Seattle Democratic Socialists of America

As the wildfires cascade across the West Coast and smoke covers the city, we hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. We’re in the midst of climate catastrophe, caused by the fossil fuel industry and capitalism’s endless search for increasing profit: just 100 companies cause 71% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The crimes of these corporate criminals have been abetted by the Democratic Party, the ruling party holding the legislature and governorships in Washington, Oregon, and California for years. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom has granted 48 new fracking permits since April. And without swift, nationwide action, any individual state policy will not be enough. Yet high-ranking Congressional Democrats from the West Coast, like Nancy Pelosi, do not support a Green New Deal.

We need a Green New Deal now. Carrying it out will require breaking the power of the fossil fuel industries, and putting an end to the anarchy of the capitalist “free market,” a structural barrier to real climate justice. This means taking the biggest energy companies into democatic public ownership, so we can democratically plan our economy to decide what we produce and how.

Join us in fighting for an eco-socialist society, organized around meeting people’s needs and respecting the natural world, not one organized around capital accumulation. We’re only as strong as we are united. If you haven’t yet, join DSA to fight against the racist, capitalist system. Whether you’re a new or long-time member, we need you to be actively campaigning, protesting, and learning with us. Join our new member orientations this week—Thursday at 6PM or Saturday at 12PM—to figure out how you can get actively involved right away.

This Saturday: Fight for Black Lives

Have you heard of the Seattle Foundation? A philanthropic organization that claims to be committed to racial equity, they have provided nearly $800,000 in grants to the Seattle Police Foundation. Their donations have gone towards riot gear, surveillance equipment, and training in violent crowd-control techniques—all used to suppress protests and harass Black and brown people.

Join us at Westlake Center (400 Pine St) at 2pm on Saturday, September 19 to demand Seattle Foundation cut ties with the Seattle Police Foundation and increase investments in local BIPOC communities!

Then, on Saturday night, join your comrades at the EveryDay march at 7PM. Check Seattle DSA’s Slack for location updates! As October and the City Council budget fight nears, it’s important to keep the pressure on in the streets. Join us!

SDSA Endorses Sherae for State!

Last week, our membership voted in a landslide to endorse Sherae Lascelles for State House. We’re excited to support Sherae in running a grassroots, independent, mutual aid campaign, and sending establishment Democratic Frank Chopp packing! Let’s bring the fight to Olympia for defunding the police, taxing the rich, and building affordable social housing. Stay tuned for ways you can support the campaign.

Solidarity with Kshama Sawant

Seattle DSA stands in solidarity with Kshama Sawant, Seattle’s one and only elected independent socialist. Right now, Kshama is facing a right-wing attack attempting to kick her out of office with a recall campaign. On Wednesday, the court will review the recall petition and decide whether it can go forward. If the smoke clears, come out to the courthouse for a rally on Wednesday morning at 9:15AM to show solidarity with Kshama!

Let’s organize!

Are you a parent, teacher, school worker, or student? Do you want to organize with other SDSA members to fight for safer and more equitable schools? We want to hear from you! Fill out this survey and one of our organizers will contact you.

And finally, we know that an organized, fighting labor movement is critical for creating a mass socialist movement, capable of creating a better world. Whether you’re in a union or not, unemployed or still working, we want to hear from all of you! Please fill out this form to help us better understand the labor landscape within our chapter, and where our organizing potential lies.

In solidarity,

Seattle DSA