Our apologies—the first email we sent out today was missing the main body of the email. Thanks for your patience and understanding!
This past week, Democratic Mayor Jenny Durkan announced that she will not be seeking re-election in 2021. We are glad to see her go: Durkan has overseen police brutality and violence against protesters all throughout the summer. She has fought hard against the business “head tax” and any other tax on big business. In short, she has been a reliable political representative of developers and the Chamber of Commerce. Durkan may be gone, but the Seattle political establishment will attempt to elect another corporate Democrat like her: someone who will never be on the side of the working class.
We’re prepared to fight to make sure that doesn’t happen in 2021—and better yet, that we elect a true fighter for the multi-racial working class. Mark your calendars for our chapter meeting on January 5 at 7PM, where we’ll discuss a socialist elections platform for 2021. If you haven’t joined DSA yet, now’s the time: join the fight for a socialist future. And make sure to check out our new member orientations this week, on Thursday 12/17 at 6PM and Saturday, 12/19 at 12PM.
FIGHT THE FAR-RIGHT BY BUILDING A SOCIALIST CHALLENGE
This weekend saw still more right-wing violence in Washington, DC and Olympia, as fascist militias took to the streets in a refusal to accept the election results. Fortunately, in both those cities, brave opposition turned out to the streets to protect people and prevent the far-right from inflicting terror. But with no meaningful help coming during the economic collapse and the pandemic, the right wing will continue to organize and recruit.
We must organize, too, and organize better. This weekend, national DSA launched the #FightforOurLives, a campaign to demand a COVID recovery that builds a more caring and equitable society. Initial demands include a $2,000/month People’s Bailout, the Healthcare Emergency Guarantee Act, a Green Stimulus for public power, a Green Jobs Guarantee, and passing the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Seattle DSA handed out 40 pairs of winter gloves, giving our neighbors a hand in front of banners asking our Senators why they would not. Tacoma DSA dropped banners and signs at Derek Kilmer’s office. Olympia DSA held an online teach-in with the South Sound Green Party.
Better organizing comes from a strong political education. DSA National is hosting two webinars this week:
A VIRTUAL DISCUSSION WITH DARRICK HAMILTON, KEEANGA-YAMAHTTA TAYLOR, SYMONE BAPTISTE, OLÚFẸ́MI O. TÁÍWÒ, AND BIANCA CUNNINGHAM
Wednesday, 12/16 5PM PT
RSVP here
Thursday, 12/17 5PM PT
RSVP here
Better organizing also comes from building deep relationships with people locally. Check out our events below this week.
In solidarity,
Seattle DSA
Here are upcoming chapter events:
Time: December 14 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Venue: Online
DSA's caucus of Afrosocialists and Socialists of Color (AFROSOC) brings DSA’s Black, indigenous and members of color together to educate ourselves and organize our campaigns. We are doing the work of cultivating coalitions as communities of color to help build a multiracial working-class base -- the only viable strategy for securing a socialist future. Through public and internal education [Read More]
Time: December 14 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Venue: Online (Zoom Call)
Socialist Night School is an open course that provides a chance to develop our politics together, regardless of background knowledge or whether you’ve attended a class before. New members and lifelong socialists, all are welcome! To sign up for our mailing list or to find out more, e-mail us at SeaNightSchool [at] gmail . com --> RSVP here! [Read More]
Time: December 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Venue: On Zoom
Come get involved in our campaign to get corporations and nonprofits to divest from Seattle Police Foundation and reinvest in BIPOC community organizations. When you RSVP on this page the next page you are taken to will include the Zoom link for the meeting. See you there! RSVP HERE: https://actionnetwork.org/events/divest-spd-meeting-7 [Read More]
Time: December 16 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Venue: Online
Due to coronavirus, we’ll be meeting online. Join us on Google Hangouts Are you frustrated that you don’t have a voice at work? Are you a freelancer who rarely gets paid on time? Are you working 2 or 3 gigs just to make rent? You’re not alone. The Workplace Organizing Collective is a group of Seattle DSA members, including experienced labor organizers, who meet every week to teach each [Read More]
Time: December 17 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Venue: , WA
Come to learn about what Democratic Socialism is all about, what we can learn about capitalism and socialism from the current uprisings and the pandemic, and how YOU can get involved with Seattle DSA’s efforts to engage in mutual aid and building power for a socialist future in which people come before profits. You don’t need to be an official member to attend – “DSA curious” folks are welcome [Read More]
Time: December 19 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Venue: Online
Come to learn about what Democratic Socialism is all about, what we can learn about capitalism and socialism from the current uprisings and the pandemic, and how YOU can get involved with Seattle DSA’s efforts to engage in mutual aid and building power for a socialist future in which people come before profits. You don’t need to be an official member to attend – “DSA curious” folks are welcome [Read More]
Time: December 20 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Venue: Online
Join us to pursue a fair and effective Green New Deal to halt climate change and win environmental justice. We explore ecosocialist theory, organize with climate groups, and are developing a campaign for fare-free transit. Questions? Email [email protected] Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83567416514?pwd=WHkxMmQ4Q0ZtTGpFcWl3MGxjeUtXZz09 Meeting ID: 835 6741 6514 [Read More]
