Author: Megan R

One of the most contentious and confusing debate blocks at the 2025 Convention was the international section, specifically deliberation on the resolution titled For a Fighting Anti-Zionist DSA (R22) and the agendized amendment titled Align With the BDS Movement (R22-A01).

For context to anyone who is not plugged into DSA’s founding story:

“Whereas, and antithetical to the DSA’s contemporary principles and policies, DSA’s founding merger was heavily predicated on ensuring that the DSA would uphold DSOC’s position of supporting continued American aid for Israel’s Zionist colonial project, as explicitly noted in our organization’s founding merger documents (e.g., Points of Political Unity) and by Michael Harrington himself in his autobiography;”

– Anti-Zionist Resolution (#12), which was referred to the National Political Committee (NPC) from the 2023 National Convention

Members of DSA have been organizing within our democratic structures to course correct since the very beginning and that effort has been documented since at least 2019 (see passed resolution #35, speaker lineup). Organizers who are passionate about Palestinian liberation have devoted themselves to the steady and demanding work of changing minds of our comrades in DSA. We have come a long way as an organization in solidarity with our Palestinian comrades, despite what external reporters would like to imply. This progress is laid out neatly in the “whereas” clauses of R22 which details not only the statements made over the last few years, but also the working groups created, campaigns run, and strategies defined. 

Much of what we passed during this convention will support our Palestine work, such as the formal commitment to the “independent party surrogate” electoral strategy. It would have been great to also pass the Electoral Discipline resolution, which would reduce the damage that could be caused by chapter electoral program fiefdoms by providing a framework for chapters, but that will resurface in 2027!

The R22 Anti-Zionist resolution in particular was the culmination of more than two years of dedicated effort to confirm our commitment to being an explicitly anti-Zionist organization.

“Make DSA an Anti-Zionist Organization in Principle and Praxis” was originally brought forward for consideration at the 2023 National Convention but was referred to the NPC for a decision. In the last two years, many chapters have voted to adopt variations of this resolution locally, including our own chapter! (See the text differences in both resolutions here.)

“[Since] March 25th 2025, 54 DSA chapters representing over 30,000 DSA members have passed their own versions of the “Make DSA an Anti-Zionist Organization in Principle and Praxis” resolution, enshrining locally both membership expectations and electoral endorsement conditions of principled anti-Zionism that has provided a necessary, material counter-weight to the Zionist lobby for progressives running for local office.”

– For a Fighting Anti-Zionist DSA, which passed at the 2025 National Convention

Fun Fact: Our 2023 chapter delegation had a fuzzier political divide on this topic (4-2-2 split for delegates, 8-3-2 for candidates) than our 2025 chapter delegation did (7-1-4 split for delegates, 10-1-4 for candidates), bringing our delegate candidate support for Anti-Zionist measures up to 90% from 72% just two years ago. This is a testament to our political development as a chapter! 

In the intervening years, alongside the local approach, organizers for an Anti-Zionist DSA strengthened the resolution by building a positive vision of what we can and should be doing as an organization to support Palestine liberation.

During convention, there were a lot of myths being circulated, most notably a flyer distributed by a non disclosed political faction.

Fortunately for our comrades in the Springs of Revolution faction who wrote R22, and for DSA’s external reputation on Palestine, deliberation on R22 and its amendment was split across two days. This gave the resolutions authors and Palestine organizers a chance to correct the rumors that had been so carelessly and cynically spread the day before with the distribution of a fact sheet.

Comparing the Options

In order to demystify the text of R22 as it compares to our local Anti-Zionist resolution and clarify what the amendment would have changed if passed, we’ve compiled a side-by-side comparison below, along with links to the full text for both, highlighting key differences. (This comparison will focus on the “resolved” clauses of the texts, which constitutes the binding portion of a resolution or amendment.)

Cleveland’s Anti-Zionist Resolution	National Anti-Zionist Resolution (R22)	R22-A01 (p. 247 in Compendium)
Opening “resolved” clause: “Therefore, be it resolved, the Cleveland DSA chapter denounces the organization’sZionist roots and reaffirms its commitment to being an anti-racist, anti-imperialist organization by explicitly committing to being an anti-Zionist chapter– in both principle and praxis;”	Opening “resolved” clause: “Therefore, be it resolved, that DSA shall make organizing in solidarity with the Palestinian cause a priority until Palestine is free, unequivocally affirming our commitment to ‘al-Thawabit’, the principles originally set by the Palestinian National Council in 1977 and repeatedly reaffirmed since, which are the Palestinian people’s right to resistance, the Palestinian right to self-determination, the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, and the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homeland from the river to the sea;”	First edit, which comes off as a hostile amendment because it seems to negate all following text: “proactively aligning all national DSA candidates with the organization’s previously established expectations affirming that these commitments as detailed in this resolution must hold true for all candidates endorsed by national DSA or a DSA chapter“
Red lines for endorsed electoral candidates (identical): – Public support of the BDS movement. – Refrain from any/all affiliation with the Israeli government or Zionist lobby groups (examples provided). – Pledge to oppose legislation that harms Palestinians (examples provided).  – Pledge to support legislation that supports Palestinian liberation (examples provided).	Red lines for endorsed electoral candidates (identical): – Public support of the BDS movement. – Refrain from any/all affiliation with the Israeli government or Zionist lobby groups (examples provided). – Pledge to oppose legislation that harms Palestinians (examples provided).  – Pledge to support legislation that supports Palestinian liberation (examples provided).	Removes red lines for candidates with the following edits: – Changes all “shall”s to “may” in the text related to candidate red lines. – Inserts carveouts for local chapters to continue to endorse candidates who do not meet our standards on Palestine.
Inclusion of red lines in endorsement questionnaire: “our local chapter’s candidate questionnaires will include a question that inquires about the candidate’s position on BDS;”	Inclusion of red lines in endorsement questionnaire: “any candidate questionnaires used to determine national and local endorsements must inquire about the candidateʼs position on BDS and should include further scrutiny on the candidate’s commitment to Palestinian liberation;”	N/A – see above
How red lines are enforced: “potential candidates who cannot commit to the aforementioned basic expectations will be disqualified from endorsement by the Cleveland DSA at every level”	How red lines are enforced: “potential candidates who cannot commit to the aforementioned basic expectations shall be deemed, by the National Electoral Commission as well as any relevant approving bodies at the chapter level, as ineligible for endorsement by DSA or a DSA chapter;”	N/A – see above
Education of endorsed candidates: “upon receiving fair and ample opportunity for education about the Palestinian struggle for liberation, endorsed candidates who do not commit to the aforementioned basic expectations will have their Cleveland DSA endorsements swiftly revoked;”	Education of endorsed candidates: “upon receiving fair and ample opportunity for education about the Palestinian struggle for liberation, endorsed candidates who fail to continue to uphold the aforementioned basic expectations after being endorsed and/or taking office, shall have their DSA endorsements revoked locally and/or nationally as applicable;”	N/A – see above
Coalition Partners & Strategy: – Collaborate on educational materials for endorsed candidates alongside “trusted Palestine Solidarity movement partners in the grassroots (e.g., Palestinian Youth Movement).”	Coalition Partners & Strategy: – Directing the Palestine Subcommittee of the DSA’s International Committee to expand the reach of the Stop Fueling Genocide Campaign.  – Endorsement of, and outreach to support the Palestine Solidarity Working Group’s No Appetite For Apartheid campaign (Note: PSWG is a coalition partner, not a body within DSA).  – Endorsement of the Palestinian Youth Movement’s Mask Off Maersk campaign. – Commitment to build labor support for an arms embargo campaign through the Labor for an Arms Embargo working group within the NLC, taking inspiration from Mask Off Maersk and No Harbor for Genocide. – Commits our organization to convene an Arms Embargo Organizing Committee, preferencing members who have coalition relationships or have participated in efforts such as the Arab Resource & Organizing Center’s Block the Boat project (which is also referenced on the BDS Movement website). – Allocates IC Palestine Subcommittee and NEC support to chapters working on ballot initiatives based on the International Apartheid-Free Community Campaign.	Coalition Partners & Strategy: – Removes all references to our valuable coalition partner, the Palestine Solidarity Working Group. – Removes the endorsement of coalition partner PSWD’s No Appetite For Apartheid campaign and replaces it with endorsement of “the BDS movement’s boycott of Israeli wine and produce.”  – Narrows the language to encourage chapter-level campaigns “such as the Boycott War Profiteers’ campaign against the sale of wine from the Israeli Occupied Golan Heights at PCC Community Markets.” – Softens language around encouraging chapter campaign development with edits such as replacing “identify” with “consider.”-
Expectations for Members: Automatic expulsion of members who: 1. have consistently and publicly opposed BDS and Palestine, even after receiving fair and ample opportunity for education about the Palestinian struggle for liberation, 2. be currently affiliated with the Israeli government or any Zionist lobby group(s), or 3. have provided material aid to Israel.	Expectations for Members: Upon a two-thirds NPC vote,  expulsion of members who: 1. have consistently and publicly opposed BDS and the Palestinian cause (examples given), even after receiving fair and ample opportunity for education about the Palestinian struggle for liberation,  2. be currently affiliated with the Israeli government or any Zionist lobby group(s) (examples given), or  3. have knowingly provided material aid to Israel (examples given).	Expectations for Members: Entirely removes this section.
Member Reinstatement: Members are considered for reinstatement annually if the general body votes to accept their reinstatement on the basis of a written statement provided.	Member Reinstatement: Not specified, but the expulsion is not automatic.	N/A – see above

Read my speech against R22-A01 delivered on the Convention floor!

The For a Fighting Anti-Zionist DSA resolution expanded our organizational support for Palestine beyond these red line additions. The end of the Standards and Orientation section, a positive vision is laid out for work we engage in as an organization: 

Be it resolved, that DSA shall continue to organize chapters and national bodies to act as meaningful partners within the Palestine solidarity movement, prioritizing campaigns and organizing approaches that:

1. Directly undermine material support for Israel, respond to priorities identified by the Palestinian solidarity movement, and correspond with strategic organizing sectors where DSA is well-positioned to contribute (e.g. logistics and higher education);
2. Build an organized mass base of support for Palestine and engage a range of political and mass organizations, communities, and economic sectors, thus bringing working-class people together through joint struggle and strengthening our local and national coalitions, particularly with Palestinian-led organizations;

Protect our movement and build resilience against state and Zionist repression;

– For a Fighting Anti-Zionist DSA

Following that section is an entire section dedicated to coalition work, referencing coalition partners (included in the middle column in the table above) and identifying where new democratic decision-making bodies must be formed to succeed in the work ahead of us. 

The disinformation being widely circulated during convention, combined with the misleadingly named amendment led to tension and confusion among the delegation. Ultimately the debate concluded in a close passing vote of 675 (56.3%) to 524 (43.7%). We would have liked to see a more comfortable margin like a supermajority (60%) or two-thirds support, but given the situation we understand how voters were misled. 

We are proud that DSA has rejected its founder’s Zionist politics and are hopeful about moving forward to support Palestine with these promising campaigns and coalition partners.

The post DSA is an Anti-Zionist Organization! appeared first on Democratic Socialists of America.

Retail workers often face some of the worst trends in employment, but they're uniquely positioned to put pressure on their bosses to get what they deserve.

The post How to organize a retail union appeared first on EWOC.

by a comrade

This article is written by a DSA member and does not formally represent the views of MADSA as a whole or its subgroups. 

Welcome to Vol. 2 of the monthly round-up! The content in this publication overlaps significantly with our DSA newsletter and monthly General Membership Meetings. To sign up for the newsletter or check out an upcoming General Membership Meeting, visit: https://madison-dsa.org/events/

Socialists Run for Seats Locally and Across the Nation

Socialist candidates have been making headlines across the country for offering a hopeful alternative to establishment Democrats. Exciting recent campaigns have included mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani in New York City and Omar Fateh in Minneapolis. Wisconsin’s State Assembly also has a Socialist Caucus with 4 members currently – one from Madison, two from Milwaukee, and one from Eau Clare. One of these members, Francesca Hong, has announced that she will be running for state Governor! Our DSA chapter hosted an exclusive members-only Town Hall with Francesca on September 29th to ask questions about her candidacy. MADSA has not yet formally endorsed Fran as a candidate, and will be taking steps to make this decision in the coming month.

Our chapter also recently formed an Electoral Working Group. The group has begun training members on canvassing skills for future efforts, in addition to ongoing work around strategy and messaging. MADSA’s Political Education group also hosted a topical event this past month, titled Beyond the Two-Party System: A Socialist Way Forward.

A Major Victory for Rights in Dane County Jail

The Abolitionist Working Group recently had a huge win after the Dane County Board of Supervisors voted to reject a highly unjust contract proposal, on September 18th, 2025. The working group had flagged concerns about the jail’s communication contract starting in 2024, when members realized that the contract would expire the following year, meaning that the county board would consider new contracts that could potentially erode incarcerated people’s basic rights. The group conducted intensive research about different options for jail communication processes and the local procedures for how these contracts are proposed, reviewed, and approved. As a result, they were able to mobilize in the summer of 2025 and discuss costs, benefits, and alternatives with the board, which led to the board’s recent rejection of the harmful contract.

The working group plans to publish an article with more details on their organizing effort, and you can learn more about the contract here in the meantime!

Tapping into International Solidarity in Madison

The genocide in Palestine continues to devastate, and people across the world continue to protest. It’s easy to feel powerless, helpless, or disconnected in the face of international horror. Yet, there continue to be tools of resistance for us even in Madison. One such option is the international BDS Movement (“Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions”), which has held fast for 20 years as a form of non-violent resistance against the Israeli state and its economy. To bolster this effort in our city, Madison DSA is proud to be joining a campaign called No Appetite for Apartheid. Members affiliated with this project will be working with local grocers with the goal of pulling Israeli products off the shelves. This will help increase the size, consistency, and impact of boycotts by implementing them on a structural level. 

Additionally on the theme of international solidarity, MADSA had the honor of hosting a visiting guest from Ireland at the most recent General Membership Meeting, who spoke on the history of The Troubles and how this connects to resistance movements. 

Further Organizing Highlights This Month

Our work continues in so many more ways thanks to our dedicated membership. Here are other key organizing efforts taking place this September in MADSA. This summary is not exhaustive! 

• Queer Liberation March – MADSA is hosting a fundraising event at The Crucible on October 12th for a future Queer Liberation March. More funds means more resources for safety, accessibility, political visibility, and – possibly – snacks.

• No Kings, No Bosses – members at the most recent meeting also approved a plan for MADSA to create a strong presence at an upcoming “No Kings” protest. Intermittent “No Kings” protests have taken place across the nation since Donald Trump came into office for his second term, but at times these protests have lacked a clear political vision. It’s important that people at protests develop an understanding of how to transform their energy and demands into ongoing political work. MADSA is hoping to conduct outreach and be a louder voice at these events to help channel the people’s power into a more organized movement. 

Social Opportunities

MADSA continues to offer casual social events to build our solidarity and community! These events have included recurring Coffee with Comrades, Coworking with Comrades, Crafting with Comrades, and Jogging with Comrades – now MADSA Run Club – on the weekends. Additionally, to celebrate the beginning of the coziest season, MADSA recently had an apple picking event. Half of the picked apples were donated to the food pantry at Goodman Community Center!

We also continue with book club / reading group offerings. V.I. Lenin’s What is to Be Done reading group concluded mid-September, and the next book to cover is Frantz Fanon’s Wretched of the Earth. Discussions are on Sundays at 11am, starting September 28th. The Abolitionist Working Group recently concluded their reading group on Alec Karakatsanis’ Copaganda, and there will be a discussion event with the author on October 7th at 6:30pm, at the Goodman Center Brassworks building.

Protest Song of the Month

My pick for this month is an upbeat tune – “Dump the Bosses off your back!” This protest folk song has been covered by many musicians over the years, and the particular selection linked here is by activist and lawyer Anne Feeney.

And that concludes our monthly round-up!

by Jade Inverarity

As socialists, we must be critical of capitalist thought and systems. Even ever-present concepts like free will, intelligence, and mental health cannot be taken for granted. None of these are innate to humanity any more than jobs, money, or socioeconomic class. Psychology, as a scientific discipline and a way of describing human nature, is a product of capitalism. Furthermore, it is a pillar of capitalist and imperialist oppression.

         Psychology is defined by the American Psychological Association (APA) as “the study of the mind and behavior.” It is meant to be objective and scientific, and thus above cultural influence. However, deeply ingrained assumptions shaped the field from its inception, and still do. As elsewhere in Western civilization, psychologists put individualism and self-determination on a pedestal. Since Freud, talk therapy has assumed that, with the aid of a formally trained therapist, anyone can identify and manage or resolve the problems in their life. This is by nature incompatible with recognizing systemic factors beyond the individual’s control.

         Psychopathology—the categorizing and diagnosis of mental illnesses under a disease model—adds a patronizing, accusatory layer to this already flawed premise. Studies have shown for decades that simply receiving a mental health diagnosis, especially a highly stigmatized one like schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder, often adds stress to a person’s life. And stress is a known factor that exacerbates many such diagnoses.

         Besides stigma, psychology concretely reinforces oppression. In addition to the commonplace and horrific racism of medicine in general, concepts such as IQ, the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory and other intelligence and personality assessments have been leveraged to deprive people of color from opportunities such as academic scholarships or occupational support. Many such tools cannot be defended as meaningfully “scientific” when they fail to account for cultural differences, and usually involve subjectivity on the part of the person interpreting them.

         Similarly, historical diagnoses such as hysteria have provided justification for misogynist oppression. Records from the nineteenth century often show women were institutionalized for speaking out against their husbands or refusing to have sex with them. In an era where divorce was frowned upon, locking one’s undesired wife up in a sanitorium was a useful way for men to protect their status.

         The diagnostic and statistical manual (DSM) sometimes gets invoked to sway court cases, and leaves harsh labels on people in its wake. For example, the “battered women syndrome” legal defense in cases of domestic abuse is strengthened by a DSM diagnosis. The “insanity defense” is rarely invoked because it only leads to a lifetime locked up in a psychiatric institution, rather than a prison.

         “Homosexuality”, or later “ego-dystonic sexual orientation,” was listed as a disorder in the DSM until 2013. “Gender dysphoria” remains today, and is a prerequisite for much gender-affirming health care, despite the fact that many transgender people do not actually experience anything like its symptoms.

         Again calling into question the objectivity of this discipline—how are such decisions made? Why is it now unacceptable to pathologize a sexual orientation, but acceptable for a gender identity? It’s very hard to argue this has nothing to do with shifting societal tolerances for different queer identities.    

         Caffeine addiction is acknowledged as real by the scientific community, but omitted from the DSM because it is simply too common. Meanwhile, “process” addictions such as gambling addiction or pornography use addiction are included, despite research so far not substantiating the idea that they actually qualify as such. Chemical addictions have been proven to rewire a user’s brain over time, hence withdrawal. This is not the case for process addictions.

         The broadening of autism and its merging with Asperger’s syndrome has helped many people who identify as neurodivergent accept themselves and find community, but it also means the vast majority of available services go to those most high-functioning, and people who qualified for the earlier definition of autism, with serious developmental disabilities that necessitate constant care, are now often deprived, forcing the burden onto their families.

         Most changes in new versions of the DSM are influenced far more by corporate drug spending than genuine scientific research. Studies from the last several decades “demonstrating” the efficacy of many medications, such as antidepressants like Lexapro and Zoloft and stimulants like Prozac, have increasingly been found either to improperly follow the scientific method, or to omit, misrepresent, or outright lie about their findings in ways convenient for the sale of psych meds. Doctors’ careers benefit from ghostwritten academic papers and financial deals for giving out free samples. Even the legality of advertising these medications directly to consumers is specific to America.

         Related to psychology’s role in the carceral system, it is also important to note that the prison labor industrial complex yielded $11 billion in 2023 in goods and prison maintenance services, according to the ACLU. Other massive industries benefit from psychology as well: for-profit health care insurance companies and weight loss and diet-related industries, to name a couple.

         So, as socialists, how should we respond? Several lenses can prove useful. Critical psychology, like other critical theories, calls into question failures to recognize the cultural biases psychology is built on. Critical psychologists believe we have much to learn from collectivist cultures, a commonality with socialism.

         Antipsychiatry is another way those who have suffered at the hands of the psychiatric system organize their thinking and activism that has had great success within the disability rights movement. Descendant groups of the consumer/survivor/ex-patient (C/S/X) movement still educate and endorse peer-based interventions, rather than relying on police and medical systems. Peer support is built on the idea that lived experience can be as useful a qualification as formal education.        

If you are a client in therapy, work in health care, or catch yourself making judgments informed by psychology in your daily life, consider all of these facts. Don’t blindly accept reality as presented to us by the ruling class and the systems that uphold them. It is only by collective solidarity, not premised on the profit motive or discipline of labor, that we truly become free and well.

The post Psychology is Complicit in Capitalism first appeared on Rochester Red Star.

by Paul Allen

Before moving back to Rochester after college, I was involved with the Livingston County Democratic Party, and in 2023 attended the Democratic Rural Conference (a meeting of the Democratic parties from every rural county in New York state), where I heard a young and incredibly charismatic politician speak about the massive gains the Democrats had made in New York over the past decades, expanding the margins the in the state legislature, delivering for the people, yada yada yada. Flash forward to the 2024 presidential election and New York has the biggest partisan swing of any state in that election. I had thought after hearing him speak at that conference that we would be hearing from Antonio Delgado again and wouldn’t you know it, two years later, he’s running for governor.

As part of his campaign, Delgado came to Rochester recently for a town hall. Of course, the large majority of attendees were more supportive than not, and were more than delighted to boo the anti-genocide demonstrators at the meeting. Granted, they did interrupt Delgado, which I think most reasonable people would excuse at the very least, given the issue they were raising. He was all too eager to condescend to them, insisting that, “Hamas is a terrorist organisation,” as if that has made any difference in the last two years. I was not among the group of protesters, mostly because of my social anxiety, but I wholeheartedly support what they did, messages and methods. After the meeting, though, he fielded one-on-one questions, with people lining up to talk to him. I made sure I was at the back of the line, so he couldn’t use other people waiting as an excuse to avoid me.

He never used the phrase “genocide” when discussing Palestine and my question was simple: “why?”

The lawyer in him came out, and he launched into what seemed like a scripted response of, “the definition of genocide being, ‘the eradication or attempted eradication, in whole or in part, of an ethnic or racial group,’” and that he simply did not see the intent by Israel necessary for it to be a genocide. To this, I made the obvious push that there is so much evidence of intent; ignoring the fact that the current famine is entirely caused the the blockade (this didn’t happen due to a drought or other natural disaster), but you can also listen to the Israeli cabinet members directly, especially when they give their speeches in Hebrew and don’t have to worry as much about American audiences hearing them.

He then again gave the deflection of Hamas resisting peace (ridiculous, given that all the peace deals and cease-fires have been broken or rejected by Israel), so I decided to test him: I asked, “what would it take for you to begin calling it a genocide?” If his logic held up from what he had said previously, his answer should have been something like, “we would need to see legitimate evidence of intent to cause mass death” (again, ridiculous because we already have this evidence). Instead, he fumbled over his brain filibustering his mouth and trying to avoid getting anywhere near using the word, and claimed that the circumstances would need to get even worse than they already are. Granted, people make mistakes all the time while debating like this, but if it was indeed a principled stance of his, I do not see how he could get his own logic so wrong.

To be fair, he did say that he does not hold it against anyone who does call it “genocide” (how generous of him…) and that he “is more worried about the outcome; stopping the death.” This is a point I’d be willing to concede, except that when I went on to ask if he would fight back aggressively against any anti-BDS laws or executive orders, he quickly tried to end the conversation. Even a simple, “yes” would have sufficed, but he couldn’t muster even that.

Would he be better than Hochul? Maybe. He’s friendlier to Zohran (at least for now), and would likely have removed Eric Adams from office a long time ago, but the John Fetterman vibes are hard to shake. Even if he rejects any money from AIPAC and J Street, he’s still a liberal zionist; even Bernie was outflanked to his left by MTG when she labeled Israel’s actions as genocide, which he has yet to do. Is the lesser of two evils still too evil to support? Is it better than nothing? Probably, at least until we can get ranked choice voting at the very least. Just remember: him winning in November of ‘26 doesn’t mean much on its face.

The post Antonio Delgado and the Changing Face of Neoliberalism first appeared on Rochester Red Star.

A Metro DC DSA members writes about a chapter proposal to invest in a new part-time staffer position.

Thanks to all who attended the Labor Day rally in Burlington, one of countless major protests across the country on Sept 1. We were proud to stand side-by-side with so many unions and activist organizations demanding an end to America's oligarchy.

Vermont's labor movement is growing more powerful, unified, and assertive. Right now, in St. Albans, workers want their milk money.

They also want shorter workdays and better health and retirement plans. Last week, members of Teamsters Local 597 went on strike against their employer, the Dairy Farmers of America. The processing plant, which supplies Cabot and Ben & Jerry's, brought in scabs.

If you can, please show your solidarity with the workers, as several Green Mountain Democratic Socialists already have, by joining the 24/7 picket line at 140 Federal St., St. Albans City, VT 05478. You can even ask them about donating to their strike fund.

Sept. 1 in Burlington
Sept. 27 in St. Albans

And if you want to help build working-class militancy across the country, join DSA. In Vermont and everywhere else, we are fighting to organize workplaces, win elections, and advance a better world for all.

With that in mind, please consider marking your calendar for our next general meeting (10/11). Details below.

GMDSA MEETINGS AND EVENTS
🚲 Our Urbanism Committee will meet on Monday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. on Zoom.

🔨 Talk about your job and learn about shop-floor organizing from peers at Workers' Circle (co-hosted by the Green Mountain IWW) on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, including Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. at Migrant Justice (179 S. Winooski Ave., Burlington).

🤝 GMDSA's East and West branches will come together for another general meeting on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. at Burlington's Fletcher Free Library (235 College St.), where we'll continue last month's discussion about forming a chapter-wide priority campaign for 2026. Newcomers can show up at 10 a.m. for an optional orientation.

🧑‍🏭 Our Labor Committee will meet on Monday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. on Zoom.

🗳️ The next meeting of our Electoral Committee will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. on Zoom.

👋 Find out how you can help our Membership Committee improve recruitment and involvement in our chapter on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. on Zoom.

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS
📰 Striking school bus drivers in Windham County returned to work, subsequently ratifying a new union contract.

📰 A Burlington musician has launched a campaign to become Chittenden County sheriff on a promise to refuse to carry out unjust eviction orders.

COMMUNITY FLYERS

by Rochester for Energy Democracy

Metro Justice, the Rochester for Energy Democracy (RED) Campaign and over 60 concerned Rochesterians rallied Tuesday at 5:30pm at City Hall to highlight the harmful RG&E proposal for another 34% hike in distribution rates, right after the previous 34% rate hike went into effect in May. These new hikes, if approved, would result in a $623 increase to the average household gas and electric bill and, using ACEEE numbers, put 50,000 more RG&E customers in energy poverty. With a median income of ~$46K, this means more than half of Rochester households would be at risk (meaning energy exceeds 6% of income). The hikes also come on the heels of the recent audit showing widespread mismanagement and safety violations by RG&E and its multinational owners, and that it’s unclear where money is going within the company or between the various utility companies that Avangrid owns. Even with the results of that audit, RG&E is requesting an increase in their rate of profit, to 10%, even while experts claim that utility profits should be closer to 6%. RG&E/NYSEG also wants to close the walk-in center on South Clinton, and 4 other offices (Sodus, Oneonta, Ithaca, Auburn) in their territory. 

“It’s clear that RG&E can’t be trusted with our money, why would we give them one cent more?” expressed Dr. Michi Wenderlich, Campaign and Policy Coordinator of Metro Justice, and continued: “We don’t need to be in this constant cycle. If RG&E is successful in raising our rates AGAIN, Adam Bello and Malik Evans, who have so far been able to block even the common sense step of investigating an alternative, are to blame. Drop the Hikes, Fund the Study!” 

Kim Smith, Political Director for VOCAL-NY: “Given the political landscape and all that is happening on the federal level, Rochester residents living at and below the poverty level are in the midst of an affordability crisis.  Housing is limited, there are proposed cuts to SNAP benefits and healthcare – now RG&E is proposing a 34% rate hike. With winter approaching so many families will be neglected.  Enough is Enough! When will customer service, satisfaction and needs be a priority? RG&E = Rochester Greed & Errancy.”

Graham Hughes, Director of Policy and Advocacy with the Climate Solutions Accelerator: “Right now, Rochestarians need our utility company to prioritize energy affordability and climate investments. Unfortunately this rate case filing prioritizes expanding expensive fracked gas infrastructure and makes minimal investments in renewable energy and electrification. Rate payers cannot afford a 34% delivery rate increase, we need the Public Service Commission to reject this increase and demand that our utility companies do their part to meet CLCPA requirements.”

Bishop Norman Roberts of United Christian Leadership Ministry: “United Christian Leadership Ministry stands firmly with community members who are concerned about the financial strain a proposed rate increase would place on families, seniors, and vulnerable individuals. We urge state regulators and RG&E to reconsider this proposal and instead seek alternative solutions that prioritize affordability, transparency, and the well- being of all residents. It is our belief that an ill-informed rate increase will profoundly impact poor and low-income families.”

Christina Christman, President of Federation of Social Workers: “We’re the workers responsible for seeing people having trouble paying their energy bills, and it’s clear the people of Rochester can’t afford RG&E. Any increase poses an unacceptable rise in energy burden and shut offs. We need to get out of this cycle of unending rate increases and investigate a public utility.” 

Barbara Rivera with Community Giveback 585: “The recent DPS Audit shows that RG&E can’t be trusted with our money, and shouldn’t get any rate increase. Rate hikes would worsen an already dire situation where Rochester faces the 3rd highest energy burden in the country and RG&E shut off over 13,000 homes and businesses in 2024. I can’t afford bills now, and I can’t afford a rate hike.”

Liz McGriff of City-wide Tenant Union: “People are struggling everyday just to have the basic needs met. It makes sense to me to keep our resources close to home. Right now, the utility money we pay goes to a corporation in another country.  Federal programs such as HEAP funding goes to a corporation in another country. We can not afford a rate hike! We need a rate reduction. We need elected officials to listen to the People. Stop padding your pockets at the expense of the people! This community needs to have its own utility company, to bring down the cost and the funds will stay in the community.”

The post Metro Justice and Community Organizations Demand “STOP the Hikes – Fund the Study” at Sept 30 Public Hearing on Proposed 34% RG&E Rate Hikes first appeared on Rochester Red Star.

Welcome to the October issue of Red Star. In this issue you’ll find a statement from DSA’s National Political Committee, commentary on the alleged “mass politics” vs. “sectarian” divide within the organization, an exposure of “left” Zionism, lessons from nature, and more. There is also a list of upcoming events, and “Notes of the Month” from September.

Want to contribute? Submit to bit.ly/SubmitRedStar, or get involved with our Communications Committee. Reach out to steering@rocdsa.org and join DSA today!

The post Rochester Red Star | October 2025 | (Issue 18) first appeared on Rochester Red Star.