After exit polls from the November election showed 72% of voters wanted Medicare for All, Medicare for All Indiana and the Religious Socialism Committee of Central Indiana DSA convened on November 24th a Multifaith Forum on Medicare for All, recorded and available as our podcast episode. Panelists discussing their faith’s shared commitment to universal healthcare as a moral imperative included: Rabbi Jordana Chernow-Reader, Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation; Rev. David W. Greene, Sr., Purpose of Life Ministries (Second Baptist) and President, Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis; Hebah Kassem, Muslim Medicare for All Activist and DSA member; and Fr. Charles Allen, Episcopal Priest and Member, Religious Socialism Committee of Central Indiana DSA. The moderator was Fran Quigley, director of the Health and Human Rights Clinic at Indiana University McKinney School of Law and member of the Religious Socialism Working Group and Central Indiana DSA.

Welcome to FINALS WEEK at Revolutions per Minute. Inspired by the developing tuition strike at Columbia-Barnard and other actions around the country, we’re focusing on workers and students organizing on campus. Our live guest, David Duhalde, will speak on the history of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, DSA’s campus-oriented arm and a crucial part of our diverse socialist movement. We also hear from Michele of CUNY Adjuncts on their struggle against austerity and for a human-centered approach to graduate labor. Finally, farmers’ protests have made global headlines as millions of workers fight back against neoliberalism in India. We’ll end our show tonight with a brief interview with Jagpreet of Queens DSA on these massive protests and the governmental policies that provoked them.

 

To learn more about the Columbia-Barnard tuition strike, visit linktr.ee/columbiaydsa.

 

Tired of austerity measures like those that threaten CUNY adjuncts? Tax the rich! This week, NYC-DSA, NYCC, Empire State Indivisible, and DSA chapters around NYS are throwing down to protect our communities from budget cuts. As part of their Tax The Rich week of action, their campaign is calling people across New York state to pressure Albany to Tax the Rich to fund our future. NY is facing a budget deficit of over 50 billion and we need Albany to act in the new year to pass over 50 billion in new taxes on the rich to save our state from catastrophe. Go to taxtherichnys.com to get involved.

December 9, 2020

JERSEY CITY, NJ — North Jersey Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) condemns the heavy-handed fascist repression of Hudson County executive Tom DeGise, who responded to peaceful legal protests on public space with an unconstitutional restraining order, heavy police presence, and ultimately arrests of peaceful protestors standing legally on the sidewalk. This all reflects the catastrophic collapse of democracy under DeGise’s suffocating political machine. 

In an absurd op-ed piece published today, DeGise singles out Democratic Socialists, blaming DSA and other activists for “terrorizing” his family with peaceful protest. Members of North Jersey DSA have helped organize and attend these protests, and the only people terrorized at them were participants, including a DSA member among the four unjustly arrested on Tuesday night. “It’s nice of Mr. DeGise to signal-boost DSA in his Trump-like op-ed,” says Allison Howard, a DSA member who lives in Jersey City; “I’d say we’re living rent-free in his head, but in reality DSA does a lot of work in Hudson County, from mutual aid projects for those in need to canvassing for issues and politicians who will someday replace his stale, reactionary governance. We belong to and represent this community better than he does.” In Hudson County, DSA has worked on Know Your Rights programs for tenants, organized against Airbnb’s colonization of Jersey City, and phonebanked for marijuana legalization, in addition to long protesting the county’s contract with ICE. 

The recent protests result from the Hudson County freeholders’ vote to renew the county’s ICE contract for up to ten years, after they promised in 2018 to end the contract this year. They renewed it against the clear public will expressed in over ten hours of public testimony that was unanimously against the contract, which generates revenue for Hudson County by holding people detained by ICE in the county jail, whose deplorable conditions have been responsible for multiple deaths in the past several years. 

DeGise’s claims must be countered. Many of DeGise’s arguments are used by far right groups and conservatives, but he distances himself from these groups through the fact that he’s an elected Democrat. It is important to recognize that the brutality of ICE and deportations were extremely common under the Obama administration. In 2008, 378,582 people were detained by ICE detention programs. A Biden/Harris presidency will not lessen the human rights violations ongoing in ICE detention centers. DeGise’s fear mongering, claiming that those detained by ICE are rapists, murderers, and drug dealers ignores the fact that all ICE detention is civil detention. ICE has detained American citizens at their facilities, and had DeGise actually listened to his constituents and neighbors, instead of referring to them as “left-wing extremists”, he would know that such an abhorrent institution has no place in our diverse community.

DeGise stated that the county is given money from the federal government to run ICE at Hudson County facilities. In Hudson County’s FY2020 budget, it anticipated receiving $17,520,000. As of November 19, 2020, there are only 83 people in ICE detention. The county will not make more than 4 million dollars this year, $13 million behind its estimation. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the funding losses. On that same note, Hudson County jail employees have died from COVID-19. The family of one officer reported that he was not given any PPE while working at the jail. Over 60 people in the Hudson County jail have been infected with COVID-19. Including employees, inmates, and those detained by ICE.

As a final counter to DeGise’s claim that “the county is paid by the federal government to serve this important role, and that funding helps employ hundreds of correctional officers and balance our budget”: Hudson County has faced the opposite problem. In 2019, the Hudson County Corrections Department had 100 unfilled CO positions. Overtime pay for the county’s COs was $4.8 million in 2014 and in 2018, $8.5 million was paid out. It’s obvious that the money given to the Hudson County Correctional Facilities are not used for new workers, or even for the protection of current workers. 

Thomas DeGise and the Hudson County freeholders have failed our community and their constituents. They label protestors as “isolated, radical extremists who don’t understand Hudson County and never will”. This label, which is a dogwhistle in the spirit of “outside agitators,” is wrong. We are not isolated, we are not extremists for combating an unjust system, and we are united in the fight for the rights of the oppressed. DeGise and the six freeholders who voted to uphold the ICE contract who heard the voices of hundreds of citizens speaking out against the presence of ICE in Hudson County are the ones who never listen to Hudson County. North Jersey DSA invites all who oppose their corrupt, antidemocratic machine to join us. A better world, and a better Hudson County, are possible. 

The post North Jersey Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Condemns Tom DeGise’s Fascist Repression in Hudson County first appeared on North NJ DSA.

The CDC Evictions Moratorium is set to expire at the end of the calendar year. People in Indiana are still being evicted, and the eviction crisis is only going to […]

Last week, many New Yorkers celebrated Thanksgivings, but for members of the Shinnecock Nation it was recognized as a Day of Mourning and the end of Sovereignty Camp 2020, a multi-week encampment led by Indigenous women of the Shinnecock Nation to call on New York State to drop their lawsuit over a monumental billboard the nation has put up to bring in economic development to its members who are suffering from hundreds of years of violent settler colonialism. We’ll talk with Shinnecock tribal member and lawyer Tela (tea-la) Troge about Sovereignty Camp 2020 and the nation's centuries long struggles to defend their ancestral territory. We’ll also be joined by comrades from Suffolk DSA to talk about their campaign to Defund the Police and organize to build democratic socialism in a uniquely conservative region of Downstate New York. The Shinnecock Nation lawsuit link: https://linktr.ee/WarriorsoftheSunrise Suffolk DSA Campaign: bit.ly/SteveAndTimListen to email and call Steve Bellone and Tim Sini

On September 22nd, a two-thirds majority voted to join the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 993. As of November 30th, their employer Herzog Transit Services Inc. (HTSI) has yet to […]

On January 5th, Georgia will be at the center of national attention for runoff races that will decide the party leadership of the United States Senate. While Metro Atlanta DSA holds no allegiance to any capitalist political party, we recognize the significance of these races and the issues at stake.

In addition to the US Senate, there is also a closely contested election for Public Service Commission, an agency which oversees utility rates, power company regulations, and access to broadband across the state.

Metro Atlanta DSA believes the working class should be informed about the workings of government, and the issues at stake in elections. Our members have worked to put together the following voter guide that discusses the races on the ballot, the significance of the offices being decided, and provides information about how to reliably and safely vote in this election.

Over the course of this runoff campaign, Metro Atlanta DSA plans to be actively organized in supporting voting rights, as well canvassing and phone banking voters about key working class issues at stake. Join MADSA if you want to be involved!

On Election Day, the state of New Jersey overwhelmingly voted “yes” on Public Question 1. This public question sought to legalize the possession and use of marijuana for persons age 21 and older, and legalize the cultivation, processing, and sale of retail marijuana.

We at the North New Jersey Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America initially viewed this a victory. It seemed this would provide relief for communities that have historically been targeted by cannabis criminalization by having one less aspect in which they engage with the police.

It took no time at all for NJ State Senators Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) to cook up a bill in which most of the tax revenue from cannabis sales would go toward subsidizing police training.

Knowing that this would be wildly unpopular, these senators made sure that the public had only three hours on a Friday night to contest this before sending the bill to a vote. Thanks to the work of activists, the vote has been postponed and we have time to fight it. 

We find this bill and these actions to be abhorrent. 

Following a summer in which there was a historic call to defund the police, it is unthinkable that our local politicians would have the gall to actually put forward a bill that would provide those same police with more funding.

We demand that the subsidies from the sales of marijuana, in the state of New Jersey, fund communities that have been ravaged by the war on drugs to fund initiatives like: 

• public and behavioral health
• job training
• legal aid for civil and criminal cases
• health education programs
• housing assistance
• food assistance
• healthcare services
• youth recreation
• violence prevention
• poverty mitigation
• RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAMS
• mentoring
• literacy programs

…AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!

North New Jersey Chapter of DSA is exponentially growing by the day, and we hope you will join us in fighting for a just bill. 

You can help us by contacting your two assembly people and your senator by phone, email, Twitter, or anyway possible. 

To enable , we will be hosting call-in day trainings on:

Friday, December 4th 7-9pm
Register for zoom link:

Sunday, December 6th, 2-4pm
Register for Zoom link:

This task can’t be conquered individually. It is in moments like these that we must UNITE! For through comradery, we achieve economic justice for all. 

In Solidarity, 

North New Jersey DSA!

The post Fund People NOT Police first appeared on North NJ DSA.

For Immediate Release

November 30,  2020

PRESS RELEASE: BERKSHIRES DSA TO OFFER ‘BREAD AND ROSES’ THEMED MUTUAL AID TO LOCAL COMMUNITY

Pittsfield, MA — The Berkshires chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America will offer “Bread and Roses”— shares of food pre-packed with a handmade paper rose—at Pittsfield Common on Saturday, December 12, 1-3 PM. 

The distribution event is the culmination of a month-long, countywide food drive launched in response to the increasing need for hunger relief in Berkshire County. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, 15.1% of area residents lack consistent access to food. Berkshires DSA recognizes food insecurity as a complex issue stemming from the lack of affordable housing and  tenants’ rights, universal healthcare, racial justice, universal child and eldercare, and guaranteed employment with a living wage. 

“As democratic socialists, we affirm the idea that implementing these rights would help to achieve freedom and dignity for all,” said Abby Childs, an organizing member of the Bread and Roses Drive with Berkshires DSA. “The Bread and Roses project addresses some immediate needs while we continue organizing long-term social and economic change.”

A historic rallying call of the American labor movement inspired the project’s theme. In 1912, “Bread for all, and roses too!” united the Lawrence, Massachusetts textile workers who striked for humane working and living conditions. Led by immigrants, most of whom were women, the mass demonstrations sparked poetry and song. 

“The right to food is a human right, and we deserve nourishment beyond basic necessities,” said Childs. “We also want to gesture toward beauty and our right to live creatively.” 

Each distribution will include shelf-stable food and fresh produce sourced from local purveyors, a leaflet highlighting mutual aid and community resources, and a paper rose made by members of Berkshires DSA. Local purveyors include Hosta Hill, Creature Bread, Markristo Farm, Mi Tierra Tortillas and more.

Donations to this event are being accepted through December 9. Individuals interested in giving nonperishable food can review the list of needed items on the Berkshires DSA website and email berkshirebreadandroses@gmail.com to coordinate a plan for donation pick up or drop off. Money may be donated via Venmo @Berkshires_DSA. Surplus food will be donated to a local pantry after the event.

The DSA is the largest socialist organization in the United States. DSA’s members are building progressive movements for social change while establishing an openly democratic socialist presence in American communities and politics. We believe that working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few. DSA members use a variety of tactics, from legislation to direct action, in the fight to empower working people.

For media Inquiries, please contact Amillie Coster (413) 854-5611, amilliedelphina@gmail.com

Many new members are just getting their start in socialist philosophy. For them, we aim for all of our members to understand socialism and feel comfortable talking about it with their friends.

Here are some resources for that:
What is Democratic Socialism?
ABC’s of Socialism
Fundamentals of Marxism
An Anarchist FAQ

We know that not everyone is keen on reading large books about politics, so we have a few videos to show as well.

How to talk about socialism.

You’re already an expert on talking about Socialism. Think about why you, personally, are a socialist. What made you realize you were a socialist? What have you seen or learned that has crystallized the need for Socialism and made it real to you?

The most effective way to talk about socialism happens in 2 parts:

A personal story about a problem caused by capitalism.
The socialist antidote to the problem. 

Here are some examples:

Personal story: I’m a Socialist because I was volunteering in a free clinic and realized that I could be there for ten years and there will be even more people who can’t afford co-pays then than now. I still do it, but we have to change the capitalist system.

Socialist antidote: In a socialist society, health care, along with other basic needs like housing and education would be a right that everyone enjoyed, not something only the very rich can afford.

Personal story: I’m a socialist because of my student loans. I’ve paid about $27,000 in interest on my student loans, but only $3,000 towards the principal. I’ve been paying for 10 years. I feel like an indentured servant that will never be free from my debt.

Socialist antidote: In a Socialist society, education would be seen as a right and available to everyone without needing to go into enormous debt.

Sometimes you’ll get folks with honest misconceptions about socialism asking a question you don’t know the answer to. Or bad faith folks might try to “red bait” you by asking something like “but what about Venezuela?” Here’s are some great lines that set you up to share your vision for a better society.

“I don’t know about that but I’m a Socialist because…”
“I hadn’t considered that but here’s my personal experience trying to survive under our current capitalist system…”

Talking About DSA

You’re talking to some socialist curious friends and they ask you why you joined DSA. Don’t panic – you’re already an expert on talking about socialism. Here’s a quick explainer about what DSA is.

DSA is the largest socialist organization in the United States. We’re an activist organization, not a political party. It’s a big tent which welcomes many different anti-capitalist perspectives. We use a variety of tactics, from legislative to direct action to win a better world for working people.

After that, a really natural place to is talk about how you first heard about DSA and why you joined. Here are some common examples:

I knew about DSA for awhile but I was really impressed with their fight to win a universal right to counsel for all tenants in San Francisco. I joined because I wanted to work on things that make life easier for working people.
I heard about DSA from a friend. I used to think that socialism was a good idea, but impractical because the United States seems so conservative. Then I saw Alexandria Ocasio Cortez win her primary on a socialist platform and I decided that I wanted to get involved.
I heard about DSA because someone was canvassing for Medicare 4 all. Talking with them made me feel like we can win universal healthcare in the United States. I joined and started volunteering after that.
I saw a DSA contingent at a rally. It was refreshing to see a lot of people my age organizing and I started going to meetings to see what I could do to get involved.

The post All About Socialism (In Progress) first appeared on Salt Lake DSA.