f1ab045b-dba3-44c1-aa28-b085ea6b5449.png
East Bay DSA Newsletter June 17, 2021
I must remind you that starving a child is violence. Neglecting school children is violence. Punishing a mother and her family is violence. Discrimination against a working man is violence. Ghetto housing is violence. Ignoring medical need is violence. Contempt for poverty is violence.
Coretta Scott King
Comrades,

Our state is "fully reopened" this week. This was a major announcement and some kind of a milestone, but the significance of both of those things may depend on your perspective. That is, if you're not quite ready or not in the mood to dance with the Minions, Trolls, Transformer, and Cowboys vs. Aliens guy, we understand. If you're meeting up with them tonight at karaoke, that's okay, too! Just make sure they stay hydrated and please share photos for our next newsletter.

One reason that decisions like this might make us uneasy, even when we agree with them, is that we were never involved. Throughout the waves of closings and reopenings, our government has taken its policy cues from private industry – from capitalists. Even regardless of state and county orders, some of the most definitive COVID policy has always been store policy. And workers, who were never adequately protected themselves, were made to enforce rules they had no say in creating. Is it starting to sound like bosses have too much power over our health, our lives? How about a way to take that power back?

Yes, we're talking about unions! (Learn more about DSA’s labor strategy at an online event next Sunday, June 27!) We recently highlighted the formation of an enormous new union, SRU–UAW, by UC graduate researchers who are using their new leverage to fight for fair pay, secure housing, and freedom from discrimination. Workers at the media conglomerate Condé Nast, including New Yorker magazine staff, just won an unprecedented new contract by threatening to strike. And ILWU, who spent last Juneteenth shutting down ports all over the West Coast in protest of police violence, just turned away an Israeli cargo ship in solidarity with Palestine.

"Workers' struggle is worldwide," said ILWU Local 10 President Trent Willis. "Worker power is real power — more powerful than bombs."

Solidarity!
This weekend, we met for a picnic and general meeting at Snow Park in Oakland, our first in-person GM in over a year. We look forward to more in-person socializing and organizing as the summer continues.
News and Information
Be sure to check out East Bay Majority, East Bay DSA's news source with a socialist perspective, for the latest news and information.

WE STAND WITH GRIEVING ATU WORKERS, WHO GET LIP SERVICE FROM THE BOSS BUT NO HAZARD PAY

After a shooting took the lives of 9 San Jose transit workers, the VTA still owes the workers it calls “heroes” millions in hazard pay.

Read more

WHO IS HIDING $2B IN BAY AREA TRANSIT RESCUE FUNDS?

The Bay Area got $2b in federal rescue funds to save public transit. Why is an unelected board hiding the money?

Read more
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.

DEFUND OPD/REFUND OAKLAND PHONEBANK

Tonight! June 17 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ♿️
The Oakland budget is currently being negotiated in City Hall and we have until June 30th to make sure elected officials support defunding the police and refunding of services, housing, education, arts, mental health services, and other programs that enhance Black lives and Oakland's working class communities.

No experience is necessary! Making calls is easy, and there will be zoom training before you start. This is a great event for anyone whether you're new to political campaigns or a seasoned organizer! Phone banking is also a great activity you can do from the safety of your home, during COVID!

RSVP below to join the virtual phone bank at 6 p.m. You will need a camera and microphone on your computer, as well as a phone or headset to make the calls. Instructions will be provided once you join!

RSVP

CLASSROOM JUSTICE MEETING

Tonight! June 17 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ♿️
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].

https://classroomjustice.org/en/

RSVP

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

Sunday, June 20 | 2–5 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ♿️
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. The agenda is TBA.

RSVP

RACIAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

Monday, June 21 | 7–9 p.m.
Contact [email protected] for location information ♿️

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

MEDICARE FOR ALL COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, June 23 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom ♿️
With the pandemic and its multiple, intersecting crises, and the polling popularity of Medicare for All, our commitment to the movement is more important than ever. Come learn about our committee's efforts, as well as local, state, and national initiatives around Medicare for All and single-payer healthcare. All are welcome!

Join on Zoom

RSVP

DEFUND OPD/REFUND OAKLAND PHONEBANK

Thursday, June 24 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ♿️
See description for the June 17 phonebank above. No experience is necessary!

RSVP

(NATIONAL DSA) DSA'S LABOR STRATEGY: ORGANIZING WORKER POWER FOR A SOCIALIST FUTURE

Sunday, June 27 | 3–5 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ♿️
As we assess the current state of class struggle post-Covid, organized labor is still weak after decades of capitalist suppression. Yet, support for the PRO Act is slowly growing, militant workplace actions are becoming more common, and a large majority of Americans favor unions. What should socialists make of this daunting but hopeful moment?

Please join your comrades for a deep dive into our labor strategy, focused on strategic, multiracial workplace organizing and rebuilding the labor movement in every red, blue and purple corner of the country. We'll be talking with labor militants and union organizers on the importance of building rank-and-file power among Black and Latino workers and in the South, fostering solidarity across industries, and strengthening democratic unions that can fight—and win.

RSVP

LABOR COMMITTEE MEETING

Sunday, June 27 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ♿️
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

MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

Monday, June 28 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom ♿️
We need your help building a strong and active chapter! Join our next Membership Engagement Committee monthly meeting and learn how you can put your skills to work or grow new ones you never knew you had!

The Membership Engagement Committee was created for the purpose of initiating and sustaining our members' active and healthy participation in the chapter's work. We cannot grow our movement without engaging and fostering growth within our current membership. We strive to grow confident organizers and leaders as well as strong relationships between comrades in our chapter by supporting all committees in their work and creating spaces for learning and camaraderie.

Our committee builds and maintains projects such as (but not limited to) our mobilizers program, planning and execution of chapter socials, new member events, and Organizer's Toolbox Trainings, as well as managing the onboarding of new members. As our chapter grows we need to grow our efforts with it and would love to welcome new members to our committee.

Contact us at [email protected].

Attend on Zoom

RSVP
Upcoming Events

NIGHT SCHOOL: PALESTINE AND SOCIALISM

Tuesday, June 29 | 6:30–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom ♿️
Join us to learn about the Palestinian struggle for justice and why it's important for our organizing. Our guest speaker will be Professor Rabab Abdulhadi from SFSU who is a leading voice on Palestinian Liberation.

Join on Zoom

RSVP
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

Catch up on Night School readings
Not a Member Yet? Let's Fix That.
DSA now has more than 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
Earlier this month, members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Bay Area comrades picketed the Israeli cargo ship Volans and successfully prevented the ship’s cargo from being unloaded at the Port of Oakland. Learn more about the Palestinian struggle for justice and why it's important for our organizing at Socialist Night School on June 29!
Caucus Corner
Our caucuses organize events too! Check out the Caucus Corner of our website 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!
The Republican and Democratic parties are alike capitalist parties — differing only in being committed to different sets of capitalist interests — they have the same principles under varying colors, are equally corrupt and are one in their subservience to capital and their hostility to labor.
Eugene Debs

This email was sent to [email protected].

To stop receiving emails, click here.

I must remind you that starving a child is violence. Neglecting school children is violence. Punishing a mother and her family is violence. Discrimination against a working man is violence. Ghetto housing is violence. Ignoring medical need is violence. Contempt for poverty is violence.

-- Coretta Scott King

Comrades,

Our state is "fully reopened (https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom/status/1404885340393938944?s=20) " this week. This was a major announcement and some kind of a milestone, but the significance of both of those things may depend on your perspective. That is, if you're not quite ready or not in the mood to dance with the Minions, Trolls, Transformer, and Cowboys vs. Aliens guy, we understand. If you're meeting up with them tonight at karaoke, that's okay, too! Just make sure they stay hydrated and please share photos for our next newsletter.

One reason that decisions like this might make us uneasy, even when we agree with them, is that we were never involved. Throughout the waves of closings and reopenings, our government has taken its policy cues from private industry – from capitalists. Even regardless of state and county orders, some of the most definitive COVID policy has always been store policy. And workers, who were never adequately protected themselves, were made to enforce rules they had no say in creating. Is it starting to sound like bosses have too much power over our health, our lives? How about a way to take that power back?

Yes, we're talking about unions! (Learn more about DSA’s labor strategy at an online event next Sunday, June 27 (https://act.dsausa.org/survey/DSAs-Labor-Strategy-Organizing-Worker-Power-for-a-Socialist-Future/) !) We recently highlighted the formation of an enormous new union, SRU–UAW, by UC graduate researchers who are using their new leverage to fight for fair pay, secure housing, and freedom from discrimination. Workers at the media conglomerate Condé Nast, including New Yorker magazine staff, just won an unprecedented new contract by threatening to strike (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/16/business/media/conde-nast-new-yorker-union-deal.html) . And ILWU, who spent last Juneteenth shutting down ports all over the West Coast (https://twitter.com/DSAEastBay/status/1284568395841548288) in protest of police violence, just turned away an Israeli cargo ship in solidarity with Palestine (https://twitter.com/DSAEastBay/status/1400845076062900227) .

"Workers' struggle is worldwide," said ILWU Local 10 President Trent Willis (https://www.jacobinmag.com/2021/06/palestine-zim-oakland-boycott-ship-ilwu-local-10) . "Worker power is real power — more powerful than bombs."

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.


** WE STAND WITH GRIEVING ATU WORKERS, WHO GET LIP SERVICE FROM THE BOSS BUT NO HAZARD PAY

------------------------------------------------------------
After a shooting took the lives of 9 San Jose transit workers, the VTA still owes the workers it calls “heroes” millions in hazard pay.

Read more (https://eastbaymajority.com/vta-shooting-san-jose-transit-funding-covid-bailout-atu/)


** WHO IS HIDING $2B IN BAY AREA TRANSIT RESCUE FUNDS?

------------------------------------------------------------
The Bay Area got $2b in federal rescue funds to save public transit. Why is an unelected board hiding the money?

Read more (https://eastbaymajority.com/bay-area-transit-stimulus-bailout-arp-mtc-ac-transit/)
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/) .


** DEFUND OPD/REFUND OAKLAND PHONEBANK

------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight! June 17 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1927/2021-06-17-defund-opd-refund-oakland-phonebank/) ♿️
The Oakland budget is currently being negotiated in City Hall and we have until June 30th to make sure elected officials support defunding the police and refunding of services, housing, education, arts, mental health services, and other programs that enhance Black lives and Oakland's working class communities.

No experience is necessary! Making calls is easy, and there will be zoom training before you start. This is a great event for anyone whether you're new to political campaigns or a seasoned organizer! Phone banking is also a great activity you can do from the safety of your home, during COVID!

RSVP below to join the virtual phone bank at 6 p.m. You will need a camera and microphone on your computer, as well as a phone or headset to make the calls. Instructions will be provided once you join!

RSVP (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1927/2021-06-17-defund-opd-refund-oakland-phonebank/)


** CLASSROOM JUSTICE MEETING

------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight! June 17 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1772/2021-06-17-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/1772/2021-06-17-classroom-justice-meeting/)


** STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, June 20 | 2–5 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1479/2021-06-20-steering-committee-meeting/) ♿️
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. The agenda is TBA.

RSVP (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1479/2021-06-20-steering-committee-meeting/)


**
------------------------------------------------------------

RACIAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING
Monday, June 21 | 7–9 p.m.
Contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) for location information ♿️

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 (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1681/2021-06-21-racial-solidarity-committee-monthly-meeting/)


** MEDICARE FOR ALL COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, June 23 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81235048894?pwd=RDZHcnRDQ0FpV3ZndzdUenVJZ3JaZz09) ♿️
With the pandemic and its multiple, intersecting crises, and the polling popularity of Medicare for All, our commitment to the movement is more important than ever. Come learn about our committee's efforts, as well as local, state, and national initiatives around Medicare for All and single-payer healthcare. All are welcome!

Join on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81235048894?pwd=RDZHcnRDQ0FpV3ZndzdUenVJZ3JaZz09)

RSVP (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1720/2021-06-23-medicare-for-all-committee-meeting/)


** DEFUND OPD/REFUND OAKLAND PHONEBANK

------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, June 24 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1928/2021-06-24-defund-opd-refund-oakland-phonebank/) ♿️
See description for the June 17 phonebank above. No experience is necessary!

RSVP (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1928/2021-06-24-defund-opd-refund-oakland-phonebank/)


** (NATIONAL DSA) DSA'S LABOR STRATEGY: ORGANIZING WORKER POWER FOR A SOCIALIST FUTURE
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, June 27 | 3–5 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info (https://act.dsausa.org/survey/DSAs-Labor-Strategy-Organizing-Worker-Power-for-a-Socialist-Future/) ♿️
As we assess the current state of class struggle post-Covid, organized labor is still weak after decades of capitalist suppression. Yet, support for the PRO Act is slowly growing, militant workplace actions are becoming more common, and a large majority of Americans favor unions. What should socialists make of this daunting but hopeful moment?

Please join your comrades for a deep dive into our labor strategy, focused on strategic, multiracial workplace organizing and rebuilding the labor movement in every red, blue and purple corner of the country. We'll be talking with labor militants and union organizers on the importance of building rank-and-file power among Black and Latino workers and in the South, fostering solidarity across industries, and strengthening democratic unions that can fight—and win.

RSVP (https://act.dsausa.org/survey/DSAs-Labor-Strategy-Organizing-Worker-Power-for-a-Socialist-Future/)


** LABOR COMMITTEE MEETING

------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, June 27 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1652/2021-06-27-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/1652/2021-06-27-labor-committee-meeting/)


** MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, June 28 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81869433453?pwd=RXpoRnYwR200K21STDkzYzlpM1NMdz09) ♿️
We need your help building a strong and active chapter! Join our next Membership Engagement Committee monthly meeting and learn how you can put your skills to work or grow new ones you never knew you had!

The Membership Engagement Committee was created for the purpose of initiating and sustaining our members' active and healthy participation in the chapter's work. We cannot grow our movement without engaging and fostering growth within our current membership. We strive to grow confident organizers and leaders as well as strong relationships between comrades in our chapter by supporting all committees in their work and creating spaces for learning and camaraderie.

Our committee builds and maintains projects such as (but not limited to) our mobilizers program, planning and execution of chapter socials, new member events, and Organizer's Toolbox Trainings, as well as managing the onboarding of new members. As our chapter grows we need to grow our efforts with it and would love to welcome new members to our committee.

Contact us at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Attend on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81869433453?pwd=RXpoRnYwR200K21STDkzYzlpM1NMdz09)

RSVP (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1879/2021-06-28-membership-engagement-committee-monthly-meeting/)
Upcoming Events


** NIGHT SCHOOL: PALESTINE AND SOCIALISM

------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, June 29 | 6:30–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82108143840?pwd=UHFHNUZFb0ZaaGpkME5QWlM1a1g3dz09) ♿️
Join us to learn about the Palestinian struggle for justice and why it's important for our organizing. Our guest speaker will be Professor Rabab Abdulhadi from SFSU who is a leading voice on Palestinian Liberation.

Join on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82108143840?pwd=UHFHNUZFb0ZaaGpkME5QWlM1a1g3dz09)

RSVP (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1942/2021-06-29-night-school-palestine-and-socialism/)

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 more than 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 Republican and Democratic parties are alike capitalist parties — differing only in being committed to different sets of capitalist interests — they have the same principles under varying colors, are equally corrupt and are one in their subservience to capital and their hostility to labor.

-- Eugene Debs