Some people say you fight fire best with fire, but we say you
put fire out best with water. We say you don't fight racism with
racism; we're gonna fight racism with solidarity. We say you don't
fight capitalism with no black capitalism; you fight capitalism with
socialism.
-- Fred Hampton
Comrades,
Throughout the pandemic, we've worried about workplace safety,
which many employers neglected in the interest of profit. When it came
to remote work, we discussed work-life balance and the changing
expectations of on-call and work hours. We've been reminded of the
precarity of all these jobs in a serious downturn, and the precarity
of any health insurance that’s tied to employment.
With so much in freefall, we've rationalized many losses and
inevitably lowered our expectations, even of basic fairness. But we
haven't forgotten what's fair, or how to fight for it:
"People are just tired of just paying their bills and just barely
making it to the next week, when you’re working in a facility that’s
owned by the richest man in the world," said Michael Foster
(https://truthout.org/video/warehouse-workers-in-alabama-battle-amazon-for-the-right-to-unionize/)
, an Alabama poultry worker and organizer with the Retail, Wholesale
and Department Store Union (RWDSU). He's talking about outgoing Amazon
CEO Jeff Bezos, the richest man in the world, and Amazon warehouse
workers in Bessemer, AL, who are in the middle of a historic union
drive.
It's not just the high profiles of Amazon and its founder that
matter here, nor the strategic importance of the Amazon warehouse to
the 21st century labor movement. (With all of the company’s modern
tools of control and alienation, "We're treated like robots," said
Jennifer Bates, a worker who has become one of the faces of the
campaign). It’s also about the overwhelmingly Black and female
workforce in Bessemer.
"We were nervous at first," Bates said. "But understanding now how
it will change history... this will be one of the first Amazon
facilities that people remember from this day forward. And then it’s
Black history."
If you're ready to fight on the labor front, there's a lot for you:
the monthly meeting
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1648/2021-02-28-labor-committee-meeting/)
of our own EBDSA Labor Committee (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/labor/) ,
a discussion of labor and the Green New Deal
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1828/2021-03-01-ewoc-workers-the-green-new-deal-today-a-conversation-with-naomi-klein-keon-liberato-and-kate-aronoff/)
with EWOC, and the screening next Sunday of Workers' Republic
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1825/2021-03-07-movie-series-who-is-the-international-working-class-today/)
. We're also phonebanking for COVID relief in Navajo nation
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1831/2021-03-07-phonebanking-for-covid-relief-in-navajo-nation/)
and holding another round of Virtual Mask Builds
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVBjNTB9QfPfSTrKOVEQcCsKFNtr4UAGrhqKY2d0C25_reTQ/viewform)
to keep people safe in our local community. Join us and fight for
fairness!
Solidarity!
News and Information
Be sure to check out East Bay Majority
(https://eastbaymajority.com/) , East Bay DSA's news source with a
socialist perspective, for the latest news and
information.
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
(http://eastbaydsa.org/events/) .
** (NATIONAL DSA) QUIENES SOMOS Y QUÉ QUEREMOS LOS SOCIALISTAS
DEMOCRÁTICOS
------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight!
February 25 | 5–6:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/quienes-somos-y-que-queremos-los-socialistas-democraticos/)
♿
El Grupo de Trabajo por los Derechos de los Inmigrantes de DSA
los invita a un seminario web en español: “Quienes somos y qué
queremos los Socialistas Democráticos.”
Escuche a algunos de nuestros miembros sobre su trabajo en DSA y en
sus comunidades.
Join the Immigrants' Rights Working Group of Democratic Socialists
of America for a Spanish webinar: “Quienes somos y qué queremos los
Socialistas Democráticos.”
Hear from some of our members about their work in DSA and their
communities.
RSVP
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/quienes-somos-y-que-queremos-los-socialistas-democraticos/)
** (EWOC) VIDEO PREMIERE: UNION ORGANIZER REACTS TO “NURSE
JACKIE”
WALKOUT
------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight!
February 25 | 5–7 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/video-premiere-union-organizer-reacts-to-nurse-jackie-walkout)
♿️
Join us for the premiere of the Emergency Worker Organizing
Committee (EWOC)'s first YouTube video: Union Organizer Reacts! Our
own Tristan Bock-Hughes, former organizer with the Illinois Nurses
Association, watches and reviews an episode of "Nurse Jackie'' where
the nurses stage a walkout to stop their hospital from closing. Is it
a realistic model of labor power, or just TV fantasy? Watch to find
out!
RSVP
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/video-premiere-union-organizer-reacts-to-nurse-jackie-walkout)
** LABOR COMMITTEE
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
February 28 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1648/2021-02-28-labor-committee-meeting/)
♿
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].
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1648/2021-02-28-labor-committee-meeting/)
** (EWOC) WORKERS & THE GREEN NEW DEAL TODAY: A
CONVERSATION WITH NAOMI KLEIN, KEON LIBERATO, AND KATE
ARONOFF
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
March 1 | 5–7 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/workers-the-green-new-deal-today-a-conversation-with-naomi-klein-keon-liberato-and-kate-aronoff/)
♿
Are you organizing for green jobs? Have you talked with your
coworkers about climate change? Are you a union member, or are looking
for a community with which to strategize about organizing for climate
justice? Join us Monday, March 1 at 5 p.m. for Emergency Worker
Organizing Committee (EWOC)'s event, "Workers & the Green New Deal
Today," as we discuss organizing around climate-friendly work,
building a movement to defeat the interests of oil and gas, and
winning a just transition for all workers.
Featured speakers:
* Kate Aronoff, co-author of A Planet to Win:
Why We Need a Green New Deal
(https://www.versobooks.com/books/3107-a-planet-to-win)
* Keon
Liberato, President of Teamsters Local 3012 and member of Philadelphia
DSA
* Naomi Klein, author and filmmaker
RSVP
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/workers-the-green-new-deal-today-a-conversation-with-naomi-klein-keon-liberato-and-kate-aronoff/)
** CLASSROOM JUSTICE
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
March 1 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1773/2021-03-01-classroom-justice-meeting/)
♿
Join the Classroom Justice Campaign! Classroom Justice is a
locally-run campaign that seeks to fight against the injustices
happening in our public school system by a cabal of privatizers, whose
sole purpose is the dismantling of every public service in this
country. If you want to join in the fight against these gentrifiers or
merely have questions, sign up or send your inquiries to
[email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .
https://classroomjustice.org/en/
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1773/2021-03-01-classroom-justice-meeting/)
** GREEN NEW DEAL FOR TRANSIT
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
March 1 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1743/2021-03-01-green-new-deal-for-transit-campaign-meeting/)
♿
Join us to win power for:
* Free Public Transit
* Greatly
expanded service, accessibility, and schedule
* Protection of union
workers and expansion of union jobs Social equity to overcome
transportation discrimination
* Conversion of Public Transit to
Zero Emissions vehicles
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1743/2021-03-01-green-new-deal-for-transit-campaign-meeting/)
** INTRO TO
DSA
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
March 3 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89295944917?pwd=UUdJVVk0L2lid1docGJ6ZllrVTJMQT09)
♿️
The membership of DSA, the largest socialist organization in the
United States, is rapidly growing by the thousands. Democratic
Socialist politicians like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,
Rashida Tlaib, and Cori Bush are raising the expectations of millions
of people across the United States and bringing them into a political
awakening. Millions of working-class Americans 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? How do socialists look at the crises of police brutality,
economic precarity, and COVID-19? And what is the best course of
action during the Biden administration?
Let's get into it! Join us to discuss what our political moment
calls for, meet new people, and get plugged into our fight for
democratic control of the things that we need for all of us to live a
dignified life.
Join on Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89295944917?pwd=UUdJVVk0L2lid1docGJ6ZllrVTJMQT09)
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1827/2021-03-03-intro-to-dsa/)
** TENANTS FIGHT BACK! TENANT ORGANIZING PANEL AND
DISCUSSION
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday,
March 4 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1823/2021-03-04-tenants-fight-back-tenant-organizing-panel-and-discussion/)
♿
Save the date for the second Socialist Housing Organizing Project
(SHOP) panel and discussion. SHOP is a project of the East Bay DSA
Social Housing Committee to improve our tenant organizing skills by
studying housing from a socialist perspective, learn from the history
of housing struggles, and work together to organize tenants and win
housing for all.
RSVP at the link below and watch the page for more details.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1823/2021-03-04-tenants-fight-back-tenant-organizing-panel-and-discussion/)
** PHONEBANKING FOR COVID RELIEF IN NAVAJO
NATION
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
March 7 | 2–5 p.m.
Online – RSVP for info
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0nRi2EZd_tqgsEj9JqP-x2mXPxsrBWGppokDS2yJoGF8bmQ/viewform)
♿️
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated Navajo Nation, and the
destructive legacies of settler colonialism and extractive capitalism
have pushed the death toll far above that of the rest of the
country.
Join us and other DSA chapters for this discussion and phone
banking event to raise funds toward existing grassroots mutual aid
relief networks in Navajo Nation.
Though this is a temporary campaign for an acute crisis, we see
this as a first step in adding material substance to DSA's 2019
endorsement of the Red Deal (The Red Nation's radical call for a
people's movement that is anti-capitalist, anti-colonial,
anti-imperialist and anti-extractive).
We'll begin the phonebank with a discussion of the situation in the
Navajo Nation, and a brief discussion about how socialists can engage
in meaningful indigenous solidarity work and decolonization to help
build a mass people’s movement for liberation.
RSVP
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0nRi2EZd_tqgsEj9JqP-x2mXPxsrBWGppokDS2yJoGF8bmQ/viewform)
** MOVIE SERIES: "WHO IS THE INTERNATIONAL WORKING CLASS
TODAY?"
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
March 7 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for screening link and
info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1825/2021-03-07-movie-series-who-is-the-international-working-class-today/)
♿
There are many discussions today about the nature of the working
class and their capacity to fight for their own interests. Usually, we
look at history to learn about the workers' movement, but what
potential exists in the modern international working class? What does
a modern workers’ struggle really look like? What recent examples are
there of workers organizing against the conditions they face and
exerting their power? Join us in this movie series as we explore these
questions by looking at workers' struggles that happened in our
lifetime.
Workers' Republic
For six days in December of 2008 during the
financial collapse, laid-off Chicago factory workers took over their
closing workplace, declaring they would not leave until the owners and
creditors agreed to pay them the severance they were promised.
Republic's credit line had been cut off by Bank of America, despite
receiving billions of dollars in federal bank bailout money. Succeed
or fail, these 260 workers decided, "If I don't fight, I know I'll
lose. If I do fight, at least I stand a chance of winning." Workers'
Republic shows how everyday people may be the most qualified to forge
a better world. And in the struggle to save their jobs, they were a
beacon of hope and optimism for others to look to.
This is a series with screenings every two weeks. Please join us at
6 p.m. for a brief presentation and to watch via shared screen, and
look for Zoom and movie link upon RSVP if you prefer to watch on your
own. Discussion will start at 7 p.m.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1825/2021-03-07-movie-series-who-is-the-international-working-class-today/)
** (NATIONAL DSA) SOCIALIST SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS WITH HADAS
THIER
------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday,
March 9 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom RSVP for info
(https://act.dsausa.org/survey/socialist-school-of-economics/)
♿
Since the Great Recession, more and more working people have
realized that the capitalist economy doesn't work for them, but
mainstream economics makes it hard for most of us to understand
exactly why. Join author Hadas Thier, author of A People's Guide to
Capitalism, and the National Political Education Committee for the
Socialist School of Economics.
This call will cover the basics of Marx’s analysis of the economy —
including the labor theory of value, the profit motive, and
competition. Why do mainstream politicians tell us we can't raise the
minimum wage? And why do socialists know that workers can and should
earn more — and run society? You'll leave this call with a new
understanding of how to interpret the chaotic capitalist world around
you.
RSVP
(https://act.dsausa.org/survey/socialist-school-of-economics/)
** VIRTUAL MASK
BUILD
------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday,
March 9 | 7–9 p.m.
Online – register here in advance to receive
materials and info
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVBjNTB9QfPfSTrKOVEQcCsKFNtr4UAGrhqKY2d0C25_reTQ/viewform)
♿
Join the Green New Deal committee for a virtual mask assembly
party! The COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying with hundreds of
thousands of deaths likely over the coming months, and the U.S.
continues to experience PPE shortages, especially of high-grade face
masks. The failures of the capitalist system are devastatingly clear.
But with mutual aid, we can take the safety and wellbeing of our
community into our own hands, while developing relationships across
the East Bay and building our own organizational power.
We will be assembling hundreds of no-sew, submicron "N85" masks for
distribution with community partners. All we need is your help!
This is a great event for new members to attend. Training and
materials are delivered to your door (!), no experience necessary.
During the build, we'll hang out on a online call together to talk
about mutual aid, socialism, and whatever else you'd like to!
Please RSVP at the link below several days before the build so we
provide materials via a touchless kit drop-off at your door! We
request that attendees commit to both the March 9 and March 16 mask
builds.
RSVP
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVBjNTB9QfPfSTrKOVEQcCsKFNtr4UAGrhqKY2d0C25_reTQ/viewform)
Upcoming
Events
** GREEN NEW DEAL COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING
(VIRTUAL)
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
March 10 | 6:45–8:45 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1698/2021-03-10-green-new-deal-committee-monthly-meeting-virtual/)
♿
Our Green New Deal Committee meets on the second Wednesday each
month. We will discuss eco-socialist issues, upcoming events and
actions, committee priorities, and campaigns. All are welcome! Please
RSVP or email [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) to receive a link to the
meeting.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1698/2021-03-10-green-new-deal-committee-monthly-meeting-virtual/)
Catch
up on Socialist Night School
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
(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeMYhhCCTFq1jGdOt6lcF8l7HQJwnJndD)
Catch up on Night School readings
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/night-school/)
Not a Member Yet? Let's Fix That.
DSA now has 90,000 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 (http://dsausa.org/join?source=East%20Bay)
Caucus Corner
Our caucuses organize events too! Check out the
Caucus Corner of our website
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/about/caucuses/) to learn more about the
activities of East Bay DSA caucuses and how to participate.
Announcements
MEET WITH A MOBILIZER!
Are you a new DSA member? Or are you
looking to get more involved with East Bay DSA's projects and
campaigns? Sign up to talk to a mobilizer!
Here are three reasons to sign up to talk to a mobilizer:
1.
Meet a fellow socialist organizer
We want to build a movement of
millions of working class people and change the exploitative and
oppressive system in which we live, but we do that first and foremost
by building one-to-one connections with each other.
2. Answer your questions
Learn more about DSA, the local East
Bay chapter, and our different committees and projects.
3. Get more involved
The main thing a mobilizer will help you
with is getting more involved in DSA. Maybe there’s a campaign or
project you’re particularly interested in, or maybe you’re a blank
slate and you don’t really know what to do. Either way, a mobilizer
will help you figure it out.
Sign up to talk to a mobilizer!
(https://forms.gle/np21b7Jt225z4xmq5)
The emancipation of society from private property, etc., from
servitude, is expressed in the political form of the emancipation of
the workers; not that their emancipation alone is at stake, but
because the emancipation of the workers contains universal human
emancipation – and it contains this because the whole of human
servitude is involved in the relation of the worker to production, and
all relations of servitude are but modifications and consequences of
this relation.
-- Karl Marx
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