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May 6, 2022

Gif of a lightning bolt striking a rose on top of the Capitol Building

May 6, 2022

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CONTENTS

UP FRONT
BRIEFS
INFO
GOOD READS
DSA CALENDAR
COMMUNITY BULLETIN

UP FRONT

  • Metro DC DSA responds to the impending repeal of Roe v. Wade

  • Stomp Out Slumlords anti-eviction canvass — TOMORROW, May 7 at 1:30pm

  • Steering Committee election to fill At-Large vacancy

Metro DC DSA responds to the impending repeal of Roe v. Wade

On Monday evening, a leaked initial draft of a majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito revealed that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision enshrining the constitutional right to an abortion. In response, the Metro D.C. chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America immediately mobilized a rally in front of the Supreme Court at midnight. Among the protesters was Ward 4 councilmember and chapter member Janeese Lewis George, who excoriated elected officials for failing to codify Roe and not fighting to end the filibuster. Janeese spoke about the importance of fueling anger and despair into organizing:

We live in a society that doesn’t want to give us universal health care, a $15 minimum wage, or paid family leave…but they want to make choices about our bodies. This is not a system that is supporting us, and that means we gotta dismantle it all. … This is a labor rights issue, a human rights issue, a civil rights issue. If we don’t fight now, they will come for every single one of us, so we need to be in this fight together. We need to be in solidarity together. And we need to be ready to organize and win.

Overturning Roe and the 1992 court decision Planned Parenthood v. Casey would allow states to ban abortion and impose other extreme, far-reaching restrictions, including denying exceptions for rape and incest, criminalizing abortion care providers, and empowering so-called vigilante lawsuits and bounty collection by civilians. In 2022 alone, abortion bans have been introduced in 31 states and enacted in six—the culmination of a decades-long conservative effort to capture the courts and impose the will of a fringe religious minority over millions of people.

We affirm that reproductive autonomy—our ability to make decisions about our own bodies and futures—is at the heart of what it means to live with freedom and dignity. Our chapter unequivocally condemns any and all efforts by state legislatures and the courts that threaten our health and fundamental human rights. Free abortion on demand and without apology.

Read the full statement prepared by Metro DC DSA’s steering committee here.

Since Monday, we have raised more than $5,200 for the DC Abortion Fund. All contributions are being matched, so every dollar you donate is doubled. Donate here.

Stomp Out Slumlords anti-eviction canvass — TOMORROW, May 7 at 1:30pm

On May 7, meet comrades at 1:30pm at L’Enfant Plaza for an anti-eviction canvass. We’ll inform tenants facing eviction of their rights in court and how to get a lawyer. Tenants we speak to are twice as likely to go to court and fight their eviction, so every volunteer can make a big impact. We’ll meet at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station near the 7th & Maryland exit above the escalators (if the weather is bad, we’ll be downstairs just before the turnstiles). At 1:30pm we’ll have a short training to explain why these canvasses are necessary, how to talk to tenants about their upcoming eviction suits and how to fill in walk-sheets. We’ll then hand out walk-sheets and set you up with a partner — if you’ve never done this before, you’ll be set up with a veteran who can show you the ropes. See here for details!

Steering Committee election to fill At-Large vacancy

Due to a resignation, we now have a vacancy for an At-Large seat on the MDC DSA Steering Committee, which will require a special election to fill. The election will be facilitated by the Special Election Facilitation Committee, comprising volunteer members who can be reached at internal-elections@mdcdsa.org.

Any member who wishes to qualify for the ballot must receive five nominations using the form linked in the #2022-may-special-election Slack channel. This nomination form is open immediately and will remain open until Sunday, May 8th at 11:59pm. The Special Election Facilitation Committee has released this timeline: the candidates forum will be Friday, May 13th at 7:30pm. Ballots will go out Saturday, May 14th and voting will end at 11:59pm on Saturday, May 21st. Chapter members will be automatically added to #2022-may-special-election. This MDC DSA Slack channel will house discussion regarding the election. Thanks to the Special Election Facilitation Committee members for volunteering! All needed info and links are at #2022-may-special-election channel, where members can follow the nominations and acceptances.

BRIEFS

May GBM Time Change

MDC DSA members should note that the May General Body Meeting will take place from 7 to 9pm in the evening on Sunday, May 15 per a Steering Committee vote at the April 26 SC meeting.

DSA Internationalism Picnic and Book Exchange — POSTPONED to Next Saturday, May 14 at 1pm

You are invited to the MDC DSA Internationalism Working Group’s potluck and book exchange at Malcolm X Park on Saturday, May 14th from 1 to 4pm to eat some food, swap books and hang out. The new MDC DSA book exchange group will also be at the international potluck with food for thought: books! Bring a dish of your choice, a book for our book exchange or just yourself! RSVP and find out more here — and share with your friends!

BRIEFING!

CASA in Action Endorses Max Socol

CASA in Action, the political arm of the immigrant advocacy organization, has endorsed community organizer and MDC DSA endorsed candidate Max Socol, who is challenging state Sen. Jeffrey D. Waldstreicher (D-Montgomery) in the July 19 Democratic primary. In the announcement, CASA praised Max’s work for affordable housing, policing reform and immigrant justice. CASA members immediately came out to canvass for Max following the announcement, joining MDC DSA members. We look forward to continuing to work with them to elect Max and create a better Maryland for working families. Max’s next canvass is tomorrow, Saturday, May 7, launching from Glenmont Local Park — about a 15-minute walk from the Glenmont Metro Station.

BRIEFING!

DSA National Endorses Gabe, Max and Initiative 82

This Monday, DSA announced the national endorsement of Initiative 82 as well as Gabe Acevero and Max Socol, lauding them as candidates fighting with us to build working-class power. The announcement noted that Gabe, who is on the ballot for reelection for Maryland’s House of Delegates, District 39, is a labor organizer that led the repeal of the state’s police bill of rights, and that first-time candidate Max Socol, running for Maryland’s Senate District 18, is a MDC DSA leader on housing justice and police defunding campaigns whose platform includes bringing Maryland to carbon zero ahead of its current projected goal. DSA also endorsed Initiative 82, which would eliminate the below-minimum tipped wage — $5.05 per hour — and ensure all tipped workers at least get DC’s full minimum wage of $15 plus tips. To support these campaigns financially, you can donate directly to Initiative 82, Max and Gabe, as well as the Metro DC DSA Solidarity PAC. Sign up to canvass for these campaigns by filling out this form.

NoVA DSA Monthly All-Branch Meeting

Our monthly General Branch Meeting is next Thursday, May 12th at 7pm. The theme of this meeting is, Defund NoVA Police. RSVP here. Also: mobilizing people to attend the Arlington County Board Meeting on Saturday, May 14 at 8:30am to show we want ICE out of Arlington. RSVP here. Live in Arlington? Please sign the petition to urge the Arlington County Board to adopt the Communities of Arlington Protected from Abuse by ICE (CAPA) policy.

Fund-A-Thon Events Benefiting DC Abortion Fund

Our 2022 Fund-A-Thon team is excited to present fundraising events this month to benefit the DC Abortion Fund (DCAF). DCAF works with clients all across the DMV to ensure that everyone can access safe abortion care. More than ever, local abortion funds are essential to ensure equitable access to care. Here are some of the upcoming events:

All events are open to everyone! Feel free to invite non-DSA friends, family and community members as well as comrades. To join our team or make a donation visit our donation page here!

ICE Out of Arlington at the Next County Board Meeting — Saturday, May 14 at 8:30am

For over a year, the ICE Out of Arlington campaign has been pushing Arlington County to end its collaboration with ICE and implement a county-wide policy, with multiple actions, canvasses and petitions to pressure the board to adopt the Communities of Arlington Protected from Abuse by ICE (CAPA) policy (more information here). At the next board meeting, La ColectiVA and partner organizations in the campaign will be mobilizing for support. Join us on Saturday, May 14th starting at 8:30am at the Arlington County Government Center (2100 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201), and in the meantime, please sign and share the petition and sign up for updates from the campaign.

Deep Canvass with SURJ DC — Sunday, May 15 at 10am

Spring is the best time of year in DC, so we’re capitalizing on this gorgeous weather and knocking on our neighbors’ doors! The SURJ-DC Deep Canvass and Trans & Queer teams are hosting our third deep canvass day of 2022 on Sunday, May 15th to continue the work of digging into police and prison abolition in our neighborhoods. The canvass will run from 10am to 2:30pm in the Bloomingdale neighborhood. We’ll meet up for a morning training outdoors — both a “1.0” training for new canvassers and a “2.0″ training for returning canvassers — eat lunch (provided) and then get out on the doors together with a script focused on shifting resources from policing to community needs.

We are building a community that learns together while having conversations with neighbors about community safety and alternatives to policing. Join us as we get back on the doors this spring! Find more information and sign up here! If you can’t join us on May 15th, our next canvass is Saturday, July 9th. Feel free to fill out the form for that date as well!

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INFO ACCESS

Publications Schedule: Weekly Updates in May are Fridays, May 13, 20 and 27, and the June issue of the Washington Socialist is scheduled Friday, June 3 with an article deadline of May 28. Write for us anytime; hit us up at thesocialist@mdcdsa.org (all writers welcome, DSA members or not). If an MDC DSA member, join our #publications Slack channel to keep up with the chatter and watch the issues build. 

Have a story or essay about a better anti-capitalist future? Send it to ATS!

After The Storm is a digital publication that describes a world beyond our current oppressive society. We want to tell stories that span beyond white supremacy, patriarchy, ableism, imperialism, capitalism and so much more. We operate under the assumption that to reach a place, you first have to imagine it.

And we want your vision of that future! We are paying writers in the DC area $50 for all accepted stories, sponsored by Metro DC DSA. Send your pitches to afterthestormmag@gmail.com and check out our submission guide here.

To get on MDC DSA Slack there’s a new path, and the most intuitive ever: email slack@mdcdsa.org. Use the email address by which the national DSA knows you. The requester must be an MDC DSA member in good standing. Here’s the link to find out your paid-up status with national DSA: http://proof.dsausa.org/ 

Standing resources: Metro DC DSA has substantial local-chapter online resources for understanding our past, present, and future. Find out about our present structure and configuration here, including current campaigns; check our bylaws and the accompanying explainer on our governance. See our archive of recent statements from the chapter. MDC DSA has branches in NoVA and Maryland.

Find more at our chapter website — including backfiles of the Washington Socialist article hub indexed by issue areas. 

Looking to get involved in the chapter?

Are you a member who’s been looking for ways to get involved in our chapter’s organizing? Are you interested in joining the DSA but would like to talk to someone about it first? No matter where you’re coming from, we’d love to talk to you! Follow this link to schedule a conversation with one of our comrades!

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DSA CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Saturday, May 7

1:30 – 4:30pm | SOS Anti-eviction Canvas

Sunday, May 8

Noon – 4pm | Canvass for Gabriel Acevero in D39

Monday, May 9

6:30 – 7:30pm | Medicare 4 All Working Group Biweekly Meeting | #M4A

Tuesday, May 10

6:30 – 7:30pm | Fund-A-Thon Fitness Class in NoVA

Wednesday, May 11

7 – 9pm | The Dawn of Everything Reading Group mtg 10

8 – 9pm | Why You Should Join DSA / New Member Orientation

Thursday, May 12

6:30 – 7:30pm | Cuba Campaign Planning Meeting

7 – 8:30pm | NoVA Branch monthly organizing meeting

7 – 8:30pm | Internationalism Working Group Monthly Meeting

Friday, May 13

5pm | SocFem Grrls Night Happy Hour+

7 – 9pm | PG DSA social 

Saturday, May 14

1 – 4pm | Internationalism Potluck & Book Exchange at Malcolm X Park

4 – 5pm | Green Alert: What the Latest Science Means for Climate Action

6pm | MoCo DSA May Social

Sunday, May 15

7 – 9pm | MDC DSA General Body Meeting 

Monday, May 16

6:30 – 9pm | Labor Reading Group week 6

Tuesday, May 17

8 – 9pm | Political Engagement Committee Biweekly Meeting

Wednesday, May 18

7 – 9pm | The Dawn of Everything Reading Group mtg 11

8 – 9pm | Why You Should Join DSA / New Member Orientation

Thursday, May 19

6:30 – 7:30pm | Cuba Campaign Planning Meeting

Friday, May 20

Last day to order from Fund-A-Thon Virtual Bake Sale

Sunday, May 22

11am – 3pm | Fund-A-Thon Virtual Bake Sale Delivery

Monday May 23

6:30 – 7:30pm | Medicare 4 All Working Group Biweekly Meeting

7 – 9pm | Fund-A-Thon Trivia Night at Midlands Beer Garden

Tuesday, May 24

8 – 9:30pm | Political Education Working Group meeting

Wednesday, May 25

7 – 9pm | The Dawn of Everything Reading Group mtg 12

8 – 9pm | Why You Should Join DSA / New Member Orientation

Thursday, May 26

5 – 6pm | Public Power Action at Pepco HQ

6:30 – 7:30pm | Cuba Campaign Planning Meeting

8 – 9pm | Defund MPD Organizational Outreach Meeting

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COMMUNITY BULLETIN

Mother’s Day Free Market and Swap — New Date! | Ward 4 Mutual Aid

Ward 4 Mutual Aid will hold a solidarity swap and free market on Saturday, May 14 (postponed from May 7 due to impending rain) at 6000 Georgia Ave NW. The swap will run from noon to 4pm and feature gently used maternity items, baby gear/toys and more. To donate or sign up for a volunteer shift, go to bit.ly/May7Swap.

Spring Clothing Drive | Serve Your City / Ward 6 Mutual Aid

Ward 6 Mutual Aid is collecting spring and summer clothing for DC families now through May 14. Drop offs can be brought to Christ United Methodist Church at 900 4th Street SW (Courtyard Gate) on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3 to 5pm and Saturdays from 11am to 2pm. Online donations are also being accepted to support the drive.

Spring Cleaning Clothing Swap | Remora House and Food Not Bombs DC

On Sunday, May 15 from 4 to 7pm Remora House and Food Not Bombs DC will host an all-ages, all-genders clothing swap at Dwell (1200 Florida Ave NE). Take and/or drop off as much as you need.

Reel & Meal at the New Deal

The film The United States of ALEC, showing Monday, May 16, depicts how ALEC, a secretive Koch-funded body, helps corporate America propose and even draft legislation for states across the country. It brings together major US corporations and right-wing legislators to craft and vote on “model” bills behind closed doors. Discussion follows post-film. This will be a hybrid event, beginning at 7pm either live in the New Deal Café, Roosevelt Center in Greenbelt, MD, or via Zoom. Virtual attendance requires registration. Film is free but $13 vegan meal available in cafe.

2022 Annual Membership Meeting | ONE DC

ONE DC holds its annual membership meeting on May 14th from 2 to 5pm at Busboys & Poets in Anacostia (2004 MLK Jr Ave, SE). The annual meeting will be a hybrid model, so you can participate in person or via Zoom. Please fill out this survey so we can best prepare for the meeting. RSVP here.

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GOOD READS / ESSENTIAL TRAFFIC

On Marx’s birthday, from Jacobin: “Karl Marx’s final years of life are often overlooked as a period of intellectual and physical decline. But his thought remained vibrant to the end, as he addressed political questions that are still relevant to us today.” On His Birthday, Let’s Celebrate the Old Man Karl Marx

From the NYT, college grads in frontline jobs: For better or for worse, this is where the organized working class is coming from; as one Amazon organizer said, “Amazon doesn’t allow people of differing education levels to become separated. … It was the way we were able to unite people — the idea that we’re all getting screwed.” 

Is it any surprise that the Democrats’ continuous inaction on student debt elimination, reproductive health rights, raising the minimum wage, medicare for all and so much more is quickly eroding their support? While they continue to pay lip service to these issues, their nonintervention strategy is going to lose them seats in November. Maybe they should have listened to their progressive counterparts.

Union Kitchen CEO Cullen Gilchrist continues to wage a scorched-earth union-busting campaign against his workers, firing several who are pro-union — including a longtime employee who didn’t show up for a shift because she was assaulted. Read more in DCist.

Check out this week’s press clips compiled by We Power DC’s research working group! Lots of fascinating stories lately, including (i) Vermont showing how public power helps states innovate in renewable energy deployment; (ii) an examination of the importance of centering Indigenous people, traditions and tools in combating climate change and climate injustice; (iii) evidence of Indiana investor-owned utilities hampering solar development by attacking net metering (sound familiar?); and (iv) coverage of Janeese Lewis George’s DC-based Green New Deal bill, among others!

The flame of thought, the magnificence of art, the wonder of discovery, and the audacity of invention all belong to revolutionary periods when humanity, tired of the chains of its restrictions, shatters them, and stops inebriated to breathe the breeze of a vaster and freer horizon.

–Virgilia D’Andrea

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