Last weekend we held our annual chapter convention both in person and over zoom. At the meeting we took stock of how far we’ve come over the last year. The hardships that come with organizing during a pandemic within a settler empire were reflected honestly in the reports from chapter leaders. But, we also heard amazing stories of resilience and people power, like the historic Empty Homes Tax ballot measure campaign and the fact that DSA-endorsed mutual aid has housed people for nearly two years now through Hotels Not Hospitals.
More striking than anything else, though, was the feeling that everyone participating could see a better world and was ready to dedicate themselves to building that world, together.
We also voted in new Grievance Officers, Steering Committee, and Education Board. And, in the July meeting we will elect our Priority Campaign leadership and leadership for the Communications, International Solidarity, and Chapter Coordination committees.
Democracy is more than just voting, and we thank everyone who participated in the convention for being true comrades.
Join DSA SF’s Empty Homes Tax signature captains on Sunday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m. PST for the third installment on the socialist answer to the housing crisis! This time we will be focusing on a series of articles on housing justice and related issues.
What has been the impact of privatizing affordable housing resources? What can we learn from the organizing efforts of Metro DC DSA’s Stomp Out Slumlords? Or the expropriation initiative in Berlin?
This is a democratic organization. That means we make the rules. More than nearly every other institution in our lives, we have the power to change our chapter. This responsibility means every single DSA member should feel pride in our achievements this last year and should feel a drive to improve our chapter this next year. The time to reflect and set intentions for next year is the convention this weekend 6/11-6/12, 12PM-4PM each day. We will be choosing our three priority campaigns for the next year, out of four possible choices. Those choices are:
We will also be ratifying our committees and working groups for ’22-’23 and will be electing a new slate of leaders. You can find the candidates’ statements of purpose here.
Our ask is that you attend at least part of the convention this weekend. Now that our convention is hybrid online and in-person, it is more accessible than ever to participating in shaping your chapter to win democratic socialism.
Venezuelan feminists living under U.S. sanctions speak out tomorrow at 518 Valencia!
Sanctions as a weapon of war are always most keenly felt by those who are most vulnerable – not billionaires with yachts. This Wednesday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. at 518 Valencia, we’ll have a very special opportunity to hear from three Venezuelan feminists about their experiences living under US sanctions – how those sanctions impact women and children, and how we as socialists can build our solidarity with Venezuelans. This event will be moderated by Carolina Morales.
Interpretation services will be provided during the event. This is a unique opportunity for people in the U.S. to hear directly and in person from Venezuelans who are impacted by the sanctions – it’s a meaningful experience you won’t want to miss! Be sure to register here ahead of time. Please note: masks will be required for this event.
About our guests:Mónica is a professor and arts administrator who writes a weekly column. Anggie is a Wayuu activist and educator on Indigenous, sexual, and reproductive rights. Yolimar is an industrial engineer and is part of the internationalist brigade of Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement (MST) in Venezuela.
Come hear DSA and YDSA members from SF and Santa Cruz talk about their union drives, and find out how you can get involved in Starbucks organizing and labor solidarity efforts! This is a critical time for us to continue to build lasting, durable labor power here in the Bay Area and throughout the nation – don’t miss it! This is a Zoom meeting, and will take place on Thursday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. PST.
DSA San Francisco Ecosocialists Affirm and Support Indigenous Sovereignty, Decolonization, and Palestinian Liberation
In light of recent turmoil within national bodies of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) concerning Palestinian Liberation and the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS) movement; in light of the release of the recent Climate Change 2022 IPCC report; and in light of the recent IDF murder of Palestinian-American journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, the DSA San Francisco Ecosocialists feel compelled to make our position clear on BDS and the liberation of Palestine: The fight for climate justice and the fight against imperialism are not at odds, but are inextricably linked.
As Ecosocialists, we understand Indigenous sovereignty and Palestinian liberation are two sides of the same anti-colonial coin. They are the twin fights: Indigenous sovereignty demands landback and Palestinian liberation demands the right of return. This is why “Decolonization, demilitarization, and international solidarity” is one of the DSA’s Green New Deal principles, held in equal standing with decarbonization; public power; and fighting environmental racism, racial capitalism, fossil capitalism and every other profit-driven illness on Earth. Earth suffers from overheating and ongoing erasure like those of us who are colonized do. We will not be erased. We are still here.
Join DSA SF’s Empty Homes Tax signature captains on Sunday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m. PST for the third installment on the socialist answer to the housing crisis! This time we will be focusing on a series of articles on housing justice and related issues.
What has been the impact of privatizing affordable housing resources? What can we learn from the organizing efforts of Metro DC DSA’s Stomp Out Slumlords? Or the expropriation initiative in Berlin?
Sanctions as a weapon of war are always most keenly felt by those who are most vulnerable – not billionaires with yachts. On Wednesday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. at 518 Valencia, we’ll have a very special opportunity to hear from three Venezuelan feminists about their experiences living under US sanctions – how those sanctions impact women and children, and how we as socialists can build our solidarity with Venezuelans. This event will be moderated by Carolina Morales.
Interpretation services will be provided during the event. This is a unique opportunity for people in the U.S. to hear directly and in person from Venezuelans who are impacted by the sanctions – it’s a meaningful experience you won’t want to miss! Be sure to register here ahead of time. Please note: masks will be required for this event.
About our guests:
Mónica is a professor and arts administrator who writes a weekly column. Anggie is a Wayuu activist and educator on Indigenous, sexual, and reproductive rights. Yolimar is an industrial engineer and is part of the internationalist brigade of Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement (MST) in Venezuela.
Time is limited to gather signatures for the Empty Homes Tax! Join us for another signature gathering mobilization this Saturday, June 4th, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Duboce Park on the corner of Steiner & Duboce. Come out and help make sure this gets on the November ballot! No signature gathering experience necessary — we will train you, provide all materials necessary, and give you a location for gathering.
Hear from DSA and YDSA about building labor power at Starbucks!
Come hear DSA and YDSA members from SF and Santa Cruz talk about their union drives, and find out how you can get involved in Starbucks organizing and labor solidarity efforts! This is a critical time for us to continue to build lasting, durable labor power here in the Bay Area and throughout the nation – don’t miss it! This is a Zoom meeting, and will take place on Thursday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. PST.
As comrades may know, Homelessness Working Group has reactivated its tent distribution/replacement project started in 2019. Over the past weeks, members have been distributing dozens of tents to people sleeping rough on the streets and in need of survival gear. The tent distro subcommittee has engaged with allied groups, such as Food Not Bombs and Rad Mission Neighbors, to distribute tents and gear at joint events. Members have also walked neighborhoods handing out gear to people.
HWG members also continue to work on the Hotels Not Hospitals project, which has been housing people for nearly 2 years! Started in early-2020 and endorsed by the Chapter in the summer of 2020, HNH began renting hotel rooms for people abandoned by the City to living on the street during the pandemic. In March 2021, HNH helped our formerly unhoused partners secure apartments and has been helping them with rent and other issues since.
Want to join in on this work? Drop in on a Homelessness Working Group meeting – meetings are every other Monday evening, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. For more information or for a Zoom link to the meetings, please reach out to homelessness@dsasf.orgor find them on Slack.
Educational Events
Learn about the Socialist Answer to the Housing Crisis with the Empty Homes Tax Campaign
Join DSA SF’s Empty Homes Tax signature captains on Sunday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m. PSTfor the third installment on the socialist answer to the housing crisis! This time we will be focusing on a series of articles on housing justice and related issues.
What has been the impact of privatizing affordable housing resources? What can we learn from the organizing efforts of Metro DC DSA’s Stomp Out Slumlords? Or the expropriation initiative in Berlin? You can access the reading list here!
In an effort to build a culture of appreciation and solidarity, we’re highlighting comrades and their contributions to the chapter. If you want to appreciate comrades, please email comms@dsasf.org to tell us a little about them 😊
The comrade we want to appreciate today is Sam R., who dedicates her organizing to improving and socializing chapter culture. In her organizing, she worked extensively with the Chapter Coordination Committee, including a term as Community Team Lead. Recently she served as Chapter Grievance Officer and helped organize some queer/socialist feminist educational events. She took a bit of a break from projects over the past couple months but now she is interested in writing on the intersections of sex, class, and race, getting involved in the chapter’s anti-discrimination and consciousness-raising projects such as the BLIS priority campaign, and connecting more with other queer women and fellow travelers.
A comrade said of Sam: “Sam is unwaveringly kind. She is always careful to participate in projects and work that will not overextend her, and she always is able to remain fair-minded and even in the company of others. This is not to say Sam is always “nice” when it is not warranted — when others overstep, Sam is quick to wield the sword of truth with an even hand and some expediency. To my way of thinking this is an extension of her fair-mindedness and ability to quickly identify right and wrong. Sam is also observant of others and her surroundings, and is a caring and attentive friend. She uses these attributes to much positive effect, and is able to ask careful yet detailed and probing questions that help draw people out and get to the heart of the matter. Furthermore, Sam is extremely knowledgeable and well-read, and approaches new situations with a sense of curiosity. Sam has been able to face adversity with a sense of buoyancy. It is perhaps this trait from which I could stand to learn the most.”
Want to help get the word out about the rad stuff the chapter gets up to? Join the Comms Committee! We’re looking for help with planning and creating posts for the chapter’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok accounts, fielding comms requests from other folks in the chapter, and editing and proofreading the weekly newsletter. And, we always love to hear fresh ideas about what else we could be doing to spread the good word of socialism throughout the City. Interested? Let us know at comms@dsasf.org or find us on Slack at #comms!
Want something in the newsletter? Tell us!
Our chapter is stronger when comrades know what the chapter is doing – and what we’ve accomplished together. If you’d like to share photos or reports from an action, or let the chapter know about an upcoming event, please use the comms request form here!
Announcements
Learn from Venezuelan Feminists Firsthand on June 8
Join us on Wednesday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. at 518 Valencia to hear from three Venezuelan feminists about their firsthand experiences, how US sanctions disproportionately impact women and children, and how we as socialists can build our solidarity with Venezuelans and against US imperialism.
This event will provide interpretation services. This is a unique opportunity for people in the U.S. to hear directly and in person from Venezuelans who are impacted by the sanctions, so it’d be a meaningful experience that you wouldn’t want to miss out on! Please note: masks will be required for this event.
About our guests: Mónica is a professor and arts administrator who writes a weekly column. Anggie is a Wayuu activist and educator on Indigenous, sexual, and reproductive rights. Yolimar is an industrial engineer and is part of the internationalist brigade of Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement (MST) in Venezuela.
Empty Homes Tax Signature Gathering: Mission Dolores Park
DSA SF will be hosting a signature gathering mobilization for the Empty Homes Taxat 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 28 at Mission Dolores Park on the corner on 19th and Dolores. We’re 2/3 of the way towards our total goal and time is starting to run out! Come help us take advantage of the long weekend to exceed our weekly signature gathering of 600 signatures. No signature gathering experience necessary! We will train you, provide all materials necessary, and give you a location for gathering.
Hear from DSA and YDSA about building labor power at Starbucks!
Come hear DSA and YDSA members from SF and Santa Cruz talk about their union drives, and find out how you can get involved in Starbucks organizing and labor solidarity efforts! This is a critical time for us to continue to build lasting, durable labor power here in the Bay Area and throughout the nation – don’t miss it! This is a Zoom meeting, and will take place on Thursday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. PST.
As comrades may know, Homelessness Working Group has reactivated its tent distribution/replacement project started in 2019. Over the past weeks, members have been distributing dozens of tents to people sleeping rough on the streets and in need of survival gear. The tent distro subcommittee has engaged with allied groups, such as Food Not Bombs and Rad Mission Neighbors, to distribute tents and gear at joint events. Members have also walked neighborhoods handing out gear to people.
HWG members also continue to work on the Hotels Not Hospitals project, which has been housing people for nearly 2 years! Started in early-2020 and endorsed by the Chapter in the summer of 2020, HNH began renting hotel rooms for people abandoned by the City to living on the street during the pandemic. In March 2021, HNH helped our formerly unhoused partners secure apartments and has been helping them with rent and other issues since.
Want to join in on this work? Drop in on a Homelessness Working Group meeting – meetings are every other Monday evening, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. For more information or for a Zoom link to the meetings, please reach out to homelessness@dsasf.orgor find them on Slack.
Learn about the Socialist Answer to the Housing Crisis with the Empty Homes Tax Campaign
Join DSA SF’s Empty Homes Tax signature captains on Sunday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m. PST for the third installment on the socialist answer to the housing crisis! This time we will be focusing on a series of articles on housing justice and related issues.
What has been the impact of privatizing affordable housing resources? What can we learn from the organizing efforts of Metro DC DSA’s Stomp Out Slumlords? Or the expropriation initiative in Berlin?
As we prepare for the Chapter Convention in June, it’s time to reflect on our year organizing. In the second year of the pandemic, we have faced deep and bitter challenges as an organization. Many people have given up on politics as a force for change and many of our own members have had to scale back their activity in the chapter. This is not a springtime for socialism in the United States. Many people are so focused on getting by each day that the hope required to participated in politics simply isn’t there.
But it is during these hard times that organizations can develop collective consciousness through the everyday struggle. It’s just us. We all own the decisions we make. All the resolutions and bylaws amendments we’ll hear at the Convention will be written by members like you. All the candidates we will vote on were once new members who decided that they were ready to build something bigger than themselves. The socialist movement is made up of people, and it is through our people that we will win power.
If you are a member of DSA SF, we ask you to participate fully in the Chapter Convention, with all sincerity and comradely trust.
Following the murder by Israeli forces of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Nakba Day demonstrations were held last week across the world. Nakba refers to the brutal ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the near-total destruction of Palestine society in 1948 , and yearly demonstrations are held to commemorate the loss of sovereignty and dignity. But beyond mourning the loss of the past, Nakba Day (May 15) is about imagining a future free of settler mentality, police states, and apartheid. It is a message that applies far beyond the context of Palestine; the brutalized and subjugated people of San Francisco also cry out for liberation from paramilitary police – many of whom are trained in brutal Israeli police tactics through the Deadly Exchange – and the white supremacy that is deeply engrained in the fabric of the United States.
Learn from Venezuelan Feminists Firsthand on June 8
Join us on June 8 at 7:00 p.m. at 518 Valencia to hear from 3 Venezuelan feminists about their firsthand experiences, how US sanctions disproportionately impacted women and children, and how we as socialists can build our solidarity with Venezuelans and against US imperialism. This event will provide interpretation services. Register: dev.dsasf.org/vzlafeminists
This is a unique opportunity for people in the U.S. to hear directly and in-person from Venezuelans that are impacted by the sanctions, so it’d be a meaningful experience that you wouldn’t want to miss out on!
About our guests:
Mónica is a professor and arts administrator who writes a weekly column. Anggie is a Wayuu activist and educator on Indigenous, sexual & reproductive rights. Yolimar is an industrial engineer & is part of the internationalist brigade of Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement (MST) in Venezuela.
Announcements
The Empty Homes Tax BBQ is this Sunday!
ThisSunday, May 22 is our big Empty Homes Tax BBQ! We’ll once again be collecting signatures, followed by a BBQ, starting at Golden Gate Park at 12:00 p.m. at the corner of Stanyan and Haight. In the event of rain, we’ll meet at the DSA SF office at 1916 McAllister, instead. Come help get this measure on the ballot, then spend some quality time with comrades!
If you would like to volunteer to help us put on the BBQ, you can reach out to the Electoral Board on the DSA SF slack or email them at electoralboard@dsasf.org. People with cars to help transport materials and people to help run the grills are needed!
Get involved with the Homelessness Working Group!
As comrades may know, Homelessness Working Group has reactivated its tent distribution/replacement project started in 2019. Over the past weeks, members have been distributing dozens of tents to people sleeping rough on the streets and in need of survival gear. The tent distro subcommittee has engaged with allied groups, such as Food Not Bombs and Rad Mission Neighbors, to distribute tents and gear at joint events. Members have also walked neighborhoods handing out gear to people.
HWG members also continue to work on the Hotels Not Hospitals project, which has been housing people for nearly 2 years! Started in early-2020 and endorsed by the Chapter in the summer of 2020, HNH began renting hotel rooms for people abandoned by the City to living on the street during the pandemic. In March 2021, HNH helped our formerly unhoused partners secure apartments and has been helping them with rent and other issues since.
Want to join in on this work? Drop in on a Homelessness Working Group meeting – meetings are every other Monday evening, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. For more information or for a Zoom link to the meetings, please reach out to homelessness@dsasf.orgor find them on Slack.
Help decide the direction of DSA SF for the next year!
Our yearly chapter convention is tentatively scheduled for June 12-13. We are now soliciting priority resolutions for consideration to be a chapter priority for 2022-2023. You can read more about this process and all the pre-convention work here on the forum.
We will be holding a pre-convention meeting this Saturday, May 21 at 12:00 p.m. on Zoom, which is the final deadline to introduce your priority resolution before the convention! Register for the pre-convention meeting on Zoom here.
Additionally, nominations for 2022-2023 Steering Committee and Grievance Officer will open after the April meeting and continue until the May regular meeting. Please contact steering@dsasf.org for more information.
To hear the City tell it, the San Francisco Police Department has “reformed”, and they spend a lot of money telling it, apparently. This past week, DSA SF member and District 5 supervisor Dean Preston held a hearing on copaganda, revealing just how the City talks about SFPD, and how much of that money comes from public funds — our funds.
We learned that there are no rules or guidelines to follow when it comes to the City talking about the SFPD. We learned that a 17-person team costing the City $3 million all work on press and communications for SFPD. We learned that the City and SFPD will say anything to make us think that the SFPD protects us from chaos and violence.
Copaganda can’t hide what’s in plain view — SFPD all too often is the chaos and violence, in the service of the capitalist class. That won’t stop the City — and the mayor’s office — from trying. In the same week as Supervisor Preston’s hearing on copaganda, Mayor Breed appointed none other than the former Director of Strategic Communications for the SFPD, Matt Dorsey, as District 6 supervisor.
We echo Supervisor Preston’s calls for firm communications policies and procedures within the City and SFPD. But, that won’t be enough. Join us as we struggle to bring an end to the system the police defend; there’s lots of work to be done to strengthen our communities against capital. This month, you can help us get a tax on the ballot that would force owners of vacant housing — housing that could and should go to our unhoused neighbors — to pay up. We’ve also got a chapter meeting coming up ahead of our chapter convention in June, where we’ll set our course for the next year. We hope you’ll be part of it.
DSA SF showed up last week to support AFT Local 2121 in their struggle against the City, with educators fighting the City to save City College of San Francisco jobs. Once again, the cops showed which side they were on, showing up in force and arresting and citing nearly a dozen faculty members during the action.
Announcements
Keep the Empty Homes Tax signature drive rolling!
We’re keeping the Empty Homes Tax signature drive rolling! There are less than two months left to gather signatures for the Empty Homes Tax – join us for another signature gathering mobilization on Saturday, May 14, from 12:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. at Duboce Park on the corner of Steiner and Duboce. Come out and do your part to help make sure this gets on the November ballot! No signature gathering experience necessary! We will train you, provide all materials necessary, and give you a location for gathering.
And, be sure to mark Sunday, May 22 on your calendars – we’ll once again be collecting signatures, followed by a BBQ, starting at Golden Gate Park at 12:00 p.m. at the corner of Stanyan and Haight. In the event of rain, we’ll meet at the DSA SF office at 1916 McAllister, instead. Come help get this measure on the ballot, then spend some quality time with comrades!
If you would like to volunteer to help us put on the BBQ, you can reach out to the Electoral Board on the DSA SF slack or email them at electoralboard@dsasf.org. People with cars to help transport materials and people to help run the grills are needed!
Our May regular chapter meeting is tomorrow night!
Take care of chapter business tomorrow night! Lots to discuss as we head toward our chapter convention next month – make sure you’re a part of the conversation! The meeting will be accessible both on Zoom and in person at 518 Valencia. If you are planning to attend in person, please note that masks will be mandatory. The meeting will get underway tomorrow, May 11, at 6:30 p.m. Register for the Zoom meeting here!
Join us this Saturday, May 14 for Nakba Day
Join us this Saturday, May 14 at 12:00 pm at the intersection of 16th and Valencia St. to commemorate 74 years of the ongoing Nakba. The Israeli occupation continues to bulldoze homes, displace families, attack holy sites, bomb Gaza, terrorize, and murder Palestinians across all of Occupied Palestine. On this day, we will honor the continued resistance of Palestinians against settler-colonial violence and ethnic cleansing. We call on everyone to join us in honoring their struggle for liberation and return!
Apply to be part of the SF Civil Grand Jury!
Every year, each county in California convenes a Civil Grand Jury to investigate local city and county government. In contrast to a criminal Grand Jury, the SF Civil Grand Jury comprises 19 ordinary residents who research and investigate any topics of their choosing related to local government, then release reports with recommendations on how to improve City government. City and county officials are required to make themselves available for interview if the Civil Grand Jury requests it, and City departments are required to respond to recommendations by the Civil Grand Jury.
If you’re interested in the details of how City government works and want to help make it function better – and like conducting interviews and deep dives on documents and records – this opportunity may be for you! The only requirements for the SF Civil Grand Jury are that you are a U.S. Citizen, and that you have been a resident of SF for one year. The time requirements are generally around 10 hours per week, but anybody who is interested in doing more research and investigation can put more time in if they would like. Finally, Civil Grand Jury service is paid and fulfills requirements like normal jury service — a maximum of $75/week is paid depending on days worked on investigations.
The second session of the Intro to Democratic Socialism series will cover the history of the movement, from the “utopians” — Fourier, Owen, et al, to the “scientifics” — Marx, Engels, and the International Workingmen’s Association. This session will be held this Thursday, May 12 from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the DSA SF office on 1916 McAllister. You can also register via Zoom here.
The news about SCOTUS potentially overturning Roe v. Wade is not only unconscionable but also part of an undemocratic system designed to protect the ruling class. Reproductive rights, abortion, and healthcare should not be up for debate – they should be protected at all costs.
Reproductive justice means being able to maintain personal bodily autonomy, having the choice between having children or not and having the resources to plan for a family in safe and sustainable communities.
While this affects all women, nonbinary, and trans folks that access reproductive healthcare, this will also deeply affect indigenous, Black, & Brown folks who travel hundreds of miles and even out of state for access while many others are also forced to have unsafe abortions.
For many, being able to access reproductive healthcare is a life-or-death situation. To remove that access and basic human right is an unforgivable way to determine the fate of millions.
DSA SF will mobilize for any upcoming actions, support mutual aid efforts, and continue to organize with socialist feminists. Abortion should be free and available on-demand, without apology. There are two ways you can take action today. One is through mutual aid – abortion funds help folks access necessary reproductive care, and the need is direr than ever. You can contribute to those efforts here. Then, you can join us in the streets. There will be two emergency protests today at 5:00 p.m. at Powell and Market and at Phillip Burton Federal Building at 450 Golden Gate Ave – it’ll just be the beginning of the latest fight for basic human rights for all.
Join us to collect signatures for the Empty Homes Tax Ballot Initiative on Saturday, May 7, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Patricia’s Green on the corner of Hayes and Octavia. Come help us hit our goal of 500 signatures this week! No signature gathering experience necessary – we will train you, provide all materials necessary, and give you a location for gathering.
Be sure to mark Sunday, May 22 on your calendars, too – we’ll be having another mobilization and a BBQ at Golden Gate Park from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the corner of Stanyan and Haight! We’ll be collecting more signatures, then spending quality time with comrades – in the event of rain, we’ll meet at the DSA SF office at 1916 McAllister, instead. If you would like to volunteer to help out, you can reach out to us on the DSA SF slack or email the e-board (electoralboard@dsasf.org). We’re looking for people with cars to help transport materials and people to help run the grills.
Apply to be part of the SF Civil Grand Jury!
Every year, each county in California convenes a Civil Grand Jury to investigate local city and county government. In contrast to a criminal Grand Jury, the SF Civil Grand Jury comprises 19 ordinary residents who research and investigate any topics of their choosing related to local government, then release reports with recommendations on how to improve City government. City and county officials are required to make themselves available for interview if the Civil Grand Jury requests it, and City departments are required to respond to recommendations by the Civil Grand Jury.
If you’re interested in the details of how City government works and want to help make it function better – and like conducting interviews and deep dives on documents and records – this opportunity may be for you! The only requirements for the SF Civil Grand Jury are that you are a U.S. Citizen, and that you have been a resident of SF for one year. The time requirements are generally around 10 hours per week, but anybody who is interested in doing more research and investigation can put more time in if they would like. Finally, Civil Grand Jury service is paid and fulfills requirements like normal jury service — a maximum of $75/week is paid depending on days worked on investigations.
The second session of the Intro to Democratic Socialism series will cover the history of the movement, from the “utopians” — Fourier, Owen, et al, to the “scientifics” — Marx, Engels, and the International Workingmen’s Association. This session will be held on Thursday, May 12 from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the DSA SF office on 1916 McAllister. You can also register via Zoom here.
May Day is this Sunday – time to show up and show the bosses how strong we are when we’re all together! DSA SF will be part of the International Workers’ Day march this Sunday, May 1, and we want everyone to show up! The march will start at the Embarcadero outside the Ferry Building at 9:30 a.m. and will recreate the historic 1934 march up Market Street, ending at Civic Center with a rally.
We’ll be there to assert the power of the working class, and to continue to push the Empty Homes Tax forward, getting more signatures towards our goal of getting it on the ballot. Want to join in? We’re meeting up at the DSA SF office on 1916 McAllister at 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning, so we can head over and march together – be sure to wear red! If you want to meet us at the Embarcadero, be sure to be there by 9:00 a.m. to make sure you march with the rest of the chapter. Just look for the red flags!
Before and after the march, the Electoral Board will be out collecting signatures to get the Empty Homes Tax on the ballot – the more folks we have out collecting the signatures, the closer we get to making landlords pay for withholding housing from our neighbors. To make sure we show up in force, we’ll also be holding a phonebank tomorrow evening, April 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., also at the DSA SF office on 1916 McAllister. Hope to see you there – and hope to see you marching down Market Street with the workers of the Bay Area this Sunday!
Solidarity,
DSA SF Comms Committee
Events
🌹 Wednesday, 4/27 (5:00 p.m.):Phonebank for International Workers’ Day March(in person at the DSA SF office on 1916 McAllister St)
🌹 Saturday, 4/30 (4:00 p.m.):Tech Labor Circle Meetup(in person at Fly Bar on 762 Divisadero St)
🌹 Sunday, 5/1 (8:30 a.m.):International Workers’ Day March(meet at DSA SF office on 1916 McAllister St or at the Embarcadero in front of the Ferry Building by 9:00 a.m.)
Every year, each county in California convenes a Civil Grand Jury to investigate local city and county government. In contrast to a criminal Grand Jury, the SF Civil Grand Jury comprises 19 ordinary residents who research and investigate any topics of their choosing related to local government, then release reports with recommendations on how to improve City government. City and county officials are required to make themselves available for interview if the Civil Grand Jury requests it, and City departments are required to respond to recommendations by the Civil Grand Jury.
If you’re interested in the details of how City government works and want to help make it function better – and like conducting interviews and deep dives on documents and records – this opportunity may be for you! The only requirements for the SF Civil Grand Jury are that you are a U.S. Citizen, and that you have been a resident of SF for one year. The time requirements are generally around 10 hours per week, but anybody who is interested in doing more research and investigation can put more time in if they would like. Finally, Civil Grand Jury service is paid and fulfills requirements like normal jury service — a maximum of $75/week is paid depending on days worked on investigations.
Do you work in tech in SF? Are you jealous of workers in other industries who are winning union election after union election? Join DSA SF’s Tech Labor Circle for a meetup at Fly Bar next Saturday, April 30, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. to get to know other tech workers who are interested in growing labor power in their own company and in the industry at large. Bring your ideas for ways to bring power to the workers!
Reading Groups
Learn about the history of Democratic Socialism!
The second session of the Intro to Democratic Socialism series will cover the history of the movement, from the “utopians” — Fourier, Owen, et al, to the “scientifics” — Marx, Engels, and the International Workingmen’s Association. This session will be held on Thursday, May 12 from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the DSA SF office on 1916 McAllister. You can also register via Zoom here.
In Case You Missed It
Phone bank for tenants’ rights!
The Daybreak PAC is hosting weekly phone banksevery Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. where we call District 5 tenants. It’s a great chance for DSA members to help protect tenants from eviction and assist folks in applying for rent relief!
DSA SF was chartered five years ago and since then we’ve organized nonstop to paint the city red under the big banner of socialism. We’re finally taking a night off from organizing to celebrate our chapter with all of you at El Rio (3158 Mission Street in San Francisco) tomorrow, April 20, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
We are asking nothing but for you all to have fun with us! There will be light refreshments provided and we’ve got a solidarity fund going if you are strapped for cash and still want to have a beer with your comrades.
Come join us to celebrate the work we’ve done for the past five years and share your favorite memories with us! We look forward to seeing you there!
Solidarity,
DSA SF Comms Committee
Events
🌹 Wednesday, 4/20 (7:00 p.m.): DSA SF’s Five-Year Anniversary Party (in person at El Rio)
🌹 Friday, 4/22 (10:00 a.m.):People’s Earth Day(in person at Civic Center BART Station)
🌹 Sunday, 4/24 (12:00 p.m.): Empty Homes Tax Signature Gathering (in person at Alamo Square Park, corner of Scott and Hayes)
🌹 Saturday, 4/30 (4:00 p.m.): Tech Labor Circle Meetup (in person at Fly Bar)
🌹 Thursday, 5/12 (7:30 p.m.):Intro to Democratic Socialism Session Two: The History (part 1) (Zoom or in person at the DSA SF office on 1916 McAllister St)
Join us to collect signatures for the Empty Homes Tax Ballot Initiative this Sunday, April 24, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Alamo Square Park on the corner of Scott and Hayes. Come help us hit our goal of 500 signatures this week! No signature gathering experience necessary! We will train you, provide all materials necessary, and give you a location for gathering.
On Friday, April 22 at 10:00 a.m. we’ll be meeting at Civic Center BART Station to fight for environmental and climate justice for Bayview-Hunters Point, Treasure Island, and more frontline communities. If you can take the day off work, call in sick📞🤒, Zoom in 💻 from the streets, or find the time, please join us — we’re hoping for a BIG TURNOUT! Email ecosocialist@dsasf.org with any questions.
Meet fellow tech workers at Fly Bar!
Do you work in tech in SF? Are you jealous of workers in other industries who are winning union election after union election? Join DSA SF’s Tech Labor Circle for a meetup at Fly Bar next Saturday, April 30, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. to get to know other tech workers who are interested in growing labor power in their own company and in the industry at large. Bring your ideas for ways to bring power to the workers!
Reading Groups
Learn about the history of Democratic Socialism!
The second session of the Intro to Democratic Socialism series will cover the history of the movement, from the “utopians” — Fourier, Owen, et al, to the “scientifics” — Marx, Engels, and the International Workingmen’s Association. This session will be held on Thursday, May 12 from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the DSA SF office on 1916 McAllister. There will be an option to join in using Zoom, as well!
Bigger Than Bernie Reading and Discussion Group
DSA members and Jacobin writers Meagan Day and Micah Uetricht wrote Bigger Than Bernie in 2020 and revised it in 2021. It should prove to be a useful read for assessing where as socialists we see ourselves and the world today. There will be two discussions at the DSA SF office at 1916 McAllister St this Thursday, April 21, and April 28 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is also a Zoom option for those who want to participate remotely – registration link here!
We didn’t need a reminder, but we got one anyway – when democracy is in the clutches of capitalism, the battles are never just fought at the ballot box.
San Francisco’s district map is being redrawn, and the process has been anything but democratic or transparent. It includes a district map approved at 3:00 a.m. that splits District 5 apart — a district that has organized so effectively for the rights of tenants and working class people — and caused other members of the Redistricting Task Force charged with drawing the map to walk out of the meeting in disgust.
And it’s not just District 5 — by spitting Potrero Hill from District 10, this task force is eroding Black working class power. By splitting the Tenderloin from District 6, they are breaking apart the Transgender Cultural District. It is a wish list for moneyed interests, and all the boxes are ticked.
A leaked email from a board member of Neighbors for A Better San Francisco, a PAC funded by billionaires that repeatedly attacks and dehumanizes our unhoused neighbors, says the quiet part out loud — this is gerrymandering. After failing at the ballot box, it is an attempt at ripping organized communities apart to suit the interests of capital.
We’re not having it. Join us in telling this Redistricting Task Force exactly what we think of this shameless attempt to manipulate San Francisco politics and demanding that our working class communities are represented fairly. There is one more chance to leave public comment – call in during the Redistricting Task Force’s meeting tomorrow, April 13. The meeting starts at 3:00 p.m. – knowing this task force and how many working class people they’ve enraged, expect to keep them up past midnight again.
🌹 Friday, 4/22 (10:00 a.m.):People’s Earth Day(in person at Civic Center BART Station)
🌹 Thursday, 5/12 (7:30 p.m.): Intro to Democratic Socialism Session Two: The History (part 1) (Zoom or in person at the DSA SF office on 1916 McAllister St)
Celebrate our progress on the Empty Homes Tax – and help us maintain our momentum!
Fill out those signature pages, then fill up on delicious BBQ! We’re making progress toward our goal of getting the Empty Homes Tax on the ballot, but we can’t stop now – we need all hands on deck to make sure we have enough signatures to make landlords and speculators pay for keeping vacant homes away from the San Franciscans who need them. Join us at Golden Gate Park on the corner of Stanyan and Haight this Saturday, April 16 at 12:00 p.m. to collect signatures to get this initiative on the ballot, then stick around for a BBQ afterwards – we’ll have sandwiches, beer, and lots more!
On Friday, April 22 at 10:00 a.m. we’ll be meeting at Civic Center BART Station to fight for environmental and climate justice for Bayview-Hunters Point, Treasure Island, and more frontline communities. If you can take the day off work, call in sick📞🤒, Zoom in 💻 from the streets, or find the time, please join us — we’re hoping for a BIG TURNOUT! Email ecosocialist@dsasf.org with any questions.
Our monthly chapter meeting is this Wednesday!
Our monthly chapter meetings are where you’ll hear about what’s been going on in our priority campaigns, working groups, and ballot initiatives – and where we vote on chapter business. Don’t miss it! You’ll be able to participate virtually using Zoom or in person at 518 Valencia, with the meeting starting at 6:45 p.m. tomorrow night.
Learn about the history of Democratic Socialism!
The second session of the Intro to Democratic Socialism series will cover the history of the movement, from the “utopians” — Fourier, Owen, et al, to the “scientifics” — Marx, Engels, and the International Workingmen’s Association. This session will be held on Thursday, May 12 from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the DSA SF office at 1916 McAllister. There will be an option to join in using Zoom, as well!
Bigger Than Bernie Reading and Discussion Group
DSA members and Jacobin writers Meagan Day and Micah Uetricht wrote Bigger Than Bernie in 2020 and revised it in 2021. It should prove to be a useful read for assessing where as socialists we see ourselves and the world today. There will be two discussions at the DSA SF office at 1916 McAllister St on April 21 and 28 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is also a Zoom option for those who want to participate remotely – registration link here!
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