From Philly to Berlin, Housing is a Human Right | Bulletin

NOTE: Please remember to fill out our General Meeting feedback survey before it closes this Saturday, January 29 at 11:59pm.

Friend —

Our homes don’t belong in the hands of corporations. Though here in Philly, we are seeing corporate landlords have an increased presence, buying and renting homes primarily in Black and brown communities. Corporate landlords often raise rents, neglect to maintain properties and evict tenants at-will. 

However, we can learn from powerful tenant movements in other countries. In Berlin, where around 85 percent of the around 3.6-million residents reside in rented housing, voters approved a referendum that would move 226,000 rental properties from corporate owners into the hands of tenants. A feat like this is the result of years of organizing communities to take action. 

This Saturday the 29th at noon, join Philly DSA and our movement partners: Reclaim Philadelphia, ACT-UP Philly, and The Philly Rent Control Coalition, as we engage with Deutsche Wohnen & Co Enteignen (DWE) in a Conversation and Q&A on their organizing strategy and the conditions that were created to allow for a feat like this.  Sign up here! 

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

Virtual Game Night! January 29 at 8pm
Join us for a fun night of games and chatting, all from the comfort of your home! Drop by any time between 8 and 10. Open to members and nonmembers alike.

We Own PGW Phonebank, January 31 at 5:30pm
Join the We Own PGW Campaign to phonebank folks and ask them to call Governor Wolf to demand he veto a harmful pre-emption bill!

Ben Fletcher Mural Campaign Meeting, February 1 at 7pm
Join this bi-monthly meeting of the RJC’s mural making campaign to uplift the legacy of Ben Fletcher and to commemorate the history of interracial labor organizing in Philly.

Racial Justice Committee Open Meeting, February 2 at 6pm
We'll touch on the Ben Fletcher Campaign, Defund the Police Campaign, Movie & Poetry Night, greater decarceral work, and we'll have time for discussion.

Green New Deal Commission Meeting, February 3 at 6:30pm
Hear updates on the chapter's Green New Deal campaigns and ways to get involved in our exciting work!

Socialism 101, February 3 at 7pm
If you're new to socialism, get some exposure to fundamental texts and ideas of the movement! Readings never top 30 pages per session.

Canvass for Paul Prescod, February 5 at noon, Malcolm X Park
Canvass for our endorsed candidate, Paul Prescod for State Senate in the 8th District! Masks required and if you’re feeling sick, please stay home.

Petitioning & Canvass Training, February 12 at 3pm, Calvary United Methodist Church
With the 2022 cycle underway, Philly DSA will be out in force to knock doors for socialist candidates in the May primary election. Want to hone your skills and learn how to make the most of conversations at the door? Join the Electoral Committee for a comprehensive training on canvassing and petitioning! 

View the full calendar.

Updates from the branches

BuxMont DSA
Anti-Privatization Canvass, January 29 at 2pm
Alert neighbors of Aqua PA’s plans to purchase new sewer systems in the area.

BuxMont New Member Meeting, February 1 at 7pm
Whether you’re totally new to DSA, observing from afar and want to get more involved, or just have some questions, this is the event for you. 

Delco DSA
Reading Group: Alternatives to Policing, February 10 at 7:30pm
Discuss alternatives to policing in light of the Fanta Bility murder and subsequent charges.

View all BuxMont events or all Delco events

This week in unions

• TONIGHT AT 8PM: Join Labor Notes for a panel discussion on how to run for union office. It’s free but donations are encouraged. Register for the link!
• City workers in Virginia Beach are pushing for the right to collectively bargain. As the South goes, so goes the nation.
• MLB and the Players Association are working to reach an agreement, but if there’s no contract by next week, spring training is likely to get pushed back. Let’s go Phillies! And all the talented workers on every single baseball team.
• 17 lawyers and staff at Justice at Work here in Philadelphia formed a union. Follow them!
• Starbucks workers are rolling the union on, with new petitions filed in Seattle, Ithaca, Santa Cruz, Memphis, and more. More than 30 stores have filed for union elections so far, with more on the way. You can track their elections here.

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

• 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/

“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” - Angela Davis