A member essay on a recent anti-zionist resolution considered by the members of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists.

Charlotte Food Not Bombs (FNB), an organization we have collaborated and share cross membership with, recently released a statement platforming allegations of sexual violence. These allegations regard an individual involved in several activist spaces in our city.

Charlotte Metro DSA stands in solidarity with FNB in their pursuit of restorative justice for the survivor(s) as they come forth. Our organization has zero tolerance for sexual assault and harassment and will refuse to work with anyone credibly accused of such—or the organizations which uncritically harbor them. We recommend that everyone check out @clt_food_not_bombs on Instagram for details on the developing situation and how to support the survivor(s).

As a reminder, per DSA's Resolution 33, we have a grievance policy in place to seek justice for survivors and hold perpetrators accountable in our organization. If you would like to file a grievance or learn more about our process, please check out https://charlottedsa.org/grievance-policy.

As socialists, we recognize sexual violence as an outgrowth of patriarchy, itself one of the principal ways our capitalist society divides the working class and furthers our collective exploitation. The fight for socialism is inseparable from the fight for women's liberation. We have to look out for our comrades and allies by fostering welcoming and inclusive organizing spaces. This will require us to seriously reflect on how we can set an example of feminist community and organization as we fight for the overthrow of class society and its systemic perpetration of patriarchy.

In solidarity,

Charlotte Metro DSA Steering Committee

Thorn West: Issue No. 222

City Politics

• LAist talks with incoming (DSA-LA-endorsed councilmember Ysabel Jurado about her vision for CD 14. Conversely, Streetsblog LA covers the last day of outgoing CD14 councilmember Kevin de León. 

• The office of City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has elected to press charges against several dozen activists who were arrested while blocking traffic on the 110 Freeway, to demand an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

• A report from the CAO updates the city’s worsening budget problem.

Health Care

• The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched the Medical Debt Relief Program. The program enables the county to purchase $500 million of qualifying county residents’ medical debt, at a fraction of its cost. The debt is then automatically forgiven.
• Governor Newsom has declared a state of emergency to combat the spread of bird flu, following several confirmed cases across the state.

Labor

• LAUSD school principals have voted to join the Teamsters union. The result of the election is seen as a rebuke of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho who has pushed to cut administrative jobs and increase principal workloads.

Housing Rights

• LA Public Press projects the various ways that an incoming Trump administration could disrupt housing and homelessness policy in Los Angeles.

• The city’s Board of Transportation Commissioners has voted not to transfer a city parking lot in Venice, which is planned for use by a low income housing project. City Council can vote to override the decision. A lawsuit against the city alleges that officials, including City Attorney Feldstein Soto and Councilmember Traci Park, have colluded to sabotage the project.

Transportation

• The incoming Trump administration has threatened to cut federal funding to the long-planned high speed rail project connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Incarceration

• CalMatters places Proposition 36, which will result in more people being incarcerated in the California prison system, in the context of the state’s obscenely high number of inmate deaths.

• Last week, the LA County Probation Department announced that it will not comply with a state order to close the understaffed and unsafe Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. This week the Board of Supervisors later voted 4–1 to declare a state of emergency in a last-ditch effort to keep the dysfunctional facility open.

Environmental Justice

• The Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge to California’s vehicle emission standards – which are more strict than the federal standard – leaving them in place for now.

• Demands to close the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility have thundered since it was the site of the largest methane leak in U.S. history, nine years ago. Despite public outrage, today the California Public Utilities Commission voted to delay the closure indefinitely, until such time as the demand for natural gas has dropped.

The post LA County Pilots Medical Debt Relief Program + New Councilmembers Seated appeared first on The Thorn West.

In an era when democratic institutions face mounting threats, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) offers something invaluable: a space where people can come together not just to resist deteriorating conditions, but to actively build a better world. This combination of practical organizing and genuine community provides essential support for personal well-being and effective political action.

Walking into your first DSA meeting can feel like finding an oasis in a desert of political despair. Here are people who not only share your concerns about the direction of society but are actively working to change it. Whether it’s your local DSA chapter’s mutual aid program, tenant organizing efforts, or labor solidarity initiatives, you’ll find concrete ways to channel your anxiety into action.

The mental health benefits of joining DSA extend far beyond political engagement. Research consistently shows that feelings of powerlessness contribute significantly to depression and anxiety – feelings that are particularly acute when witnessing the rise of antidemocratic movements. DSA membership offers a powerful antidote through collective agency. Rather than doom-scrolling through news alone, you’re working shoulder-to-shoulder with comrades on tangible projects that make a real difference in your community.

“In times like these, it’s pretty easy to feel alone. Joining DSA, attending meetings, coming to social events, all of these have helped me see that I’m not actually alone. There are people out there who value solidarity, equality, and democracy, and DSA is where they connect with each other.”
– Anonymous, member since 2024

The structure of DSA chapters combines social connection with political purpose. A typical month might include formal organizing meetings, but also movie nights, shared meals, or informal gatherings where members can relax and build genuine friendships. These social bonds strengthen the organization’s political work while providing vital emotional support. There’s something profoundly comforting about knowing that your concerns are shared by others who are willing to work alongside you for change.

The physical aspect of DSA gatherings shouldn’t be underestimated. In an age of increasing digital isolation, coming together in actual spaces to both socialize and organize creates connections that online interaction simply can’t match. Whether you’re planning a campaign, joining a reading group, or sharing a potluck dinner, the simple act of being physically present with others who share your values helps combat the alienation that makes authoritarian movements possible.

DSA’s democratic structure provides members with genuine agency in shaping both the organization and its initiatives. Unlike traditional political organizations where decisions come from the top down, DSA chapters empower members to propose and lead projects they’re passionate about. This participatory approach not only leads to more effective organizing but also helps members develop practical skills in leadership, project management, and collective decision-making.

The intergenerational nature of DSA provides unique opportunities for learning and growth. Newer members can learn from those with decades of organizing experience while bringing fresh perspectives and energy to the organization. This creates a living tradition of solidarity and collective action, where knowledge and skills are constantly shared and refined.

Working within DSA also provides an important counter to the feeling of historical inevitability that authoritarian movements try to create. When you’re actively building alternatives – whether through mutual aid networks, tenant unions, or labor organizing – you demonstrate in practice that other ways of organizing society are possible. Each successful project, no matter how small, becomes evidence that collective, democratic action works. The regular rhythm of meetings and actions helps maintain hope and purpose, while the concrete achievements of collective work provide tangible evidence that change is possible.

“I joined DSA because I was tired of feeling powerless to stop the world from getting worse. The moment when you commit to joining an organization – to doing politics together with other people rather than simply thinking the right thing – is such a powerful one. Working with comrades has given me hope and prepared me to be a better member of the society we hope to build.”
– Luke, member since 2018

DSA chapters also serve as crucial hubs of information and rapid response in times of crisis. When communities face threats – whether from hostile legislation, corporate exploitation, or direct attacks on vulnerable populations – DSA members learn to work together to properly analyze the moment, and develop tactics and strategies that drive successes, rather than simply respond in a way that is itself status quo.

For many members, DSA becomes not just a political organization but a central part of their social world. The friendships formed through shared struggle and celebration create bonds that extend beyond political work. These relationships provide emotional sustenance during difficult times while strengthening the organization’s capacity for long-term organizing.

Joining DSA offers a powerful combination of political engagement and personal connection that’s particularly vital in challenging times. By bringing people together in physical spaces to both socialize and work toward concrete political goals, DSA provides the community, agency, and purpose that people need to maintain their mental health while building effective resistance to anti-democratic movements. The path to a better world isn’t found in isolation but in coming together with others to actively create the future we want to see.

Thorn West: Issue No. 221

State Politics

• A new state legislative session has begun. Both houses have adopted new rules that reduce the amount of bills a member may introduce: from from 50 to 35 in the Assembly and from 40 to 35 in the Senate.

• Though Republicans gained a few seats in the state legislature, Democrats have maintained their supermajority in both houses.

• Several close House races across California have finally been called, with the results favoring Democratic Party candidates. The final split in the House of Representatives will be 220-215 in favor of Republicans.

• The special legislative session called for by Governor Newsom to “Trump-proof” California met for the first time this week. So far, it has introduced legislation to set aside $25 million for potential legislation against the Trump administration (a move which does not require that the legislature be called).

City Politics

• This Saturday, several of DSA-LA’s successfully endorsed candidates for local office will sit with DSA-LA members running for organizational leadership in 2025 for a panel discussion on “what our roadmap to a Los Angeles for the working class looks like in the year ahead.” Click here to find out more or to RSVP (note that this event is only open to DSA-LA members in good standing).

Labor

• Starbucks Workers United is entering a critical phase in contract negotiations, and is organizing solidarity flyering events nationwide. In Los Angeles, DSA-LA is organizing a flyering event on Sunday, December 15, at 2 pm, at the Starbucks at 3785 Wilshire Boulevard. (For more info, email:  labor@dsa-la.org)

Immigration

• StreetsblogLA goes into depth on LA’s new “sanctuary city” ordinance, placing it in the context of the attempts to implement such a law, which have run into the LAPD’s unwillingness to be democratically controlled. The final version of the ordinance was put into effect by a unanimous City Council vote this week.

• Though both the city and state have announced intentions to fight the Trump administration’s stated intention to conduct dystopian levels of deportations, there may be no way to stop the planned construction of a new detention facility that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement wants to build in the state.

NOlympics

• Outgoing City Council President Paul Krekorian has been appointed to lead LA’s newly created “Office of Major Events,” which will oversee, among other things, the Olympic Games in 2028. More from Torched.

• The LA Metro Board has sent a letter to incoming President Trump, asking him to set aside $3.2 billion to fund transportation projects, specifically in support of the Olympics.

Local Media

• A former editorial writer for the Los Angeles Times explains the motive for his recent resignation: the ongoing heavy-handed interference of the paper’s billionaire owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, on behalf of the hard right Trump coalition.

Environmental Justice

• LA Public Press spoke with several local experts on the potential impact of a Trump administration on the city and state’s climate policy.

The post Final Election Results in CA + City, State Prepare for 2nd Trump Term appeared first on The Thorn West.

Links from our Socialist Night School training and other links to materials that NPEC feel is helpful for chapters to set up their own basic Socialist Night School program.

Previous SNS Training Recordings

Catalogue of our other recorded trainings 

Reasons Why We Do Political Education

What is Democratic Socialism materials

What is Capitalism materials 

Why the Working Class materials 

Facilitation Guide Slides

Backwards Planning Slides

Our Curriculum Module Website

Chapter Created Materials and Other Resources  

If you have any other questions or inquiries about materials, please email us at politicaleducation@dsausa.org, and if you’d like an NPEC member to help troubleshoot any chapter Political Education issues or help you set up a political education committee, please Submit a mentor request using this form.

In this episode, Aaron Stauffer (Associate Director, The Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice) joins to discuss faith, the strategies of broad-based community organizing, and the role of sacred values in organizing work. For more on the topic, check out his book: Listening to the Spirit: The Radical Social Gospel, Sacred Value, and Broad-based Community Organizing.

Ohio currently holds a substantial 262.5 million dollars in Israeli Bonds. This is a significant financial tie to a country that is under international scrutiny for its actions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On February 14th, Toledo passed a Ceasefire resolution. Lucas county has chosen to not purchase new Israeli bonds for the time being, but Cuyahoga county is struggling to convince their city council otherwise. Attorney general Dave Yost intervened and shut down a resolution proposed in June of this year calling for any additional investments in Israel, citing Ohio law which makes it illegal for businesses which receive state funding to boycott, divest or sanction Israel. This was passed in 2016 and then again amended in 2022 to include universities that are not public.

Pursuant to Ohio state law, state entities cannot divest interests in Israel. Ohio Revised Code Section 9.76 prohibits the university from divesting any interests in Israel and prohibits adopting or adhering to a policy that requires divestment from Israel or with persons or entities associated with it.

I hope coalitions in the area begin to understand we cannot simply gather for rallies or protests without making our demands clear. This has typically come in the form of requesting for an arms embargo and an immediate ceasefire but this past year has explained to us that our officials are genuinely not interested in empathizing with a country under occupation and struggling to survive in a genocide.

Going forward, I would highly recommend that we begin to act as a single entity on this issue and create an actual pressure campaign focused on very specific targets. Ohio unfortunately is one of the largest offenders of using tax dollars to fund Israel but we can also consider this a very strategic location in our approach to our organic boycott target. Instead of focusing our efforts towards Starbucks and Coca Cola we need to be more deliberate in our approach to better chokehold these targets.

The above listed is the current BDS list for the listed targets for their ties to Israel. Until these companies come forward and condemn their funding and connections to Israel, these should be our targets. In a capitalist world under conglomerates and monopolies, all consumption is unethical. While we can debate the companies off this list we need to use our efforts to create a focus.

Cincinnati is home to P&G HQ, an incredible offender in terms of funding the genocidal machine that is Israel. So, while it is not listed above, this should be our organic local target. To be frank, I spent a couple of days trying to create a loose pamphlet cross referencing all the products owned by P&G and recommended alternatives, but their products amassed in the 100s. While I believe this could be a reasonable solution, to reinforce the simplicity and success of execution, I would highly recommend we simply shop store brands. If at Kroger, buy Kroger’s products, at Aldi’s the likewise, etc.

I would like to reach out to local coalitions and request they specifically host their rally in front of P&G HQ just to build public awareness on that front, where we all hold signs of specific brands we will be boycotting. I would love to bring to the attention of the body the idea of recalling city council members who aren’t willing to stand in solidarity as a power move on our behalf and to hopefully establish that trend across the US. Maybe we are best off targeting whoever requires the lowest number of votes.