Like many members and chapters of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) nationally we have been disturbed and disappointed with the recent decision by the National Political Committee (NPC) to... Read more »

The post Statement from DSA Long Beach on the recent troubles with the initial decertification of the national BDS-Palestine Solidarity Working Group. appeared first on DSA-LB.

May 20, 2022

Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America strongly condemns the horrific recent killing of legendary Palestinian-American journalist and Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh by an Israeli military sniper. In what can only be described as an execution, the sniper appeared to target Abu Akleh, a highly recognizable TV correspondent, as she stood alongside a group of journalists while covering Israeli raids on Palestine’s occupied West Bank. Abu Akleh was clearly identified as press when the fatal bullet struck. Her cowardly murder should deepen the resolve of people of conscience worldwide to oppose Israel and its brutal occupation of the Palestinian people.

Abu Akleh was a beloved voice of truth whose accurate coverage of crimes against humanity spanned more than 20 years. Her iconic work highlighted the dignity of the Palestinian people and their determination to resist colonialism and oppression. While the targeting of a journalist is both shameful and illegal, Abu Akleh’s killing is merely another example of the systemic violence of the Israeli state. Her murder and the subsequent Israeli assault on mourners at her funeral reflect the routine brutality of an occupation designed to degrade, terrorize and displace Palestinians. Though Western media often portray Israel as a democratic actor, Israel respects none of the principles of decency and justice that are essential to democracy. Indeed, it is the moral shelter and military aid provided by the United States that enable Israel to continue expanding illegal settlements while violating the human rights of Palestinians.

Abu Akleh’s tragic death further exposes the lie that Israel seeks only to defend itself. In fact, the Israeli regime relies on military aggression, collective punishment, and the silencing of peace activists and other principled opponents. Now is the time for people of goodwill to reject the historical and contemporary whitewashing of Israel’s crimes, and to condemn the passive voice (“Journalist is killed during clashes”) and other tactics adopted by the mainstream media to conceal Israeli aggression. Americans have a particular responsibility to condemn Israeli apartheid, given that our taxpayer dollars provide Israel with more than $3 billion in annual aid.

While all people should denounce Abu Akleh’s killing and the systemic violence of Israeli occupation, progressives and leftists have a special duty to speak out. Only by taking an unambiguous stand against apartheid, colonialism and racism at home and abroad can U.S. leftists show that Palestinian dignity lies at the heart of human liberation. There can be no compromise or retreat on the question of Palestine. We call on conscientious people to pressure politicians to condemn and defund Israeli apartheid and to launch a full investigation into Abu Akleh’s death. Even more importantly, civilians must join the global BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement and become lifelong participants in Palestinian solidarity efforts, taking part in rallies, direct action and other forms of agitation until Palestine is free. We also demand:

• Disclosure of the identity of AbuAkleh’s killer.

• Release of Omar Abu Khdair, one of the beaten pallbearers, who has been jailed without charge or conviction.

• Recognition of the BDS movement as protected free speech.

• An end to all U.S. participation in Israeli “security” trainings, which expand the militarization of domestic policing and the racist targeting of black people and other people of color.
  

Ithaca DSA Steering Committee

Amazon Labor Union scored a big victory for the labor movement last month when organized workers overwhelmingly won an NLRB election at a Staten Island Amazon facility. Yet most of Amazon and the private sector in general remains unorganized. Despite a valiant effort, ALU’s next attempt at a different Amazon facility failed. What is to be done? Brian, a former Amazon worker and member of DSA Labor’s logistics committee, joins us to discuss organizing at Amazon and the state of the labor movement.

Our condolences to all who were close to Roberta Drury and all the others murdered by the white supremacist at a Buffalo grocery store. The attack on the Black community of Buffalo is horrific.

We must oppose the spread of racist ideas, racist conspiracy theories, racist myths of history, and the implementation of racist political and economic policies, which all reinforce each other. Whether the killer technically acted alone or not, he was taught and supported by large sections of the US and global political spectrum. We must elevate movements that empower and unite people of the multiracial working class and build relationships of solidarity, especially those targeted by the Right, such as Black and Brown communities, LGBTQ+ people, disabled people, and women.

Please support by donating to mutual aid and mental health support efforts organized by Black Love Resists in the Rust in Buffalo who are partnering with community organizations to link people to and pay for ongoing mental health services.

The post Solidarity with Buffalo appeared first on Syracuse DSA.

Illustration by @em_mulsify

Reproductive Justice

For helpful links and info click to go to our Reproductive Justice section.

Tonight we’re continuing our series of interviews with the DSA For the Many Slate and are joined live by Kristen Gonzalez, a tech worker and community organizer running for State Senate District 17. District 17 might be a new district spanning from Woodside, Queens to Greenpoint, Brooklyn - but that depends on the courts. We’ll talk to Kristen about the Senate redistricting debacle and much more. We’ll also be opening up the phone lines later in the show and want to hear from you!

Denver DSA has been fighting for over a year alongside frontline communities to shut down Colorado’s coal plants and make the just transition to clean, renewable, community-owned electricity. The dirtiest of these coal plants is now officially slated to close no later than January 1, 2031. It’s a huge victory and a testament to the power of mass organizing.

The Coal Plant That Never Should Have Been Built

The Comanche 3 coal plant is the largest polluter in Colorado. Offensively named after an indigenous nation that extractive capitalism itself waged genocide against, this plant has been met with opposition since it was proposed back in 2004.

Despite protests, lawsuits, outcry at public hearings, and the clear scientific evidence that a new coal plant would worsen the already serious climate crisis mounting, Xcel Energy moved forward with construction, with the blessing of the Public Utility Commission (PUC).

The plant went online in 2010 and Xcel hoped to run it until 2070. The massive facility has been pumping tons and tons of carbon dioxide and toxins into the atmosphere. The nearby working class, Latinx community in Pueblo bears the worst of the effects with many residents suffering from respiratory diseases.

The fight to close this plant has never let up. Over the past year, the EcoSocialist committee has been fighting in coalition with others to have the PUC do what it should have done from the beginning – shut this coal plant down.

People Power Forces Xcel to Concede

Thousands of Colorado residents wrote into the PUC demanding that the coal plant be shut down as soon as possible. Dozens of Pueblo residents testified at a public hearing. Over 100 people testified at the final statewide hearing demanding the same.

Xcel took notice. First they offered a 2040 closure date. Then, following the Pueblo hearing, tried making a backroom deal for a 2035 date. We kept fighting, insisting that the plant be closed by at least 2030, if not sooner.

The PUC expressed skepticism around the 2035 Xcel proposal. Another rally kept the pressure on the PUC to do the right thing.

Finally, on April 26, 2022 Xcel came back to the negotiating table and agreed to close the coal plant no later than January 1, 2031.

The Fight Continues to Close the Comanche Coal Plant As Early As Possible

While the newest deadline is great news and could not have happened without thousands of people standing up to Xcel’s profiteering, the fight is not over. This coal plant never should have been built in the first place. We’re experiencing unprecedented drought, wildfires, and heatwaves. Frontline communities still breath the poisoned air and every day more carbon is added to the atmosphere we’ll then need to draw back down.

We’ll take this opportunity to celebrate together with the many others fighting to get to this point. Then we’ll regroup and decide the best path forward to shut down coal once and for all and usher in a new clean and affordable energy system.

To get involved, email the EcoSocialist Committee at ecosoc@denverdsa.org

International Workers’ Day is right around the corner on May 1, and this year it comes among a huge upswell of worker-run unionism and labor militancy. From Delta Airlines to Amazon and Starbucks to local shops like Film Forum here in NYC, workers are coming together and fighting for their rights on the job.

 

Here at Revolutions per Minute, we are organizers, and organizers know that all labor stories start with workers talking to each other – on the job, at home, and in the streets. For our 2022 Workers Day Special, members of the RPM collective have each interviewed a worker in our own lives about their work, their struggles, and their joys. We’re speaking to the people we love, respect, and work with, in hopes that you’ll do the same this Workers’ Day and every day!

 

Lee Ziesche interviews her life partner Miles Bartlett on his 20 years' experience as a back of house kitchen worker.

Chris Carr interviews his UAW brother and worker at the same university, Zach Valdez. Zach is an administrative assistant and UAW Local 2110 steward. Learn more about this local's contract fight at @2110for1M1V and  sign their petition here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/fair-contract-now-support-local-2110-staff. 

Desiree Joy Frias interviews her best friend and godmother of her son, Jamese Lamb, on her experience as a graduate student medical worker.

Amy Wilson interviews her labor movement comrade and friend, Kayleigh Truman. Kayleigh is a second-generation stagehand working Broadway, off-Broadway, and Madison Square Garden, and running for leadership in IATSE Local One to change the culture of their union.

 

Mark your calendars for International Workers Day on Sunday, May 1st, because it’s going to be a busy day of building working class solidarity.

Sunday, May 1st, 2022 in Madison, WI Schedule: 

10AM-1PM: Informational Picket at CUNA Mutual Group 

CUNA Mutual Group Workers United (OPEIU Local 39) will be picketing their employer, CUNA Mutual Group.  These workers are fighting for their job security, healthcare benefits, fair compensation, retirement security, and remote work flexibility, which are in danger of being taken away from CUNA Mutual Group just months after they announced record-breaking profits.  

MADSA will be providing coffee and donuts.  Everyone is welcome to come through to show solidarity with these workers.  

Park at Garner Park on Rosa Road.  The picket will then occur at 5810 Mineral Point Road.  Here is the link to the Facebook event.  

1PM-3PM: Picnic Lunch at Garner Park

After the picket, bring a dish (if you are able) for a picnic lunch at Garner Park.  This will be an opportunity to hang out afterwards.  Garner Park is next to CUNA Mutual Group.  

4:30PM-8:30PM: May Day Picnic at Warner Park 

Finally, end the day by attending the MADSA May Day Picnic at Warner Park Shelter.  Food will be provided but a donations jar will be left out to cover the cost of the picnic.  Please fill out this form if you plan on coming to the May Day Picnic.  Alcohol will not be provided but guests are welcome to bring their own as long as they are not in glass.

The May Day Picnic is at Warner Park Shelter, 2930 N Sherman Ave.  Here is a link to the Facebook event.  

Come to all three or show up for whatever you are able to! 

Tonight we are joined live from New Jersey by Chigozie Onyema, a North New Jersey DSA endorsed candidate for City Council in Newark. We will also be speaking to Rebecca Martinez and Julian Mesri from the Radical Theatre collective about their production of Songs About Trains.

 

We also caught up with State Senator Julia Salazar to talk to her about the New York State budget, why she voted against it and what socialist in Albany are fighting for with just six weeks left in the legislative session.

 

For more info on Chigozie Onyema visit: www.chigozieonyema.com