BDS, endorsements, and merch...oh my! | Bulletin

Friend --

We’ve got a lot coming up, including events on Palestinian solidarity, chapter endorsements, and a t-shirt design contest. Read on! 

This Saturday at 1pm, our Political Education Committee is hosting a session on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement with Olivia Katbi Smith, DSA member and North America coordinator for the BDS Movement, to learn about the Palestinian struggle for liberation from settler colonial dispossession and apartheid. Make sure to register in advance. 🇵🇸

Next Wednesday at 6pm, our Electoral Committee is hosting a Pre-Endorsement and Candidate Meeting. It will include everything you need to know about our candidate endorsement process ahead of the 2022 election season. The Electoral Committee will present findings on candidates, districts, win-numbers and overall campaign viability. And candidates will join us to speak about why Philly DSA should endorse them! 🗳️

Here’s some helpful information about our next General Meeting on December 4 at noon:

• You can view all of our past resolutions and reports in these helpful sheets. 
• If you’re interested in writing a resolution, you can find the guidelines for submission in our Standing Rules. 
• Resolutions must be submitted to [email protected] by Saturday, November 20 with the subject line “RESO.” 
• The first version of the resolution packet will be released on November 27; all amendments to resolutions are due by November 30; and the final packet, including which resolutions we’ll vote on, will be released on December 2.

And finally, (🥁drum roll🥁), during the General Meeting, we will be voting on our favorite designs for new Philly DSA merch! To do this, we need your help creating designs for t-shirts, pins, and more. If you're interested in contributing a design to the merch contest, please submit by December 1 through this form. The design does not need to be finalized or perfected in any way; a sketch or drawing are more than sufficient. Please tell your design-curious friends! 🧑‍🎨

On the calendar
Unless otherwise specified, all events are held via Zoom. 

Red Rabbits and Socialist Organizing, tonight at 8pm
Join our Defund the Police Campaign and panelists from DSA chapters in Minneapolis, Chicago, NYC and DC to talk about direct action and engaging in mass movements. 

Philadelphia Rent Control Coalition: Virtual Philly Tenant Power Weekend, November 12-13
Join this virtual discussion on the state of housing and tenant organizing across Philly, mutual aid, organizing your block, and more!

Defund the Police Campaign Meeting, November 12 at 6pm
Discuss goals for the upcoming year, updates on the referendum in May and what to expect from canvassing, and personal stories of police interactions. 

Happy Hour at Gojjo! November 12 at 7pm
If you're curious about DSA, looking to get more involved, or just want to hang out with other democratic socialists, come join us at Gojjo in West Philly.

Socialism 101, November 12 at 7pm
Whether you are brand-new to political education or might be interested in a refresher on the basics, this will be a deep-dive into the fundamentals of socialist political thought.

New Member Meeting, November 14 at 3pm
Learn about the local and the many ways you can get involved!

Political Education Committee Meeting, November 14 at 6pm
Join to discuss ongoing events and plan the upcoming educational events.

Communications Committee Meeting, November 15 at 7pm
Contribute to our organizational communications, including our social media, website, and email bulletin (what you’re reading now!) 🐦

​​Housing Committee Open Meeting November 18 at 8pm
Discuss our ongoing projects, such as our Stomp Out Slumlords tenant organizing campaign and the city-wide legislative campaign for rent control. 

Our City Our Schools Coalition Rally, November 18 at 4pm
We're fighting to repair our toxic school buildings with input and oversight from every school community, and we need you with us! Join us outside the Board of Ed meeting (440 N Broad St) next Thursday as we #RingTheAlarm.

View the full calendar

Updates from the branches

BuxMont DSA
Bucks Cancel Lunch Debt Coalition Meeting, November 12 at 5pm
Join this strategy session to discuss ways to end school lunch debt, specifically in the Bristol Borough School District. Check out this article on the campaign! 

Socialism 101: “Democratic Socialism, explained by a democratic socialist,” November 15 at 7pm
Meagan Day distinguishes democratic socialists from liberals and explains why our fights require a mass movement, not just winning a policy debate.

Delco DSA
Delco Reading Group, tonight at 7:30pm
Join us to read and discuss several articles on DSA electoral work. 📚

Delco General Meeting, November 16 at 7pm
Continue discussions of campaigns and chapter business. All are welcome!

View all events

This week in unions

• We’ll be joining comrades from Baltimore DSA at the Kellogg's strike line on Saturday, November 20. Sign up!
  • Please also sign up here if you need a ride there or can offer a ride! 
  • Our chapter donated $400 to the Kellogg’s workers strike fund. Keep the funds coming!
• Workers at the Wyndham Hotel have authorized a strike. While they’re not on strike yet, you can join their picket line this Monday,  November 15 from 4:30-6pm at 4th & Arch.
• Our Labor Branch has worked hard to put together a Troublemakers School with Labor Notes. If you’re a union member or workplace activist, register to sharpen your organizing skills.
• After four years of working with no contract, Scranton teachers are on strike. 🪧✏️
• Workers from The New York Times’ Wirecutter are unionizing. Stay up to date on their virtual picket. 
• A HUGE congratulations to NY Taxi Workers on their victory last week! 
  • “Good morning. Never settle for crumbs. We baked the pie. That's it. Back to the dancing.” We agree! Shout out to our Queens DSA comrades and electeds who worked so hard for this. 🚕

To get involved: If you’re interested in supporting workers who want to organize, organizing your workplace, supporting workers and unions taking collective action, or in building relationships with rank and file union members and leaders, email [email protected]. 

On the bulletin

• DSA has opened applications for the Strategic Campaign Series. If your committee or group is planning to launch a strategic campaign in 2022, these workshops will give you the tools and training you need to execute it. Use this form to apply.
• The Housing Committee is still collecting survey responses to help identify landlord and property management companies that DSA members have in common. 🏡
• Join us on Slack: If you’re a Philly DSA member and you’d like to join our Slack workspace, please email [email protected].
• Harassment and Grievance Process: Read about the process to file a grievance here.
• Did you know? You can check out all of our past bulletins on our website.

What we’re reading

• School funding in Pa. is about to go on trial — here’s what you need to know | WHYY
• The Philadelphia School District is proposing a new media policy. It’s a ‘gag order,’ said one board member. | The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Blue States, You’re the Problem | The New York Times (opinion)
• Black Lives Matter Protesters Are Facing Felony Charges a Year After Uprisings | Teen Vogue 
• What the NYC Taxi Drivers on a Hunger Strike Won | Curbed

In solidarity,

Philly DSA
http://www.phillydsa.org/

“You are crossing the picket line. I can’t ride with you.” -Detroit, Sorry to Bother You