Our only hope today lies in our ability to recapture the revolutionary spirit and go out into a sometimes hostile world declaring eternal hostility to poverty, racism, and militarism.



-- Martin Luther King, Jr.





Comrades,



We won't make you look at the orange sky here. We saw it yesterday and might never forget it, what it looked like to wake up in twilight. As much as it felt like science fiction, like a different planet or a dystopian future, it is real, here, and now. And if it’s more yellow today, or more gray, it's not because the facts are any different. We have woken up again in a world that is desperate for revolution.



Taking power and making change aren't simple or easy, but they are urgent. Above all, they require many of us working together. So join us and start. Be a part of fixing this world.



This Saturday, join our conversation with local East Bay candidates ([link removed]) on how local governments can fight police violence and systemic racism.



Our chapter Convention is this Sunday ([link removed]) , when we'll hear each other's perspectives, discuss, and decide how best to work, build our chapter, and build power for the working class through the adoption of a new Priorities Resolution. (We'll also hear from three remarkable socialist organizers ([link removed]) on the topic, "How Do Socialists Build Power?")



And if you want to fight wildfires, fight for community control of the private utility that neglects the power grid. The "Let’s Own PG&E" Campaign meets this coming Wednesday ([link removed]) .



Solidarity!





News and Information



Here's some of the latest news and information from East Bay Majority ([link removed]) , East Bay DSA's news source with a socialist perspective





** WE CAN AFFORD TO GET RID OF BUS FARES – PERMANENTLY

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Our public bus service is facing cuts of up to 30%. But we need to expand public transit — and make it fare-free, as AC Transit Board candidate Jovanka Beckles proposes.



Read more ([link removed])

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 ([link removed]) .





** PHONEBANK DSA MEMBERS FOR HAYWARD CITY COUNCIL SLATE

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Tonight! September 10 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿

Let's make calls to support Elisha Crader, Lacei Amodei, and Nestor Castillo for Hayward City Council! We'll be calling East Bay DSA members who live in cities south of Oakland, helping to plug them into this campaign right in their backyard. RSVP for the zoom link and password!



RSVP ([link removed])





** 2020 CONVENTION PHONEBANK

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Friday, September 11 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿





East Bay DSA is having our 2020 Local Convention on September 13! Our Convention is the highest decision making body in our chapter, and it’s where we collectively set priorities for the coming year. But in order to make sure that as many members as possible are able to participate, it's going to take some internal organizing.



Join us in phonebanking our membership to get them to RSVP, read the priorities that we'll all be debating, and pump everyone up!



If you have any questions, please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=2020%20Convention%20phonebanking) .



RSVP ([link removed])





** BLACK LIVES MATTER: A CONVERSATION WITH EAST BAY CANDIDATES

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Saturday, September 12 | noon–1:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom – register here ([link removed]) ♿





This summer, we've seen a mass uprising for racial justice. Millions of people have taken to the streets and shut down their workplaces to declare that Black Lives Matter, to demand an end to racist police brutality. Protesters are calling on local governments to defund police and to invest in public services and good jobs for Black and brown communities.



Join former Richmond City Councilmember and candidate for AC Transit Board Jovanka Beckles, candidate for Oakland City Council Carroll Fife, Berkeley City Councilmember Cheryl Davila, and Richmond City Councilmember Melvin Willis for a conversation on how local governments can fight systemic racism. Moderated by Ashley Payne, an active member of SEIU Local 1021 and East Bay DSA.



Register here ([link removed])



RSVP ([link removed])





** EBDSA 2020 CONVENTION

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Sunday, September 13 | 1–5 p.m.

Online ([link removed])



The chapter Convention ([link removed]) is the highest decision-making body of the chapter, where we discuss and reflect upon our work and organizing, debate priorities and platform for the future and ratify our annual Priorities Resolution ([link removed]) . If you want to influence or provide your opinion on what you think the chapter should focus on, prioritize, or otherwise organize for, you don’t want to miss it!

This year is a little different than previous years though:

1. Because of COVID-19, we'll be holding our convention digitally

2. Normally we have our Steering Committee elections during the convention, but they have already happened

3. We're using a new, more participatory process to choose our priorities (more on that below)





How Will the Convention Work?

Similar to our General Meetings, we will have structured debate and voting. All members of East Bay DSA are welcome to join and vote (double check your membership at proof.dsausa.org).



Check the Convention Packet ([link removed]) for the day's agenda.



How Will Priorities Be Determined?

Over a month-long span, committees, leaders, and members like you will draft short priority proposals around a single issue and/or campaign, gather signatures from membership in support, and bring them to the convention floor for debate. The purpose of these proposals is to outline political positions and concrete tasks that will guide our chapter’s work for the coming year. You can read about the whole process on our website soon! Once the priority proposals are final, we will send them out along with a poll to members to agendize them in order of support. Most things will go on the consent calendar while contentious things will come to the convention floor. Once we have heard and debated all of the proposals, we will vote them each up or down and those that were adopted, in addition to the consent calendar and the political preamble, will be our new priorities resolution.



Email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ASAP with any accessibility needs so we can begin to arrange accommodations, or if you have any other questions about the convention.



Website ([link removed])



RSVP ([link removed])





** MAKE CALLS FOR CARROLL FIFE

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Tuesday, September 15 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom ([link removed]) ♿



Let's make calls for Carroll Fife's campaign for City Council in Oakland District 3! Carroll is running on a platform of making housing a human right, defunding OPD, supporting essential workers, and taxing the rich. Let's build this movement together!



If it's your first time making calls, please join us! Training and support will be provided on Zoom throughout the event.



RSVP ([link removed])





** LET’S OWN PG&E CAMPAIGN

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Wednesday, September 16 | 6:45–8:15 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿



Learn about why a for-profit PG&E will never work for the people or the planet and be a part of winning a Community-owned, Community-controlled PG&E.



RSVP ([link removed])





** SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

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Wednesday, September 16 | 7–9 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿



Our Social Housing Committee meets on the third Wednesday each month. The first half of the meeting is dedicated to learning together about social housing and about the broader housing justice movement. In the second part of the meeting, we discuss campaigns and working group updates. All are welcome!



Please RSVP for the Zoom URL & instructions.



RSVP ([link removed])





** MOBILIZER TEAM PHONEBANKING

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Thursday, September 17 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿



The Mobilizer team's mission is to build the personal connections that help DSA members get more involved in our chapter and politically active. We have one on one conversations with both new members and existing members of our chapter where we learn about what drew them to the struggle for socialism and help them think about how they want to take the next step to get more engaged. In this weekly phone bank, we call our members and train new Mobilizers on how to make calls. Come help us build a strong chapter and movement while having great conversations!



RSVP (http:// [link removed])





** POSTERING FOR HAYWARD CITY COUNCIL SLATE

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Saturday, September 19 | 1–4 p.m.

Hayward City Hall (near Hayward BART), 777 B St., Hayward



Let's build visibility for our endorsed candidates in Hayward! We'll be stapling posters and asking stores to put up signs in support of Nestor Castillo, Lacei Amodei and Elisha Crader for City Council. Meet by City Hall near Hayward BART (parking available at BART). Please wear a mask 😷.



RSVP ([link removed])





** RACIAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

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Monday, September 21 | 7–9 p.m.

Online contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) for info ♿️



Join the Racial Solidarity Committee for our monthly meeting! The Racial Solidarity Committee (RSC) is dedicated to fighting for the rights of BIPOC communities here in the Bay Area as well as around the world. We are committed to building a multiracial democratic socialist organization that reflects the diversity of the Bay Area working class. Our work ranges from immigration justice and open borders to workers' rights and access to fully-funded public education. In our general meetings, we hold political discussions and report on upcoming RSC campaigns and events. Join us and become a part of the fight for Racial Solidarity!



Racial Solidarity Committee is open to all, and we especially welcome self-identified BIPOC folx. BIPOC facilitators take progressive stack, and we maintain community agreements.



RSVP ([link removed])





** LABOR CENSUS PHONEBANK

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Wednesday, September 23 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿



Help the Labor Committee Phonebank Members for the Labor Census! The labor census is an initiative to find out more about EBDSA members and their workplaces. We want as many members as possible to participate in this census so we'll need all hands on deck to call through our membership list.



As a socialist organization, EBDSA needs to be engaged in the task of building working-class power. There are many ways this can be done, but organizing ourselves at the point of production is one of the most effective and it starts simply by meeting, connecting, and talking with others in one's industry.



Our chapter's greatest strength is its membership. At the moment, many of our members aren’t aware of how they can build our movement within their workplaces. This is where the census comes in. By finding out what kind of work our members do, for whom, and what level of organization exists at their workplaces, we can start to support our members (unionized or non-unionized) to organize and build power in their workplaces.



*No experience necessary. Onboarding and training will be provided.*



RSVP ([link removed])

Upcoming Events





** MAKE CALLS FOR CARROLL FIFE

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Tuesday, September 22 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom ([link removed]) ♿️

See description for September 15 event. Let's build this movement together!



RSVP ([link removed])





** MOBILIZER TEAM PHONEBANKING

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Tuesday, September 22 | 6–8 p.m.

Online via Zoom – RSVP for info ([link removed]) ♿

See description for September 17 event. Come help us build a strong chapter and movement while having great conversations!



RSVP ([link removed])

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 ([link removed])



Catch up on Night School readings ([link removed])





Not a Member Yet? Let's Fix That.

DSA now has 70,000 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 ([link removed])





Caucus Corner

Our caucuses organize events too! Check out the Caucus Corner of our website ([link removed]) 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 ([link removed]) .



More info at classroomjustice.org.



Our bigger-and-better society is now like a hypochondriac, so obsessed with its own economic health as to have lost the capacity to remain healthy. The whole world is so greedy for more bathtubs that it has lost the stability necessary to build them, or even to turn off the tap. Nothing could be more salutary at this stage than a little healthy contempt for a plethora of material blessings.



--Aldo Leopold







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