I understand that, well, I broke the law… But I would do it again. Like I said, if you send me back, I'll return to my family.



-- Javier Flores, quoted in Dissent ([link removed])



Comrades,



We're sure you've already heard the exciting electoral news; it's probably all over your social media timelines. But those things are ephemeral, and this newsletter is for the record, and when it comes to great candidates making history, we think it's ok to take an extra moment to celebrate, so here:



East Bay DSA has voted to endorse:

* Mike Hutchinson and "Coach" Ben Tapscott for Oakland School Board

* The Right to Housing Slate for Berkeley Rent Board

* Nestor Castillo, Elisha Crader, and Lacei Amodei for Hayward City Council; and

* Carroll Fife for Oakland City Council!



With no credible national leadership on police or prison reform, public health or education amid COVID-19, or transit or housing policy, it's clearer than ever that the power to transform society only exists in an organized movement of working people. Our local candidates, our campaigns, but above all, just us showing up.



So here are some next steps: invite a friend or neighbor to our Intro to DSA ([link removed]) . Deepen your understanding with our special two-day Socialist Day School ([link removed]) . Then get really good at recruiting and organizing with our One-on-One Organizing Training ([link removed]) . And make sure we all keep showing up by signing up with the Mobilizer Team ([link removed]) ! Wherever you’re at as a socialist, you’re needed right now.



Solidarity!





News and Information

Here's some of the latest news and information from East Bay Majority ([link removed]) , East Bay DSA's news source with a socialist perspective





** OUSD’S REOPENING PLAN PUTS EVERYONE AT RISK. TEACHERS ARE FIGHTING BACK

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The Oakland school district is threatening to reopen on Aug. 10 without adequate provisions for student safety and technology needs. Now teachers in OEA are bargaining for the lives of students, families, and teachers.



RSVP ([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]) .





** STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

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Sunday, August 16 | 2–5 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿

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 the Zoom link. Agenda is TBA.



RSVP ([link removed])





** RACIAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

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Monday, August 17 | 7–9 p.m.

Online – contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) 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.



RSVP ([link removed])





** LET’S OWN PG&E CAMPAIGN

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Wednesday, August 19 | 6:45–8:15 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ♿

Learn about why a for-profit PG&E will never work for the people or the planet and be a part of winning a Community-owned, Community-controlled PG&E.



RSVP ([link removed])





** SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

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Wednesday, August 19 | 7–8:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿️

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!



Please RSVP for the Zoom URL & instructions.



RSVP ([link removed])





** MOBILIZER TEAM PHONEBANKING

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Thursday, August 20 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿

The Mobilizer team’s mission is to build the personal connections that help DSA members get more involved in our chapter and politically active. We have one on one conversations with both new members and existing members of our chapter where we learn about what drew them to the struggle for socialism and help them think about how they want to take the next step to get more engaged. In this weekly phone bank, we call our members and train new Mobilizers on how to make calls. Come help us build a strong chapter and movement while having great conversations!



RSVP ([link removed])





** MOBILIZER TEAM PHONEBANKING

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Tuesday, August 25 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿️

See description for Thursday’s event above. Come help us build a strong chapter and movement while having more great conversations!



RSVP ([link removed])





** INTRO TO DSA

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Wednesday, August 26 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom ([link removed]) ♿

Democratic Socialist politicians like Bernie Sanders, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are raising the expectations of millions of people across the United States and bringing them into a political awakening. The membership of DSA, the largest socialist organization in the United States, is rapidly growing by the thousands. Millions of everyday people are calling for Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, universal rent control, and more.



But what is democratic socialism? What does it mean to be a member of DSA?



Let's talk about it.



Join us to discuss what our political moment calls for, make new friends, and get plugged into our fight for democratic control of the things that we need for all of us to live a dignified life.



RSVP ([link removed])

Upcoming Events





** 2020 CONVENTION PHONEBANK

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Friday, August 28 | 6–8 p.m.

Remote – email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) for info ♿

East Bay DSA is having our 2020 Local Convention on September 13th! Our Convention is the highest decision making body in our chapter, and it’s where we collectively set priorities for the coming year. But in order to make sure that as many members as possible are able to participate, it’s going to take some internal organizing.



Join us in phonebanking our membership to get them to RSVP, read the priorities that we'll all be debating, and pump everyone up!



If you have any questions, please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .



RSVP ([link removed])





** SOCIALIST DAY SCHOOL

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Day 1: Saturday, August 29 | 2–5 p.m.

Day 2: Sunday, August 30 | 2–5 p.m.

Online via Zoom — Register for more info ([link removed])

The Political Education Committee is proud to invite you to East Bay DSA's Socialist Day School on Saturday and Sunday, August 29–30!



A lot has happened this year, from Bernie failing to win the nomination, to the economic and health disasters triggered by coronavirus, to the mass mobilization against the structural racism perpetuated by police violence. Discussion and debate of our strategies and tactics are crucial--now more than ever! The moment demands that we seriously engage with strategic debates and that we look critically at the theory which guides us.



We have designed a weekend-long event to ensure that we have the tools to do so. The weekend will focus on two topics: Electoral Politics and Mass Movements in America, and Socialist Anti-Racism & Mass Uprisings. Attendees will engage in free-form discussion on a set of readings that cover key debates, sharing and comparing their thoughts in an effort to develop a more solid understanding of strategy and theory, both as individuals and as a chapter.



It is evident that we now face a situation that requires rigorous analysis and critical understanding. So join us as we rise to the occasion!



See the readings ([link removed])



Register here ([link removed])





** LABOR COMMITTEE MEETING

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Sunday, August 30 | 6–8 p.m.



Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿️

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])





** THE ORGANIZER’S TOOLBOX: HOW TO HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE

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Monday, August 31 | 7–9 p.m.

Online via Zoom ♿

In this training, we will discuss and practice the art of the one-on-one meeting. This is a powerful and foundational skill for any organizer—it helps us form a political relationship with somebody, understand more about who they are and what motivates them, and gives us an opportunity to make a concrete ask of them.



One-on-one meetings can help us develop political relationships with other working-class people, build leadership in your committee, and move people to action. Come to this training to learn the components of a one-on-one and get some real-life practice.



Note: While everybody is welcome, this training event is geared towards people who are already active in the Democratic Socialists of America or aligned organizations.



Recommended reading ([link removed])



RSVP ([link removed])





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 70,000 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

JOIN THE CLASSROOM JUSTICE CAMPAIGN

📚✏️VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!📚✏️ EBDSA’s Classroom Justice Campaign has been distributing coloring books with resources and information for parents and teachers during the COVID-19 crisis MONDAY and THURSDAY mornings at OUSD food distribution sites, which have doubled this summer. We're looking for more volunteers to help with distribution and printing!



Interested? Sign up using this Google form ([link removed]) .



More info at classroomjustice.org.





The yearning for emancipation-from-above is the all-pervading principle through centuries of class society and political oppression. It is the permanent promise held out by every ruling power to keep the people looking upward for protection, instead of to themselves for liberation from the need for protection.

--Hal Draper, The Two Souls of Socialism



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