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Metro DC DSA Weekly Update for Friday, November 8, 2019
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Comrade, ANOTHER SOCIALIST WEEKEND
GBM this Sunday: Visit from candidates: local candidate Janeese Lewis George (Ward 4) -- we will be debating an endorsement at the GBM and voting on it post-GBM. and visiting California candidate Shahid Buttar, primarying Speaker Pelosi in her NoCal district. Also chapter updates from chapter leadership, campaigns and working groups.
Articles in this issue:
>>Statement to MDC DSA members from Mckayla Wilkes, our endorsed candidate in the April 28, 2020 Democratic primary election for Maryland’s 5 th Congressional District.
>>Does Bernie have to adjust his campaign style to remain among the leaders? A parable from Kam B outlines the stakes.
>>Maria Svart’s National DSA Director’s Dispatch for November, if you missed it Wednesday…
BRIEFS
Bust the Boss: Dupont Circle
We're conducting another canvass on November 9th at Dupont Circle (meet in the park) as part of Bust the Boss, the Labor Working Group's anti-wage theft campaign! -- a canvass of restaurants and retail stores in the neighborhood, aiming to gather information about employer violations and identify potential organizing leads. – Luke R
KEEP UP RENT CONTROL MOMENTUM – SIGN UP TO TESTIFY
Last month’s Rally to Reclaim Rent Control drew over 500 people, including a large DSA contingent. But the D.C. Council has already proposed a re-authorization of rent control that would extend the current, inadequate law for another 10 years. The council is holding a public hearing on this status quo rent control bill Wednesday, Nov. 13. Can you testify on why we need stronger rent control for all instead? Sign up here to testify. The hearing begins around 11 AM at Wilson Building Room 500, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, D.C., 20004. Resources: Reclaim Rent Control website; decommodification of housing. The full unedited message is here. -- MDC DSA Steering Committee
Solidarity Ask: Georgia Tech YDSA is being harassed and intimidated by the university administration for inviting pro-Palestinian speakers. Follow the link for details. The MDC DSA Steering Committee endorsed a letter of solidarity this week (Oct. 30) and members and readers can sign on as individuals as well …. https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/reject-political-censorship
Solidarity with victims of the Duterte fascist regime in the Philippines: MDC DSA condemns the regime's official assault on BIEN labor activists and urges participation in the condemnation action Saturday (Nov. 9, 3 PM; see Allies events listing below). More info on labor oppression from CWA is here.
RED CUBS CHILD CARE -- Join the effort to expand child care for Metro DC DSA events! We already have child care at general body meetings, but we can do more! Register for the Red Cubs Child Care orientation on Sunday, November 3, 1:30-3:30 PM, at the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library, 3160 16th St NW!
https://forms.gle/rr9k7vceL3hYb5fn7
Capital Reading Group: Socialist Night School
You don’t need to read Karl Marx’s Capital to know that you are exploited. But it will help you make sense of why you are exploited, why standard ways of trying to address this fall flat, and fundamentally how capitalism operates. Tackling Marx can seen as daunting. That’s why it’s best to do it collectively, as it’s meant to be read. No prior Marxism required! If you are interested, email David Kaib at [email protected].
Labor helps Dems flip VA Senate and House
[From Union City email newsletter Wednesday AM] It was a good night for labor-supported candidates around the metro region in Tuesday’s elections. In Virginia, “we flipped both the Senate and House of Delegates!” said Virginia Diamond, president of the Northern Virginia Labor Federation. “First time in 23 years!” Diamond hailed the “historic sweep for labor-endorsed candidates at the state and local level,” saying that “Union members worked tirelessly knocking doors and making calls to win this important victory”
BERNIE CANVASS ACTIVITY GETTING UNDER WAY – YOU CAN WALK. YOU CAN SUPPORT.
Metro DC DSA is getting started on our canvassing and outreach operation in support of Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign! Our goal of $10,000 will cover all expenses for the program. Can you make a donation of $5, $10, $27, or whatever you can spare today in order to support MDC DSA’s Bernie Working Group? Here’s the link to donate: http://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/metro-dc-dsa-for-bernie
-- MDC DSA for Bernie Working Group
November 12 Climate Justice Pop-up Disruption 7:30-9:30 AM at Farragut Square (SE Corner) RSVP here and signal-boost on Facebook here
Here is the MoCo Branch MDC DSA newsletter, sent Wednesday (Nov. 6) https://mailchi.mp/mdcdsa.org/join-us-on-saturday-nov-1263343?e=003de9ccab
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MDC DSA Events for November/December
Follow links for details
Saturday, November 9, 2019 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Bust the Boss Canvass: Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle Station 1525 20th St NW · Washington, DC
Follow link for updates.
Saturday, November 9 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Q&A with Janeese Lewis George (Candidate, D.C. Council Ward 4 Seat)
Petworth Neighborhood Library 4200 Kansas Ave NW · Washington, DC
Sunday, November 10 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Metro DC DSA Monthly General Body Meeting
Friends Meeting of Washington 2111 Florida Ave. NW · Washington, DC
The monthly meeting of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America!
The agenda will be distributed the week before the meeting. Follow link for updates.
Wednesday NOV 13 7:00 PM
Steering Committee
Institute for Policy Studies, 1301 Connecticut Ave NW #600, Washington, DC 20036
Steering Committee meetings are open to any MDC DSA member who would like to attend. Please RSVP and message the hosts if you would like to join by videoconference so we can make arrangements to get you the appropriate URL. Follow link for details
Monday, November 11, 2019
Bust the Boss Canvass: Georgetown 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Meet at Francis Scott Key Memorial (corner of M St & 34th NW)
Details at the link above.
Sunday NOV 17 4:00 PM
Socialist Feminism Reading Group 🌹
The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20009 Follow link for details
Sunday, November 17 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Stomp Out Slumlords Tenant Canvass
L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station 600 Maryland Ave SW · Washington, DC
Follow link for details
Monday, November 18 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
The Korean Peace Process and The Legacy of US Imperialism in Asia
Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library 3160 16th St NW · Washington, DC
The chaotic current state of a seventy-year standoff is untangled by Tim Shorrock, a Nation correspondent and expert in the region. MDC DSA Socialist Night School. Follow link for full details.
Monday NOV 18 7:00 PM
NOVA Branch DSA 🌹 Organizing Meeting
Sterling Library, 22330 S Sterling Blvd Suite A117, Sterling, VA 20164
Follow link for full details.
Tuesday NOV 19 5:30 PM
Queer Socialist Caucus Monthly Happy Hour
Red Bear Brewing Co, 209 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Follow link for full details.
Thursday NOV 21 6:00 PM
Disability Justice Working Group Meeting
The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
Follow link for full details.
Saturday NOV 23 12 noon – 2 PM
Prince George’s DSA Organizing Committee Legislative Briefing -- New Carrollton Branch Library, 7414 Riverdale Rd, New Carrollton, MD 20784. Jimmy Tarlau leads the discussion.
Sunday NOV 24 1:00 PM
Stomp Out Slumlords Business Meeting
Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Neighborhood Library, 1630 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Follow link for full details.
DECEMBER
Monday DEC 2 6:30 PM
Social Reproduction: Socialist Night School
Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library, 3160 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20010
What is the connection between gender and class? Why must socialists be feminists, and feminists be socialists? What does socialist feminist struggle look like? To answer these questions, we look to social reproduction theory. The question of social reproduction is the question of how workers are “reproduced” in order to keep capitalism surging along. Follow link for full details.
Sunday DEC 8 3:00 PM
Metro DC DSA Monthly General Body Meeting
Friends Meeting of Washington, 2111 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, DC
The monthly meeting of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America! The agenda will be distributed the week before the meeting. Follow link for full details/updates.
Sunday DEC 15 2:00 PM
MoCo DSA 🌹General Branch Meeting
Silver Spring Library, 900 Wayne Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Follow link for full details.
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Events from Our Allies in the DMV
folliow links for details
SAT Nov 9 Condemnation Action against fascist raids and oppression in Metro Manila, Philippines and elsewhere including aerial bombing in Samar. At Philippine embassy, 1600 Mass Ave NW, 3:30-5 PM Sponsored by Bayan DMV – more at link.
SAT Nov. 9 DC Grassroots Planning Coalition meets Union Temple Church 1225 W St. SE 1:30-4 PM; discuss latest amendments to DC Comp Plan with Planning Director Andrew Trueblood, guest.
SUN Nov 10 Meet Pelosi’s replacement Shahid Buttar at Busboys 5 -7:30 PM, Busboys and Poets, 450 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Civil rights/civil liberties lawyer and DJ/hip-hop artist Shahid Buttar with guest speakers RSVP
MON Nov 11 Cop Watch DC – November Training! 1:30 – 4:00 PM Teatro de la Luna 4020 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20011
MON Nov 11 Book Event: Waging Peace in Vietnam 5 – 7 PM George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs, 1957 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20052
TUES Nov 12 - RIght to Harm will be screened by University of MD School of Public Health, 5:45 PM – documentary on the public health impact of factory farming-- Facebook event for more details.
TUES Nov 12 Climate Justice Pop-up Disruption 7:30-9:30 AM at Farragut Square (SE Corner) RSVP here and signal-boost on Facebook here
WED Nov. 13, Greenbelt Climate Action Network (GCAN) -- The “Green Amendment, 7 PM – 9 PM Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt 20770
WED Nov 13 PROTEST ERDOGAN at his meeting with Trump 11:30 AM-6 PM, Lafayette Square. The Turkish autocrat is engaged in ethnic cleansing in Syria's Rojava community. More info at link.
FRI Nov. 15 through SUN. Nov. 17 Jobs With Justice Organizing and Leadership Training Program 9 AM-6 PM. -- practical organizing skills. Info: Sequnely Gray at [email protected] or 202-674-2847.
SAT Nov 16 Deep Canvass with SURJ 11 AM – 5 PM The September canvass will be at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville, in Maryland. https://www.facebook.com/events/2074787809286786/
SAT Nov 16, Emergency StreetMed Training. Noon-6 PM, 3845 S Capitol St SW, DC 20032 -- Hosted by Black Lives Matter DC: https://www.facebook.com/events/1235934569924326/ with Ujima Medics. Response time saves lives! Primarily for people who live in, or love people who live in communities where shootings often occur. Includes training on how to help someone having a mild to a moderate asthma attack, and prevent it from becoming more serious.
SUN Nov. 17 Greater Baltimore DSA General Body Meeting at Homewood Friends, 3107 N. Charles St. Bmore 21218 , new member orientation at 1:30, meeting at 2. See the agenda here.
MON Nov 18, ROC DC Monthly Meeting 1-3 PM Restaurant Opportunity Center DC, Second Floor, 1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA. https://www.facebook.com/events/2261435187446709/
MON Nov 18 Clínicas Legal // Legal Clinics: for Restaurant Workers! 6-8 PM at DC Bilingual Charter School, 33 Riggs Rd NE Hosted by Restaurant Opportunities Center of Washington DC (ROC-DC): https://www.facebook.com/events/1893144787451173/ RSVP: tinyurl.com/ROCDClegalclinic
WED Nov 20 — Greensboro Massacre: 40 years later. 6-8 PM , Busboys and Poets at Takoma, 235 Carroll St. NW, Washington DC — Two survivors tell their stories. Plus a 23-minute documentary/retrospective film about the attack.
WED Nov 20 Pack the Room–Dept Behavioral Health Public Oversight Hearing 5:30 – 8:30 PM — 3000 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020-3718 (Hearing has been rescheduled to Nov. 20) The city continues to fail patients at St. Elizabeth’s and we will continue to put on pressure to ensure that this failing pattern is reversed! Hosted by 350 DC and 5 others: https://www.facebook.com/events/809308169506883/
THUR Nov. 21 and FRI Nov. 22, Continuing the Struggle: The ILO Centenary and the Future of Global Worker Rights -- Georgetown University | Washington, D.C. | RSVP
Speakers include Sara Nelson, Lance Compa and more. Various venues; follow link for details.
SAT Dec. 7 DC Labor Chorus Concert with songs about the labor movement, peace and justice at 7:30 PM at the Wesley United Methodist Church at 5312 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public, handicapped accessible and will have sign interpretation.
SUN Dec 8 Future of Healthcare Town Hall -- 1:30 – 4 PM Miller Branch of Howard County Library System 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042. Details at link.
SAT Dec 14 Progressive Maryland Statewide Annual Meeting 9 AM – 5 PM at the Episcopal Church of St. Michael and All Angels, 2013 Saint Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218 --. Register here.
SAT Dec 14 Build and Mobilize a Stronger Union workshop at NoVA Labor — 4536 B John Marr Drive, Annandale 10 AM — 3 PM – Free seminar RSVP to [email protected]
SUN, Dec 15 Maryland Legislative Summit -- University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) in Catonsville, 10 AM-5 PM. Legislative process, lobbying, agenda-setting and more. Details at link.
TUES Dec 17 End Violence Ki Ki Ball 6- 10 PM, Eastern Market North Hall located at 225 7th Street S.E. Washington DC, 20003– info and tickets at link — “International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers”. To SUPPORT:
endviolencekikiball.com
AAAND is 2020 that close already?!:
THURS Jan 16, 2020 Book Launch: Kate Aronoff, Peter Dreier, and Michael Kazin – We Own the Future: Democratic Socialism–American Style, 7 PM at Politics and Prose, Union Market, 1270 5th Street NE Washington DC 20002 This event is free to attend with no reservation required. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Click here for more information.
GOOD READS
WHAT ARE “GOOD READS”? You know them when you see them – texts of exposition and analysis that are outside the center-lane of most media, though many of those MSMs can come up with surprises. And, of course, you see them all the time. When you see a Good Read, send it to [email protected]. Don’t keep it for yourself. Good Reads should of course be online, have links and be free of paywalls. Thanks for looking out for your comrades.
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