Member statements on amendment to resolution debated at April 6 GBM due TONIGHT; Metro DC DSA to hold special election to fill Steering Committee vacancy; Mayor Bowser making moves to repeal Initiative 82
This is the weekly newsletter of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America (MDC DSA), which is
produced by local members of the chapter's Publications Working Group. The Weekly Update publishes every
Friday at 9am. Want to fight fascism from the heart of empire? Join DSA and fight to build socialism!
All members in good standing have the opportunity to submit a statement that will appear on the ballot either in favor or against passing the proposed amendment (not the resolution). The deadline to submit statements that will appear on the ballot for the amendment is TONIGHT, Friday, April 11 at 11:59pm ET. Member statements will be uploaded to the member portal with the first name and last initial of the submitter, and will be linked on the ballot when it goes out via OpaVote. A second member statement period and OpaVote ballot will occur on the base resolution, as amended or unamended.
Members can submit ballot statements on Red Desk by selecting the Help Topic “Agenda Item / Submit Member Statement.” Fill out the information and enter the exact text of your statement or a link to a publicly accessible Google doc with your text where prompted. The Steering Committee strongly recommends using the Google doc link to avoid timing out, and it’s recommended that you make a Red Desk account before submitting tickets. Make sure you receive a confirmation page and email after submitting, otherwise the page might have timed out.
Members can solicit questions to [email protected] or post in #steering on Slack.
Metro DC DSA to hold special election to fill Steering Committee vacancy — ballots to go out Saturday, April 12 and will remain open through April 14
Metro DC DSA’s Steering Committee currently has a vacancy. Two candidates have accepted their nominations to run to fill the slot: Julia P and Shawn V. A full ballot will go out to eligible voting members on April 12th and will stay open until April 14th. Chapter members are encouraged to read their self-submitted survey questions to learn more about the candidates. Chapter members with Slack access can review more details in the #announcements channel (see Info Access, below, for access details). The election is being facilitated by the Internal Elections Facilitation Department, and will use the approval voting system (chapter members can learn more about approval voting on the chapter wiki).
Mayor Bowser making moves to repeal Initiative 82 — tipped workers mobilizing in response
Following rumors that RAMW — the DC affiliate of the National Restaurant Association — was calling on the DC Council to repeal Initiative 82, tipped workers have leapt into action to foil this anti-democratic plot. On Tuesday, workers maneuvered through the DC Council building to appeal to elected officials. In conversation with councilmembers and their staff, workers substantiated rumors that Mayor Bowser is planning to include a full repeal of Initiative 82 in her proposed budget.
It is possible that full repeal could be a bluff by RAMW — a way for these capital interest groups to shake down the council for handouts. But the threat opens up the potential for a freeze on implementation of Initiative 82. If frozen, tipped workers would have their base minimum wage paid by employers frozen at $10/hour. RAMW, which represents the interests of corporate chains and large restaurant groups in the city, seeks to continue the tipped-wage model as long as possible to continue their exploitation of workers.
Initiative 82 was a ballot measure voted on in 2022, passing with 73% of the vote. Initiative 82 is slowly phasing out the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers in DC, and is currently halfway through the phaseout plan. In 2018, voters passed Initiative 77 by 55%, which also phased out the subminimum wage. However, this initiative was overturned by the DC Council the same year. Following successful ousting of right-wing Democrats on the council, I82 is better protected than I77 was, but threats remain.
Inclusion of a repeal (or freeze) of Initiative 82 would not be allowed under long-standing budget rules set by DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson. Mendelson has consistently ruled that item inclusions in the budget must be germane to actual spending of the DC Council. Workers are pressing councilmembers to follow long-standing rules on this, but are also calling on them to stand up to RAMW’s lies and intimidation. Worker lobbying efforts are continuing to be organized by the Fair Price Fair Wage coalition, which includes Metro DC DSA, Restaurant Opportunities Center-DC and Jobs with Justice.
BRIEFS
Green, union-built housing for all: Social Housing canvassers needed this spring
As the corporate class continues to destroy our planet and the price of living in the District keeps rising, DC’s working class is demanding a solution. That’s why the Metro DC DSA is organizing a series of eight canvasses every Sunday from April 6 (last weekend) to May 25. These canvasses are aimed at getting signatures to push the DC Council to create a Department of Social Housing to specifically fund and administer mixed income public housing, where market rate units subsidize the affordable and deeply affordable units they live with. Interested comrades can sign up to canvass here.
NOVA abolition holding hybrid film screening of The Facility — Saturday, April 12 at 2:30pm
Join the NoVA Abolition Working Group on Saturday, April 12 from 2:30 to 4pm at Arlington Central Library and online for a hybrid film screening and panel discussion of The Facility, a documentary about the organizing led by migrants detained in the Irwin County Detention Facility at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizer Nilson Barahona, featured in the film, will be part of the panel. The event is free to the public.
Whether or not you can attend, if you are financially able, NoVA Abolition is encouraging supporters to make a donation to Free Them All and LaColectiva’s Liberation Fund. This fund supports migrants affected by systems of detention and deportation with needs such as commissary, post-release support, and more. You can donate through Venmo @LaColectiVA with the note “Liberation fund.” *This event is not sponsored by Arlington Public Library. RSVP for the film screening here.
Metro DC DSA Book Exchange at Wangari Gardens Spring Festival — Saturday, April 12 at 1pm
The Metro DC DSA Book Exchange and Street Team will be at the Wangari Gardens Spring Festival on Saturday, April 12 from 1 to 4pm with button-making and print-making, book sales from After the Storm, and ways to get involved with the chapter. Bring a book, take a book (or two or three), and join your neighbors for a potluck, yard games, music, and educational workshops. Learn more about Wangari Gardens Spring Festival on Instagram.
Montgomery County New Member Cohort program to begin April 23rd — sign up by April 16
Are you a new or recently engaged Metro DC DSA member living or working in Montgomery County? Do you want to build community with other members? Fill out our New Member Cohort interest form by April 16. All three sessions will be in-person in Montgomery County. Training topics include why we organize (Wednesday, April 23 from 7-9pm at the Rockville Library) and socialism and capitalism 101 (Wednesday, April 30 from 7-9pm at the Bethesda Library). The final session will be at the Montgomery County Branch's May branch meeting, from 2-4pm on May 4 in Rockville, featuring opportunities to speak directly with people running our campaigns. Sign up here.
Maryland General Assembly votes to expand worker cooperatives
On Wednesday, April 9th, the Maryland General Assembly passed a new law — SB0144 — that authorizes the formation of limited worker cooperative associations. The bill establishes new rules on the formation, governance, conversion, and dissolution of worker coops. The bill is now moving to the Maryland governor’s office for approval and would be set to go into effect on October 1, 2026. The bill was a project of an association of worker cooperatives operating in Maryland, with legislative support provided by State Senator Mary Washington (Baltimore), Delegate Lily Qi (Montgomery County), and Delegate Lorig Charkoudian (Montgomery County).
Build tenant power and help renters fight eviction with Stomp Out Slumlords — Saturday, April 19
Join comrades for an anti-eviction canvass next Saturday, April 19, to inform tenants facing eviction of their rights in court, how to get a lawyer, and to see if they're interested in organizing their building. Tenants that organizers speak to are twice as likely to go to court and fight their eviction, so every volunteer can make a big impact. RSVP here.
Canvassers will meet at the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station on the D street exit between 6th and 7th above the escalators (if the weather is bad, we'll be downstairs just before the turnstiles). At 1:30pm there will be a short training to explain why these canvasses are necessary, how to talk to tenants about their upcoming eviction suits, and how to fill in walk-sheets. Fresh canvassers will be paired with veterans. Afterward, the group will gather at Sonny's in Parkview to debrief the canvass and socialize.
If you have a car, please drive it down to the meeting spot. Cars are helpful for getting canvassers to metro-inaccessible areas. (Parking near L’Enfant Plaza is a bit tricky, but doable). If you’re interested in our work but can’t canvass, reach out to [email protected] to learn about other ways to get involved.
DSA National Convention set for August 8-10 in Chicago
DSA National Convention is coming up. This summer, hundreds of DSA members from across the US will be converging in Chicago to consider and vote on national resolutions, national bylaw changes, the national platform, and National Political Committee leadership. Resolution and national bylaw amendment proposals are currently being submitted by democratic socialists across the US — members can find convention proposals, discussion boards, and platform proposals on the DSA Discussion Board’s Convention Hub. More information about convention proposals can also be found on the DSA website.
The chapter will need to elect delegates to represent Metro DC DSA at the convention (the chapter is estimated to have 46 delegates). The Metro DC DSA Steering Committee previously voted to set the tentative opening for delegate nominations on April 20th, and identified the May 18th GBM as the meeting where delegate voting method will be officially decided by the membership.
Although alternative voting systems are allowed for consideration by the chapter, Article VI, Section 3 of the National DSA Constitution clarifies that the Hare system (STV) is to be used if it receives: (1) a petition from ten percent (10%) of a Chapter’s membership; (2) a motion supported by fifteen percent (15%) of those present and voting at a Chapter meeting determining delegate election methods; or (3) if a meeting determining a voting method is not held. Chapter members in support of Hare/STV have been circulating this petition for consideration (those with questions should contact @John O in the chapter Slack), while others have expressed support for the system used in 2023, approval voting (including in this 2023 article in the Washington Socialist).
The Socialist Singalong and Jam Session — April 30 at 7pm
The Political Education Working Group proudly presents “The Socialist Singalong and Jam Session” at 7DrumCity at The Pocket on Wednesday, April 30 from 7 to 10:30pm. This is a free, participatory event to perform and learn about the role music has played in the labor movement, to educate about historical working-class struggles, and to build camaraderie among working-class people by providing an outlet for musical expression and collaboration. All abilities, instruments, and persons welcome — a backline of drums, keys, amps, and mics will be provided, but musicians can also bring their own instruments. Here is a list of potential songs to play, and participants are welcome to perform their own music as well, as time allows.
Washington Post techs unionize; join their demand for voluntary recognition
“The Washington Post is broken. We’re standing together as workers and forming the Washington Post Tech Guild to fix it.”
Tech workers at the Washington Post announced Monday that they have formed a union with the Washington Baltimore News Guild. Workers delivered a letter announcing their unionization to management and requesting voluntary recognition; the oligarch-owned paper has so far refused to do so.
Post owner Jeff Bezos, also known for efforts to declare the National Labor Relations Board unconstitutional, has recently wielded his power over the paper in a clear attempt to cozy up to Trump’s fascistic administration, overhauling the paper’s opinion section in a move that led to tens of thousands of canceled subscriptions. This is likely only the beginning, which is why it’s more important than ever that all Post workers have a collective voice. Workers picketed Wednesday to demand recognition and have also asked supporters to sign a petition requesting management to recognize their union. Sign the petition here.
INFO ACCESS
MDC Dispatch (new feature!) The MDC Dispatch is the chapter’s new video news series, published on the first and third Sunday of each month. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and enable “All” notifications to be alerted to new installments.
Staying current: MDC DSA members: Join our all-member Slack for real-time info on working group and campaign events, convo, and inspiration. Email [email protected] with your most recent DSA dues receipt to get Slack access. Chapter members are also invited to read — and edit — MDC DSA’s internal wiki. Email [email protected] to get set up or ask in #helpdesk.
Making MDC DSA hum: MDC DSA Publications Working Group is information central not only for MDC DSA but the entire DMV left. Get a flavor of how we work at #publications (our working group’s Slack channel). Weekly Updates like the one you are reading are scheduled and emailed on Fridays; current and past Updates are on the web here. Not subscribed? DSA member or not, sign up to get the Update here. Submit your Update suggestions or DMV scandal tips to our tip line.
The Washington Socialist, published since the 1970s, offers in-depth analytical/opinion articles on a quarterly schedule; the Spring 2025 quarterly issue now leads the queue. Check out our indexed and searchable archive to see what we write — and what you can write. Anyone, MDC DSA member or not, interested in contributing to the Washington Socialist can email submissions or questions to [email protected]. Get your socialist self on the record. Donate to our Comradery page if you would like to financially support socialist publishing in the DMV.
DMV LEFT COMMUNITY BULLETIN
Building Community Power, Growing Community Wealth | Democratize NOVA
Democratizing NOVA (DNOVA) is a community-university partnership focused on exploring radical, community democracy and solidarity economics in the same vein as Cooperation Jackson, Cooperation Milwaukee, and other worker-led initiatives. All are invited to their 2025 summit, Building Community Power, Growing Community Wealth on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 at George Mason University. RSVP to the summit here.
Intro to Organizing: A Practical Guide to People Power | Rising Organizers
On Monday, April 21, from 6:30-8:30pm, join Rising Organizers for an intro to organizing. Dive into the core principles of community organizing, talk about building people power, and brainstorm ways to ensure the majority of us can fight for the future we deserve. RSVP here.
Anticapitalist Writing Workshop: Radical Queer Futures | After The Storm
Envisioning queer futures is a communal, radical, and joyous exercise. Come to this workshop to connect with your comrades and co-create revisionist futures in which our communities are celebrating and thriving! Join After The Storm and facilitators from MDC DSA’s Bodily Autonomy Working Group on Wednesday, April 23, from 6:30-8:30pm. RSVP here.
Peace Day 2025
This Saturday, April 12, at 12pm, join mutual aid groups across DC Wards 1-8 at Malcolm X Park for music and family activities. Meet your neighbors, learn about community support, and join mutual aid groups in peace + fellowship! More info here.
DC Emancipation Day
On Wednesday, April 16, join Free DC for DC Emancipation Day at the Metropolitan AME church from 6-9pm, with food served at 5:30pm. This event is about protecting Home Rule, saving federal jobs and services, and investing in local DC communities. RSVP here.
ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES
ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES are articles and opinion pieces of interest to DMV leftists but not, generally, appearing
in local media. They should have links without paywalls. Readers are invited to submit candidates at our tip
line.
Unions as a 21st Century Anti-Fascist Force
Trump and his MAGA movement are conspiring with oligarchs to turn the U.S. into a rightwing authoritarian state. The labor movement can play a key role in fighting back. By our local comrade Bill Fletcher Jr. in In These Times (via Portside)
This Land is Our Land
How Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement emerged from right-wing rule stronger than ever. The Nation.
Imperialism and Resistance in West Africa
In the latest episode of the anti-imperialist podcast Return to Bandung, MDC DSA comrade and show host Pranay Somayajula is joined by Netfa Freeman, co-coordinator of the Black Alliance for Peace’s Africa Team, to discuss the history of imperialism and anticolonial resistance in West Africa. The episode focuses in particular on the ongoing anticolonial upsurge in the Sahel region, and situates the rise of leaders like Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré and the emergence of formations like the Alliance of Sahel States within a longer history of West African resistance to imperialist violence and exploitation.
This is the weekly newsletter of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America (MDC DSA), which is produced by
local members of the chapter's Publications working group. The Weekly Update publishes every Friday at
9am.
Paid for by Metro DC DSA (mdcdsa.org). Not authorized by any candidate or committee.
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The flame of thought, the magnificence of art, the wonder of discovery, and the audacity of invention
all belong to revolutionary periods when humanity, tired of its chains, shatters them and stops inebriated to
breathe the breeze of a vast and free horizon. - Virgilia D'Andrea
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