It's been a busy week for Philly socialists | Bulletin

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We kind of have a lot going on right now! So here are a few updates for you about our next General Meeting, Electoral Committee activity, and the state of our We Own PGW campaign:

Our next General Meeting is right around the corner, on February 27 at noon. RSVP so you get the Zoom link ahead of time, and please have all resolutions submitted by this Sunday the 13th at 11:59pm. All information can be found here.

Next up: Our Electoral Committee has several exciting upcoming events: 

• The Electoral Committee is hosting a comprehensive training on canvassing and petitioning to help hone your skills at the door! Join us this Saturday at 3pm at the Calvary United Methodist Church in West Philly.
• Canvass for our endorsed candidate, Paul Prescod, on February 20 at 1pm in Wharton Square Park. Masks required and if you’re feeling sick, please stay home.
• And stay tuned for more information on a Quizzo night to fundraise for our PAC and endorsed candidate! 

Finally, check out our recent Twitter thread with updates live from yesterday’s City Council hearing on the future of Philadelphia Gas Works, and this Jacobin article on why we must attain municipalization of energy utilities – written by a Philly DSA member! 🤩

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

Socialist Propagandizing 101, tonight at 6pm
Join us if you're interested in writing or copyediting, if you are part of a Philly DSA campaign that could benefit from publicity, or if you want to brainstorm with us. We'll be talking through writing and how to get our ideas published.

Socialism 101: The Communist Manifesto, tonight at 7pm
In our first Marx reading of the semester, come learn the basic program of Marxism as first laid out in 1847!

Defund the Police Campaign Meeting, February 11 at 6pm
Join the Campaign Team as we dive deep into more strategic action steps and decide on the best path forward to keep our communities safe. 

Penn Interfering in Public Schools (EJC), February 13 at 3pm
Join the Education Justice Committee for a discussion about UPenn’s recent investment in Lea Elementary & its implications and history. We'll be joined by several parent activists and organizers who are thinking through how to respond. 

Green New Deal Commission Meeting, February 14 at 6:30pm
Hear updates on the chapter's Green New Deal campaigns and ways to get involved in our exciting work! 

GND for Philly Public Schools Campaign Meeting, February 15 at 6:30pm
Stop by the meeting to learn about our work, and how you can get involved in research, communications, legislation and direct actions.

General Meeting Survey Report-back and Discussion, February 15 at 7pm
Join the Steering Committee for their report back on the results of the GM survey and discuss how we can use these findings to craft future General Meetings. 

Marxism Reading Group: Historical Materialism, February 16 at 7pm
Join us to discuss debates between British Marxist historians E. P. Thompson & Perry Anderson over questions of agency, structure, and Marxist historiography.

Pre-GM Discussion, February 17 at 6pm
Hear from authors that have submitted resolutions and discuss the resolutions in a low-stakes environment before our February General Meeting.

View the full calendar.

Updates from the branches

BuxMont DSA
Anti-Privatization Canvass, February 12 at 2pm
Alert neighbors of Aqua PA’s plans to purchase new sewer systems in the area.

Bucks Cancel Lunch Debt Coalition Meeting, February 12 at 7pm
Discuss ending the lunch debt crisis in PA, and eventually throughout the country, by eliminating current debt and passing legislation to provide free meals to all students.

Delco DSA
Reading Group: Alternatives to Policing, tonight 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

• Starbucks workers in Philly have joined the union movement! Read more and plan to head to the FOUR stores in the city to show your support.
  • Unionizing Starbucks locations include 19th & Callowhill, 9th & South, 34th & Walnut, 20th & Market.
  • If you want to get more involved with supporting Starbucks workers, contact Harinee S. ([email protected]) and Sam D. ([email protected]).
  • More than 60 stores have filed for union elections so far, with more on the way. You can track their elections here.
  • Also, check out how much money Starbucks is spending on union busting lawyers.

• On the other side of the state, nurses with SEIU-HCPA in Wilkes Barre ratified a new contract, with a starting wage of $35.
• Railway workers are fighting irregular schedules and lack of days off, but it’s a slower process through the Railway Labor Act. Read more.
• Teachers in Colorado participated in a sickout over a variety of issues, including the ability to teach about racism, closing schools for the day.  
• Check out this video about restoring the Joy Silk Doctrine, and what that would mean for working people.

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

• Starbucks fired 7 workers in Memphis, TN for organizing to unionize. The store is now temporarily closed. Donate to their Gofundme. 
• 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/

“Don't scab for the bosses / Don't listen to their lies / Poor folks ain't got a chance / Unless they organize.” - Pete Seeger