Socialists fight to remain determined, diligent, in wake of fascist threats; Join the Trans Liberation’s Mutual Aid Subcommittee; New to DSA and looking to connect with others? Join the new member cohort this February; 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
Socialists fight to remain determined, diligent, in wake of fascist threats
Late Wednesday night, a military helicopter crashed into a passenger plane over the Potomac River. The plane — American Eagle Flight 5342 — was coming in from Wichita, Kansas, carrying sixty passengers and four crew members and was landing at National Airport. There were no survivors. The investigation is still ongoing, but a preliminary FAA report on the crash says that air traffic control staffing at Reagan National Airport was “not normal.”
Before bodies and debris had been pulled out of the water, President Trump — classless and clueless as ever — took to blaming the crash on “diversity” without evidence or rationale. Trump continued to blame the crash on predecessors — but did little to acknowledge the role his federal hiring freeze, let alone his persistent and baseless attacks on government workers, may have had in enabling this disaster.
The tragedy came at an already anxious time in Washington. Across the region, Trump’s attacks appear to be hitting a nerve, as anxiety over the White House’s threats to triage federal funding — an illegal maneuver — settle into fears over job stability and downstream impacts on the local economy. Federal workers report being harassed and demoralized by Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency,” which have invaded decision-making points in the federal government. In immigrant-heavy neighborhoods, locals are reporting diminished foot traffic and activity, in fear of unleashed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, who are now authorized to raid hospitals, churches, and schools. A new law signed on Wednesday - the Laken Riley Act - expands the federal government’s authority to detain undocumented immigrants even if they are never convicted or charged with a crime. (That this outrageous legislation was passed with support of 12 Democrats in the Senate and 46 Democrats in the House should call to question the party’s commitment in resisting this fascist onslaught.)
Trump and his gangsters have tried “flooding the zone” for “shock and awe,” as some have said, working from the template of Project 2025. Project 2025 is a comprehensive set of counter-strategies designed to interrupt a socialist agenda – ours being similarly comprehensive and designed to show how the web of capitalist practices ensnares working people. As Project 2025 fails, piece by piece, each failure will illuminate the value of socialism's counterproposals, the alternative future we present. Socialists should continue to assemble with the working class and leftist allies to build collective power and resolve in our workplaces and communities. The time will come when the democracy and solidarity we build in our unions, tenant associations, community organizations and mutual aid networks will blossom into outright resistance. Keep going.
Join the Trans Liberation’s Mutual Aid Subcommittee — TODAY, January 31 at 7pm
Queer individuals are disproportionately affected by financial challenges, often struggling to cover essential expenses such as medical care, rent, groceries, and phone bills. With recent executive orders targeting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) policies and threatening to “end the Federal funding of gender ideology” (whatever that may mean), these disparities are only likely to worsen. Now, more than ever, trans and non-binary people are relying on their communities for support during this time of open hostility from the federal government.
Comrades and allies with time or resources to spare, please join Trans Liberation’s Mutual Aid Subcommittee. Meetings are scheduled every Friday at 7pm on Zoom. Together, let’s stand strong for the trans and non-binary community — because while America has failed us by allowing Trump to take office, we will not fail each other. Register Register for the mutual aid subcommittee meeting here.
New to DSA and looking to connect with others? Join the new member cohort this February — applications due Sunday
Everyone new to Metro DC DSA is invited to apply to join the Winter 2025 New Member Community Cohort. The cohort will participate in weekly sessions throughout February. The first session covers the concept of organizing; the second provides an overview of socialism and capitalism; and the final one explains how MDC DSA works and provides opportunities to talk to people who run chapter campaigns. At least one session will be followed by a social outing, and there will be one designated all-cohort action day. Applications are due by February 2.
BRIEFS
Metro DC DSA Street Team Monthly Meeting — TOMORROW, February 1 at 2:30pm
Build power in the DMV and join the Metro DC DSA Street Team working group by attending our monthly meeting on Saturday, February 1 from 2:30 to 4pm at MLK Memorial Library, room 205-B. This event is for anyone interested in getting active in the chapter’s Street Team to build socialist power in the DMV. The Street Team hosts and attends community events to connect Metro DC DSA and its campaigns with the community in the DMV in order to expand the chapter's base and build a more democratic society, by talking to DMV residents about what's going on in their everyday lives and how many of their issues connect to our campaigns. A happy hour is to follow. All are encouraged to attend in-person. Register for the Street Team meeting here.
STARR management groups refuse to recognize worker’s unions at posh restaurants across DC
STARR Restaurants — which manages popular restaurants St. Anselms, Patis and Le Diplomat — have declined to voluntarily recognize workers’ unions at the storefronts despite workers reaching supermajorities at each location. As reported by the the DC Culinary Union, which is affiliated with UNITE HERE Local 25, managers also initiated intimidation and interrogations of workers who supported the union. The union has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB over suspected violations in two locations, and has been organizing rallies and marches — just yesterday, hundreds marched through downtown DC in support of the worker’s union drive.
Socialists in DC are organizing in support of the workers’ cause. Workers interested in coordination can follow the Labor working group’s Instagram account for rapid notice. The chapter’s Labor working group is also holding a chapter-wide meeting on Tuesday, February 11 at 6pm, with plans to brief on ongoing labor fights across the city, and to coordinate response to the Trump Administration’s threats against workers rights. All interested in organizing in solidarity with the labor movement are invited to attend.
Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO endorses Shayla Adams-Stafford and Aisha Braveboy in PG races
“Today [Wednesday] we are proud to announce our endorsement of Aisha Braveboy for Prince George's County Executive, and Shayla Adams-Stafford [MDC DSA -endorsed] for Prince George's County Council, District 5, following a candidate consideration process with several of the candidates in these races. Our process included written questionnaires as well as in-person interviews.” ATU Local 689 has also announced their endorsement of Shayla Adams-Stafford. Metro DC DSA has two planned canvasses this weekend for Shayla Adams-Stafford; RSVP here for Saturday and here for Sunday, both starting at 11am at the Progressive Maryland Office (4500 Forbes Boulevard, Lanham MD 20706).
New DC resource to help families plan for immigration detainment, deportation
A new website — Families United DC — will help immigrant families navigate their rights and prepare for immigration emergencies that might happen. The website includes information on: creating a childcare plan; creating a financial plan; a basic review of immigration rights and allied organizations; and community support resources. The website is translated into fifteen languages.
If someone you know is detained by ICE: The ICE detainee locator can be used to search for people detained by ICE. There are currently two immigration detention facilities in the DMV area; one located in Farmville, VA and the other in Bowling Green, VA. There are no adult detention facilities in either DC or Maryland. In general, individuals apprehended in DC and VA are taken to one of the two VA facilities. Individuals apprehended in MD are taken to a facility in Pennsylvania, but someone who is detained by ICE can be placed in any detention center in the United States or moved around between detention centers. Learn more about local immigration rights here.
Rockville Rent Stabilization Community Forum: Stable Rents, Stable Rockville — February 16 at 2pm
Community roots cannot grow in unstable ground. Join Rockville Renters United, the Montgomery County Branch of Metro DC DSA, and coalition partners for a community forum on Sunday, February 26 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville. This event will feature information about rent stabilization, community stories, and renter resources. RSVP for the forum here.
Policy is implementation: A look ahead to upcoming DC Council legislation
In the coming weeks, the Weekly Update plans to highlight upcoming bills in the new DC council session. First up is B26-0050 Rapid Re-Housing Reform Amendment Act of 2025. The bill creates a targeted affordable housing program called the Rapid Re-Housing Program, where participants will pay less than 30% of their income toward rent. Eligible individuals will receive a voucher, case management, and will not be exited from the program until they secure a lease with a housing provider who accepts the voucher. Priority will be given to individuals or families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or participating in a Continuum of Care program.
In order to effectively implement the policy, the city will need to ensure there are enough homes designated as affordable housing to house the current population in need. This legislation appears to only target homeless individuals and families with an income to pay rent, saying nothing about those who are unemployed. While this legislation is a step in the right direction, it’s ultimately a band-aid on a gaping wound.
Workers at a Whole Foods Market in Philadelphia become the 1st to unionize
Workers at a Whole Foods Market in Pennsylvania voted to unionize on Monday, becoming the first group of employees to pull off a labor win at the Amazon-owned grocery store chain. Employees at the Philadelphia store cast 130 votes — or about 57% of the ballots cast — in favor of joining a local chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union for the purposes of collective bargaining, the NLRB said. Associated Press via Semafor
INFO ACCESS
Learn more about our local MDC DSA chapter — structure, campaigns and working groups, Night School, and reading groups — HERE. Even longtime comrades may find it a learning experience. New member or DSA-curious? Check out Why You Should Join DSA/New Member Orientation, a one-hour account Wednesday, February 19, of what we do and how we win. 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’s internal 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, and is always ready to onboard new socialist communicators; #publications is our working group’s Slack channel. 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. The Washington Socialist, published since the 1970s, offers articles on a quarterly schedule; the Winter 2025 edition is now live and will be updated on a rolling basis, meaning timely submissions may get added as appropriate. 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 anytime 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.
DMV LEFT COMMUNITY BULLETIN
Little Chinatown, Bigger Ideas on February 1 | Save Chinatown Solidarity Network
Ring in the Year of the Snake with the Save Chinatown Solidarity Network by joining them to discuss the city's destructive plans for downtown and Chinatown, their vision for a path forward, and community feedback. The teach-in starts at 3:30pm, followed by break-outs and an art build at 4:30pm, with food and drinks provided. RSVP for the teach-in here.
Queer Palestinian Film Screening on February 9 | Claudia Jones School and Filmistin Collective
Delve into the varied experiences of queer Palestinians and the concept of pinkwashing during an afternoon of film and discussion. Focus on Palestinian art and cinema while supporting the art director and his family, who are currently displaced in Gaza. Ticket and merchandise sales will be donated. RSVP to the screening here.
Game Demo Night: Emissary on February 10 | Fantom Comics
Inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin, in this GM-less storytelling game Emissary, players will spend 2-3 hours building a world collaboratively and take turns guiding the actions of the Emissary as they encounter it and face the consequences of their arrival. Learn more about the game here.
Facilitating Decision-Making Crash Course on February 25 | AORTA
This online training offers concrete approaches and immediately applicable tools on guiding groups through decision-making. Join AORTA, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Jewish Voice for Peace, Dissenters, and Amplify Georgia Collective for this 2-hour virtual crash course. 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.
Defending society against MAGA tyranny A second section of a more detailed workbook on how to develop “social self-defense” in the face of the fascist regime attempting to take hold of the federal government. A link to the whole product is included in this excerpt. From Jeremy Brecher in the Z Network via Portside.
The End of Resistance History
No matter its gloss of moral righteousness and global humanitarianism, Resistance history ultimately polices the boundaries of the American political imagination, propping up rather than interrogating the rotting skeleton of US racial capitalism and imperialism from which US fascism emerges and metastasizes on both sides of the aisle. Protean; thx 5 Leftie Links
AI stocks are in collapse (aaaww) after it turns out not to be so expensive after all “There was an expectation that it would always be the case that generative AI would always be energy and compute hungry, and thus, incredibly expensive. But then, a Chinese artificial intelligence company that few had heard of called DeepSeek came along with multiple models that aren’t merely competitive with OpenAI's, but undercut them in several meaningful ways… the idea that there was another way to do this — that, in fact, we didn't need to spend all that money, had any of the hyperscalers considered a different approach beyond "throw as much money at the problem as possible" — simply wasn’t considered.
Trump, his targets, and Biden’s best pardon
Our comrade Kurt S has this read on what’s to read… “For those of us who did not celebrate Trump's inauguration, Hamilton Nolan covered the event — such as it was — for In These Times. Like his policies, Trump's is all about the few not the many, leaving his supporters out in the cold (figuratively and literally).
“And if Trump is treating those he pretends to befriend like dirt, we know all too well how he will be (and is already) treating those he has decided to target. Federal workers are amongst the people with "Xs" on their back, their struggles having direct meaning to all of us who live in DC or suburban Maryland and Virginia. Those federal workers are not, however, going to give in without resistance as this article from the 51st makes plain.
“There has been little in the way of good news of late, but Biden’s commutation of AIM activist Leonard Peltier's sentence, allowing him to go home after over 45 years in prison, was definitely something to cheer about, notwithstanding that he should have been freed decades ago. Bill Clinton announced a pardon, but then chickened out under FBI pressure, at the end of his second term in office. Prism has the backstory of Peltier’s frame-up, adding “In spanning decades, his struggle continued to illuminate the reality of what was happening to Indian People everywhere.”
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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