JUNE 12, 2026
This is the weekly newsletter of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America (MDC DSA), which is produced by local members of the chapter’s Publications Working Group. The Weekly Update publishes every Friday at 9am. Ready to fight the Trumpocalypse? Join DSA, fight to win with a real alternative!
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CONTENTS
UP FRONT
Socialists engaging in weekend-long push to get out the vote for endorsed candidates in DC
DC faces federal summer surge while MD and VA push back against ICE — Community Defense meeting on June 17
Tenants demand strong rent stabilization in Takoma Park, MD — join the ongoing fight
Socialists engaging in weekend-long push to get out the vote for endorsed candidates in DC
Early voting in Washington, DC, has begun and will continue through Sunday. There are thousands of voters Metro DC DSA has identified at the doors who will support Janeese Lewis George for DC mayor and Aparna Raj for Ward 1 Council, and socialists need your help to turn them out — join MDC DSA at its final DC weekend canvasses on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14. There are also undecided voters already arriving at early vote poll sites without their minds made up and looking for guidance. Sign up today to poll staff with the DC Electoral Working Group during early voting (which ends Sunday) and next Tuesday, June 16, during Election Day to share Janeese’s and Aparna’s visions for DC with voters.
To ensure people get out to vote for Janeese and Aparna, Metro DC DSA needs help from fellow comrades to continue the DC push in preparation for the June 16 election. Next week you can expect DC comrades to cover MoCo and PG Counties before the June 23 primary. The chapter will be kicking off this next get out the vote (GOTV) press with an in-person phonebank in DC on Wednesday, June 17 at 6pm to phonebank for endorsed MD candidates. All chapter members are invited — the working class needs all hands on deck in this final stretch.
Lastly, don’t forget to vote and rank Janeese and Aparna #1 on your own ballot. You can vote by mail or in-person. If you received your absentee ballot, you can vote right now by mailing your ballot back or dropping it off at a Ballot Drop Box (list located here). If you prefer to vote in-person, you can vote at Early Vote Centers from until Sunday, June 14, from 8:30am to 7pm, or on Election Day (Tuesday, June 16) at Election Day Vote Centers from 7am to 8pm. Join MDC DSA at the chapter election night watch party on June 16 at Franklin Hall.
DC faces federal summer surge while MD and VA push back against ICE — Community Defense meeting on June 17
Facing a summer of expanded federal occupation and ICE operations, the Metro DC DSA Community Defense Working Group is holding a meeting the day after the DC elections to discuss current and future projects and how DSA members can plug in. These projects include direct action campaigns, continued patrolling, a rigorous communications strategy, and collaborating with MD and VA groups in their fight against ICE. As the summer ramps up with an even larger occupying force in DC for the United States’ 250th anniversary, plus increased immigration detentions in MD and VA, MDC DSA needs help to expand everything the chapter is doing to meet the moment.
Fed up with an occupied DC? Disgusted by the war waged on immigrant neighbors? Register here and join comrades on Wednesday, June 17 at 6pm. Remember, no matter the outcome of June 16, we still have a world to win after the elections.
Tenants demand strong rent stabilization in Takoma Park, MD — join the ongoing fight
Rent stabilization supporters packed the room at the Takoma Park City Council on Wednesday evening in support of protecting the city’s strong rent stabilization ordinance as the city council heard the first results of a “study” of the city’s rent stabilization program. Tenants, homeowners, and even a landlord told the city council and mayor that they value that the city’s law allows tenants to stay in their homes long-term and keeps the city diverse, honoring the legacy of Takoma Park’s Marxist Mayor Sammie Abbott. Advocates also found holes in the methodology of the rent stabilization “study” and suggested improvements to the city’s law, such as not allowing landlords to raise rent at all if conditions are poor. The city council and mayor were visibly surprised by the outpouring of community support for rent stabilization. But the fight continues — at the hearing, Mayor Talisha Searcy suggested openness to extending the new-construction exemption from rent stabilization. This review of the city’s rent stabilization law is expected to continue into the fall. Sign the MDC DSA Montgomery County Branch’s petition in support of Takoma Park rent stabilization to get involved.
BRIEFS
Maryland early voting began yesterday and lasts until Thursday, June 18 — canvassing continues for endorsed candidates
Maryland early voting is now underway (more info) — the socialists are canvassing Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties to elect champions who will put the working class first.
In Montgomery County: Josie Caballero is in one of the most crowded races the county has ever seen. Early voting is NOW — and thousands of voters will vote early. This week could decide the election. Canvasses will be held Saturday at 9am and 3pm and Sunday at 9am and 3pm at Sligo-Bennington Neighborhood Park (599 Bennington Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910). Training, rides to doors, and buddies will be provided to all who need them. Josie will also hold canvasses and phonebanking near daily until the primary. Check the calendar for volunteer opportunities — it’s now or never to get Josie elected.
Endorsed candidate Zola Shaw has built a broad coalition with the support of labor unions, tenant associations, immigrant rights collectives, and progressive advocacy groups. The opposition has made no secret of their goals — to end rent stabilization and break union power. Early voting is HERE; this week is the LAST opportunity to talk to thousands of voters who vote early. The canvass will launch Saturday at 1pm and Sunday at 1pm; RSVP for locations. Join the socialists to show that people power beats money.
Gabe Acevero has also built a broad coalition spanning labor, immigrant rights, and a range of progressive activist organizations — and that is why another centrist slate has been formed to attempt to kick him out of office. The oppositional slate has mobilized their forces at the doors. Early voting is THIS WEEK, and thousands of voters will cast their ballot early. Canvasses for Gabe will launch Saturday and Sunday, every hour on the hour from 10am to 6pm, at Germantown Community Rec Center (18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown, MD 20874).
Lastly, the chapter is looking for volunteers to help with poll staffing on June 23. If you are interested, please reach out to Eric (ericfowler24@gmail.com) for more info.
In Prince George’s County: This weekend, socialists will continue to go all out for Imara Crooms, candidate to represent District 9 on Prince George’s County Council. Join comrades on Saturday, June 13 at 10am to knock doors and talk to voters about why they should support Imara. The PG Electoral Working Group is also in need of volunteers to help with poll staffing during early voting and on Election Day — sign up here.
REDBUG has its eye on Maryland — find out where candidates stand on working-class issues
The first-ever REDBUG voter guides for Maryland are out now for the 2026 MoCo Primary Election and 2026 PG Primary Election. For these first versions of REDBUG, authors covered all of the races with MDC DSA-endorsed candidates and focused on issues relevant to both counties.
For MoCo, these races are covered:
- MD House of Delegates District 39 with 5 candidates
- County Council District 3 with 3 candidates
- County Council At-Large with 17 candidates
- County Executive with 3 candidates
For PG County, these races are covered:
- MD State Senate District 23 with 2 candidates
- County Council District 5 with 2 candidates
- County Council District 9 with 9 candidates
And for both counties, REDBUG focuses on these six issues:
- data center construction
- collaboration with ICE
- tenant protections
- police funding
- divestment from Israeli bonds
- public transit
Socialist parents invited to Metro DC DSA Story Hour — Saturday, June 20
Families and children are invited to join socialist parents for the Metro DC DSA Story Hour at the Mount Pleasant Library in DC at 11am on Saturday, June 20. The Community Builders in Metro DC DSA organized this hour of stories, songs, and playtime to bring parents and their kids in the chapter together. You can RSVP for the Story Hour right here — and if you can’t make it but are still interested in joining the Socialist Parents Club in Metro DC DSA, you can sign up here.
Canvass for Aparna Raj in Ward 1 with BAWG — Saturday, June 13
Join the Metro DC DSA Bodily Autonomy Working Group this election weekend on Saturday, June 13 from 2 – 5pm as socialists canvass to Get Out the Vote with Aparna Raj. Be sure to RSVP for the Signal chat to coordinate day of.
Join the Publications Board — Nominations due Sunday, June 14
The Publications Working Group of Metro DC DSA, best known for authoring this Weekly Update every week and the Washington Socialist every quarter, has their annual board elections this summer with self-nominations due this Sunday, June 14. Any eligible member of the Publications Working Group — anyone who has written or edited for the Weekly Update or Washington Socialist, or attended a working group meeting — is eligible to run. There are five seats on the board: Secretary, Weekly Update Lead, Washington Socialist Managing Editor, Dispatch Lead, and At-Large.
Self-nominations close on Sunday, with ballots sent to all eligible Publications Working Group members on June 21. Voting will close on July 1 with the new board sworn in for the July board meeting. Any questions about the process or self-nomination form can be sent to washingtonsocialist@mdcdsa.org. Self-nominations can be submitted here through this Sunday.
DC Spanish Club for Socialists — Monday, June 15 at 7pm
Spanish Club for Socialists, a project of multiple area socialist and mutual aid organizations including Metro DC DSA, is a free weekly event where organizers meet up to practice their Spanish. The event is about 90 minutes long and is split into beginner, intermediate, and advanced groups, so learners of all levels should feel welcome. The next session is scheduled for Monday, June 15 from 7 – 8:30pm at St. Stephen’s (1525 Newton St NW). Sign up here for calendar updates.
INFO ACCESS
Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America, uniting the DMV, is one of a number of big urban DSA chapters — and many more compact but potent ones within the country’s Blue AND Red corridors — that are building a true political Left across the US. All this as Trump, flailing, seeks a nationalist rush with brain-dead warmaking, and ill-trained ICE paramilitary irregulars layer white-nationalist terrorism atop our everyday capitalist yoke. This is the terrain on which we fight back, gain allies, and, more often every day, win.
- Your first step? Join DSA and fight to build socialism. We’re the alternative that works for people, not profiteers and their captive politicians. Still thinking about it? Be sure to get this Update every Friday in your inbox, member or not.
- Check out the breadth and scope of our Metro DC chapter — DMV branches, working groups, campaigns, current activities, and enduring values — right here. Get the full but concise picture at “Why You Should Join DSA/New Member Orientation” in a virtual version Wednesday, June 17, 7 – 8pm.
- How is our activism grounded? See the rich archive of our acclaimed Socialist Night School. Join a socialist reading group. Read the Washington Socialist, published since the 1970s, which has published its full spring 2026 issue and has opened the call for submissions for Summer 2026. Watch the latest MDC Dispatch video chronicle on YouTube for more recent mode of coverage. As critical primaries approach in DC and Maryland, tell us what your community is hearing and doing at our tip line.
- Already a member? Join our Slack for real-time info on working group and campaign events, strategy/tactic exchange, and inspiration. Email slack@mdcdsa.org with your most recent DSA dues receipt to get access.
DSA CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Friday, June 12
5 – 8pm | Josie Caballero Canvass
8pm | MoCo DSA June Happy Hour
Saturday, June 13
9am | Canvass for Josie Caballero
10am | Canvass for Janeese Lewis George and Aparna Raj
10am | Canvass for Gabe Acevero
Noon | March to the Polls with Tivoli and Woodner Tenants
1pm | Canvass for Izola Shaw
2 – 4pm | Cuba’s Institutions: Healthcare and what the US can learn
2pm-5pm | Election Day GOTV Canvass for Aparna with BAWG!
2pm | Make Art, Fight Fascism: Art Build
Sunday, June 14
9am | Josie Caballero Canvass
10am | Aparna Raj Canvass
10am | Gabe Acevero Canvass
11am – 2pm | NoVA MAWG Monthly Distribution Court House Edition
1pm | Canvass for Izola Shaw
Monday, June 15
5:30pm | Public Land Working Group
6pm | Nova-West Social – Manassas
6:30pm | New Magazine Essays Discussion Club
Tuesday, June 16
1:30 – 4:30pm | Pack the Room – MoCo Data Center Testimony
5pm | Josie Caballero Canvass
6pm | Phonbanking for Shayla
7 – 8pm | NoVA Medicare for All Working Group
8 – 11pm | Metro DC DSA Primary Election Watch Party
Wednesday, June 17
6 – 8pm | Community Defense Working Group General Meeting
6 – 8pm | GOTV Phonebank for Maryland Endorsed Candidates
7pm | Trans and Queer Liberation Campaign Meeting
7 – 8pm | Why You Should Join DSA/New Member Orientation
7:30 – 8:30pm | WePower DC Biweekly Campaign Meeting
Thursday, June 18
6:30 – 8:30 | NoVA DSA Social Meetup
DMV LEFT BULLETIN
They Fight, We Feed on June 14 | Free DC
Join Free DC, DC Local to Global, Ward 2 Mutual Aid and allies to donate food and take part in a creative community meal from 5 – 7pm. More info and RSVP here.
Fight McCarthyism, Defend the First Amendment | Committee for the First Amendment
Busboys & Poets will host “Rise Up, Sing Out!” a livestream performance organized by Jane Fonda’s Committee for the First Amendment — a collective of artists, storytellers, and cultural leaders. The June 14 watch party will be at the 14th and V St NW Busboys. Doors open at 7pm with short welcomes by participating groups. The live stream begins at 7:30pm. The event is free, but please RSVP here to attend.
Earth’s Greatest Enemy on Monday, June 15 | Reel & Meal
Earth’s Greatest Enemy, directed by Abby Martin, examines the US military’s role as a major consumer of fossil fuels and its impact on global climate change. The film will be shown at Greenbelt’s New Deal Café, 113 Centerway, on Monday, June 15, at 6pm. Note earlier than usual start time. The film explores how military operations, weapons production, and US military presence around the world generate enormous greenhouse gas emissions while remaining largely exempt from public scrutiny. More info here.
Reportback + Screening on June 17 | Amp Solidarity
Join Amp Solidarity and Diáspora Pa’lante for a Report Back from comrades who recently went to Cuba and a screening of “Teresita’s Dreams”. The area will be shaded and food will be provided. It’s from 6:30 – 8pm at Lamont Park Plaza. More info here.
Juneteenth on the Front Porch | Harriet’s Wildest Dreams
Head to Harriet’s House on June 19 at 5pm and join the Free DC Chocolate City Crew as they celebrate freedom, community, and culture. RSVP here.
One DC Juneteenth Community Festival on June 19 | Rising Organizers
Celebrate liberation in community and Black joy. At this festival, there will be live music, spoken word and local vendors. It’s from 11am – 5pm at the One DC Black Workers & Wellness Center. More info and RSVP here.
Landback from the Potomac to Palestine, pop-up gallery June 6 – June 20 | 411 Collective
The 411 Collective has curated a pop-up art gallery at Lulu’s Cafe in DC, featuring artists with fundraising proceeds supporting impacted communities. They are hosting people’s programming over the two weeks. More info on Instagram here.
ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES
ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES are articles and opinion pieces of interest to DMV leftists but not, generally, appearing in local media. They should have links without paywalls. Readers are invited to submit candidates at our tip line.
The Green New Deal Is a Jobs Engine, Despite Trump
In the United States and globally, the Green New Deal will continue to achieve critical gains, regardless of whatever the current administration says or does. Dollars & Sense via Portside
The White House’s Latest Provocation Is ‘Grotesque and Terrifying and Juvenile’
“This [White House] web page, which [clumsily invokes ‘bodysnatcher’ movie tropes], invites users to look up the number of immigrants supposedly arrested on charges of criminal activity in American cities and towns. [The ‘aliens walk among us’ meme] belongs to a subgenre of Trumpian gestures that are menacing and sophomoric at the same time. ‘Grotesque and terrifying and juvenile,’ is how Ernesto Verdeja, a genocide-prevention expert at the University of Notre Dame, described it to me. These gestures are hard to write about: The ugliness is undisguised, so what is there to say? And yet, these statements, step by preposterous step, change the world we live in.” M Gessen, NYT
A Good Life for the 99% Isn’t a Pipe Dream
“Our plan is radical — but by transforming how we live on a finite planet, nearly everyone gains. Here’s how it can be done. The Global Justice Report is the first attempt to propose a fully quantified plan for this transition. It combines four dimensions that today’s debates often treat separately: redistribution at the world scale; a deep reform of the international financial and economic order; a radical transformation of energy systems; and substantial shifts in consumption patterns.” Authored by a platoon of economics and development all-stars led by Thomas Piketty. The Guardian via Portside
Revealed: Israel’s Curriculum for ‘Influencing Public Consciousness’
A leaked Defense Ministry tender lays out the army’s training program for manipulating public opinion in Israel and abroad.
Most of the courses are geared toward “offensive” influence operations — those aimed at actively disrupting or manipulating the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of target audiences rather than simply protecting an existing narrative. They include training in advertising and marketing content, alongside courses on cyber warfare and intelligence gathering on target audiences. +972 via Portside
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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