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Metro DC DSA Weekly Update for Friday, March 6, 2020
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THE WEEKEND
Pent-up demand for meetings after canvassing goes on pause (at least, briefly) --
UP FRONT
Labor WG Breaking News
BIG NEWS: Giant and Safeway workers have ratified their contracts covering a total of 25,000 workers in the region. Thank you to everyone who volunteered for picket support and outreach. The union was thankful for us jumping in proactively to help support.
Details on Safeway: http://www.ufcw400.org/2020/03/05/safeway-workers-approve-strong-new-contract-avoid-strike/
Details on Giant: http://www.ufcw400.org/2020/03/05/giant-workers-ratify-new-contract/
Labor, Environmental, and Tech Happy Hour: Come out to build those bridges! Labor Network for Sustainability, the DC Tech Workers Coalition, and DSA are asking people to come out for a happy hour at Big Hunt on Monday, March 9th at 5:30 PM. Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/611739916225266/
-- Sam N
FRONTLINING: Fight for Climate Action - join Extinction Rebellion and Metro DC DSA for a presentation on the climate crisis and direct action training
Spring is here and it is time to act! Join Metro DC DSA and Extinction Rebellion at the Shaw neighborhood library in the WTD meeting room Sunday March 22nd from 1:30 to 4:30 PM to learn about the climate crisis followed by a direct action training. All are welcome! Get up to speed or get a quick refresher on the science behind the climate crisis before getting plugged into the Earth Day to May Day climate strikes [See also Allies calendar].
The planet is in ecological crisis: we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction. Scientists say what's required to avoid the existential threat of climate and ecological collapse is rapid and unprecedented changes, not unlike the total mobilization carried out in response to the Second World War. Members of the global movement Extinction Rebellion will share the latest climate science on where our planet is heading, discuss some of the current psychology around climate change and ecological breakdown, and offer solutions that led previous social movements, like the U.S. civil rights movement, to success.
Members of Metro DC DSA will briefly discuss the need to use our collective power and all of the tools at hand to fight for an ecosocialst Green New Deal. Confronting the climate crisis offers an opportunity to lift up everyone, especially those most impacted and yet least responsible for the climate crisis, as we create a just, equitable future. To do this, we must break down the racist, imperialist capitalist system that led us to this world of skyrocketing inequality and climate breakdown.
Then we act. Seasoned activists involved with ShutdownDC will cover the basics of working together in a small group (affinity groups), moving in the streets together, how to plug in with the action framework, your legal rights and what to do if you're arrested, and staying healthy and safe in the streets! If you're planning on joining us in the streets this spring, we'd strongly encourage you to make sure that you and the folks you're planning on hitting the streets with participate in a training. Everyone is welcome and there will be time to ask questions and discuss throughout the presentations.
AGAIN: Sunday March 22nd, Shaw neighborhood library WTD meeting room 1:30pm to 4:30pm
--Jordan A
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE
FEELING THE BERN IN NOVA -- Our Nova comrade Eric S went to last weekend’s Bernie rally.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY – 1934: REMEMBRANCE AND HISTORY FOR TODAY -- Our longtime member and in-house historian Kurt Stand has a family connection to International Woman’s Day that illuminates the movement’s deep history.
BRIEFS
SAVE THE DATE: Friday April 10 at 7pm: The Metro DC DSA Ecosocialist Caucus is hosting the DC launch event for "A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal," featuring Thea Riofrancos and Daniel Aldana Cohen, at the Festival Center (1640 Columbia Rd NW). We might announce additional speakers soon. More on the book here: https://www.versobooks.com/books/3107-a-planet-to-win
From Chris Bangs: “Campaign against Right to Work in VA. We’ll be meeting this Saturday, March 7, at 1pm at the Arlington Central Library. There’s parking on site, and it’s right off the Orange / Silver Line at Virginia Square - GMU. We’ll do a postmortem of both this legislative session and our work over the last month integrating right to work petition collecting with Bernie stuff, and then figure out next steps together! If you have any questions or need anything, email here.
Here’s the branch newsletter “MoCo DSA This Week” https://mailchi.mp/mdcdsa.org/join-us-on-saturday-nov-1263563?e=003de9ccab
MDC DSA CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR MARCH/APRIL
Friday MAR 6 - 7 | 8:00 PM
La Raza – Benefit Concert for Migrant Shelter
sPACYcLOUd Lounge, 2309 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
The Migrant Justice Working Group is hosting a benefit concert on March 6th to raise funds for a shelter that provides food, clothing, and medical attention to migrants in Tijuana. Follow link for details.
Saturday MAR 7 | 1:00 PM
Labor Working Group Right to Work Repeal Meeting
Central Library, 1015 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22201
The Labor Working Group is working to repeal the so-called Right To Work law in Virginia! We’ll be discussing our activities in February and planning our work in March and the future. Follow link for details.
Saturday MAR 7 | 1:30 PM
Stomp Out Slumlords: Anti-Eviction Canvass
L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station, 600 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
Come help us connect tenants facing eviction with legal resources! Follow link for details.
Saturday MAR 7 | 3:00 PM
House Party Meet & Greet with Mckayla Wilkes
Meet MDC DSA’s endorsed progressive Democratic candidate in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District. RSVP and Prince George’s residence location: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mckayla-fundraiser-lanham
Sunday MAR 8 | 1:00 PM
Rent Control Working Group Meeting
Petworth Community Library
The campaign to expand rent control here in D.C. is kicking into the next gear, and so is MDC DSA’s part in it. Follow link for details.
Tuesday MAR 10 | 7:00 PM
Steering Committee Meeting
Institute for Policy Studies, 1301 Connecticut Ave NW #600, Washington, DC 20036
All members are welcome to attend. You can also attend via Zoom. Follow link for details.
Wednesday MAR 11 | 7:00 PM
DSA 4 Bernie “Battleship Potemkin” Film Screening
sPACYcLOUd Lounge, 2309 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
A screening of the legendary Sergei Eisenstein film “Battleship Potemkin” (1925). Upper floor. Follow link for details.
Sunday MAR 15 | 3:00 PM
Metro DC DSA Monthly General Body Meeting
Location TBD
The monthly meeting of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America! Location TBD. The agenda will be distributed the week before the meeting.
Tuesday MAR 17 | 7:00 PM
Queer Socialists Happy Hour
Red Bear Brewing Co, 209 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Event is open to the public, DSA membership is not required. Take a breather for a few hours of smashing the cis-hetero patriarchy and enjoy a comradely social atmosphere. Follow link for details.
Thursday MAR 19 | 6:30 PM
March Disability Justice Working Group Meeting
The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
We will be discussing upcoming events and campaigns. Follow link for details.
Monday MAR 23 | 6:30 PM
What is Socialism?: Socialist Night School
Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library, 3160 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20010
For our first session of the new semester of Socialist Night School, we’ll tackle the question of socialism. What is capitalism? What is socialism? How does what DSA does help us get there? How can you get involved (or more involved) in DSA? Geared for new members and interested non-members. Follow link for details.
Tuesday MAR 24 | 7:00 PM
Steering Committee Meeting
Remote only
This meeting is remote-only; members can participate via Zoom. Follow link for details.
Wednesday MAR 25 | 7:00 PM
NOVA Branch DSA 🌹 Organizing Meeting
Aurora Hills Branch Library, 735 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202
We will be welcoming new members and continue discussing planning for our current actions and campaigns including support for DSA endorsed candidates (including Bernie Sanders). Follow link for details.
Sunday APR 5 | 2:00 PM
MoCo DSA 🌹General Branch Meeting
Silver Spring Library, 900 Wayne Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Please join us for our April branch meeting at the Silver Spring library! See you then!
Friday APR 10 | 7:00 PM
A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal – DC Book Launch
The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
Thea Riofrancos and Daniel Aldana Cohen in conversation on their new book, A Planet to Win: Why We need a Green New Deal. What could a radical Green New Deal look like, and how can we connect the politics of a Green New Deal with the fight for economic and racial justice? Follow link for details.
INFO ACCESS
Publication Schedule: Three Friday Updates remain for March — March 13, 20 and 27. The April issue of the Washington Socialist monthly newsletter will be emailed Friday, April 3. Article deadline for that issue is Saturday, March 28. April Fools articles will be considered. Just considered.
Like all our working groups, the Pubs WG needs pitch-in from members: writing on subjects close to our socialist hearts (including what your WG/caucus/campaign has been doing or plans to do); editing, design, creating ‘zines and one-off flyers for our work, and doing website work to keep our MDC DSA profile dynamic. So fill out our contributor’s form and we’ll be in touch. We need your help to spread socialist ideas and news about the chapter’s work. We have scheduled a work session to get experience with our two new platforms – a new website and new chapterwide email launcher – Saturday, March 14. For details see our #publications Slack channel.
FAQ
>How many newsletters, updates and articles have we published? Articles on what topics?Check our Index here.
>What does the MDC DSA local chapter do, week in and week out?
See our working groups, caucuses and campaigns in the DMV here.
> What can I find out from MDC DSA Slack and how do I join?
Many of our campaigns, working groups and caucuses keep the conversation going between meetings on our MDC DSA Slack platform. If you are a DSA member in good standing and aren’t on our Slack you may not be getting the full picture about the rich array of activities suggested above in the chapter structure link. To get on Slack, use the email by which DSA knows you and request access from [email protected]
EVENTS FROM OUR ALLIES IN THE DMV
TODAY Friday, MAR 6 through March 8
“The Moment Was Now”
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 811 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD 21201
This acclaimed musical returns to weekend engagements. Set in post-civil war Baltimore during the period of Reconstruction, “a moment when America almost did the right thing.” Written by longtime organizer Gene Bruskin, focused on the impassioned search for unity among the dynamic leaders of powerful movements, at a meeting convened by Frederick Douglass. Click here to buy tickets. Running between February 28- March 1 and March 6- 8. Information about group ticket discounts and student prices at [email protected] .
Sunday MAR 8 | 12 noon – 2 PM note time change
Prince George’s County Our Revolution
New Deal Cafe, 113 Centerway, Roosevelt Center, Greenbelt, MD
Monthly meeting to discuss current actions and events.
Wednesday MAR 11 | 8 - 9:30 PM
A Black Queer Feminist Lens Gets Us All Free
A SURJ Webinar Hosted by Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
Join Charlene Carruthers, a strategist, writer and leading community organizer in today’s movement for Black liberation, for a conversation with SURJ. The call will highlight the importance of applying a Black queer feminist lens to all of our movement work, including the work of SURJ. Highlights the importance of applying a Black queer feminist lens to all of our movement work, including the work of SURJ during National Women’s History Month.
Wednesday MAR 11| 6 - 8:30 PM
Housing 101
Bread for the City, 1640 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington DC 20020
Hosted by DC Jobs With Justice and Reclaim Rent Control: https://www.facebook.com/events/246643226338614/ . A discussion on rent control and public housing in DC, with the film Brick by Brick and discussion over food about what we can do to protect DC residents.
Wednesday MAR 11 | 7 - 9 PM
Greenbelt Climate Action Network
March meeting "Changing the System through Non-violent Direct Action". Learn more about planned action and why the organizers feel that "direct action" is the best way to effect change. Greenbelt Community Center, Room 114 -- 15 Crescent Rd, Greenbelt, MD https://www.facebook.com/events/726104001129562/
Friday MAR 13 | 8 - 10:00 PM
Stump for McKayla!: A Trivia Night Fundraiser for McKayla Wilkes
The Dew Drop Inn DC 2801 8th St NE, Washington, DC 20017
McKayla Wilkes is running for Congress to make sure Maryland’s 5th Congressional District is represented by someone who stands with the people for Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, a Homes Guarantee, Decarceration and more! On Friday, March 13th at 8PM at the Dew Drop Inn in DC, join Current Affairs podcast host Pete Davis for a trivia night fundraiser to benefit her campaign.
Saturday MAR 14 | 2 - 5:00 PM
ONE DC Annual Membership Meeting
Thurgood Marshall Center, 1816 12th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
We are pleased to invite you to the ONE DC 2020 Annual Membership Meeting. The Meeting is a space for members to guide the vision of ONE DC. The agenda will include: elections for open seats on the ONE DC Shared Leadership Team; overview of our 2019 wins & outcomes and goals for 2020; community learning exercises on Shared Leadership; and financial updates. Contact [email protected] (or 202-232-2915) for more information.
Tuesday, March 17 | 6 - 8:00 PM
Bread and Roses: “We Were There”
Busboys and Poets, 235 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC 20012
In celebration of Women’s History Month, local labor activists will bring the history of the struggles of women workers to life featuring members of the DC Labor Chorus. Part of the DC LaborFest’s ongoing monthly Bread & Roses series. Free to attend, but RSVP here.
Thursday MAR 19 | 8 AM
March on Annapolis for Jobs and Justice
House office building, 6 Bladen St. Info and RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/march-on-annapolis-for-jobs-justice-tickets-95513917699
Monday, MAR 30 | 1- 3:00 PM
Monthly Restaurant Worker Meet-Up
Second Floor, 1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
Hosted by Restaurant Opportunities Center of Washington DC. A space for restaurant workers to come together over a warm meal, so that we can share stories & grievances, build solidarity and build our power so we can shift the industry into one where all workers can thrive. Questions, info: [email protected].
Wednesday APR 1| 5 - 6:30 PM
Sheriffs, White Supremacy & Organizing for Collective Liberation
Hosted by Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
Conversation about the role of sheriffs in upholding white supremacy and the strategic need to run local campaigns that can hold them accountable, or kick them out of office in our work for collective liberation.
Tuesday APR 14 | 7 - 9:00 PM
Settler Colonialism/Ableism & Disability Justice/ Decolonization
Georgetown University, 3700 O St NW, Washington, DC 20057
Hosted by Georgetown University’s Disability Studies Program event series.
This will be a workshop with and discussion facilitated by Jen Deerinwater, Najma Johnson, Dustin P. Gibson, and Azza A. Altiraifi. This event is part of Georgetown University’s Disability Studies Program event series.
Wednesday APR 22 – MAY 1
Earth Day to May Day #ShutDownDC
Hosted by Shut Down DC-Climate Strike Washington, DC and 5 others.
Youth Leading on Climate Take aim at the interlocking systems that are creating the crises our communities are suffering from and build a collaborative framework for a healthier, more just and more sustainable world. Throughout the week of April 27th we’ll shut down business as usual with disruptive actions each day, culminating in a mass mobilization that brings the nation’s capital to a halt on May 1.
Friday MAY 15 | 6:00 PM
NoVA Tribute to Labor Dinner
Sheraton Tysons, 8661 Leesburg Pike, Tysons 22182
Awards and tributes; Music by the Dave Marsh band. Follow link for details and RSVP
GOOD READS
Tip from our comrade Jules B, lots of good history about movement, energy, and the left here:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/02/27/democrats-shouldnt-marginalize-bernie-sanderss-ideas-supporters/
The signal shift from elements of the Democratic Party. Analyzing how Democratic insiders attempt to downplay or abate Bernie's Movement:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/2/24/1921479/-Krugman-and-Palley-signal-establishment-shift-on-Sanders/
Bob Borosage on a steady building of progressive power in the US; from the UK mag, Red Pepper:
https://www.redpepper.org.uk/us-election-2020-americas-rising-progressive-tide/
Paul Buhle praises this analysis in the North Star listserve, from Talking Points Memo:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-cautionary-look-at-bidens-victories-and-sanders-losses/
Well, she’s got a book coming out so of course former UN climate chief and Paris Accords architect Christiana Figueres is in the news. Here the insurgent character of her forthcoming book’s advice is stressed:
https://popularresistance.org/former-un-climate-chief-calls-for-civil-disobedience/
And here, in The Guardian, she elaborates via an interview:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/15/christiana-figueres-climate-emergency-this-is-the-decade-the-future-we-choose
