Time is running out to help elect socialists in Philly! ⏰ | Bulletin

🚨 GM REMINDERS: Please RSVP for our General Meeting on May 7! We'll be in person at the First Unitarian Church, and there's a virtual option for all who prefer or need. We'll be launching a canvass for Paul Prescod immediately after the GM, so dress comfortably! All resolutions for consideration at the GM are due by Saturday, April 23. Send them over to [email protected] with the subject line RESO. See you soon!

Friend — 

With just 26 DAYS until the May 17th primary, it’s time for us to turn out in full force for our candidates and show this city our power! The Democratic establishment’s City Committee is running scared and lining up behind their own slate of stooges, challenging insurgent working class champions like Paul Prescod and popular progressive incumbents like Rick Krajewski and Elizabeth Fiedler. But this city does not belong to the party machine; it belongs to us, the working class masses. That’s why – if we all step up and put in the work – we’ll elect all our endorsed candidates next month!

Whether you’ve been coming out to our canvasses since the cold days of winter or you have yet to make it out to your first, this weekend is the perfect opportunity to help us keep the ball rolling.

On Saturday, the Electoral and Housing Committees are teaming up for a special canvass on behalf of Paul Prescod for State Senate. Then on Sunday, Philly DSA will be hosting a joint super-canvass with both Paul Prescod and Rick Krajewski that will include a rally, candidate speeches, and post-canvass pizza and snacks! There’s nothing like having great conversations with fellow working class Philadelphians about the communities we share. Join us, and together we’ll win a better future! If you can’t make it to any canvasses this weekend, we have one in South Philly on Tuesday and one in West Philly on Wednesday, along with a packed schedule the following weekend! Check out the website for details.

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

Ben Fletcher Campaign Meeting, April 21 at 7pm
Work with comrades across the city on a mural to commemorate Ben Fletcher and the legacy of interracial labor organizing in Philadelphia.

Philippine Society and Revolution with Anakbayan, April 22 at 7pm
Join us to learn about the history of the Left in the Philippines. This will be an interactive training session with organizers from Anakbayan, a Philippine left-wing youth diaspora organization.

Socialism 101: The Communist Manifesto, April 23 at 4pm
Discuss the famous pamphlet at the center of countless political movements over the last century.

Member Engagement Committee Meeting, April 25 at 8pm
Help us plan our May Day celebration!

Green New Deal for Public Schools Campaign Meeting, April 26 at 6:30pm
Join the fight to fund a master plan to create a safe and modern school in every neighborhood – prioritizing remediating toxins, decarbonization, the use of community input and union labor.

Accessibility Committee Meeting, April 27 at 6:30pm
Join the Accessibility Committee as we work to make our organizing accessible to all with updates on carpool matching, childcare, and more. 

Marxism Reading Group: Marxism in the Global South, April 27 at 7pm
Find readings and the RSVP link above!

Green New Deal Commission Meeting, April 28 at 6:30pm
Hear updates about our Green New Deal organizing, plan future work, and find ways to get involved! 

May Day Picnic and Coffee Solidarity Rally, May 1 at 1:30pm, Malcolm X Park
Please join us for a May Day celebration in the park! Food and activities provided. We'll travel together to the solidarity rally for coffee workers immediately after.

View the full calendar.

Updates from the branches

Delco DSA: 2nd Annual Environmental Justice Caravan and March, April 23 at 12:30pm at Chester City Hall
Caravan to Covanta with live art, performances, and music. Chester’s Mayor and local government wants Chester to remain the home of Covanta, the largest trash incinerator in the nation. 

Bucks Cancel Lunch Debt Coalition, April 25 at 7pm
Join the campaign to abolish lunch debt for students in Bucks and beyond, because no one should go hungry.

View all BuxMont events or all Delco events

This week in unions

• We’re so excited to share that Philly DSA has approved funding to send a group of 8 DSA members and their coworkers to attend the 2022 Labor Notes Conference, June 17-19 in Chicago! It’s a great opportunity to develop your skills as an organizer, attend trainings and panels about the labor movement, and step up to share the lessons and skills you learn with the rest of our chapter.
  • Apply to be a part of the delegation here by Monday, April 25 at 8pm!
• Do you work in the food industry? Check out your rights as a restaurant worker.
• Read another great Amazon analysis about the risk the labor movement should be taking. 
  • And another about how many longtime union organizers and labor activists were wrong about the victory.
• Hudson Workers United (HWU), a union of workers organizing with the United Electrical Workers, are organizing to win living wages, meaningful benefits, and a say in their working conditions after multiple labor law violations. These workers collectively form the largest law firm representing academics and other scientific/medical researchers who are attempting to obtain permanent residency (“green cards''). 
  • They’re asking for our support so they can focus on attaining the best possible outcomes for clients who rely on their help to navigate the nation’s immigration system.
  • Use their sign-up form to receive updates on mobilization efforts.

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

• STILL SEEKING STARBUCKS SOLIDARITY COORDINATION: Do YOU want to help coordinate Philly DSA's solidarity with organizing Starbucks workers? This would be an ongoing commitment with other team members who will support! Email [email protected] to learn more!
• BIG NEWS: DSA has endorsed 14 candidates, including our very own Paul Prescod. Donate to working class socialist candidates – donors can split their dollars evenly between the 15 endorsed candidates or allocate a custom amount to each. Socialist cash beats capitalist trash!
• Local housing activist Jennifer Bennetch has sadly passed away after fighting COVID. Please donate to her family. They’ve almost reached their fundraising goal.
• 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/

"We want to thank Jeff Bezos for going to space, because when he was up there, we were signing people up." Chris Smalls, Amazon union organizer in Staten Island