FEBRUARY 2, 2024
CONTENTS
UP FRONT
Member statements for chapter endorsements now open for January GBM OpaVote
DC Council “Secure DC” legislation would roll back police oversight, authorize new forms of police violence; grassroots legislative push countering the legislation underway
- Local socialist street team holding information session this Saturday, February 3rd at MLK Library — 2:30 to 4pm
Member statements for chapter endorsements now open for January GBM OpaVote
At the January 2024 MDC DSA General Body Meeting, the chapter considered the following items:
- EER1: Resolution to Endorse Andrea Crooms
- EER3: Resolution to Endorse Janeese Lewis George for Ward 4 Councilmember
- EER4: Resolution to Endorse Ibraheem Samirah for US Congress
In addition, this OpaVote will also include the following question to determine whether a resolution endorsing Initiative 83 for ranked choice voting in DC must meet the 2/3rds majority required for an electoral resolution or a simple majority required of a general resolution:
- Shall the ruling of the chair at the January 28th General Body Meeting be sustained? A yes vote would approve using a 2/3rds threshold to endorse I83. A no vote would mean supporting a majority (over 50%) threshold for approving endorsement of I83.
All members in good standing now have the opportunity to submit a ballot statement either in favor or against any of the three resolutions and the one question above. Members can do so by visiting Red Desk. The deadline to submit statements that will appear on the ballot is Monday, February 5 at 11:59pm ET. And look out for the OpaVote ballot to vote on these items, which will be sent on Wednesday, February 7.
DC Council “Secure DC” legislation would roll back police oversight, authorize new forms of police violence; grassroots legislative push countering the legislation underway
Two weeks ago, the DC Council’s Public Safety and Judiciary Committee approved the Secure DC omnibus (advocates are calling it the “Crimnibus”) to be considered for a vote by the full Council as early as February. The 93-page bill is being pushed by a corporate independent expenditure committee called Opportunity DC, which is bankrolled by the same real estate corporations, capital investment firms and school privatizers that are gentrifying the city and pushing out DC’s working class. The omnibus package would do little to address violence in DC. Along with rolling back critical reforms and oversight of the police hard-won in the aftermath of the 2020 George Floyd uprisings, the Crimnibus would significantly reduce police oversight, authorize new forms of state violence and dramatically expand the surveillance state.
Over the past week, Metro DC DSA, in coalition with civil rights and civic advocacy organizations across the city, has been organizing legislative outreach against the legislation, organizing phone-zaps, outreach to councilmembers, and clarifying analysis of the legislation. You can check out Metro DC DSA’s instagram page for disclosure on the legislative package, and guidance on submitting testimony against the bill. The DC Council is set to hold its first vote on the legislation next week on February 6th. Many members of the District Council have expressed a lack of faith in the legislative package, and amendments are currently being floated that would drastically reduce the carceral policies outlined in the bill. Abolitionist organization Harriet’s Wildest Dreams is organizing the public to drive up mass attendance at the February 6th meeting to demonstrate mass opposition to this carceral package.
Learn more:
Local socialist street team holding information session this Saturday, February 3rd at MLK Library — 2:30 to 4pm
Metro DC DSA’s Political Education working group will be holding an Information Session in launching its community outreach and engagement Street Team. This new team will train local members on attending community events, forging in-person connections between members and local chapter formations, and supporting active DSA campaign operations in the region. This event is intended for members new and old — any DSA member or supporter interested in getting involved, or learning more about the DSA and its local operations, are invited to attend and can sign up here.
The street team will be holding its info session at MLK Library (901 G St NW DC) in Room 401-E.
BRIEFS
Fair Price Fair Wage coalition launches service charge analysis project
Confused about the new “service charges” popping up on DC restaurant bills? Many customers in DC have been voicing frustrations and confusion with this new type of fee that has been popping up at restaurants all over the District.
In response, Metro DC DSA, DC Jobs with Justice, One Fair Wage, ROC DC and other coalition partners have joined together as Fair Price Fair Wage to protect tipped workers in DC. Follow Fair Price Fair Wage’s Instagram here, where the coalition is highlighting different DC restaurants and analyzing their compliance with Initiative 82, focusing on their use/non-use of “service charge” fees. Fair Price Fair Wage will also be posting informational graphics that explain what these fees really are, what Initiative 82 really means for tipped workers, and how you can get involved in the fight to protect their wages in the hospitality industry.
We Power DC Movement Meeting — February 10, 2 – 4pm
Want to be a part of the Green New Deal in Washington, DC? Join We Power DC’s Movement Meeting to learn about the fight to win a publicly owned utility that guarantees union jobs, runs on clean energy and puts people before profits. Organizers will discuss the campaign’s work and facilitate group discussion on labor, public power and the Green New Deal. RSVP to the Movement Meeting online from 2 to 4pm, set to take place on February 10th, and happy hour at Sonny’s Pizza starting at 5pm.
Facilitation and How to Talk about Socialism Trainings — February 6 and 8
Join the Political Education working group on Tuesday, February 6 at 6pm for a virtual facilitation training led by David K and Joshua L. This training is primarily directed at members of reading groups, who share facilitation as we learn and discuss texts together. However, the fundamental skill of facilitation is useful throughout an organizer’s work, including in directing meetings and encouraging participation in groups of all types. No experience is necessary and all are welcome.
Political Education is also hosting an interactive training to learn, practice and talk through what socialism is on February 8 at 7pm. The training will involve going through exercises to practice talking about socialism and will include a question/answer section. RSVP here.
Solidarity Action for the Collective Bargaining Rights of USM workers
The USM Labor Coalition will be holding a rally in Annapolis for the Collective Bargaining Rights of University System of Maryland on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 at 11am. Those who are interested in participating can RSVP here and get the full details for the event. Transport if needed is being provided coming from College Park, so please indicate if you can either provide or require transportation.
Montgomery County releases rent stabilization regulations
The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs released draft regulations for implementing rent stabilization, bringing the county government closer to legally enforcing the new rent stabilization law that Metro DC DSA and allies recently won. Provisions in the regulations include eliminating pet rent and limiting landlords to an annual $100 refundable deposit for pets and limiting parking fees to 4% of rent or less. The regulations are open for public comment through March 1, after which the county council must approve before going into effect.
Montgomery County residents can submit comment about the regulations, get involved in spreading the word to Montgomery County tenants and pressure the Montgomery County Council to approve the regulations as soon as possible; post in #montgomery-county on Slack or email montgomerycountydsa@gmail.com for more information.
Educators call for teacher unions to revoke Biden endorsement in support of Palestine; February 10 protest organized
Join National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) members as they call on their unions to revoke their endorsement of President Biden until he supports a ceasefire in Gaza and calls for an end to the occupation of Palestine. The action will begin at 10:30am on Saturday, February 10th at AFT HQ, with a march to NEA HQ at 11am, and will conclude with a rally from 12 to 1pm. RSVP here.
MDC DSA Internationalism working group to restart — February 25
If you are interested in being part of restarting our chapter’s Internationalism Working Group, join a virtual meeting on Sunday, February 25 where the vision for the working group will be discussed and interested volunteers can sign up to be part of a coordinating crew. RSVP here.
Workers at The Bazaar in DC go public with union
About 100 workers at The Bazaar, a popular restaurant owned by celebrity chef José Andrés in the historic Old Post Office building, have gone public with their intent to unionize. The restaurant has a reputation as a booze-hole for ambassadors, CEOs, politicians and liberal socialites. The workers, organizing with UNITE-HERE Local 25, are seeking voluntary recognition from the José Andrés Group. Read coverage in DCist.
(The Post Office building was previously the anchor for Donald Trump’s fascist regime, but was sold off when he egressed from the city following his failed coup attempt in early 2021).
PG Branch sets monthly General Meeting February 11
Prince George’s MDC DSA branch has set a general meeting February 11, 1–3pm at the Hyattsville Library, 6530 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Learn about our work in the local area and plans to increase our activity — and how you can contribute. RSVP here.
Tell the White House to stop the bombing of Rojava and support the release of Abdullah Öcalan — February 15
Join the Emergency Committee for Rojava on February 15 at 2pm in front of the White House to protest Turkey’s escalating war (conducted with US F-16 fighter jets and complicity) against the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, commonly known as Rojava, and to call for the release of Abdullah Öcalan who is beginning his 25th year of political imprisonment in Turkey. Rojava is one of the most striking socialist projects in the world, aiming to create a horizontalist, feminist and ecological democracy in the ashes of the Syrian Civil War, and exists as part of the interrelated struggle for a Kurdish homeland free of Turkish, Iraqi and Syrian oppression.
INFO ACCESS
MDC DSA Publications Schedule: Washington Socialist is now publishing on a quarterly schedule. Updates to the current edition will be published on a rolling basis over the next two months. Anyone interested in contributing to the Washington Socialist can email submissions or questions at washingtonsocialist@mdcdsa.org.
February Updates will appear Fridays the 9th, 16th and 23rd.
Would you like to participate in MDC DSA’s publications? We write, we edit, we design, we do the tech — there are so many ways your hand could lighten the load in 2024 and beyond. Check us out on #publications and let us know what you would like to write, or write about, or …? If you would like to see something included in the Update, submit your suggestions to the tip line.
Quick reference links for MDC DSA:
- Our local structure — campaigns, working groups, etc.
- Capsule introduction to the chapter including our branches covering the DMV
- A home-grown history of our local chapter
- Archive of our MDC DSA Socialist Night School (recordings and some transcriptions)
- On a linked site, Archive of the Washington Socialist including current issue
- Here is National DSA’s website
- DSA Feed, an RSS feed that aggregates multiple DSA publications — including our own Washington Socialist — in one convenient place. More from the National Tech Committee here.
And, live from our studio: Wednesday, February 14th from 7 to 8pm | Why You Should Join DSA / New Member Orientation — including Q&A.
DSA CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Saturday, February 3
2:30 – 4pm | Join the Street Team Information Session
Sunday, February 4
2 – 4pm | Montgomery County February Branch Meeting
7 – 8pm | NoVA Electoral Working Group Meeting
Tuesday, February 6
6 – 7pm | Migrant Justice Working Group Meeting
6 – 7pm | Medicare for All NoVA Working Group Meeting
Wednesday, February 7
6 – 7pm | Abolition Working Group Biweekly Meeting
Thursday, February 8
6:30 – 7:45pm | NoVA DSA Monthly Organizing Meeting
Saturday, February 10
2 – 4pm | WePower DC Movement Meeting
5pm | WePower DC Happy Hour
Sunday, February 11
1 – 3 pm | Prince George’s County Branch Meeting
2 – 3:30pm | Abolition Working Group Goal Setting Workshop
Wednesday, February 14
7 – 8pm | Why You Should Join DSA – New Member Orientation
Thursday, February 15th
6:30pm – 8:30pm | Third Thursday Social Meetup NoVA Branch
COMMUNITY BULLETIN
Baker Meet Up | Common Grain Alliance
DMV bakers (home or professional) are invited to join the Common Grain Alliance for a Baker Meet Up at the University of the District of Columbia on Tuesday, February 6 from 6 to 8pm. The CGA Baker Meetups are networking events where bakers of all skill levels can share bakes and information about baking with local grains. Sourcing grains grown nearby means supporting local farmers and reducing carbon footprints while also discovering a depth of flavor and character that cannot be replicated with mass-produced ingredients. Attendance is $10 for CGA members and $20 general admission. RSVP here.
Changemaking in local government | Jews United for Justice
This three-part interactive workshop covers “Changemaking in DC’s local government,” “DC’s Budgets are Moral Documents,” and “Speaking Your Truth to Power in DC.” Starting on February 4, join Jews United for Justice over brunch and learn about concrete ways to engage with local government to make change. RSVP for part one here.
Power Summit set for Annapolis on February 10 | Progressive Maryland
Marylanders, join Progressive Maryland and allies on February 10th from 10:30am to 2:30pm for the 2024 Power Summit in Annapolis! This event is an invaluable opportunity to connect with fellow advocates from across the state, gain insights from members of our Maryland General Assembly, and immerse yourself in the heart of our campaigns. Be a part of shaping our goals and organizing priorities for the upcoming year, and cap off the day with a compelling direct action. Sign up here.
GOOD READS / ESSENTIAL TRAFFIC
Prisoners in the US are part of a hidden workforce linked to hundreds of popular food brands
“A hidden path to America’s dinner tables begins here, at an unlikely source – a former Southern slave plantation that is now the country’s largest maximum-security prison. … Intricate, invisible webs, just like this one, link some of the world’s largest food companies and most popular brands to jobs performed by U.S. prisoners nationwide, according to a sweeping two-year AP investigation into prison labor that tied hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of agricultural products to goods sold on the open market.” From the AP.
Private Equity and sustainable home health care not an effective mix
“Critics point to Help at Home’s departure from Alabama as a cautionary tale for what can happen when states that spend little on health care rely on private equity-owned providers to care for their most vulnerable residents… ‘At the end of the day it’s about money, and if we don’t have guardrails in our policies to prevent these pullouts, they’re going to keep happening,’ argues Mary Bugbee, senior research and campaign coordinator for health care at the Private Equity Stakeholder Project.” From Stateline Daily
Strategy, the Movement and Power: Debating Labour and Community Organizing
A review in the Socialist Project’s publication, The Bullet, of two important new books, “each [of the books’] collective efforts with multiple authors providing perspectives based on different realms of engagement [is] a reminder that only by drawing broadly from all streams of activism will we be able to defeat the fascist danger which threatens us all, be able to overcome the fragmentation and destruction which capitalism in its neoliberal phase is imposing on working people, on society at large. Yet the two books reflect strikingly different frameworks.” Review is by our local comrade Kurt S.
This is repeated from last week because we posted it with the wrong link. Sorry.
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