What a world this will be when human possibilities are freed,
when we discover each other, when the stranger is no longer the
potential criminal and the certain inferior!
-W. E. B. DuBois
Comrades,
If you find yourselves with more energy, enjoying more daylight,
you're not alone. The possibility of more in-person organizing has us
feeling energized, too! This spring and summer seem full of
possibilities: to see old friends, to make new ones, and to turn all
of our pent-up frustrations and fears into collective action. How
about this: developing one of our favorite organizing skills, the
essential "One-on-One
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1856/2021-04-12-the-organizer-s-toolbox-how-to-have-a-one-on-one/)
," in preparation for some actual, in-person one-on-ones you might be
having soon?
And doesn't a year stuck at home make you want to see the bigger
picture, to learn about the wider world? Tomorrow night, DSA national
is hosting the webinar "Organizing Overseas: Migrant Domestic Worker
Organizing in the Asia-Pacific Region
(https://act.dsausa.org/survey/Organizing-Overseas-Migrant-Domestic-Worker-Organizing-in-the-Asia-Pacific-region/)
." Learn how these workers, predominantly migrants and women, are
fighting against unique obstacles for the respect and conditions they
deserve; we need the benefit of their courage and insights in our
struggles here.
Meanwhile, we're working on some of our biggest campaigns to date:
for the Green New Deal
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1699/2021-04-14-green-new-deal-committee-monthly-meeting-virtual/)
and California Medicare For All
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1859/2021-04-10-california-medicare-for-all-statewide-phone-bank/)
. If you're feeling energized, put some of that into a campaign; be a
part of something exciting today and build a greener, more equal
future.
In solidarity!
News and Information
Be sure to check out East Bay Majority
(https://eastbaymajority.com/) , East Bay DSA's news source with a
socialist perspective, for the latest news and information.
** LIBBY AND HER BILLIONAIRE FRIENDS ARE THE PROBLEM, NOT THE
SOLUTION
------------------------------------------------------------
Oakland
Mayor Libby Schaaf’s recently announced cash assistance program is the
latest attempt by billionaires to privatize government services and
destroy the welfare state, funded by many of the bosses who have
driven millions into poverty.
Read more
(https://eastbaymajority.com/libby-and-her-billionaire-friends-are-the-problem-not-the-solution/)
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/) .
** (NATIONAL DSA) ORGANIZING OVERSEAS: MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKER
ORGANIZING IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
------------------------------------------------------------
Friday,
April 9 | 5–7 p.m.
Online via Zoom – register here
(https://act.dsausa.org/survey/Organizing-Overseas-Migrant-Domestic-Worker-Organizing-in-the-Asia-Pacific-region/)
♿️
Knowing that organizing workplaces is difficult, think about
doing so if you lived in the home of your boss. In Asia-Pacific, over
80% of domestic workers are women, many of them migrants who live in
the homes of their employers. Domestic workers take care of elders,
children, and households for pay. They work on temporary visas
arranged by private agencies that take a cut of their salaries, and
face unique challenges as women, migrants, and low-wage workers,
linked to their employer and agencies for visas, housing and
income.
Domestic workers are often taken advantage of in their workplace,
forced to work around the clock, abused by employers, and not afforded
the dignity and respect they deserve. In response to the challenging
conditions they face, domestic workers organize around the world to
fight for their labor rights, their safety, and their health. In Hong
Kong, domestic workers have a minimum wage that is regulated by the
government, which presents an opportunity for collective organizing to
increase minimum wage, and fight for better contracts.
This webinar will feature leaders from domestic worker federations
and unions in Asia who will talk about their experiences organizing
and empowering some of the most underrepresented and undervalued women
workers to stand up and fight for their lives and livelihoods in a
moment of unprecedented crisis. The featured speakers are Fish Ip,
Regional Coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Region of the International
Domestic Worker Federation (IDWF), Shiella Grace Estrada the
Chairperson and founder of Progressive Labor Union of Domestic
Workers' - Hong Kong (PLU-HK), Novelita Palisoc, who is organizing
migrant domestic workers as well as local domestic workers in the
Philippines, and Liezel Galdo, a migrant domestic worker organizer in
Malaysia.
The event will be in English and recorded and shared live on the
DSA Facebook page. Please join us!
RSVP
(https://act.dsausa.org/survey/Organizing-Overseas-Migrant-Domestic-Worker-Organizing-in-the-Asia-Pacific-region/)
** ABOLITION 101
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
April 10 | noon–2 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://dsausa.zoom.us/j/91246987669) ♿️
Join us for a political education event, Abolition 101, the first
in a monthly series called "What is Abolition?" Presented in
collaboration with EBDSA political education committee and EBDSA
Racial Solidarity committee.
Summer 2020 saw an explosion of protests across the country as the
police continued to murder unarmed Black people in cold blood. The
protests against injustice sparked a national conversation about the
role of police in our communities and schools. For some, this may have
been the first time they had heard the words abolition in relation to
police and prisons. What is prison abolition? How does this inform our
work in EBDSA? We as socialists know that abolition is a critical part
of a socialist world. Come discuss and explore questions about
abolition with other socialists and our very own resident abolitionist
Rob Connell!
Readings
Angela Davis, Are Prisons Obsolete Introduction (12
pgs)
(https://www.feministes-radicales.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Angela-Davis-Are_Prisons_Obsolete.pdf)
What
is Prison Abolition?
(https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/what-is-prison-abolition/%20)
Yes,
We Literally Mean Abolish the Police - Mariame Kaba in NYT
(https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/opinion/sunday/floyd-abolish-defund-police.html%20)
Advice
to New Abolitionists - Critical Resistance
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8xoFWCqQxs%20)
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1867/2021-04-10-abolition-101/)
Join on Zoom (https://dsausa.zoom.us/j/91246987669)
** CALIFORNIA MEDICARE FOR ALL: STATEWIDE PHONE BANK
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday,
April 10 | 3–5 p.m.
Online – register here
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/california-medicare-for-all-statewide-phone-bank-410)
♿️
Join DSA Comrades from all across California to make calls, educate
voters, and ensure we pass single-payer healthcare here in our state!
Together we are going to win a system that prioritizes the health of
the working-class over the profits of insurance companies and their
billionaire executives. Let's fight to replace our broken, for-profit
health system with Medicare for All!
RSVP
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/california-medicare-for-all-statewide-phone-bank-410)
** APRIL VIRTUAL GENERAL MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
April 11 | 1–3 p.m.
Online via Zoom – register here
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88197589947?pwd=eDJvajZYdUF1VlRxd1loRGI0QThBdz09)
Join
us for our April General Meeting of East Bay DSA!
The meeting will be conducted via Zoom — please register and find
the call-in info below!
Register here
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88197589947?pwd=eDJvajZYdUF1VlRxd1loRGI0QThBdz09)
** MAY DAY PLANNING MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
April 12 | 6–8 p.m.
Online – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1882/2021-04-12-may-day-planning-meeting/)
♿️
Hello Hello! Did you know... May Day is coming up! EBDSA has
launched a PRO Act campaign and one of the priorities is to support a
May Day rally. Let’s turn up for May Day with solidarity, love for
labor, and demands to pass the PRO Act! 🚩🔥
Join us on Monday, April 12 for a May Day planning meeting and come
ready to brainstorm!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1882/2021-04-12-may-day-planning-meeting/)
** THE ORGANIZER’S TOOLBOX: HOW TO HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
April 12 | 6–8 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://dsausa.zoom.us/j/93808853661) ♿️
In this training, we will
discuss and practice the art of the one-on-one meeting. This is a
powerful and foundational skill for any organizer—it helps us form a
political relationship with somebody, understand more about who they
are and what motivates them, and gives us an opportunity to make a
concrete ask of them.
One-on-one meetings can help us develop political relationships
with other working-class people, build leadership in your committee,
and move people to action. Come to this training to learn the
components of a one-on-one and get some real-life practice.
Note: While everybody is welcome, this training event is geared
towards people who are already active in the Democratic Socialists of
America or aligned organizations.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1856/2021-04-12-the-organizer-s-toolbox-how-to-have-a-one-on-one/)
Join
on Zoom (https://dsausa.zoom.us/j/93808853661)
** GREEN NEW DEAL COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING (VIRTUAL)
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
April 14 | 6:45–8:45 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1699/2021-04-14-green-new-deal-committee-monthly-meeting-virtual/)
♿️
Our Green New Deal Committee meets on the second Wednesday each
month. We will discuss eco-socialist issues, upcoming events and
actions, committee priorities, and campaigns. All are welcome! Please
RSVP to receive the URL to the meeting or email
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1699/2021-04-14-green-new-deal-committee-monthly-meeting-virtual/)
** CLASSROOM JUSTICE
MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
April 15 | 7–9 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1770/2021-04-15-classroom-justice-meeting/)
♿️
Join the Classroom Justice Campaign! Classroom Justice is a
locally-run campaign that seeks to fight against the injustices
happening in our public school system by a cabal of privatizers, whose
sole purpose is the dismantling of every public service in this
country. If you want to join in the fight against these gentrifiers or
merely have questions, sign up or send your inquiries to
[email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .
https://classroomjustice.org/en/
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1770/2021-04-15-classroom-justice-meeting/)
**
------------------------------------------------------------
(NATIONAL DSA) DSA4USPS: RURAL DELIVERY AND ITS
IMPORTANCE
Sunday, April 18 | 1–3 p.m.
Online – register here
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/dsa4usps-rural-delivery-and-its-importance/)
♿️
In its fifth educational webinar, DSA4USPS will explore the
postal service's mandate to serve all customers equally, whether they
live in New York City or an unincorporated town. Rural delivery is one
of the most important functions of the postal service, but because it
is unprofitable, attacks on it are more likely than ever. Join Dave
Staiger, West Michigan rural letter carrier and member of the National
Rural Letter Carrier Association; Cathy Kennedy, from the Canadian
Union of Postal Workers and who fought tirelessly for pay equity for
Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers; Katherine Devine of World Wildlife
Federation, to share about their proposal for "Farmer Post," similar
to the Canadian farm-to-table proposal; and Sam, a rural USPS customer
from the Southwest Louisiana DSA chapter. This webinar will be
moderated by Emily Y. from Charlottesville DSA.
RSVP
(https://actionnetwork.org/events/dsa4usps-rural-delivery-and-its-importance/)
** STEERING COMMITEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday,
April 18 | 2–5 p.m.
Online via Zoom – RSVP for info
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1477/2021-04-18-steering-committee-meeting/)
♿️
See how your elected leadership works as we deliberate on
current chapter issues. This meeting is open to all DSA members to
observe the proceedings. Please RSVP for the Zoom link. The agenda is
TBA.
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1477/2021-04-18-steering-committee-meeting/)
** RACIAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday,
April 19 | 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
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1679/2021-04-19-racial-solidarity-committee-monthly-meeting/)
** LET’S OWN PG&E CAMPAIGN
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
April 21 | 6:45–8:15 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://dsausa.zoom.us/j/93277685636) ♿️
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
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1598/2021-04-21-let-s-own-pg-e-campaign/)
Join on Zoom (https://dsausa.zoom.us/j/93277685636)
Upcoming
Events
** SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITEE MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday,
April 21 | 7–8:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85023852802?pwd=V0VaZEgvZTJxQXZ5c1I2K1FLQlQxdz09)
♿️
Monthly meeting for the EBDSA Social Housing committee. Come to
hear updates about our upcoming projects, and have a political
discussion about the decommodification of housing in the Bay Area!
RSVP
(https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1729/2021-04-21-social-housing-committee-meeting/)
Join on Zoom
(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85023852802?pwd=V0VaZEgvZTJxQXZ5c1I2K1FLQlQxdz09)
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 90,000 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 (http://dsausa.org/join?source=East%20Bay)
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
MEET WITH A MOBILIZER!
Are you a new DSA member? Or are you
looking to get more involved with East Bay DSA's projects and
campaigns? Sign up to talk to a mobilizer!
Here are three reasons to sign up to talk to a mobilizer:
1.
Meet a fellow socialist organizer
We want to build a movement of
millions of working class people and change the exploitative and
oppressive system in which we live, but we do that first and foremost
by building one-to-one connections with each other.
2. Answer your questions
Learn more about DSA, the local East
Bay chapter, and our different committees and projects.
3. Get more involved
The main thing a mobilizer will help you
with is getting more involved in DSA. Maybe there’s a campaign or
project you’re particularly interested in, or maybe you’re a blank
slate and you don’t really know what to do. Either way, a mobilizer
will help you figure it out.
Sign up to talk to a mobilizer!
(https://forms.gle/np21b7Jt225z4xmq5)
Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds.
Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and
they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
============================================================