The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about
people.
--César Chávez
Comrades,
We've got a short-term agenda, and a long-term agenda. The
short-term agenda is tuition-free college, Medicare for All, full
student and medical debt cancellation, the end of deportations and
mass incarceration, living wages and homes for all, and the
implementation of a Green New Deal.
That last one is very short-term: time is running out to save our
planet, and the capitalist class sure as hell isn't going to forego
profits to do it themselves. If we want a habitable Earth, we're going
to have to fight them for it, and win fast.
The long-term agenda is a society without war, exploitation, and
oppression, a real democratic society where people are at last equal
and truly free. We won't realize our long-term agenda without a mass
socialist movement. Lucky for us, our short-term agenda is so damn
appealing that people are lining up around the block to join us in
fighting for it.
The leading spokesman for our short-term agenda is Bernie Sanders.
Bernie is a conduit between those of us who are already committed
socialists and the millions of working-class people who could be. But
that transformation doesn't happen on its own. We need to take
advantage of this strategic opening and pound the pavement for Bernie
and for socialism.
We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet millions of people
where they are and bring them into a lifelong struggle for the society
that we deserve. We don't intend to let it slip through our fingers.
See below for details on how you can become part of East Bay DSA's
effort to get Bernie elected — and build socialism for the long
haul.
Featured Events
If you're ready to seize this once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity, here's a list of chapter events to help build socialism
for the long haul. RSVP to keep updated. You can also keep track on
our Events page (http://eastbaydsa.org/events/) .
** FRIDAY THE 13TH BERNIE BART
BONANZA
------------------------------------------------------------
Friday,
December 13 | 4–7 p.m.
MacArthur and West Oakland BART ♿️
Bernie Sanders's 2020 run offers an unprecedented opportunity for
democratic socialists to reach thousands of people with our politics,
build working-class power, and make sure that California — a crucial
battleground state — goes to Bernie on "Super Tuesday," March 3,
2020.
Join us this Friday the 13th to crowd canvass in support of
Bernie's 2020 run and democratic socialism! No experience necessary to
canvass! We will be there from 4–7 p.m. but feel free to come for
whatever part you can! Join us to talk with and listen to all kinds of
folks about the issues that affect their lives, and invite them to
join the mass, working-class movement being built by Bernie 2020 &
DSA. We'll be the ones in red!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/903/2019-12-13-friday-the-13th-bernie-bart-bonanza/)
** NEIGHBORHOOD CANVASS FOR BERNIE IN
FRUITVALE
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
December 14 | 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
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/901/2019-12-14-neighborhood-canvass-for-bernie-in-fruitvale/)
** NEIGHBORHOOD CANVASS FOR BERNIE IN NORTH
OAKLAND
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
December 14 | 12–2 p.m.
RSVP for address ♿️
Come out and canvass for Bernie Sanders in North Oakland! All are
welcome and no experience is necessary.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/902/2019-12-14-neighborhood-canvass-for-bernie-in-north-oakland/)
** NEIGHBORHOOD CANVASS FOR BERNIE IN
FREMONT
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
December 14 | 12–2 p.m.
RSVP for address ♿️
Come out and canvass for Bernie Sanders in Fremont! All are welcome
and no experience is necessary.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/893/2019-12-14-neighborhood-canvass-for-bernie-in-fremont/)
** STEERING COMMITTEE
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
December 14 | 2–5 p.m.
RSVP for address ♿️
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
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/786/2019-12-14-steering-committee-meeting/)
** TEAM BERNIE: "HOW TO WIN THE HOLIDAYS"
POTLUCK
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
December 15 | 7–9 p.m.
East Bay Community Space, 507 55th St,
Oakland ♿️
The holidays are fast-approaching and we know that with delicious
feasting comes uncomfortable quarreling so let's get prepared. This
year, don't settle for being the sulky socialist in the corner. 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 festive potluck among comrades where we'll practice
arguing with our friends and families!
We'll eat delicious wintry 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!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/882/2019-12-15-team-bernie-how-to-win-the-holidays-potluck/)
** RACIAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MONTHLY
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
December 16 | 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
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/759/2019-12-16-racial-solidarity-committee-monthly-meeting/)
** SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITTEE MONTHLY
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
December 18 | 7–9 p.m.
ACCE Action 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 venue is ADA-accessible.
** TEAM BERNIE DEBATE WATCH
PARTY
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday,
December 19 | 6–9 p.m.
Location TBD
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, hosted by East Bay
Democratic Socialists of America. The debate starts at 6 p.m., 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!
In honor of DSA's week of action around housing, we'll be hearing
from speakers about Bernie's plan to build a just future and housing
for all. Read more about the plan here:
https://berniesanders.com/issues/housing-all/
Location is TBD as of today; please stay tuned to the event page
for location and accessibility info!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/883/2019-12-19-team-bernie-debate-watch-party/)
** NEIGHBORHOOD CANVASS FOR BERNIE EAST OF LAKE
MERRITT
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
December 21 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Woody’s Cafe, 1841 Park Blvd, Oakland
♿️
Come out and canvass for Bernie Sanders in Oakland, east of Lake
Merritt! All are welcome and no experience is necessary.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/892/2019-12-21-neighborhood-canvass-for-bernie-east-of-lake-merritt/)
** GINGERBREAD HOUSING
SOCIAL
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
December 21 | 2–4 p.m.
Location TBD
Have you ever wanted to build a socialist utopia out of gingerbread
houses? Want to learn more about what East Bay DSA is doing around
housing? Wondering what exactly is "social housing?" Join the East Bay
DSA Housing Committee for a fun evening of making gingerbread houses
and socializing with comrades. We're also assembling hygiene kits
including donated items like soaps, socks, and toothpaste. This is
open to the general public - so that's you! And your friends. And your
friend's friends. And your cousin's cousin. Oh, and kids are welcome,
too!
Location is TBD as of today; please stay tuned to the event page
for location and accessibility info!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/910/2019-12-21-gingerbread-social-housing-social/)
Upcoming
Events
** LABOR COMMITTEE
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
December 29 | 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].
Accessibility Information: Entrance and bathroom are wheelchair
accessible.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/869/2019-12-29-labor-committee-meeting/)
Not a Member Yet? Let's Fix That.
DSA has 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 (https://act.dsausa.org/donate/membership/)
Caucus Corner
Our caucuses organize great events too! Check our
website (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/about/caucuses/) to learn more
about the activities of East Bay DSA caucuses and how to
participate.
Announcements
DSA ATU SOLIDARITY UPDATE
In September, the AC Transit bus
operators and mechanics of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 192
voted to authorize a strike, and East Bay DSA created a strike
solidarity working group. By November 16, we co-sponsored a successful
pilot with ATU 192, in which about 200 union, DSA and community
members rallied in East Oakland and then canvassed several Oakland
business districts, talking to the community about the strike and
putting up posters declaring that AC Transit’s "workers and riders
roll together." We then co-led a training for about 2 dozen ATU
canvass captains who are now preparing to lead distributed canvasses
up and down the East Bay.
A report summarizing the background and East Bay DSA’s role to date
is here
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/news/2019/12/9/dsa-atu-192-pre-strike-support-campaign/)
. And let us know if you’d be interested in canvassing with our ATU
192 brothers and sisters by filling out the Google form linked
below.
A strike could come as early as February.
Sign up to canvass
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScam_Z00g15ToaDntTi1-3emQI4iQS0XC7rjFf7kn4l_huXAg/viewform)
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!
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFuP5oY5vnyv4ztjKgfdNMEVJUgqOCzjC11cNa83Tt3Wy4PQ/viewform?usp=send_form)
Capitalism cannot reform itself; it is doomed to
self-destruction. No universal selfishness can bring social good to
all.
-W. E. B. DuBois
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