The Montgomery County Council voted to approve rent stabilization regulations earlier this week, meaning that the county’s rent stabilization law is now enforceable. Last year, thanks to tireless pressure from tenants, unions and community organizations including Montgomery County DSA, the Council passed a landmark rent stabilization law limiting rent increases to 6% for most tenants. Tenants in Montgomery County can check out this FAQ from the Montgomery County branch for more information about who is covered by the rent stabilization law, and should email [email protected] if their landlord is trying to raise rent by more than 6%.

Earlier this month, Prince George’s County Council also passed a rent stabilization bill capping rent increases to 6% or less. Working class organizing has successfully fought to protect most tenants in Maryland’s two largest jurisdictions from the worst excesses of landlord greed. Feeling inspired? Check out #tenantsrights on Slack to get involved.

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is a duplicitous name for an internet censorship bill. The legislation, which may receive a motion for cloture within the week, would provide individual state Attorneys General the ability to monitor and restrict access to content they happen to feel is “harmful.” With vague directive, the legislation is expected to be a plot by the right-wing to isolate trans kids from community and health information. The legislation’s lead sponsor, Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, has explicitly stated this as the objective of this bill. DSA’s Queer Socialists working group is calling for US residents to contact their Senators to vote against KOSA. We have all seen this one before. Readers are encouraged to share and use this emailer and call script to voice opposition to the legislation.

Comrades interested in the fight for trans rights and bodily autonomy are encouraged to join the MDC DSA Trans Rights & Bodily Autonomy campaign, a part of the national DSA TRBA campaign. The local working group is organizing to counter the reactionary assault on trans rights and the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole and to anchor the right to bodily autonomy and the rights of all to make their own decisions about their lives and health. Ongoing work includes campaigns for trans sanctuary ordinances in Alexandria & Arlington; fighting to protect trans kids in the schools, including countering current efforts to take those protections away in FCPS and LCPS; mutual aid in the community and more. Those interested can fill out the interest form to get onboarded.

With an election season primed to feature a slew of copaganda, DMV area socialists are set to brush up on the principles of police abolition. On Tuesday, July 30, Metro DC DSA will host a virtual Police Abolition 101 Night School from 7 to 9pm. This event is to be wide-ranging and relevant to those with a wide array of familiarity with police abolition. Those curious or even skeptical of police abolition are especially invited to attend, learn more and ask questions.

In this digital session, educators will discuss what policing and prisons are, what abolition means, what abolitionists do, how abolitionist approaches differ from other critiques (like mass incarceration), why abolitionists demand more than reform, what some alternatives to policing and prison look like, and the relationships between capitalism and the carceral state, abolition and socialism. RSVP here.

The NoVA Electoral working group will be holding a new monthly social event focused on discussing politics — the next social will be at the new Atlas Brew Works location in Alexandria on Thursday, August 1 at 7pm. Area socialists are invited to talk about local, statewide and federal politics, or to come to listen and ask questions. All are welcome. Comrades interested in carpooling or staying informed about future events can reach out in #nova-electoral on Slack.

After the social, the next working group meeting is Sunday, August 4 at 7pm — please fill out an interest form along with RSVPing. The working group’s general election research will kick off on August 18 at 7pm. Join to find out how to contribute to this research. For a primer on NoVA politics, check out the VA primary roundup just published in the Washington Socialist.

Pepco proposed an exorbitant rate hike that would raise rates in DC by 20% over three years, claiming the increased costs would cover decarbonization goals. However, the Office of the People’s Counsel, which advocates for ratepayers, previously found that 95% of the proposed investments cannot be tied to any reductions in greenhouse gasses. Read more about Pepco’s rate-hike plan in Washington Socialist.

We Power DC, MDC DSA’s campaign for a publicly-owned utility in the District, has organized DC residents to send over 1,500 letters to the DC Council, demanding the councilmembers ask the PSC to rein in Pepco’s spending and put DC residents over the utility’s profit margin. DC residents are urged to add their voice and send a letter with this form.

DC was marked by street protests over the last weekend, as students, workers and locals staged protests against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The noted warmonger was invited to speak before the halls of Congress, where he was met with applause from Congressional leaders even as he attacked American citizens for having the courage to protest against genocide. Just days ago, a ruling from the International Court of Justice affirmed the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestine, demanded an immediate evacuation of its extensive settlements throughout Palestine and for reparations to be paid to Palestinians. Local DSA members can check out the #bds-palestine-solidarity or #internationalism on Slack to get involved in the struggle for Palestinian liberation.

On July 20, the Internationalism working group collaborated with DC Metro Jewish Voice for Peace to host a screening of Al Jazeera’s Praying for Armageddon, with a post-screening discussion led by Pastor Jenn Hosler of Washington City Church of the Brethren. Attendees also heard about upcoming actions with Interfaith Action for Palestine taking place over the next week; those interested in getting involved can complete this sign-up form. The Internationalism working group is continuing its work with allied organizations like DC JVP for a ceasefire in Gaza and for a stronger internationalist working-class movement worldwide. Follow along on Instagram and Twitter.

Separately, the DC for Ceasefire Coalition is brainstorming for ward-specific actions through a wider meetup planned on Sunday, August 4 from 4 – 6pm at City State Brewing, just off the Metropolitan Branch Trail. DC locals who have connections to Ward 5 are encouraged to RSVP here.

Interested in bringing a new world into being? After the Storm seeks to use writing to share visions for a collective way forward out of our current system of exploitation and oppression. In partnership with the Washington Socialist, come out for a socialist writing workshop on Sunday, August 25, from 2 to 4pm at Sudhouse DC, and join comrades in writing manifestos with collaborative exercises and discussion about socialist imaginaries. Signups are capped at 30 people — RSVP here.

Ward 4 Mutual Aid is seeking volunteers to support the delivery of food, diapers and supplies to neighbors in need. Community members with access to a vehicle are needed for 5 to 8 deliveries every third Saturday of the month, with shifts starting at 10am. No commitment is required; W4MA will provide a brief orientation, then email you each month a week before delivery day to assess your availability. Please complete the volunteer form AND email [email protected] to express interest and set up a time for an orientation.

Unionizing hotel workers at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City (2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA) are preparing to picket in defiance of their union-busting bosses after filing for a union election. Locals are encouraged to show strength and solidarity with housekeeping staff who are engaged in a fight for their rights to unionize and collectively bargain. Picketing is scheduled for July 27, August 3 and August 10 at 5pm. Locals interested in support can reach out to UNITE HERE Local 25 for more information.

Find out in depth about our MDC DSA local chapter — structure, campaigns and working groups, Night School and reading groups — HERE. And live from our studio, Wednesday, July 31, 7 – 8pm, Why You Should Join DSA / New Member Orientation (with Q&A). MDC DSA members: Join our Slack for real-time info, convo and inspiration. Email [email protected] with your most recent DSA dues receipt to get Slack access. #Publications (our working group’s Slack channel) is always ready to onboard new socialist communicators.

MDC DSA Publications is information central for not just MDC DSA but the entire DMV left. The Washington Socialist publishes articles on a quarterly schedule; the Summer 2024 edition is now live and will be updated on a rolling basis. Anyone, MDC DSA members or not, interested in contributing to the Washington Socialist can email submissions or questions to [email protected]. Get your socialist self on the record.

Weekly Updates are scheduled and emailed on Fridays; current and past Updates are on the web here. Submit your Update suggestions to the tip line, including nominating articles for ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES. Donate to our Comradery page if you would like to financially support socialist publishing in the DMV.

DC Coffee Wars: Baristas across the DMV have been rising up to take autonomy over their workplaces and labor, in brave defiance of corporate owners seeking to protect their own profits at the expense of workplace safety and community input. In 730DC, an employee at shuttered Wydown Coffee provides his reflections on organizing in the workplace, documenting the extensive union-busting campaign faced by workers who fought to save the beloved coffeehouse. And in the Boss Barista trade publication, writer Ashley Rodriguez documents the alarming union-busting campaign being initiated by Compass Coffee CEO Michael Haft. Compass Coffee baristas are currently fundraising for a mutual aid fund for baristas that have been retaliated against.

Israel tried to frustrate US lawsuit over Pegasus spyware: The Israeli government took extraordinary measures to frustrate a high-stakes US lawsuit that threatened to reveal closely guarded secrets about one of the world’s most notorious hacking tools, leaked files suggest. Israeli officials seized documents about Pegasus spyware from its manufacturer, NSO Group, in an effort to prevent the company from being able to comply with demands made by WhatsApp in a US court to hand over information about the invasive technology. The Guardian

Is Political Organizing A Criminal Conspiracy?
While the violence unleashed on protesters has been shocking, if not surprising, Cop City has also become a case study for how solidarity itself can be criminalized. This shameless manipulation of the democratic process has radicalized many locals and increased sympathy for and solidarity with those who engage in bolder forms of protest. So has the jaw-dropping violence the state has wielded against the movement, from the use of tear gas and “less lethal” weaponry to the use of lethal force. Astra Taylor in Lux; TX to our comrade Dan S, unfolder of Lefty Links

Steven Greenhouse writes in The Guardian that unions — leaders and members — who think Republicans’ populist gestures mean they will embrace union organizing are “getting played.” Trump’s history of anti-union drivel was exemplified by his convention speech, and UAW President Sean Fain responded “America’s autoworkers aren’t the problem. Our union isn’t the problem … Corporate greed and the billionaires’ hero, mascot and lapdog, Donald Trump, are the problem. Don’t get played by this scab billionaire.” via Portside

Most labor groups quick to endorse Harris, but holdouts remain
As POLITICUSUSA reports via Portside, many sectors of the union movement have quickly lined up with Kamala Harris, including the AFL-CIO and many of the largest affiliates including AFSCME, the SEIU, AFT, TWU and UFCW and UFW (farmworkers). New to the queue since this was published: the three-million strong National Education Association, not an AFL-CIO member. The UAW, which has taken a strong stance on a ceasefire in Gaza, will soon consider the endorsement in that light. The Teamsters, whose president spoke at the recent GOP convention, have invited Harris for a roundtable interview as Biden and Trump have already (separately) sat for earlier this year.

Friday, July 26

6 – 8:30pm | Final Fridays with Metro DC DSA

Sunday, July 28

2pm | Maryland Union Organizing School

Tuesday, July 30

7 – 9pm | Socialist Night School – Police Abolition 101

Wednesday, July 31

7 – 8pm | Why You Should Join DSA/New Member Orientation

AUGUST

Thursday, August 1

7pm | NoVA Electoral Monthly Social

Friday, August 2

6:30pm | NoVA DSA Gamenite

Sunday, August 4

2 – 5pm | Montgomery County DSA Branch picnic

7 – 8pm | NoVA Electoral Working Group

Tuesday, August 6

6 – 7pm | NoVA Medicare for All Working Group Meeting

7 – 8pm | Abolition Working Group Biweekly Meeting

Thursday, August 8

6pm | Social Housing Organizing Meeting

Saturday, August 10

1 – 2:30pm | NoVA Branch Monthly Organizing Meeting

2pm | NoVA Branch Picnic and Cookout

Wednesday, August 14

7 – 8pm | Why You Should Join DSA/New Member Orientation

Thursday, August 15

6:30 – 8:30pm | NoVA Branch social meetup

Saturday, August 17

1:30 – 6:00pm | Kids not Cops: Abolition Backpack Drive