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Welcome to this week’s edition of MDDSA’s “Bulletin Board,” a weekly email blast to keep members in touch with the Chapter events.

On Saturday, we had our General Membership meeting. We had all our committees and working groups report back on all the projects they're working on and had an incredible interview with author & community activist, Yusef Bunchy Shakur.

Here's information about the meeting:
July 11 General Meeting Slideshow | General Meeting Minutes

Interview with Yusef coming soon!

METRO-DETROIT DSA BULLETIN BOARD— WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN

Re-elect Rashida | Elect Abraham

Detroit DSA has endorsed two incredible Detroit DSA members and working class champions for office! The incomparable Rep. Rashida Tlaib is running for re-election as the Member of Congress for Detroit’s 13th Congressional District. Community organizer and Hamtramck native Abe Aiyash is running for State Rep in District 4, representing portions of Detroit and all of Hamtramck.

Rashida has proven to be a strong ally and comrade for Detroit DSA, and she has walked the walk during her term. Her voter outreach has focused on providing mutual aid to people impacted during the pandemic, and she recently teamed with Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley on the BREATHE Act, which includes eliminating the DEA, ICE, surveillance programs, along with other bold criminal justice reforms.

Abraham Aiyash is a community organizer, son of immigrants, and lifetime Hamtramck resident. He brings experience as a city commissioner and experience in Lansing. Abe supports policies such as Medicare For All and a $15 minimum wage (you can find the full list here), and is endorsed by Bernie Sanders, the Sierra Club, and Sunrise Movement Detroit. He is an outspoken Socialist and Detroit DSA Comrade.

Many folks already have their absentee ballot, so NOW is the critical time to knock doors and spread the word for both Abe and Rashida. The Primary is less than three weeks away, and in Detroit, the Primary is the real Election!

Canvassing Mon, Wed, Sat, Sun

5-8 PM | Rashida & Abraham Canvass | In-Person | Public

We are canvassing Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 5-8 PM until August 3rd for Abe and Rashida! We meet at Abraham's office at 10034 Joseph Campau Ave, Hamtramck, MI 48212.

Thursday, 07/16

6:30-8 PM | Phonebanking for Rashida & Abraham | Virtual | Public

We will be calling Rashida Tlaib's constituents in the 13th District to keep our favorite Congressional Representative in office. We will also make calls for State Rep candidate Abraham Aiyash who is running to represent Hamtramck and parts of Detroit.

DEFUND THE POLICE CAMPAIGN

Help defund, demilitarize, and disarm the police by joining Detroit DSA and the Black & Brown Alliance in organizing against the DPD and suburban police departments. We are using our voices to call out the malevolent actions of the police--at protests, while educating others, or by joining city council and police commissioner meetings. Help us organize en masse and make the City of Detroit and DPD feel the pressure of our demands loud and clear.

Sign-Up Here to Join Detroit DSA’s Defund The Police Campaign!

Drop by the below weekly city of Detroit meetings and make a statement during public comment.

Mon 10 AM-12 PM (Weekly) | Public Health & Safety Committee | Virtual | Public

Tues 10 AM-12 PM (Weekly) | City Council | Virtual | Public

Demand that they support the resolution to drop all charges against peaceful protesters that were arrested at the beginning of June for violating the racist and unjust 8PM curfew. It is being held up in the PH&S Committee and needs to be moved to City Council for a formal vote.

Tues 3-6 PM (Weekly) | Board of Police Commissioners | Virtual | Public

Last Thursday, the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners failed to do anything about the use of facial recognition technology by the Detroit Police Department despite the demands of Detroiters. They let Chief Craig give a presentation about the wrongful arrest of Robert Williams, during which he claimed there is nothing wrong with facial recognition technology, and that Mr. Williams' arrest was just a one-off mistake. The Commissioners asked Craig a few toothless questions and muted DSA member Commissioner Willie Burton for daring to be critical.

However, Robert Williams' arrest was not just a one-off. On Friday, the Detroit Free Press published a story about the wrongful arrest of Michael Oliver. Mr. Oliver was wrongly accused of a felony last year, also due to a facial recognition mismatch. Demand that they ban facial recognition technology and end the dystopian, racist, unconstitutional surveillance program known as Project Green Light.

Find more talking points and background HERE.

Upcoming Events

To see all upcoming events, take a look at the MDDSA Google Calendar.

Wednesday, 07/15

5-8 PM (Weekly) | Rashida & Abraham Canvass | In-Person (10034 Joseph Campau Ave Hamtramck, MI 48212) | Public

(See Electoral Highlight for more details)

Thursday 7/16

2:30-3 PM (Weekly) | Detroit BOPC DSA Pre-Meeting | Virtual | Public

3-6 PM (Weekly) | Detroit Board of Commissioners Meeting | Virtual | Public

(See Defund Highlight for more details)

6:30-8 PM (Weekly) | Phonebanking for Rashida & Abraham | Virtual | Public

(See Electoral Highlight for more details)

Saturday 7/18

5-7 PM (Monthly) | MDDSA New Member Orientation | Virtual | New Members

Are you a member and want to know how to get plugged in? Join us monthly to learn what we're up to and how to get involved.

5-8 PM (Weekly) | Rashida & Abraham Canvass | In-Person (10034 Joseph Campau Ave Hamtramck, MI 48212) | Public

(See Electoral Highlight for more details)

Sunday 7/19

5-8 PM (Weekly) | Rashida & Abraham Canvass | In-Person (10034 Joseph Campau Ave Hamtramck, MI 48212) | Public

(See Electoral Highlight for more details)

7 PM | Socialist Movie Night: Robocop (1987) | Virtual | Public

Come for the live-chat, stay for the discussion afterwards!

Monday, 07/20

7 PM-9 PM (Weekly) | Liberation Mondays: Defund Police, Rebuild our Neighborhoods | Virtual & In-Person | Public

(Details TBD - Watch the Detroit DSA Events page on Facebook)

10 AM-12 PM (Weekly) | Detroit Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | Virtual | Public

(See Defund Highlight for more details)

5-8 PM (Weekly) | Rashida & Abraham Canvass | In-Person (10034 Joseph Campau Ave Hamtramck, MI 48212) | Public

(See Electoral Highlight for more details)

Tuesday, 07/21

10 AM-12 PM (Weekly) | Detroit City Council Meeting | Virtual | Public

(See Defund Highlight for more details)

6:30-8 PM | Socialist Night School: Fighting Racism & Oppression | Virtual | Public

Next in the Summer Semester series: Fighting Racism & Oppression. More details soon!

Wednesday, 07/22

5-8 PM (Weekly) | Rashida & Abraham Canvass | In-Person (10034 Joseph Campau Ave Hamtramck, MI 48212) | Public

(See Electoral Highlight for more details)

Detroit DSA Member Meetings

Our committees & working groups are hard at work on various campaigns and projects. If you’re a Detroit DSA member, check out any meetings that pique your interests. Not a DSA member but want to get involved? Join at www.dsausa.org/join.

Wednesday, 7/15

7:15-8 PM (Weekly) | Defund the Police Research Team Meeting | Virtual

8-9PM (Weekly) | Defund the Police Campaign Committee Meeting | Virtual

Friday, 7/17

6:30-7:30 PM (Bi-Weekly) | Tech Working Group Meeting | Virtual

Sunday, 7/19

10 AM (Bi-Weekly) | BBA Membership Meeting | Virtual

11-12 PM | Steering Committee Meeting | Virtual

2-3 PM | Campaigns Team Meeting | Virtual

Monday, 7/20

5:30-6:30 PM (Bi-Weekly) | Newspaper Editors/Writers Collective | Virtual

Tuesday, 7/21