, people of color, and queer people face real fears about their futures in light of a second Trump presidency.” There is no competing with Trump when it comes to The Spectacle, and no reason to try when deliberate community organizing can build lasting, sustained alliances. From The 19th via Portside
Being Against the Right Is Not Enough “The politics of ‘being against’ is part of the problem. The left’s claim must always be to make a difference in the daily life of people.” An important perspective from and for the EU, and beyond… via Portside
Labor resurgence can continue despite Trump
“It’s true that the new administration is preparing major attacks against workers and the labor movement. And many union leaders will assume that the most we can hope for over the next four years is to survive through purely defensive struggles. … But unions are actually still well-positioned to continue their organizing and bargaining momentum.”
Chris Bohner and Eric Blanc outline eight factors that should “encourage unions to invest more, not less” into organizing. Radish Research via Portside.
Pew Study: Young adults get news from online influencers, who trend right-ish and low-information A new study from the Pew research center about news sources finds: About one in five Americans — including a much higher share of adults under 30 (37%) — say they regularly get news from influencers on social media. More stats:
News influencers are most likely to be found on the social media site X, where 85% have a presence. But many also are on other social media sites, such as Instagram (where 50% have an account) and YouTube (44%).
Slightly more news influencers explicitly identify as Republican, conservative or pro-Donald Trump (27% of news influencers) than Democratic, liberal or pro-Kamala Harris (21%).
A clear majority of news influencers are men (63%).
Most (77%) have no affiliation or background with a news organization.
Info streams have baffled the Democratic establishment, who have been clamoring to manufacture a “liberal Joe Rogan.” However, the left already has left-leaning content streams — what’s keeping the Democrats from tuning in? In reporting for aftermath, Nathan Grayson charts the contours of new media: “[Republican] creators trade in outrage, misinformation, and conspiracy theories, which keeps their base riled up and ready to lash out. Democrats cold-shoulder criticisms and blame the far-left for defeats, while Republicans let their base drive party messaging, often seizing on social media trends and sending them up the chain from content creators to Fox News and Newsmax to politicians.”
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.
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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
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