Join us in commemorating Pride by exploring the history of queer activism in San Francisco tomorrow, June 23, from 6:00 — 7:00 p.m. There will be a lecture and discussion covering our city’s queer history, including the significance behind the Compton’s Cafeteria in the Tenderloin, how our understanding of LGBTQ+ issues has evolved over time, and how all of this intersects with capitalism and other forms of oppression today. Register here.
? Over 50 Dandelion Chocolate employees, union members, city elected officials such as Supervisors Dean Preston and Connie Chan, and union supporters came out to a rally to demand CEO Todd Masonis to hire the workers back for unionizing.
? The fight to make SF’s Muni free for riders has staunch supporters within City Hall, but failed by a single vote to overcome the Mayor’s veto. Supervisor Myrna Melgar was the only one voting “no”, despite 91% of her district supporting free Muni.
If you have committee work or another story you want to be publicized by a friendly outlet, please submit tips to editors@sfindependentjournal.com.
Join DSA SF’s Communications Committee
Want to post for socialism? Join DSA SF’s newly-formed Communications Committee! We’re expanding our purview to include video, long-form and educational content, and content in different languages. But we need help! Email comms@dsasf.org to get involved!
Over the weekend at our chapter convention, we officially ratified three chapter priorities for the coming year:
A DSA SF Chapter Commitment to Black Liberation, Indigenous Sovereignty, and Fighting Global White Supremacy
Worker Organizing to Advance Shared Political Goals
DSA SF Ballot Measure Campaign
You can learn more about each of the priority resolutions here.
As nominations for elected leadership of these three campaigns are underway, we also recognize some important commemorations happening this month. This month is Pride Month. Additionally, this Saturday is Juneteenth, which celebrates the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation to slaves in Texas, who had no knowledge for three years that they were legally free.
The call for liberation is ongoing. In order to dismantle capitalism and fight against white supremacy, we must recognize that policing and the carceral state are integral to maintaining the capitalist status quo. Rather than protecting the communities they claim to serve, the police brutalize Black and Brown people and serve as the protectors of capital.
Queer folks have also long been pathologized and faced tremendous harm through the prison industrial complex, and they have been constantly targeted and criminalized through anti-queer laws, anti-trans bills, and policing. That is why this year, the NYC Pride Parade explicitly refused to welcome cops at their events. Historically, Stonewall started as an anti-police riot, which was then followed by other uprisings and rebellions, including the riot at Compton’s Cafeteria, now known as the 111 Taylor St. facility in the Tenderloin.
To put it simply, there is no liberation under racial and rainbow capitalism. As we celebrate Juneteenth and Pride, we must also remember the radical and revolutionary actions of abolitionists and queer activists throughout history. These commemorations also mean liberating all of us and each other from the oppressors.
Fighting for Black and queer liberation is more than just standing in solidarity. It also means centering abolition as one step closer to that goal.
Participate in Our Annual Chapter Convention this Weekend!
This coming weekend, June 12 & 13 from 12:00-4:00 p.m., we will be holding our annual chapter convention! On Saturday, we’ll discuss and debate priorities for the coming year and consider amendments to our chapter’s bylaws. Priorities resolutions advanced by the membership will go up for a ranked-choice vote between the two days of convention via email, to determine which three resolutions will be adopted. On Sunday, we’ll consider a few resolutions and elect leaders to guide the chapter and represent us at the National Convention in August.
Join us TOMORROW, June 9, at 6:45 p.m., to meet the candidates for DSA SF Grievance Officers, Steering Committee, and our potential candidate for the National Political Committee. Chapter members will have the opportunity to ask the candidates questions and hear about candidates’ plans before voting during our Chapter Convention. Information and registration at bit.ly/dsaforum2021.
Neighborhood Outreach to Renters in the Fillmore
Interested in tenant organizing? Join Neighbors United for our weekly phonebank, tonight at 5:30 p.m.We’ll be calling tenants in the Fillmore to let them know about their rights, and how to access rent relief. On June 30th at 6:00 p.m. in Jefferson Square Park, we’ll be hosting a tenant’s rights bootcamp. Want to become more involved on a regular basis? Join our weekly meeting on Sundays at 12:00 p.m.
Fun in the Sun with Comrades
Mark your calendars: on Saturday, June 26 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. join comrades old and new, for an afternoon of food, games, and camaraderie outside. ? We will set up in the Panhandle near Lyon & Fell St – down the street from the new office! Appropriate safety considerations will be observed. We hope to see you there!
Announcements
New on SFIJ
Hi there, comrades! We think the following pieces of news from the San Francisco Independent Journal (SFIJ) may be of interest to you:
? Third, the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) voted to support occupied Palestine amid the escalating crises brought on by Israeli bombings, blockades, and illegal settlements.
Learn more about the chapter at this week’s Intro to DSA meeting!
Ready to get started with DSA SF? Have questions about socialism or our organization? Whether you have been a member for four years or four weeks, Intro to DSA is a great way to become more active in our organization. Our next Intro to DSA meeting is this Wednesday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. – register here to join us.
Upcoming Events
Next EWOC Training Series Starts This Week!
The fifth series of the Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee’s Organizer Training Series starts this Wednesday, June 2, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is a foundational course in organizing in the workplace (your own workplace or others) and is recommended for DSA SF members looking to expand their capacity as labor organizers. You will receive the Zoom registration links once the organizers have reviewed your response. Click here for more information or to sign up!
Learn More About Abolition from the DSA National Abolition Working Group
What is abolition? Why should socialists care about abolition? Join the Abolition Working Group this Thursday, June 3 at 5:00 p.m. for an introductory call that answers these questions on why this work matters, how socialism and abolition go hand in hand, and how you can plug your chapter in going forward. Abolition Working Group members will be joined by organizers Andrea James from Families for Justice as Healing and Rukia Lumumba, founder of the People’s Advocacy Institute. Register for the call here!
Call In to Demand Environmental Justice in the Bay Area!
This Wednesday, June 2 at 9:00 a.m., the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board (BAAQMD) is having a critical vote on refinery pollution. The largest industrial source of pollution, particulate matter (PM) in the Bay Area comes from refineries’ Catalytic Cracking Units (also known as “Cat Crackers”). PM pollution is estimated to kill up to 3,000 Bay Area residents every year, mainly in working-class areas near the refineries.
After our proposal to pilot a fare-free MUNI program for this summer was advanced by a 7-4 vote from the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, cartoonishly evil Mayor London Breed has publicly promised she will veto the legislation if it passes. While we are disappointed, we aren’t surprised: London Breed has shown time and time again that she values her own neoliberal policies over the democratic will of SF voters and the Board of Supervisors. Let it be known that no matter what the Mayor says, we will never stop fighting for Free MUNI. Completely fare-free public transit is a socialist priority, and it is critical not only for an effective transit program, but also for an eco-friendly one.
Big Week for Evictions & Rent Debt Legislation
This week, the Board unanimously passed legislation introduced by our office to extend the no-fault eviction ban for another 90 days. Additionally, we introduced legislation to cancel small business back rent, and another emergency law known as the Tenant Lifeline Act. The Tenant Lifeline Act would save tenants from the eviction cliff by extending the period in which tenants only have to pay 25% of their rent until the end of the year. Huge shout out to Kyle Smeallie, one of our legislative aides and a DSA member, who led the charge on all of these critical bills!
Have an idea or want to schedule a meeting with your caucus or committee with Dean’s office? Write either PrestonStaff@sfgov.org or lexvonklark@gmail.com with details, mention you’re with DSA, and we’ll schedule a day!
As AAPI Heritage Month comes to a close, we acknowledge the exacerbated anti-Asian sentiments that are deeply rooted in white supremacy, leading to violence, imperialism, and colonialism that are still pervading the Asian diaspora today.
Unfortunately, the violence is ongoing. But we can’t fight racism with carcerality. We believe in fighting against violence through continuous organizing outside of the carceral system. The system itself was designed to make marginalized communities more vulnerable, not safer.
Part of the ongoing violence also stems from the US exploiting Asian women and immigrants while excluding them from participating in Western society and maintaining the status quo under the guise of a “free market”.
That is why we can’t just demand to #StopAsianHate, especially when it comes to hate crime laws. We can’t dismantle racism with more criminalization while also maintaining racial capitalism. The antiquated approach to criminalization will not heal the pain, trauma, and violence that communities are coping with. That is why we support prison and police abolition, and more investment in our communities.
To learn more about this historical context, join us for DSA SF’s reading group, “Making Asian America”, for the last session (Empire)this Saturday, May 29 at 2:30 p.m.
We must end racism through collective solidarity for liberation and healing from all forms of violence.
Join us this week for neighborhood organizing in District 5! Electoral Committee is working with Neighbors United, a new community group, to connect renters in District 5 with resources available to them for rent relief, eviction protection, and more. We are hosting a phonebank tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to reach out to renters in the Fillmore and would love to have you join us. Also, if you’re interested in helping plan these phonebanks and other events, join us for our weekly organizing meeting on Sundays at 12 p.m.
Intro to DSA
Ready to get started with DSA SF? Have questions about socialism or our organization? Whether you have been a member for 4 years or 4 weeks, Intro to DSA is a great way to become more active in our organization. Register here.
BAAQMD Board Call-In
Join us to call in on June 2nd! On this day, the BAAQMD Board is having a critical vote on refinery pollution. The largest industrial source of pollution, particulate matter (PM) in the Bay Area comes from refineries’ Catalytic Cracking Units (also known as “Cat Crackers”). PM pollution is estimated to kill up to 3,000 Bay Area residents every year mainly in working class areas near the refineries. There is no safe level of PM exposure. This common-sense rule will set a standard to reduce the dangerous particulate matter from Chevron’s and PBF’s “Cat Crackers” by 70%. This standard would require pollution control technology already in use at the majority of refineries around the US, including at Valero in Benicia. Sign up to get call-in information and talking points for this meeting.
Next EWOC Training Series Starts Next Week
The fifth series of the Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee’s Organizer Training Series starts on June 2. This is a foundational course in organizing in the workplace (your own workplace or others) and recommended for DSA SF members looking to expand their capacity as labor organizers. You will receive the Zoom registration links once the organizers have reviewed your response.
Announcements
This Week on SFIJ
Hi there, comrades!
We think the following pieces of news from the San Francisco Independent Journal (SFIJ) may be of interest to you:
?First, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to support a state bill to help convert abandoned, tax delinquent properties into affordable homes.
?Second, Supervisors Dean Preston and Budget Chair Matt Haney overwhelmingly passed their Free Muni Pilot in a 4-1 vote at the Budget and Appropriations Committee, the final hearing before a vote at the full board of supervisors last Tuesday.
?Finally, climate activists gathered for an 8th annual Anti-Chevron Day in front of the Richmond refinery to call for an end to fossil fuels and Chevron’s mass pollution in the Bay Area.
If you have committee work or another story you want to be publicized by a friendly outlet, please submit tips to writing@dsasf.org.
DSA SF Membership Drive
Consider becoming a member of National DSA or making sure your membership is up-to-date, so you can participate in the member forums and stay informed about what the National Organization is doing. Becoming a member also counts towards DSA SF’s delegate count for the August National Convention! As always, no one will be turned away for lack of funds; all you need to do is fill out the dues sponsorship form. If you have any other questions or hurdles on membership, feel free to email steering@dsasf.org and we’ll figure something out together.
Reading Groups
The Antonio Gramsci Reader
The 21st Century Socialism Reading Group will reach back into the second millennium to look at Antonio Gramsci tonight from 6:30 p.m to 8 p.m. We will be reading chapters 7, 8 and the Glossary. Register here!
However, the work is only the beginning. Yesterday, the Biden administration just approved $735 million in arms sales to Israel, deepening complicity in the right-wing regime’s continuing onslaught towards Palestinians. While this issue is gaining momentum in mainstream media and especially in San Francisco, we must continue to work towards liberation and support the Palestinians and the BDS movement.
That is why we’ll be joining demonstrators today, May 18 at 4:00 p.m. for another day of actionto show our continued solidarity. We must resist until there’s liberation for our Palestinian neighbors. The intifada must live on.
Today in front of City Hall, there will be a rally for the #30RightNow campaign, endorsed by the Homelessness Working Group. Too many formerly unhoused tenants are paying over half of their income towards rent—a burden not imposed by private landlords, but by the City and County of San Francisco.
At 12:45 p.m., we will be meeting in front of the steps at City Hall for a rally to demand that the mayor fully fund and implement #30RightNow this year, which would only cost $6.1 million per year. There will be several speakers, including rent burdened tenants, community advocates, Supervisor Matt Haney, and our comrade, Supervisor Dean Preston.
The rally begins at 1:00 p.m., and we need people to be there in order to send a message to the mayor that our most vulnerable tenants, many of whom are Black, will not be left behind.” For more information, check out the Facebook event.
Join Neighbors United for a tenant rights phonebank tonight, May 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.We’ll be calling District 5 tenants and providing information on rent relief and the eviction moratorium. Contact Pat at pcochran.media@gmail.com for more information. Zoom link here!
Budget Townhall with Supervisors Matt Haney and Dean Preston
Have questions about how the city spends its money? Even better, have ideas about how the city SHOULD spend it? Join us at a Budget Townhall on Monday, May 24 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. with Supervisors Matt Haney and Dean Preston! This is an important opportunity for us to be heard by the city government! Register here.
Announcements
Interview with Jackie Fielder on SFIJ
Recently, the San Francisco Independent Journal had the chance to speak with former State Senate candidate Jackie Fielder to find out what she’s been up to. Learn more about her exciting developments for a progressive incubator in California through our latest interview here.
Dean’s office is helping lead the fight in SF to make MUNI fare-free for the summer. However, they’re facing pushbacks and need your help. Please write to either Supervisor Peskin (D3) or Supervisor Melgar (D7) and tell them to support Free MUNI for the Summer. Tell your friends and neighbors to reach out to the supervisors too!
Recently, Mayor London Breed refused to commit to using Prop I funds for rent relief and social housing. This is clearly contrary to the will of both the voters and the Board of Supervisors. Sign this petition to stand with hundreds of others in demanding that Breed respect the will of the voters and properly fund Prop I. You can also reach out to Mayor Breed directly here so she knows exactly how we feel about her selfishness.
Neighbors United is having a phonebank TONIGHT at 5:30 p.m. (see above).
Have an idea or want to schedule a meeting with your caucus or committee with Dean’s office? Write either PrestonStaff@sfgov.org or lexvonklark@gmail.com with details, mention you’re with DSA, and we’ll schedule a day!
DSA SF Membership Drive
Consider becoming a member of National DSA or making sure your membership is up-to-date, so you can participate in the member forums and stay informed about what the National Organization is doing. Becoming a member also counts towards DSA SF’s delegate count for the August National Convention! As always, no one will be turned away for lack of funds; all you need to do is fill out the dues sponsorship form. If you have any other questions or hurdles on membership, feel free to email steering@dsasf.org and we’ll figure something out together.
Reading Groups
The Antonio Gramsci Reader
The 21st Century Socialism Reading Group takes a dip back into the 20th Century. There will be four sessions every other Tuesday, continuing with our third session tonight from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Register here!
Making Asian America: Brief Excerpts on Labor, Belonging, and Empire
Join us for DSA SF’s newest reading group to commemorate AAPI Heritage Month, “Making Asian America.” There will be three sessions (Labor, Belonging, and Empire), each of which will examine a different aspect of Asian American political organizing within its historical context. The last two sessions were on Sunday, May 2 and Saturday, May 15, and the last session will take place next Saturday, May 29, at 2:30 p.m.Sign up here.
After weeks of attacking Palestinians and engaging in anti-Palestinian campaigns, such as forcibly removing them from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied Jerusalem, Israeli Occupation Forces continued this violence by raiding the Al Aqsa mosque during prayers nearing the end of the month of Ramadan, leaving hundreds of Palestinians injured. The right-wing regime went even further and launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, with the death toll expected to rise.
This act of violence isn’t new to the Palestinian people. This Saturday, May 15 is the 73rd anniversary of the 1948 Palestinian Exodus, or the “Nakba”, which occurred when Zionist paramilitary groups launched an entire ethnic cleansing operation–forcing over 700,000 Palestinian Arabs out of their homes to build the Jewish state of Israel. Those forces also killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, along with carrying out many other atrocities, including massacres and destroying hundreds of villages and cities.
To the Palestinian people, the Nakba never ended. For many decades, Israel has violated international law by continuing the illegal settlements and population transfer into the occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Their justification for Palestinian erasure and maintaining a Jewish ethnostate is apartheid, especially while chanting “death to Arabs” and “burn their towns”.
The San Francisco chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) condemns these continuing acts of violence and stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We also reject the media narrative of calling these atrocities as “clashes” and “conflicts”. These past several weeks, along with over 70 years of the Palestinian struggle, cannot be simply categorized as two groups “clashing” with one another. What Israel has done to the Palestinians is a heinous act of fascism and racism.
That is why as socialists, we must fight racism and all forms of injustice, especially abroad. Removing Palestinians and denying their right of return has shown an act of intense injustice even in times without violent conflict. We also understand the correlation of all our struggles under capitalism, which has led to a history of colonialism, imperialism, and fascism. This also means we support the boycott of Israel and the anti-racist Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions’ (BDS) call to end apartheid, as well as cutting off US military aid to Israel.
The chapter invites community members to join us in a Palestine Action Network rally for Palestinian liberation on Saturday, May 15 at 2 pm, Valencia and 16th in the Mission. As this continues to unfold this week, we will continue to fight for liberation for Palestinians and all our neighbors. Because until all of us are free, no one is free.
Our regular monthly chapter meeting will be tomorrow night, May 12, at 6:45 p.m. on Zoom. We’ll be voting on a chapter statement on the escalating violence towards Palestinians, and we’ll be accepting nominations for a number of chapter roles, including Steering Committee leadership, Grievance Officer, and National Convention Delegate. Join us to keep our chapter democracy healthy and learn more about a few upcoming events – you can register for the meeting here!
Join Neighbors United for a tenant rights phonebank tonight, May 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.We’ll be calling District 5 tenants and providing information on rent relief and the eviction moratorium. Contact Pat at pcochran.media@gmail.com for more information. Zoom link here!
Support Free Muni!
As the world heads towards climate crisis, we need to shift our transportation modes to safe, sustainable, equitable public transit by making Muni free. Take action by supporting the Free Muni pilot at the Budget and Appropriations Meeting tomorrow, May 12 at 11:30 a.m.! Use this link for talking points.
A Discussion of African-American Labor History: Peter Cole discusses his book about Ben Fletcher
Join us this Thursday, May 13th at 6:30 p.m. for a discussion of Peter Cole’s new book, Ben Fletcher: The Life and Times of a Black Wobbly. Ben Fletcher was one of the most important labor organizers of the early twentieth century, and yet his name is almost unknown today. Peter Cole remedies this by shining a new light on Fletcher, one of the founders of the IWW and organizer of the one of the few interracial union locals of the time. Join us for a discussion and celebration of Fletcher’s legacy with Peter Cole and Clarence Thomas of ILWU.
#30RightNow Month Of Action
The campaign to get rent relief for supportive housing tenants in this year’s budget cycle is well underway, and we have a whole week of actions for the cause. Read our policy statement here!
The biggest announcement is that the #30RightNow campaign will be holding an in-person rally on Tuesday, May 18 at 1:00 p.m. in front of City Hall to demand the mayor fund the 30% rent standard in all supportive housing in this year’s budget cycle. We ask that all attendees follow COVID-19 protocols and have at least one shot of the vaccine. Press release can be found here.
Today, Tuesday, May 11, at 2:00 p.m., please call into the San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting and make a public comment (Item 19) to urge that the mayor fund #30RightNow. Dial 1 (415) 655-0001 and use the meeting ID (187 264 2158 # #), then press *3 to speak as soon as meeting starts – it’s the only public comment period.
Then, tomorrow, May 12, at 11:30 a.m., please call into the Budget and Appropriations Committee’s hearing on the law enforcement budget (Item 3). We know many of you are speaking against the bloated law enforcement budget already, but we invite you to mention that the city spends $8.6 million per year on public housing cops, and that it would only cost $6.1 million per year to fund getting rents down to 30% for all supportive housing tenants. Dial 1 (415) 655-0001 / and use the meeting ID (187 153 5648 # #), and when Item 3 comes up, dial *3 to speak.
If you have committee work or another story you want to be publicized by a friendly outlet, please submit tips to writing@dsasf.org.
Learn About City Government Through the 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 choose to research and investigate any topic of their choosing related to local government. If you’re interested in the details of how city government works, this may be the opportunity for you!
The requirements for participating are U.S. citizenship, and SF residence for at least one year. If you live in a different California county, you can apply for that county’s Civil Grand Jury. The time commitment is around 10 hours per week. Civil Grand Jury service is a paid opportunity, at a maximum of $75/week depending on days worked. The deadline for the application is May 14. All information and the application form can be found here.
We Need You to Build Socialism!
We need your help with the following:
Help Produce the Newsletter!
Every week we put out the very newsletter you are reading, and we need organizers to help write, edit and produce it. Contact comms@dsasf.org or #ccc-comms on Slack to help out.
Help Manage Our Social Media!
You already live on Instagram and Twitter, so why not help build socialism instead of just providing data to targeted advertising algorithms? Contact comms@dsasf.org or #ccc-comms on Slack to help out.
Help Organize Our Monthly Meetings and Other Fun Events!
If you have experience or interest in organizing events, our Community team could use your help. Social events, educational events, and of course our monthly meetings; none of them happen without organizers. Fill out this form, email community@dsasf.org, or #ccc-community on Slack to join the fun.
Help Our Tech Team!
Want to be a part of a team that is actually making a difference in the world, not just talking about it on LinkedIn? Help build the infrastructure that DSA SF uses to build socialism. Contact tech-support@dsasf.org or #ccc-tech on Slack to pitch in.
DSA SF Membership Drive
Consider becoming a member of National DSA or making sure your membership is up-to-date, so you can participate in the member forums and stay informed about what the National Organization is doing. Becoming a member also counts towards DSA SF’s delegate count for the August National Convention! As always, no one will be turned away for lack of funds; all you need to do is fill out the dues sponsorship form. If you have any other questions or hurdles on membership, feel free to email steering@dsasf.org and we’ll figure something out together.
Reading Groups
The Antonio Gramsci Reader
The 21st Century Socialism Reading Group takes a dip back into the 20th. There will be four sessions every other Tuesday, continuing with our third session tonight from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.Register here!
Making Asian America: Brief Excerpts on Labor, Belonging, and Empire
Join us for DSA SF’s newest reading group to commemorate AAPI Heritage Month, “Making Asian America.” There will be three sessions (Labor, Belonging, and Empire), each of which will examine a different aspect of Asian American political organizing within its historical context. The first session was Sunday, May 2, and the next two sessions will take place this Saturday, May 15, and Saturday, May 29, all at 2:30 p.m.Sign up here.
Kick your May off right by joining us at Intro to DSA this Wednesday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m.! If you are looking to take the next step and get more involved with DSA SF, Intro is a great way to learn about all the cool projects going on in the chapter right now. Register here.
Learn About City Government Through the 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 choose to research and investigate any topic of their choosing related to local government. If you’re interested in the details of how city government works, this may be the opportunity for you!
The requirements for participating are U.S. citizenship, and SF residence for at least one year. If you live in a different California county, you can apply for that county’s Civil Grand Jury. The time commitment is around 10 hours per week. Civil Grand Jury service is a paid opportunity, at a maximum of $75/week depending on days worked. The deadline for the application is May 14. All information and the application form can be found here.
This Week on SFIJ
Hi there, comrades!
We think the following pieces of news from the San Francisco Independent Journal (SFIJ) may be of interest to you:
In response to growing neighborhood support for non-police public safety programs, my office sent a letter to Mayor Breed on February 24, urging her to partner on a pilot to expand the Community Ambassador Program by adding at least 10 Community Ambassadors throughout the neighborhoods of District 5. We believe this pilot represents a cost-effective way to improve public safety while fulfilling a shared city goal of diverting funds from traditional policing models. If you’re with us, please sign this petition.
Our amazing Safe Sleeping in the Haight is set to close on June 30 to make way for the much-needed affordable housing built on that site. This site was a complete success in terms of keeping unhoused neighbors safe during the pandemic, and has cycled dozens of people from the streets in the area to other housing options. We are so thankful to Homeless Youth Alliance and Larkin Street Youth Services for the incredible work they did with CAMP over the last year. Let’s make sure all current CAMP residents get the exits to stability they deserve!
In response to the announcement last Monday that City Attorney Dennis Herrera is being appointed to head the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, I submitted an official Letter of Inquiry to his office at the Board meeting on Tuesday. To promote transparency, avoid conflicts of interest, and protect good government, all principles shared by my office and that of the City Attorney, I asked a number of questions related to the appointment and ongoing corruption investigations.
We are not interested in our elected officials being beholden to corporate donors. For city races, corporate donations are banned, but for state-level races, there are no limits to corporate donations. AB 20 would change that, so we passed a resolution in support of the state bill this month. Keep corporate money out of California politics!
Have an idea or want to schedule a meeting with your caucus or committee with Dean’s office? Write to PrestonStaff@sfgov.org or lexvonklark@gmail.com with details, mention you’re with DSA, and we’ll schedule a day!
We Need You to Build Socialism!
We need your help with the following:
Help Produce the Newsletter!
Every week we put out the very newsletter you are reading, and we need organizers to help write, edit and produce it. Contact comms@dsasf.org or #ccc-comms on Slack to help out.
Help Manage Our Social Media!
You already live on Instagram and Twitter, so why not help build socialism instead of just providing data to targeted advertising algorithms? Contact comms@dsasf.org or #ccc-comms on Slack to help out.
Help Organize Our Monthly Meetings and Other Fun Events!
If you have experience or interest in organizing events, our Community team could use your help. Social events, educational events, and of course our monthly meetings; none of them happen without organizers. Fill out this form, email community@dsasf.org, or #ccc-community on Slack to join the fun.
Help Our Tech Team!
Want to be a part of a team that is actually making a difference in the world, not just talking about it on LinkedIn? Help build the infrastructure that DSA SF uses to build socialism. Contact tech-support@dsasf.org or #ccc-tech on Slack to pitch in.
DSA SF Membership Drive
Consider becoming a member of National DSA or making sure your membership is up-to-date, so you can participate in the member forums and stay informed about what the National Organization is doing. Becoming a member also counts towards DSA SF’s delegate count for the August National Convention! As always, no one will be turned away for lack of funds; all you need to do is fill out the dues sponsorship form. If you have any other questions or hurdles on membership, feel free to email steering@dsasf.org and we’ll figure something out together.
Reading Groups
The Antonio Gramsci Reader
The 21st Century Socialism Reading Group takes a dip back into the 20th. There will be four sessions every other Tuesday, continuing with our third session next Tuesday, May 11, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Register here!
Making Asian America: Brief Excerpts on Labor, Belonging, and Empire
Join us for DSA SF’s newest reading group to commemorate AAPI Heritage Month, “Making Asian America.” There will be three sessions (Labor, Belonging, and Empire), each of which will examine a different aspect of Asian American political organizing within its historical context. The first session was this past Sunday, May 2, and the next two sessions will take place on Saturday, May 15, and Saturday, May 29, all at 2:30 p.m. Sign up here.
May Day is this Saturday! Join us for a series of events this week focused on the PRO Act and May Day—all leading up to a march and rally led by Bay Area Labor Councils on May Day:
?Thursday, 4/29 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Check out East Bay DSA’s virtual screening of a video-in-progress “We Mean to Make Things Over: A History of May Day,” with filmmaker Fred Glass!
?Friday, 4/30 at 5:30 p.m.: Union workers in the US & the Philippines have allied historically to prove that international solidarity is more powerful than any corp or regime! Hear a presentation about US imperialism in the Philippines, how our struggles connect, and how to resist.
?Saturday 5/1 at 9:00 a.m.: The May Day March and Rally! March with us to commemorate workers and rally for the PRO Act! Meet at the intersection of Drumm & Clay St. – bring personal water, snacks, and other supplies. Wear a mask and dress in red!
How do we reconcile the socialist movement with the insights of liberal feminism? Join us thisThursday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. for a lecture exploring capitalist patriarchy, misogyny, intersectionality, and social reproduction theory. There will be time set aside for questions and discussion at the end. Sign up here.
Announcements
Dean Preston Weekly Update
This week, Mayor London Breed refused to commit to using Prop I funds for rent relief and social housing. This is clearly contrary to the will of both the voters and the Board of Supervisors. Reach out to Mayor Breed here so she knows exactly how we feel about her selfish neglect of the will of the voters.
Last Tuesday, Dean and Supervisor Matt Haney introduced a proposal that would appropriate $9.3 million in one-time funds to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to offset the costs of piloting free public transit for all, for three months. If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the program would begin July 1 and run through the end of September. This is a critical first step towards the free, socialized public transit that San Francisco deserves.
The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development approved $2.7 million for immediate repairs at Plaza East following the organizing of Plaza East tenants and Dean’s announcement of an oversight hearing. While this is likely still not an adequate commitment, it is a strong move away from the initial demolition plan. If you’re interested in learning more and you want to show your support for the tenants of Plaza East, tune in to the Government Accountability and Oversight Committee hearing at 10 am on May 6.
Starting May 1, the SF Department of Public Health will provide a drop-in community vaccination site in the Fillmore for all neighborhood residents 16+. Thanks to all the community members who came together to make this happen!
Have an idea or want to schedule a meeting with your caucus or committee with Dean’s office? Write to PrestonStaff@sfgov.org or lexvonklark@gmail.com with details, mention you’re with DSA, and we’ll schedule a day!
We Need You to Build Socialism!
We need your help with the following:
Help Produce the Newsletter!
Every week we put out the very newsletter you are reading, and we need organizers to help write, edit and produce it. Contact comms@dsasf.org or #ccc-comms on Slack to help out.
Help Manage Our Social Media!
You already live on Instagram and Twitter, so why not help build socialism instead of just providing data to targeted advertising algorithms? Contact comms@dsasf.org or #ccc-comms on Slack to help out.
Help Organize Our Monthly Meetings and Other Fun Events!
If you have experience or interest in organizing events, our Community team could use your help. Social events, educational events, and of course our monthly meetings; none of them happen without organizers. Fill out this form, email community@dsasf.org, or #ccc-community on Slack to join the fun.
Help Our Tech Team!
Want to be a part of a team that is actually making a difference in the world, not just talking about it on LinkedIn? Help build the infrastructure that DSA SF uses to build socialism. Contact tech-support@dsasf.org or #ccc-tech on Slack to pitch in.
DSA SF Membership Drive
Consider becoming a member of National DSA or making sure your membership is up-to-date, so you can participate in the member forums and stay informed about what the National Organization is doing. Becoming a member also counts towards DSA SF’s delegate count for the August National Convention! As always, no one will be turned away for lack of funds; all you need to do is fill out the dues sponsorship form. If you have any other questions or hurdles on membership, feel free to email steering@dsasf.org and we’ll figure something out together.
Reading Groups
The Antonio Gramsci Reader
The 21st Century Socialism Reading Group takes a dip back into the 20th. There will be four sessions every other Tuesday, continuing with our second session this evening, April 27th, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Register here!
Making Asian America: Brief Excerpts on Labor, Belonging, and Empire
Join us for DSA SF’s newest reading group to commemorate AAPI Heritage Month, “Making Asian America.” There will be three sessions (Labor, Belonging, and Empire), each of which will examine a different aspect of Asian American political organizing within its historical context. Sessions will take place this upcoming Sunday, May 2nd, Saturday, May 15th, and Saturday, May 29th, all at 2:30 PM. Sign up here.
