Mar 10, 2023
CONTENTS
UP FRONT
Metro DC DSA, Hands Off DC coalition rally for statehood and self-determination
Stomp Out Slumlords anti-eviction canvass — TOMORROW, Saturday, March 11
Montgomery County councilmembers introduce permanent rent stabilization bill — canvass tomorrow, Saturday, March 11
Metro DC DSA, Hands Off DC coalition rally for statehood and self-determination
On Wednesday, the US Senate voted to overturn DC law for the first time in 30 years, with President Joe Biden and other Democrats joining Republicans’ shameless attack on the District’s revised criminal code – and DC residents’ right to self-determination. Metro DC DSA joined community organizations, elected officials and DC residents for a Hands Off DC rally earlier the same day, demanding Congress and the president respect home rule and democracy in the nation’s capital.
“Our 700,000+ residents are not second-class citizens. We are entitled to the same representation as residents of any other state in this country. We have the right to elect our own leaders and pass our own laws without politically motivated federal interference,” MDC DSA wrote on Twitter.
“The criminal code the DC Council passed gets rid of mandatory minimums that are a relic of a racist past,” DSA-endorsed Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker said at the rally. “This is not just about Congress intervening in local affairs. It is a majority white body intervening in a historically Black city and a majority Black city.”
The right to self-determination and the fight for DC statehood – undermined by the bad-faith actions of DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, the president and others – are central to our fight for socialism in the DMV. We cannot empower the working class in the District if a federal body – which isn’t elected by those living in DC – has the power to intervene against DC’s will. We will continue to organize for full enfranchisement for all District residents.
Stomp Out Slumlords anti-eviction canvass — TOMORROW, Saturday, March 11
Join comrades and inform tenants facing eviction about their rights in court, how to get a lawyer, and to see if they’re interested in organizing their building. Tenants that speak to Stomp Out Slumlords organizers 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 on the D street exit between 6th and 7th 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 canvassed before, we’ll try to set you up with a veteran who can show you the ropes!
If you have a car, please drive it down to the meeting spot! Cars are helpful for getting canvassers to metro-inaccessible areas. (Parking near L’Enfant Plaza is a bit tricky, but doable!) After groups finish canvassing, folks can head to Sonny’s in Park View to socialize and debrief. If you’re interested in our work but can’t canvass, reach out to tenants@mdcdsa.org to learn about other ways to get involved.
Montgomery County councilmembers introduce permanent rent stabilization bill — canvass tomorrow, Saturday, March 11
This past Tuesday, county councilmembers Kristin Mink (D-Dist 5) and Will Jawando (D-At large), with the support of County Executive Marc Elrich, introduced the HOME Act, which permanently caps rent increases at 3% annually. This legislation will provide tenants with housing stability and help working-class people avoid displacement. Mink, Jawando and Elrich drafted this legislation with input from the county’s major labor unions and advocacy groups, including Montgomery County DSA.
Meanwhile, conservative members of the county council introduced a competing bill that would continue to allow double digit annual rent increases. This Saturday, Montgomery County DSA, Everyday Canvassing and the MORE Network will canvass a working class apartment complex in Aspen Hill and talk to tenants about what real rent stabilization would mean to them. RSVP to join the canvass here.
A hearing for the rent stabilization bill is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27. If you are interested in submitting testimony in support of the bill, either verbal or written, email montgomerycountydsa@gmail.com; we can assist you with preparing testimony. All rent stabilization supporters are encouraged to submit written testimony, and tenants who have experienced rent increases are particularly encouraged to testify verbally.
BRIEFS
Results of vote on amendment to Metro DC DSA chapter resolution — attend March GBM for second read
On Saturday, March 4 at 11:59pm, voting concluded for the Amendment to Resolution 2023-02-GR6A1: Support Efforts to Oppose the U.S. Blockade on Cuba. There were 226 votes: 146 “Yes” votes, 74 “No” votes and six abstentions, meaning the amendment to the resolution passes.
NOTE: Resolution 2023-02-GR6A1: Support Efforts to Oppose the U.S. Blockade on Cuba (as amended) will receive its second read (motivation and debate) during the March General Body Meeting on Sunday, March 19 at 7pm. The General Body Meeting frequency bylaw amendment will also receive its second read during the March General Body Meeting; make sure to RSVP!
Sign up and spread the word: Walking Tour of Plutocratic DC: Power and Capitalism — Saturday, March 18, 1pm
Sign up and invite your friends, coworkers, family and comrades to the Plutocratic DC: Power and Capitalism Walking Tour, starting at 1pm on Saturday, March 18th! The Walking Tour will explore how institutions such as the Carlyle Group, Pepco and City Center DC create and maintain extreme wealth in the District. The Walking Tour will be led by Metro DC DSA Chapter members, who will use original research on private equity, public utilities and luxury real estate in DC to explore what your electric bill, Taylor Swift’s original recordings and luxury handbag stores have in common – and how to take power back from our local plutocrats. The tour is an excellent introduction to the Chapter’s organizing and political education work – it will connect attendees with campaigns to democratize DC and its power grid led by MDC DSA and We Power DC.
The tour is an outdoor event visiting three sites in downtown DC after meeting at The Park at City Center (1098 New York Ave NW) at 1pm. The tour will adjourn at 2:45pm at 1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW after just under a mile of walking, and will be followed by an optional outdoor happy hour at the Penn Quarter Sports Tavern. We will provide snacks and water, and public bathrooms are available along the route. Make sure to sign up in advance if you may attend to get day-of notices around weather and to volunteer.
Action: Preserve labor history in Virginia schools
History standards in Virginia are updated every seven years, and the new proposed standards put forth by anti-worker extremist Glenn Youngkin and his Department of Education would remove the American labor movement from VA classrooms. Youngkin wants to remove teachings on the impact of the industrial revolution on working families, including women and children; remove the rise of organized labor entirely from Virginia lesson plans; and remove mention of influential leaders’ contributions to the labor movement in Virginia.
It’s up to Virginians to stop the whitewashing of our history and tell the complete story of workers’ rights in our Commonwealth. Sign up here to make your voice heard at an in-person hearing on Tuesday, March 14!
MDC DSA posters around the city — help design or spread our message!
Notice any new imagery around Northwest DC? MDC DSA hit the streets last Saturday to put our artwork on full display. You’ll notice our posters have a signature design style thanks to our awesome graphic design team. They’re meant to notify the public about events, such as the Walking Tour of Plutocratic DC: Power and Capitalism this coming Saturday, as well as our general outlook on safety, community care and public health. If you’re interested in flyering with us, reach out to Gary Z.; if you’re interested in working with our graphic design team, reach out to Christina D., both on Slack.
Socialist Night School: Seize the Means of Consumption! A Harm Reductionist Fight for Drug Decriminalization
On Wednesday, March 22, come learn about the War on Drugs, as well as the socialist arguments for why we need to decriminalize drugs and invest in a harm reduction approach to supporting the health and wellness of people who use them! Join in person or online from 6:30 – 8pm for Socialist Night School: Seize the Means of Consumption! A Harm Reductionist Fight for Drug Decriminalization. Advocates and people with lived experience from the organizations HIPS and #DecrimPovertyDC will lead attendees through a harm reduction 101 presentation, a conversation debunking myths about drug use and prohibition and a Q&A session.
This hybrid event is open to both DSA members and supporters. The in-person event will be at Washington Community Fellowship. Those who wish to attend virtually can RSVP and will be provided with a Zoom link on the next page, under “Instructions From Your Host.”
Councilmember Janeese Lewis George reintroduces Green New Deal for social housing bill
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George was joined by CMs Brooke Pinto, Trayon White, Robert White, Zachary Parker and Brianne Nadeau in reintroducing Green New Deal for social housing legislation, officially titled the Green New Deal For Housing Amendment Act of 2023. Read the full text of the bill here.
UFCW Local 400, former Union Kitchen worker file lawsuit alleging wage theft
United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 and a former employee of Union Kitchen have filed a lawsuit under DC’s Wage Payment and Collection Law against Union Kitchen and its owner, Cullen Gilchrist, for withholding employees’ tips in violation of District law.
“We’ve told our community supporters from day one: tipping has been an issue at Union Kitchen,” Union Kitchen Workers wrote on Twitter. “When we figured out Union Kitchen wasn’t paying us all the tips our customers were giving us, we tried to give them the opportunity to do the right thing. Instead, they gave out “bonuses” that were less than what we were owed and removed the option for customers to tip entirely. Now we’re going to court.”
Read further coverage in DCist.
THE MARCH 2023 WASHINGTON SOCIALIST
In this month’s Washington Socialist: A brief history and look toward a (hopefully bright) future in which building trades unions and ecosocialists unite; an exploration of a new children’s book that asks the question: why aren’t more electricians women?; an After The Storm collab conversation on radical socialist tenant organizing; and a socialist review of The High Ground, now playing at the Arena Stage.
INFO ACCESS
Publications schedule: March Updates will drop Fridays, 17th and 24th, and the April issue of the Washington Socialist will accompany the March 31st Update. Access any current or past Update anytime here.
Join our monthly Publications WG planning meeting Saturday, March 11, at 3pm to make socialist comms happen for MDC DSA and the DMV Left.
About MDC DSA: The local chapter’s website is here. There is a rich array of info there for newer comrades who seek a campaign to embrace and for the DSA-curious to see how the campaigns interlock to dismantle capitalism and promote the socialist future. The road map of MDC DSA’s activism — campaigns, working groups, etc. — is here. And here is an introduction to the chapter including our branches covering the DMV.
Also, explore our deep and current history in the topic-organized archive of articles in the Washington Socialist including a documented history of our chapter since the 1980s, developed from our own publications.
We learn, and relearn, to apply our thought and action as socialists in new and archived sessions of Socialist Night School. Check out also the range of our sponsored Reading Groups.
Weekly Update Tip Line: The Metro DC DSA Tip Line is live. If you have news or events that you think should be promoted in the weekly Update, please submit it to the form above. Include your contact information and all possible details for consideration. Deadline is Thursdays at 4pm for the following Friday publication.
DSA CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Saturday, March 11
12pm | Montgomery County DSA Rent Stabilization Canvass
1:30 – 4:30pm | Stomp Out Slumlords Anti-Eviction Canvass
Wednesday, March 15
9 – 11:30am | Montgomery County Eviction Courtwatch
8 – 9pm | Why You Should Join DSA/New Member Orientation
Saturday, March 18
1 – 2:45pm | Walking Tour of Plutocratic DC: Power and Capitalism
Sunday, March 19
2 – 3:30pm | Moco DSA Branch March General Meeting
7 – 9pm | MDC DSA March General Body Meeting
Wednesday, March 22
6:30 – 8pm | Socialist Night School: Seize the Means of Consumption! A Harm Reductionist Fight for Drug Decriminalization
Thursday, March 23
6pm | Socialist Feminist Section Happy Hour (in person)
6:30 – 7:30pm | Social Housing Organizing Meeting
COMMUNITY BULLETIN
Rooting DC | DC Department of Environment and Energy
Rooting DC is a free conference for urban gardeners that will take place this Saturday, March 11th from 9am to 4pm at Anacostia High School – this will be the first time this popular, annual event takes place East of the River! Rooting DC offers education about urban agriculture, food systems, health and the environment through workshops, panel discussions, demonstrations and an information fair. Learn about everything from food apartheid and historic racism in our food and farm system to composting tips and techniques. More information and RSVP here.
Community Trainings | DC Peace Team
DC Peace Team, whose mission is to “cultivate the habits and skills of nonviolence in our communities, so we can better resist injustice, and thus, build a more sustainable just peace,” has three upcoming community trainings this month: “Restorative Practice in Aging,” Saturday, March 11; “Nonviolent Self Defense,” Monday, March 20; and “Trauma Awareness and Trauma Care,” Saturday, March 25. Sessions take place online and in-person, and payments are on a sliding scale. See DC Peace Team’s website to register and for more details.
Budget Advocacy Training | Fair Budget Coalition
Local testimony to the DC Council about your experiences with our government is a critical component of building a more just, anti-racist DC. This month, the Fair Budget Coalition will be holding two online trainings – on March 14 at 6pm and March 15 at 10am – for residents who want to speak out and be heard, but may need some additional support in the budget advocacy process. The FBC trainings will walk attendees through the budget and hearing process, help them think about and prepare their message, and get them signed up to testify. Spanish interpretation will be offered at the March 14 workshop (please only sign up for one training to ensure space for everyone).
Volunteers Needed in the Great Ward 8 | DC Greens
DC Green’s community farm, The Well, is reopening this month! A new season brings with it a lot of work to be done around the farm, so DC Greens is looking for a few folks to help out. Volunteers will help tend the fields, maintain the appearance of the community space, start seedlings, harvest with the farm staff, help build infrastructure, provide administration support and more! Sign up online here or email thewell@dcgreens.org with questions. Regularly, open volunteer hours include: Youth Volunteering Tuesdays, 3pm (children under the age of 18 need to come with a guardian or trusted adult!); Senior Volunteering Thursdays, 3 – 6pm; Community Volunteering Saturdays, 11am – 3pm.
Trans-Centered Events in DC | DC Trans Events
A new Instagram account, @DCtransevents, has been posting trans-centric and trans-friendly events for the community since January. Check out their recent listing of monthly/weekly recurring events and support their efforts by checking out their page.
Beer Trivia Night | City-State Brewing and Slow Food DC
Are you a local beer nerd? Fancy yourself an expert on all things good food? Come by City-State Brewing (705 Edgewood St NE) on Tuesday, March 21 for a night of specials and themed trivia with Slow Food DC! Save the date information here, more details to come.
GOOD READS / ESSENTIAL TRAFFIC
DC Housing Authority (DCHA) Director Brenda Donald received a $41,250 bonus this year – despite the fact that “DCHA is in the middle of responding to a scathing external audit from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that found failures in just about every aspect of the agency’s work, from public housing conditions and occupancy to vouchers, from contracting and procurement to public safety to finances.” More in Washington City Paper.
The US Attorney for DC is charging the MPD sergeant who shot An’Twan Gilmore 10 times with a civil rights violation and second-degree murder. Read more background on Gilmore’s 2021 killing – during which MPD officers startled Gilmore awake before wantonly firing into his moving car as he was driving away – from DCist.
Punchbowl News lofted an interview Wednesday morning with Bernie Sanders about his new perch as chair of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee. “‘My politics are a bit different than other [committee] leaders,’ Sanders said. ‘Now is the time to deal with some of the structural, long-term crises that we face.’ On the substance, Sanders’ efforts are targeting what he sees as systemic problems in America — ones he talked about endlessly during his two presidential campaigns. Corporate greed, income inequality, high prescription drug prices, anti-union activities and more.”
Although it’s far from the most influential lobby in Washington, the rail industry has spent more than $700 million in the last 25 years, according to data maintained by OpenSecrets. And it’s those hundreds of millions spent pushing back against government safety regulations — primarily but not exclusively through Republicans — that have purchased considerable influence in the US Capitol.
New Majority’s DSA Observer on Wednesday published detailed notes on national DSA’s NPC debate on DSA’s paths forward “in a time less propitious for the Left,” as the initial question presupposed. A link to the video recording of the debate is provided in the account.
Metro DC DSA comrade and fiction writer Bill Mosley paints a vibrant future of what transportation policy could look like under an AOC presidency. This is part of an ongoing series in the same extended world about bitter conservatives complaining about losing society to the left. Read the first entry here.
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