From East Bay DSA <[email protected]>
Subject Newsletter: 111 days
Date November 14, 2019 6:04 PM
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The greatest mistake of the movement has been trying to organize a sleeping people around specific goals. You have to wake the people up first, then you'll get action.
--Malcolm X

Comrades,

We have 111 days until the California presidential primary. The polls are all over the map as usual, giving an overall picture of a three-way race between Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders.

Only one of these candidates has been fighting for Medicare for All for decades. Only one says billionaires shouldn’t exist. Only one has a climate plan that can accurately be called a Green New Deal.

Only one called to free Brazil's wrongly imprisoned leftist leader Lula, and condemned the right-wing coup in Bolivia. Only one wants to cancel all student and medical debt. Only one once made a documentary about the socialist leader Eugene Debs and then refused to air it on television because the station’s workers were on strike.

That's Bernie Sanders.

Socialists all over the country are hard at work trying to get Bernie elected. We want to see him win, because our future hangs in the balance. But we also know that this is too good an opportunity to pass up — an opportunity to listen to ordinary people and help bring them into the political process as agents of change.

Our Bernie canvassing operation is in full swing: see below for details, and info on everything else our chapter is working on over the next couple of weeks. And if you need a little encouragement to canvass, take it from Bernie himself, who wrote:

"Many people don't pay much attention to TV news, don't read the papers or listen to the radio. They are not actively involved in the political process — especially in trailer parks and low-income areas. The goal of a canvassing effort is to bring political ideas right to the front doors and, if possible, into the living rooms of thousands of Vermonters through face-to-face contact. In my view, all the TV ads in the world are not as effective as an intelligent and personable canvasser who is able to discuss the issues and listen to voters' concerns. I refuse to give up on the idea that a campaign in a democratic society should include a significant educational dimension."

Featured Events

If you're ready to hit the pavement, here's a list of upcoming events. RSVP to keep updated. You can also keep track on our Events page ([link removed]) .


** BEER & ROSES LABOR SOCIAL
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Tonight! November 14 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Kingfish Pub & Cafe, 5227 Telegraph Ave, Oakland ♿️

Join the East Bay DSA's Labor Committee for their regular Beer and Roses social. Hang out with other members who are interested in the labor movement, hear about what's happening in EBDSA Labor Committee & learn how you can get involved.

Venue is wheelchair-accessible.

RSVP ([link removed])


** HOW TO HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE POLITICAL CONVERSATION
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Tonight! November 14 | 7–9 p.m.
Niebyl Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave, Oakland ♿️

Do you want to understand how to move that not-yet-member at night school to action? Did somebody new show up to your committee meeting and you're not sure how best to engage with them? Did you meet a person while you were canvassing who’s fired up about Bernie but hasn’t gotten involved in politics before?

In this training, we will discuss and practice the art of the one-on-one meeting. This is a powerful and foundational skill for any organizer—it helps us form a political relationship with somebody, understand more about who they are and what motivates them, and gives us an opportunity to make a concrete ask of them.

One-on-one meetings can help us develop political relationships with other working class people, build leadership in your committee, and move people to action.

Come to this training to learn the components of a one-on-one and get some real-life practice.

Entrance and bathroom are wheelchair-accessible.

RSVP ([link removed])


** BERNIE BART BONANZA
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Friday, November 15 | 3:30–7 p.m.
Fruitvale, West Oakland, and MacArthur BART ♿️

A democratic socialist is a front-runner for the presidency, and DSA is building a mass movement for socialism behind him. Bernie Sanders's 2020 run offers an unprecedented opportunity for democratic socialists to reach thousands of ordinary people with our politics, build working-class power, and make sure that California — a crucial battleground state — goes to Bernie on Super Tuesday. Come join us this Friday to canvass across the East Bay!


Our Bernie 2020 Campaign will be canvassing three different BART stations this Friday during rush hour! Come join us anytime from 3:30-7:00 pm to join a canvassing team at Fruitvale, West Oakland, or MacArthur BART!

After we spend rush hour talking to working people across Oakland about Bernie and democratic socialism, we'll convene at Ale Industries off Fruitvale BART (3096 E 10th St in Oakland) for food and drinks!

These events will take place outside of various BART stations, which are all ADA accessible.

RSVP ([link removed])


** AC TRANSIT WORKERS & RIDERS CANVASS
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Saturday, November 16 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Fruitvale BART, 3401 E 12th St, Oakland ♿️


Come poster up East Bay businesses in support of East Bay bus drivers and mechanics with ATU Local 192 who work tirelessly to get us where we need to go.

While the AC transit board and tech billionaires may not see the value of public transportation workers, our community of riders has their back! Read more background in these East Bay Majority articles:

Billionaires are wrecking public transit ([link removed])
East Bay bus drivers are ready to strike to save public transit ([link removed])

All AC Transit workers and community supporters are invited to attend!

RSVP ([link removed])


** NEIGHBORHOOD CANVASSES
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, November 16 | times and locations below


Come out and canvass for Bernie Sanders in your neighborhood, or wherever works for you! All are welcome and no experience is necessary. RSVP to your preferred time and location for the address of our meeting place.

Fruitvale ([link removed]) 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Fremont ([link removed]) noon–2 p.m.
West Oakland ([link removed]) noon–3 p.m.
Ashby BART ([link removed]) 3:30–5:30 p.m.


** STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
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Sunday, November 17 | 1–4 p.m.
RSVP for location ♿️


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 address.

RSVP ([link removed])


** TEAM BERNIE: “HOW TO WIN AT THANKSGIVING” POTLUCK
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Sunday, November 17 | 7–9 p.m.
East Bay Community Space 507 55th St, Oakland, CA ♿️


Do the coming weeks of life include travel, specific gourds or meats, and/or complex feelings about a holiday rooted in colonial genocide? If you’re already preparing to gather around a table and feel uncomfortable, you might as well get ready to talk politics. Don’t settle for being the sulky socialist in the corner this year. Be the sulky socialist in the corner who gets their relatives to fight for political revolution—or at least watch a Bernie interview after dinner.


Join us for a friendsgiving potluck among comrades!

We'll eat delicious autumnal treats and practice:
* Talking Green New Deal with Grandma
* Getting Uncle Bruce to vote for Bernie
* Canvassing your family and social circle

Please bring some favorite foods to share and label whatever you bring with its contents (Vegan? Meaty? Has almonds?) so people can know what they’re getting into.

Invite all your union friends and the socialism curious!

Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance and restrooms.

RSVP ([link removed])


** RACIAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MEETING
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Monday, November 18 | 7–9 p.m.
Call / text 209-613-0810 for location

Our regularly-scheduled monthly meeting of the Racial Solidarity Committee!

Location and accessibility details may vary.

RSVP ([link removed])


** SOCIALIST NIGHT SCHOOL: CALIFORNIA IS BURNING, LET’S NATIONALIZE PG&E
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Tuesday, November 19 | 7–9 p.m.
East Bay Community Space 507 55th St, Oakland ♿️


We already know that we desperately need single payer for health care. But the recent failures of PG&E show how we need a single-payer system for our energy grid, too — to stop the reckless, dangerous behavior of private companies getting rich off what should be a public good, and to fight climate change. Only one of the Democratic candidates running for President has unequivocally called for bringing PG&E under public control. Bernie Sanders's Green New Deal proposal isn't just the boldest proposal to save the planet that any candidate has made yet. It also includes the United States moving to 100 percent public ownership of our power grid.

How can the growing democratic socialist movement win demands that stave off the worst of the climate crisis and move us towards a more sustainable future? Solving the ecological crisis requires a mass movement to take on hugely powerful industries. Yet the environmental movement's base in the professional-managerial class and focus on consumption has little chance of attracting working-class support. The seminal essay by Matt Huber included in the class readings argues for a program that tackles the ecological crisis by organizing around working-class interests.

Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance and restrooms.

See the readings ([link removed])


** TEAM BERNIE: DEBATE WATCH PARTY WEDNESDAY
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Wednesday, November 20 | 4:30–8 p.m.
B4b3L4b Gallery, 184 10th St, Oakland ♿️

Want to watch Bernie flex on corporate politicians and their billionaire donors? Have a friendly crowd of socialists to cheer and boo with? Find out how you can help us put a working-class hero in the White House?

Come to the Democratic Debate watch party, co-hosted by chapters of the Young Democratic Socialists of America and East Bay Democratic Socialists of America! The debate starts at 5:00pm, so come early to hang out. It’s free and open to everyone; this is a great event for new members, people curious about DSA, or those who want to get tapped into our 2020 electoral work!

We’ll be hearing from speakers about the movement for Bernie in schools and on campuses, and how his public education program could transform the lives of working people in this country. You can read more about it here ([link removed]) .

Invite all your union member friends and the socialism-curious!

Accessibility: The venue is on the second floor and has a lift up.

RSVP ([link removed])


** SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING
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Wednesday, November 20 | 7–9 p.m.
ACCE, 2501 International Blvd, Oakland ♿️

Our Social Housing Committee meets on the third Wednesday each month. The first half of the meeting is dedicated to learning together about social housing and about the broader housing justice movement. The second part of the meeting we discuss campaigns and working group updates. All are welcome!

This event is ADA-accessible.

RSVP ([link removed])


** DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM 101
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Sunday, November 24 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Empowerment Park, 462 Bellevue Ave, Oakland ♿️

Democratic socialist politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez are calling for Medicare for All and a Green New Deal. Teachers from West Virginia to Oakland are striking for public education and winning, and tens of thousands of people across the country are getting involved in the project of building democratic socialism in the US. But what is democratic socialism? Let's talk about it.

If you're a new DSA member or just curious about democratic socialism, come out to Democratic Socialism 101 and find out how to get involved in DSA’s fight for democratic control of the things that matter on the job and in your community and the things we all need to lead a dignified life.

Look for the DSA banner and red t-shirts!

Afterwards, join our Bernie Crowd Canvass at Lake Merritt ([link removed]) .

Since the 2016 Bernie Sanders campaign brought democratic socialism back into the mainstream, the Democratic Socialists of America went from about 6,000 members to 60,000 nationwide, making it the largest socialist organization in the US in more than 50 years.

Event is located at an outdoor park.


** CROWD CANVASS FOR BERNIE AT LAKE MERRITT
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, November 24 | noon–4 p.m.
Empowerment Park, 462 Bellevue Ave, Oakland ♿️

Join our movement for a weekend crowd canvass at Lake Merritt! We'll meet at Empowerment Park (462 Bellevue Ave. in Oakland) at noon for a canvassing training and then break into teams to canvass the lake and talk to hundreds of ordinary people about Bernie 2020 and democratic socialism.

Noon–1 p.m.: Introduction and Canvassing Training
1–3:30 p.m.: Break into teams and canvass the Lake
3:30–4 p.m.: Reconvene, debrief, and socialize together!

Don't forget your: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottle, comfy shoes, DSA pins, DSA and Bernie shirts, and friends, family, or coworkers!

RSVP ([link removed])


** LABOR COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, November 24 | 6–8 p.m.
Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library 6501 Telegraph Ave, Oakland ♿️

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] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Entrance and bathroom are wheelchair accessible.

RSVP ([link removed])
Upcoming Events


** NEIGHBORHOOD CANVASS FOR BERNIE IN FRUITVALE
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, November 30 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

RSVP for address

Come out and canvass for Bernie Sanders in Fruitvale! All are welcome and no experience is necessary. RSVP for the address of our meeting place.

RSVP ([link removed])


** SOCIALIST FEMINIST PANEL: SILVIA FEDERICI, JENNY BROWN, AND DANI BURLISON
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, December 9 | 7–8:30 p.m.

Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley ♿️

East Bay DSA is proud to co-sponsor this panel discussion featuring some of the leading socialist-feminists of our time. Silvia Federici is a feminist activist, writer, and teacher well known for her works Wages Against Housework and Caliban and the Witch. Jenny Brown is a National Women's Liberation organizer, former editor of Labor Notes, and author of Without Apology: The Abortion Struggle Now. Dani Burlison is the author of Some Places Worth Leaving (Tolsun Books, 2019) and Dendrophilia and Other Social Taboos: True Stories.

Silvia Federici: Witches, Witch-Hunting, and Women and Re-Enchanting the World
Jenny Brown: Birth Strike: The Hidden Fight Over Women's Work
Dani Burlison: All of Me: Stories of Love, Anger, and the Female Body

This event is free and wheelchair-accessible. PM Press is a fellow co-sponsor.

This event is wheelchair accessible via elevator to event room.

RSVP ([link removed])

Not a Member Yet? Let's Fix That.
DSA has topped 60,000 members, 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 ([link removed])

Caucus Corner
Our caucuses organize events too! Check out the Caucus Corner of the East Bay DSA website ([link removed]) to learn more about the activities of East Bay DSA caucuses and how to participate.

Announcements
CODE FOR SOCIALISM: JOIN THE EBDSA TECH WORKING GROUP!
We're creating a socialist tech working group to support our organizing, and develop tools to challenge the capitalist class! Help us build and maintain our chapter technical projects, including eastbaydsa.org, eastbaymajority.com, and more!

Join our ranks ([link removed])


EAST BAY DSA IN SEARCH OF OFFICE SPACE
Do you or someone you know have access to an office space that East Bay DSA could rent? Because we are a member-run organization with limited resources, we are looking for a low-cost, below market rate office space. Please contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Office%20space) if you have any leads. Thank you!
I am opposing a social order in which it is possible for one man who does absolutely nothing that is useful to amass a fortune of hundreds of millions of dollars, while millions of men and women who work all the days of their lives secure barely enough for a wretched existence.
--Eugene Debs

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