Hello John
Below are all sorts of events, meetings, and causes that The Pittsburgh Democratic Socialists of America would love to see you involved with over the next few weeks. Take a look, and please email [email protected] if you would like to be connected with organizers for anything listed!
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Most importantly: election day is tomorrow!! All members who are able should vote Randall Taylor for Pittsburgh’s 9th City Council district, and vote Darnika Reed for Woodland Hills School Board Director! Polls are open from 7am to 8pm, and you can find your polling location by clicking this link!
Our November Business Meeting will be held on Tuesday 11/19 from 7pm to 9pm, at Community Forge (1256 Franklin Ave in Wilkinsburg). It has been two months since our last chapter-wide meeting for official business, and it is very important that this meeting be well attended. Mark your calendars, and look for another email soon with agenda details!
Our housing committee has finished an excellent (and spooky) zine! You can download a digital copy of “What to do about your Slumlord Scum” by clicking here!
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PGH DSA Committee Updates:
Abolition & Anti-Imperialism Committee
The next Abolition & Anti-Imperialism Committee meeting is Monday, November 18! Join us for committee elections and to get plugged in with our ongoing work. Click here for the event’s facebook page.
Rotating leadership is important for democracy as well as reducing burnout! Feel free to reach out to current leadership if you want to discuss what it’s like to run our committee. We will still be around to help and are excited to meet our replacements! If you have any questions about committee leadership or are interested in running for chair, vice-chair, or secretary, e-mail us at [email protected]
Housing Committee
Monthly meeting: November 14th from 7pm to 9pm at Community Forge (1256 Franklin Ave). We will be continuing a brainstorm of policy demands, forwarding our tenant organizing work, and discussing the upcoming Pittsburgh Housing Summit.
Click here for details about the Pittsburgh Housing Summit! In short:
November 21: Rally and Action - We're telling the city why tenants matter.
November 22: Kick-Off and Rent Party - Come get your rent paid!
November 23: Summit - Learn what your rights are.
Socialist Feminist Committee
Click here to RSVP to the November Socialist Feminist Committee meeting on Sunday, November 17th, from 5:00-700pm. As usual, we’ll be meeting at Community Forge, and childcare will be provided. Join us to discuss our most recent Socialist Sprouts event, and what we can do about the recent abortion restriction ban recently proposed in PA. The committee’s leadership election is also coming up this December, and nominations will be open at this meeting.
Looking for an easy way to show support for abortion access in Western Pennsylvania right now? Donate to Western PA Fund for Choice to support patient’s medical costs at Allegheny Reproductive Health Center. Donate to the Vivian Campbell Fund to support patient’s medical costs at Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania.
Elections & Pressure Campaigns Committee
Following Tuesday’s elections, the Elections & Pressure Campaigns Committee will be meeting on Saturday 11/9 from 1pm-3pm at Community Forge in Wilkinsburg. Click here to RSVP. We will discuss and debrief the elections, and continue planning for upcoming trainings and the 2020 primaries! It’s a great time to get involved in our work to help accomplish the goals of our chapter through electoral campaigns and legislative pressure.
Additionally, the committee will hold elections for committee secretary at this meeting. Nominations are currently open, and any member in good standing may run.
EPC- Medicare for All Working Group
Strategy, Coalition Building and New Member Meeting; 11/23/2019 from 5pm-7pm at Community Forge (1256 Franklin Ave in Wilkinsburg).
Join us along with other locals passionate about the fight for universal healthcare! We will discuss strategy, connect to others in the fight and plan the date and location for our first canvassing event.
Labor Committee
Monthly meeting: This Thursday, November 7th from 7pm-9pm at Community Forge (1256 Franklin Ave in Wilkinsburg).
Brunch + Education event: Sunday, Nov. 17 from 11am-1pm at Community Forge.
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Allied Events
Below are some events being put on by allies of the Pittsburgh DSA that our membership might be interested in!
Heading For Extinction
Saturday, November 9, 3-4:30 PM @ Maurice Falk Auditorium, Mellon Hall, Duquesne University
“Life on earth is at risk of extinction due to the climate emergency and threat to the ecosystems that support us. Humanity needs to make dramatic changes immediately to avert this threat, but the usual methods of achieving change are not working fast enough. Join Dr. David Lampe of the Dept. of Biological Sciences at Duquesne University as he discusses the science behind earth’s 6th mass extinction, an extinction event that threatens to include humans unless we alter course quickly and dramatically. A question and answer session will follow, featuring members of the Pittsburgh chapter of Extinction Rebellion, a group dedicated to non-violent direct action to bring about this change.”
Sing-Along Workshop for Activists
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019, 7-9PM @ East Liberty Presbyterian Church
“Come learn Union & Protest songs old and new, for the meeting room and the picket line! We’ll sing a bunch of good songs together! In the process we’ll learn what they’re good for, how you can find (or write!) a good song, and how you can lead your comrades in singing. If you would like to suggest a topic, a specific song, or teach a song, please reach out to [email protected]”
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Again, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like more information about any of the above events/actions/causes! Simply email [email protected], and we’ll get you pointed in the right direction.
In solidarity,
Dan Brown
Comms Chair, Pittsburgh DSA
