We're all we've got 🌹 | Bulletin

GM UPDATES: RSVP to our July 16 General Meeting here! We’ll be in person at the First Unitarian Church with a virtual option. Resolutions are due on Saturday. 

• You can find instructions on writing resolutions and bylaws amendments in our standing rules, linked here. Here you can find resolutions, reports, and our current bylaws.
• Our #gm-july-2022 Slack channel is live. Feel free to discuss ideas for resolutions and bylaws amendments! Lean on your comrades to help you flesh out ideas and details.

Friend —

The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade last week, eliminating our federal right to abortion. This is an attack on all of us, but particularly on workers and people of color who already face barriers to accessing vital reproductive health care.

Abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania, but without Roe v Wade, our right-wing state legislature could move to change that. For now, Governor Wolf’s veto power is the only stopgap protecting the right to an abortion at the state level. And even that failsafe is uncertain, as Senate Republicans have introduced a bill to put the fate of abortion rights on our ballots.

With a few exceptions, Congressional Democrats’ response to the Supreme Court’s decision has been disorganized and inadequate. As socialists, we know that rather than relying on elected officials, the best way to protect each other is through community organizing and mass mobilization. 

That's why when the news broke on Friday, Philly DSA and our coalition partners organized thousands of people for a rally and march at City Hall. And just last night, we had over 75 people join our abortion rights working group to plan Philly DSA’s future strategy. From escorting patients at clinics to hosting political education events to building a fighting labor movement, there’s a place for everyone in the struggle for on-demand abortion.

If you’re ready to get involved, join the working group’s channel #defend-abortion-rights on our chapter Slack, which you can request to join here, or email Melissa at [email protected]. We’re looking forward to growing our movement with you. We’re all we’ve got!

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

Accessibility Committee Meeting, tonight at 6pm
Join the Accessibility Committee for our monthly meeting, where we’ll discuss ongoing projects, including translations and rideshares. All are welcome.

Capital Vol. 1 Reading Group, tonight at 7pm
Whether you’re curious about socialism or a long time reader of Marx, join us to explore the nature of capitalism and its alternatives. This event is in-person; location provided upon RSVP.

Structured Organizing Training, July 5 at 7pm
The Housing Committee hosts another session of its summer training on organizing techniques, including mapping and campaign escalation. Sign up here.

Leadership Development Program (Session 1) July 9 at 11am
Join us to cover topics including conceptions of power, organizing conversations, campaign strategy, and more concepts central to effective organizing. Apply here by this Sunday, July 3. 

Green New Deal for Philly Public Schools Meeting, July 11 at 6:30pm
Get plugged in to the campaign working to create a safe and modern school in every Philly neighborhood.

Housing Committee Meeting, July 11 at 6:30pm
Tune in for the monthly meeting of our Housing Committee.

View the full calendar

Updates from the branches

Bucks Tenant Solidarity Meeting, July 6 at 6pm
Help fight oppressive landlords and defend tenants in Bucks County.

Delco DSA Reading Group Meeting, July 13 at 7:30pm
Discuss the second chapter of “The End of Policing,” entitled “The Police Are Not Here to Protect You.”

View all BuxMont events or all Delco events

This week in unions

• Cheers to beer distribution warehouse workers who settled a new contract in the midst of their strike! 🍻 
  • They won pay raises, increased pension and 401(k) contributions, fairer schedules, and more. Thanks to the members who made it out to support these workers!
• Read "Labor solidarity ‘brewing’ in Philly as workers organize for better wages, benefits" by the Labor Branch’s own Paul Prescod and Philly DSA Communications Chair Daisy – lots of good history about Philly labor and what’s next for workers here!
• Our friends at Unite Here are hiring for canvassers and organizers in PA. Click for more info and to apply!
• Last Thursday, City Council approved the FY23 budget. Through workplace and community organizing, rank-and-file library workers in AFSCME DC47 and Unity caucus won a $13 million increase, or 29% over last year, which is the largest one-year bump that department has seen in recent memory. 
  • While it will help the Free Library fill approximately 292 long-empty positions, it falls short of what's needed to provide consistent and comprehensive service at libraries, fix their crumbling buildings, or bring libraries to 6-day service, common in other major US cities. 
  • How can you help build on this momentum in FY24? Join Philly DSA's #tax-the-rich working group on Slack and get involved in your local Friends of Free Library or Parks and Rec Advisory Council. Together we can tax the rich, defund the police, and fund quality union community-supporting jobs!

To get involved: If you’re interested in organizing your workplace or supporting workers and unions taking collective action, email [email protected].

On the bulletin

• If you’re a Philly DSA member and you’d like to join our Slack workspace, please fill out this form. 
  • Our Slack hosts over 400 members who share updates from their DSA projects, get to know other members, and organize between meetings. 
• Harassment and Grievance Process: Read about the process to file a grievance here.

In solidarity,

Philly DSA
phillydsa.org

“There is a higher law than the law of government. That’s the law of conscience.” – Kwame Ture