Our next Vice Chair is reading this email 👀 | Bulletin

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Our Racial Justice Committee has a very exciting update on the Ben Fletcher Campaign! A mural of Black labor leader Ben Fletcher has been approved by Mural Arts Philadelphia and Councilmember Squilla with $35k in funding. 🥳🎨 It’s scheduled to be painted this summer and dedicated in the fall. The next steps are finding a wall, meeting with artists, and scheduling discussions with community stakeholders.

The Racial Justice Committee also asks anyone interested to save the date for a screening of Judas and the Black Messiah on February 24. More details will be available soon. If this work inspires you, be sure to join the next Racial Justice Committees meeting on February 2 at 6pm.

On another note — you may remember that our current Vice Chair, Khalil, is stepping down. Applications to fill the vacant seat are now open. You can nominate yourself or nominate a fellow member using this form. Please complete the application by Monday, February 7, and email [email protected] if you have any questions about the process. 

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

Member Engagement Committee Meeting, tonight at 7pm
Come help us plan upcoming social events, recruitment, and get fellow members connected to our work. 

Political Education Meeting, January 16 at 6pm
Join the first open Poli Ed meeting of the year on January 16! Discuss plans for the year and get more involved in organizing educational events.

Green New Deal Commission Meeting, January 16 at 6:30pm
Hear updates on the chapter's Green New Deal campaigns and ways to get involved in our exciting work! 

January New Member Meeting, January 18 at 6:30pm
An introduction to Philly DSA for new members and people thinking about joining the local. Learn about the chapter and the many ways you can get involved!

Green New Deal for Public Schools Campaign Meeting, January 18 at 6:30pm
Join to learn about this campaign, which fights to fund a master plan to reconstruct Philly’s public schools and create a safe and modern school in every neighborhood.

Medicare for All Interest Meeting, January 20 at 7pm
If you’re interested in working on Medicare for All and healthcare justice in the age of COVID-19, please attend the meeting and fill out this interest form. 🩺

Canvass for Paul Prescod! Saturday, January 22 at noon, Malcolm X Park
The Electoral Committee invites you to our first canvass for endorsed candidate Paul Prescod for State Senate. 

View the full calendar.

Updates from the branches

Delco DSA
Delco General Meeting, January 19 at 7pm
Continue the discussion of campaigns and chapter business. All are welcome.

BuxMont DSA
BuxMont General Meeting, January 18 at 7pm
Hear reports from working groups and committees, discuss and debate the upcoming actions and events of the branch and vote on resolutions proposed by the membership.

View all events

This week in unions

• After being locked out, Chicago teachers will be headed back to work soon.
• Workers at a second Starbucks location won their union, and it seems like new stores start organizing every single day. 🧜‍♀️☕
  • You can track their elections here!
  • Of course, union busting is intensifying.
• 8,400 Kroger workers in Colorado are currently on strike. After two years of being lauded as pandemic heroes, grocery store workers deserve better.
• PFT Local 3 is calling for a pause on in-person learning until real safety measures are developed, including PPE, nurses, and testing in every school. Sign here to support them!
  

Jobs: IUE-CWA is looking for an inside organizer to support a strategic campaign in the Philadelphia area. No organizing experience is required. They are looking for folks who are committed to social justice, looking to get involved with union organizing, and able to get a job at the target. Applicants need to not have a current full-time job, but must have a driver's license and a vehicle. Please contact [email protected] for more information. 

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

• Our hearts go out to the families and victims of the Fairmount rowhome fire yesterday. Consider donating to those affected. While we aren’t sure what led to this fire, we know that by providing everyone with a safe, affordable home with up-to-date repairs and functioning utilities, we can prevent future tragedies.
• Donate to the Philly DSA PAC! This is how we fund our electoral campaigns. Contribute here. 
• The Housing Committee is still collecting survey responses to help identify landlord and property management companies that DSA members have in common. Please fill it out to aid future tenant organizing. 🏡
• Join us on Slack: If you’re a Philly DSA member and you’d like to join our Slack workspace, please fill out this form.
• Harassment and Grievance Process: Read about the process to file a grievance here.

In solidarity,

Philly DSA

http://www.phillydsa.org/

“Imperialism leaves behind germs of rot which we must clinically detect and remove from our land but from our minds as well.” -Frantz Fanon