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**
THE
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twin cities
democratic socialists
of america


** Little Red Letter No. 62
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Calls to Action


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No Cages Vigil

FreeThemAll: Vigil for People who are Incarcerated & Detained Dying from COVID-19
Tuesday, Sept 15th, 5:00 pm
US District Court, 300 S. 4th St (Minneapolis)
We know that jails, prisons, ICE detention facilities, and the carceral complex have never been safe for incarcerated and detained people. Since their creation, the police and prison-industrial complexes have disproportionately criminalized, arrested, incarcerated, and detained Black and Brown people. In the midst of a pandemic, many across the country and world have died while separated from their loved ones in carceral facilities, with inadequate access to medical care and cleaning supplies, and in cells where it is impossible to social distance. We will be holding a public memorial to honor the lives of people who have died from COVID-19 while incarcerated or detained. We want to root this vigil in tying the narratives of incarceration and detention. Most importantly, we want to disrupt narratives that cast judgement of who is worthy of freedom and reimagine alternatives to the carceral system. More details to come on the NoCages Facebook page. ([link removed])
The Mental Health WG is holding Wellness Hours every other Saturday on Zoom. They alternate between an informal peer support group and a teach-in on some relevant subject. Subjects so far have included the Wheel of Wellness, Alfred Adler, and Roberto Assagioli (two early 20th century humanist psychotherapists.) The next peer support will be Sunday (due to chapter convention) September 20, 2:00 pm. See the calendar or Slack channel to join.
Unite Here! Local 17 has had a very busy month. Workers at both Spyhouse Coffee and Surly Beer Hall have voted to unionize under their banner. This is not only a significant win for those workers and the Local, but for all working people in the city. Read more... ([link removed])
SOCIALIZING IS PART OF ORGANIZING!
The TCDSA Labor Branch is hosting a Socially Distanced Social outdoors at Powderhorn Park in south Minneapolis. Join us (you don't need to be in the Branch - in fact, prospective members are very welcome!) on Friday, Sept. 18 at 5:00 pm. Bring your own food and drink and a mask. RSVP on Facebook. ([link removed])
2020
Twin Cities DSA
Annual Meeting
Sat. Sept. 19, 1:00 pm on Zoom
Join us for the biggest meeting of the year!
Facebook event ([link removed])
Upcoming Events:
Ops/Tech Committee
Mon. Sept. 7, 7:00 pm
Zoom ([link removed])

Political Education Committee
Wed. Sept. 9, 6:00 pm
Zoom tba (Slack)

No Cages - #FreeThemAll
Vigil for those incarcerated & detained
Tues. Sept. 15, 5:00 pm
US District Court, 4th St
Downtown Mpls

Steering Committee
Wed. Sept. 16, 6:30 pm
Zoom tba (Slack)

Labor Branch Socially Distanced Social
Fri. Sept. 18, 5:00 pm
Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis

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TCDSA ANNUAL CONVENTION
Sat. Sept. 19, 1:00 pm
Zoom ([link removed])
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Mental Health WG Wellness Hour
(Peer Support)
Sun. Sept. 20, 2:00 pm
Zoom tba (Slack)

Socialist Reading Group
Sun. Sept. 20, 3:00 pm
Contact Kim at kwj2054 -at- gmaildotcom

Ops/ Tech Committee
Mon. Sept. 21, 7:00 pm
Zoom ([link removed])

Socialist Feminist Branch
Sat. Sept. 26, 2:00 pm
Zoom ([link removed])

Steering Committee
Wed. Sept. 30, 6:30 pm
Zoom tba (Slack)

Mental Health WG Wellness Hour (Teach-in)
Sat. Oct. 3, 2:00 pm
Subject tba
Zoom tba (Calendar)

Keep an eye on our calendar ([link removed]) for more events as they're scheduled or changed!
Image of George Floyd Square. To see more images by Portland photographer Aimee Danger, click here. ([link removed])
What we're up to...


** DSA Endorsed Omar Fateh Wins Primary!
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On August 11th, Twin Cities DSA member Omar Fateh won the DFL primary for State Senate in SD62. Fateh’s win represents the latest example of candidates who have unseated long-time Democratic incumbents by running on a platform of democratic socialism – with Jen McEwen’s win in MN Senate District 7 being another cause for celebration. Read more ... ([link removed])

Highlights and FAQs for the 2020 Convention

Obviously, this is not an ordinary year. We’re in the middle of a pandemic where hundreds of thousands are dead because of incompetent, indifferent governance, and capitalist greed. The Twin Cities were occupied by federal troops — and continue resisting seemingly unreformable police forces. Hundreds of people without houses are staying in tent camps under constant threat of eviction. Thousands more will be unable to pay their rent every month. We know that no one is coming to save us, that the only answer is to organize and fight. Read on to have your convention questions answered. ([link removed])
Recap from the Political Education Committee
Doing Socialism 101 on Zoom! And also, the Committee has a survey they's like you to complete, and another to give to your non-socialist friends. Read it here. ([link removed])
Health Justice Working Group Envisions Justice, Sees Growth

In Health Justice’s organizing this summer, we are bringing in new members, developing leaders, and growing capacity—all crucial steps in building power. This recent growth is exciting, but our work is far from done. We know that a just healthcare system is possible, but we also know it will take sustained work and collective power to make it happen. Read more about how to get involved here. ([link removed])

Do you have opinions? Hot takes? Cool things you've been doing with DSA or our allies? Write for us ([link removed]) !
For Further Review
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With so many great podcasts, articles, books and videos coming out, it's easy to miss something great. Here's a few things members have found and loved recently.
Jacobin Radio: Behind the News: Elizabeth Wrigley-Field and Tom Philpott (53m) ([link removed])
Twin Cities DSA's very own Elizabeth W.F. was interviewed by Doug Henwood on Behind The News about her work comparing mortality rates of Black and white people in a world of COVID-19 and police brutality: -AB

When Leaders Get Imposter Syndrome ([link removed]) on Medium ([link removed])
If you're in any kind of leadership position, whether in TCDSA or elsewhere, or ever have been or are preparing to be, here is a really helpful piece on psychological mindsets and practices to combat "imposter syndrome" and make you a better leader. You can paradoxically be more authentic by thinking like an actor, and seeing your role as a leader as literally a role. -DKR

Notes From The Rockford Rebellion: Black Revolt In The Rustbelt From A New Afrikan Anarchist Perspective ([link removed])
“Black organizations acting as mouthpieces for the pigs* and the city have claimed that the rioters were white and from ‘out of town.’ Despite this, the most militant forces against the police were predominantly Black youth and Black folks who had come up from the Fairgrounds projects as the march approached the precinct. Black people do not need white people to take revolutionary action.” -AH-R
*Editor note - please everyone stop calling cops pigs; actual pigs don't deserve that.

Video - How Sex Workers Are Seizing the Means ([link removed])
A fascinating, R-rated video that breaks down how old school porn got disrupted by "tube site" capitalists, who in turn got screwed when underpaid and exploited performers took control and began releasing their own content on OnlyFans. -SX

The ‘Broken Windows’ Approach to Teaching Is Breaking Our Schools, and Students of Color Are Harmed the Most From Portside.org ([link removed]) , here's a really thoughtful piece on the current disaster of inequality in education, which links the theories behind "no excuses" "education" to that behind "broken windows" policing. -DKR

Constructive summer in Mpls-St. Paul: Grassroots giving in time of need | City Pages ([link removed])
City Pages has a profile of a couple local mutual aid projects -AB

There Really Is No Ethical Restaurant Under Capitalism - Eater ([link removed])
One of a series of pieces about the future of the restaurant industry, which has been hostile to workers forever and is currently shredded by the combination recession and pandemic. As a socialist who loves eating food I didn’t have to cook on occasion, I thought this was a pretty good take on a few possible ways forward. -TMW

Rebel Daily 4: Don’t read the news, be the news - Extinction Rebellion UK ([link removed])
Extinction Rebellion UK has London in a tizzy, blocks all major newspapers from delivery until after noon on Saturday! -DKR

If you find something that should be shared, post to the #linkroundup channel on slack, submit to this form ([link removed]) , or reply to this email.
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