Solidarity is what we want. We do not want to find fault with
each other, but to solidify our forces and say to each other: We must
be together; our masters are joined together and we must do the same
thing.
-- Mary Harris "Mother" Jones
Comrades,
The last time we wrote to you, Oakland was just lifting its curfew
after a week of sustained community demonstrations. So much has
happened since then. The events and conversations of the last two
weeks have brought anti-racist, anti-colonialist, and even
anti-capitalist ideas and texts to people who had never considered
them before.
Defunding police has become a national demand. Monuments to
slaveowners and perpetrators of genocide are being brought down.
Battle lines have been drawn in organized labor. Meanwhile, police
violence and white supremacy have taken more Black lives. And the
compulsion to profit despite the ongoing pandemic is putting more of
our country’s most vulnerable people at risk.
The sense of all these historic struggles being interconnected, in
opposition to capitalism, is our foundation as socialists. Now,
suddenly, it's also very close to the surface—for many more to
see.
Solidarity!
P.S. Please continue to be conscientious when you go outside to
demonstrate (https://www.eastbaydsa.org/safety-tips/) , or for any
reason.
News and Information
Here's some of the latest news and information from East Bay
Majority (https://eastbaymajority.com/) , East Bay DSA's news source
with a socialist perspective
** STUDENTS SAY IT’S TIME TO “DISRUPT” TO STOP POLICE
BRUTALITY
------------------------------------------------------------
On
June 1, student organizers drew thousands of people in Oakland to
protest the murder of George Floyd by police. Youth took the stage and
sent a powerful message to the world: they demand justice and they
aren’t backing down.
Read more
(https://eastbaymajority.com/students-say-its-time-to-disrupt-to-stop-police-brutality/)
** IT’S (WAY PAST) TIME TO REDISTRIBUTE OBSCENE POLICE BUDGETS
TO SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND BUSES
------------------------------------------------------------
The
cost of policing is exacted first and foremost in the damage to Black
lives—and second in an enormous drain on public resources. Every
dollar spent on police is a dollar not spent on schools and city
services.
Read more
(https://eastbaymajority.com/defund-opd-police-oakland-george-floyd-blm-protests/)
** SAVE THE RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARIES
------------------------------------------------------------
While
the Richmond police take 40% of the city budget, libraries that were
once vibrant community centers endure cut after cut. A budget vote
this week could save the libraries.
Read more
(https://eastbaymajority.com/save-the-richmond-public-libraries/)
Featured
Events
While we are still unable to meet face-to-face, events are
still going on that you can be a part of. RSVP below to stay updated.
You can also keep track on our Events page
(http://eastbaydsa.org/events/) .
** MAKE CALLS FOR MARCELA! NYC DSA FOR THE MANY
PHONEBANKING
------------------------------------------------------------
Today!
June 18 | 3–6 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ♿️
Make calls
to support the NYC DSA for the Many slate!
COVID-19 has laid bare the devastating impacts decades of the NY
state legislature and governor disinvesting from working class New
Yorkers. In the middle of a pandemic, when we need support for working
class New Yorkers such as rent suspension, rent debt forgiveness,
Medicare for All and more: we are left with no support. Hundreds of
thousands of New Yorkers will be laid off with no way to pay rent and
sick with no healthcare.
We need champions for the working class like Marcela in the NY
state assembly. Join NYC DSA and phone bank so we can elect Marcela
together! Join us so that next time there is a crisis, our government
fights for us, not the 1%.
No experience necessary, training will be provided at the start of
the call. RSVP for call information.
RSVP
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/marcela-for-ny-phonebank-thursday-618-6pm?source=direct_link&)
** JUNETEENTH RALLY PHONEBANK
------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight!
June 18 | 6–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1315/2020-06-18-juneteenth-rally-phonebank/)
♿️
Join our virtual phone (and text) bank to turn out as many of
our members as possible for tomorrow’s action. No experience is
necessary to phonebank! Read below, next event, for details about this
historic and momentous work stoppage and demonstration.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1315/2020-06-18-juneteenth-rally-phonebank/)
** JUNETEENTH: OAKLAND PORT SHUTDOWN!
------------------------------------------------------------
Tomorrow!
June 19 | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Meeting at 3rd and Magnolia, Oakland
♿️
On June 19, 1865—two whole years after the Emancipation
Proclamation became law—Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with
news that the war had ended and those who were still enslaved were now
free. June 19—also known as Juneteenth—commemorates the abolition of
chattel slavery in the United States. However, we know the fight
against racist exploitation, police brutality and white supremacy is
far from over and it will take a mass movement to win true
freedom.
This Friday at 9 a.m., we are joining the calls of Black Leaders in
Locals 10, 34, 75, and 91 of the ILWU (International Longshore and
Warehouse Union) and the Movement 4 Black Lives to shut down the port
of Oakland in defense of Black Lives. This is the first time an
International Union is staging a labor stoppage on Juneteenth,
demanding an end to systemic racism, police terror, as well as
stopping the privatization of the port of Oakland and other public
services such as our schools, postal service and hospitals.
We are calling on every single one of our members and supporters
who are able to attend this historic, Black-led work stoppage, caravan
and march, which will cost at least 1 BILLION dollars to the
capitalist corporations. In addition to the phonebank
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1315/2020-06-18-juneteenth-rally-phonebank/)
(tonight! June 18, see above), here are some other roles you can play
for this historic action against racism to be successful:
Outreach:
Reach out to your friends, family, coworkers,
organizations, unions or any group you are a part of and encourage
them to join using this outreach toolkit
(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f0wJy7PCUoauWHB568SvktOufXGbU_zVTF_xRrBp01o/edit#)
.
Mutual Aid Volunteers:
1) Help staff the water, snacks and PPE
tables at Oscar Grant Plaza during the rally.
2) Help transport any
materials and leftovers to the office (must have access to a car).
Join the DSA contingent:
9 a.m. — Meetup at 3rd and Magnolia,
Oakland to check in, get flags, signs, decorate cars and walk towards
the port together.
10 a.m. — Arrive at the SSA Terminal to hear
Angela Davis and other speakers at the port.
11ish a.m. — March to
OPD and Oscar Grant Plaza as a contingent. There will be a
star-studded cast of speakers at the plaza, including Danny Glover,
Boots Riley, Cat Brooks, Chris Smalls of Amazonians United, and our
very own Kaylah Paige Williams of DSA SF and AFROSOC.
Make sure to:
* Wear red!
* Bring comfortable shoes, water,
snacks and wear a mask at all times.
* Form a small group of 2-5
trusted, healthy comrades, family or friends ahead of the action; this
will be your "pod." Stick together and make sure everyone is well and
has their needs met during the action.
* Download and install
Signal to communicate with the contingent.
* Review and follow all
of our COVID Direction Action Safety tips
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/safety-tips/) .
Follow our social media accounts (Instagram
(https://www.instagram.com/dsaeastbay/) , Twitter
(https://twitter.com/dsaeastbay) , Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/eastbaydsa/) ) for more updates.
If you cannot attend, make sure to tune into 88.3FM or check out
our social media for a live stream.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1314/2020-06-19-juneteenth-oakland-port-shutdown/)
** THE STRUGGLE AGAINST GLOBAL CAPITALISM: A CONVERSATION WITH
THE MST
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
June 20 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1304/2020-06-20-the-struggle-against-global-capitalism-a-conversation-the-mst/)
♿️
Brazil's Landless Workers Movement (MST) is one of the largest
social movements in Latin America, with over 2,500 land occupations
and 900 encampments that they acquired through struggle.
In the midst of a global crisis of capitalism, the coronavirus
pandemic has aggravated already existing economic and political crises
around the world. Brazil now has the highest amount of deaths per day
due to COVID-19. This is a direct result of the actions taken by the
protofascist Bolsonaro regime. The MST is calling this a genocidal
action as the Bolsonaro government, much like Trump, has minimized the
pandemic, advocated for the reopening of the economy, vetoed financial
support to states to face the pandemic, and incited political violence
among his supporters.
As the world is held hostage by the imploding crises of global
capitalism, while the U.S. is in the midst of a Black-led uprising,
international solidarity is most critical. Join us as we discuss
strategies of resistance, international solidarity, and how to build a
global movement against capitalism and imperialism.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1304/2020-06-20-the-struggle-against-global-capitalism-a-conversation-the-mst/)
** VIRTUAL GENERAL MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
June 20 | 1–3 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1301/2020-06-20-virtual-general-meeting/)
♿️
Join us for this month’s nonvoting General Meeting of East Bay
DSA! Please RSVP and invite other comrades to hear updates on our
campaigns and events.
This week's meeting will focus on the ongoing protest movement and
DSA's—and your—involvement in it.,
The meeting will be conducted via Zoom. RSVP at the link below and
you'll receive an email with the link.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1301/2020-06-20-virtual-general-meeting/)
** MAKE CALLS FOR PHARA! NYC DSA FOR THE MANY SUPPORT
PHONEBANKING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
June 21 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/phone-bank-for-phara-21) ♿️
Make
calls to support the NYC DSA for the Many slate!
COVID-19 has laid bare the devastating impacts decades of the NY
state legislature and governor disinvesting from working class New
Yorkers. In the middle of a pandemic, when we need support for working
class New Yorkers such as rent suspension, rent debt forgiveness,
Medicare for All and more: we are left with no support. Hundreds of
thousands of New Yorkers will be laid off with no way to pay rent and
sick with no healthcare.
We need champions for the working class like Phara Souffrant Forest
in the NY state assembly. Join NYC DSA and phone bank so we can elect
Phara together! Join us so that next time there is a crisis, our
government fights for us, not the 1%.
No experience necessary, training will be provided at the start of
the call. RSVP for call information.
RSVP (https://actionnetwork.org/events/phone-bank-for-phara-21)
** SOCIALIST NIGHT SCHOOL: WORKERS AGAINST WHITE SUPREMACY
------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday,
June 23 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84783105991?pwd=Tlk5SENqWHFHV216M1lSZkRtUGk2dz09)
♿️
The uprising against racism and police violence that erupted in
the aftermath of the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor
has been bolstered by important contributions by workers and their
unions.
Bus drivers and other public transit workers have refused to move
arrested protesters and police. Teachers and other public education
workers have agitated to kick the police out of our schools. And
longshore workers stopped work on East and West Coast ports to
demonstrate opposition to racist police violence.
What role can workplace actions and organized labor play in the
anti-racist struggle? What can socialists and other radicals do to
contribute to further workplace action and organization in support of
the ongoing movement? How can union members organize to isolate the
police unions and drive them out of local and national union
federations? What does the history of racism and anti-racism in the
U.S. labor movement tell us about our struggle today?
Join East Bay DSA's Socialist Night School this Tuesday, June 23 as
we discuss these questions and more, with a talk from featured speaker
Ashley Payne.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1313/2020-06-23-socialist-night-school-workers-against-white-supremacy/)
Upcoming
Events
** LABOR COMMITTEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
June 28 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1194/2020-06-28-labor-committee-meeting/)
♿️
Please join the East Bay DSA Labor Committee for our regular
monthly meeting. It's open to all DSA members who are interested in
getting involved in labor work with their comrades! Learn more about
how to get involved in the committee, our ongoing projects, and
upcoming solidarity actions!
If you'd like to submit an item for the agenda, please email
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1194/2020-06-28-labor-committee-meeting/)
** TAX THE RICH TO FUND SCHOOLS AND SERVICES: PART 1 OF 3
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
June 29 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81851574731?pwd=Y1RITkRZQjZPSFRvQmxoMENXeXpGUT09)
♿️
EBDSA members have the opportunity to help pass the largest tax
increase in history on California's wealthiest commercial property
owners, raising $10-12 billion per year for public education and
social services. With the Movement for Black Lives uprising deepening
into the call for defunding the police, it will be necessary to expand
revenues required to build alternative, sustainable public services,
and practices. Progressive taxation—especially taxing the rich—is an
essential path to accomplish that goal.
"Schools and Communities First" (SCF), on the November 3 ballot, is
backed by labor and opposed by the most reactionary sectors of
capital. A three-part education series will provide background for
EBDSA participation in the campaign. Part I
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1310/2020-06-29-tax-the-rich-to-fund-schools-and-services-part-1-of-3/)
reviews the story of austerity politics and increasing inequality in
California with Prop 13—which SCF proposes to reform—from 1978 to the
present. Part II
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1311/2020-07-13-tax-the-rich-to-fund-schools-and-services-part-2-of-3/)
looks at the history of public-sector unionism and how a left-wing
labor-community coalition won Prop 30, a 'tax the rich' ballot
measure, in 2012. Part III
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1312/2020-07-27-tax-the-rich-to-fund-schools-and-services-part-3-of-3/)
will supply an overview of the SCF campaign, and explore how EBDSA
members can plug in effectively. Biweekly on Zoom,
beginning
Monday, June 29, presented by labor historian Fred Glass
for EBDSA Labor Committee.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1310/2020-06-29-tax-the-rich-to-fund-schools-and-services-part-1-of-3/)
Catch
up on Socialist Night School
CATCH UP ON NIGHT SCHOOL
With
social distancing guidelines still in place, now's as good a time as
any to catch up on our Socialist Night School.
Catch up on past night school readings and videos below.
Watch past Night School videos
(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeMYhhCCTFq1jGdOt6lcF8l7HQJwnJndD)
Catch up on Night School readings
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/night-school/)
Not a Member Yet? Let's Fix That.
DSA now has 75,000 members
nationally, and we're still growing. There's never been a better time
to get involved than right now! Join our national organization by
clicking below and become an official socialist organizer.
Join DSA (https://act.dsausa.org/donate/membership/)
Caucus Corner
Our caucuses organize events too! Check out
the Caucus Corner of our website
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/about/caucuses/) to learn more about the
activities of East Bay DSA caucuses and how to participate.
Announcements
JOIN THE CLASSROOM JUSTICE CAMPAIGN
📚✏️VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!📚✏️
EBDSA’s Classroom Justice Campaign has been distributing coloring
books with resources and information for parents and teachers during
the COVID-19 crisis MONDAY and THURSDAY mornings at OUSD food
distribution sites, which have doubled this summer. We're looking for
more volunteers to help with distribution and printing!
Interested? Sign up using this Google form
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTbsYwKJFP5Aw-r937JdRTNtkWxT6eVAB0S5YVQ9OnJJ2BuQ/viewform)
.
More info at classroomjustice.org.
Bourgeois class domination is undoubtedly an historical necessity,
but, so too, the rising of the working class against it. Capital is an
historical necessity, but, so too, its grave digger, the socialist
proletariat.
--Rosa Luxemburg
============================================================