Tenants mobilize against attacks in DC; Rockville Renters United executing rent stabilization day of action; voting in DSA convention delegate elections to begin May 27
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!
Paid for by Metro DC DSA (mdcdsa.org). Not authorized by any candidate or committee.
UP FRONT
Stomp Out Slumlords and the Social Housing Working Group mobilizing tenants against Mayor Bowser’s attacks
Mayor Bowser’s proposed RENTAL Act would exempt most tenants from the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), which has given District tenants the ability to stay in their homes by providing the first opportunity to purchase their building should their landlord decide to sell. Additionally, the RENTAL Act provides a handout to landlords, expediting the eviction process timeline so tenants have less time to figure out how to keep a roof over their heads while struggling to make ends meet. The city is facing historic challenges as federal layoffs from the Trump administration make it harder for tenants across the city to pay their rent, and the mayor continues to threaten further cuts to critical social programs. DC’s working class can’t let this happen — join tenants on May 28 at 9:30am to testify against the RENTAL Act.
Before the hearing, join DC Jobs with Justice on Tuesday, May 27 at 6pm for a TOPA Town Hall to discuss and shape the future of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act with DC council members. RSVP here.
Rockville Renters United executing rent stabilization day of action — TOMORROW, Saturday, May 24
Tenants are also fighting back in Maryland. Rockville Renters United and allied organizations are planning a day of action on Saturday, May 24 to get word out about the campaign for rent stabilization in the city of Rockville, which is currently excluded from the rest of Montgomery County’s existing rent stabilization. Join Montgomery County DSA and the Twinbrook Tenant Association for a canvass starting from the Twinbrook Metro at 12pm to knock on doors and distribute yard signs. RSVP here.
In addition to the Twinbrook canvass, Rockville Renters United will be flyering during the Hometown Holidays festival in Rockville Town Center, and Progressive Maryland and the Huntington Tenant Association will be canvassing the King Farm neighborhood of Rockville, starting at 10am.
Metro DC DSA votes to use Hare STV (ranked choice voting) for delegate elections — voting to begin on May 27
At the May 18 General Body Meeting, Metro DC DSA voted on a motion to elect delegates to this summer’s national DSA convention through the Hare STV method (Scottish STV iteration will be used, as documented by Opavote). This motion passed with 87% of the vote. A second motion called for our chapter’s delegates, once elected, to elect their own delegation chair instead of the membership at large. This also passed with 89% of the vote.
Our delegate election will begin on Tuesday, May 27, when electronic ballots will be emailed to all current, dues-paying members of MDC DSA, and will close at 11:59pm on Tuesday, June 3. (Members can find information on candidates, slates, candidate statements, and more in the #2025-national-convention channel of the chapter Slack.) Results will be announced to the chapter as soon as they are available. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.
BRIEFS
Metro DC DSA 2025 general election endorsement process and timeline
Endorsement Questionnaire (see the endorsement webpage for details) due by Wednesday, June 4
Endorsement resolution deadline on Saturday, June 7
First read of endorsement resolution at General Body Meeting on Sunday, June 8
Candidate or ballot measure campaign Q&As week of Sunday, June 15
Second read and debate of endorsement resolution at General Body Meeting on Sunday, July 13
All who wish to submit a request for endorsement in the 2025 general election cycle must return their completed endorsement questionnaire to [email protected] by the June 4 deadline.
Fair Price Fair Wage Coalition calling DC service industry workers for emergency meeting on Monday, May 26 to discuss Initiative 82 defense
As Mayor Bowser and a network of corporate sycophants on the DC Council plot to overturn Initiative 82, restaurant and service industry workers are banding together to organize a defense. On Monday, May 26, the Fair Price Fair Wage Coalition — of which DSA is a member — is calling for all tipped workers and allies to attend an emergency meeting on Monday, May 26 to discuss defense of Initiative 82 against attacks from the Restaurant Association of Washington. The event is set to take place at the Festival Center (1640 Columbia Rd NW) in Adams Morgan, and there will be two opportunities for attendance; from 2 – 4pm and then from 6 – 8pm. The event will have English and Spanish interpretation, as well as food and childcare. Read more here.
The Fair Price Fair Wage Coalition has also prepared a new tipped worker survey for circulation. Data collected on this form is being used by the Fair Price Fair Wage Coalition to inform strategy for I82 defense, and also to inform workers on working conditions across the service industry for future action and organizing potential. Following collection, relevant information will be made available to workers who fill out the form. Find survey here. Readers are encouraged to forward this survey to contacts in the restaurant, bar, and service industry, or to any worker in the city who receives tips.
Internationalism Working Group kicking off teach-in series about global empire — Anti-Imperialist Summer School Week 1, June 1
This first session will lay the foundation for the course by introducing the basic principles of key Marxist theories of empire, beginning with Lenin’s theory of imperialism and encompassing newer developments like neocolonialism, dependency theory, and world-systems analysis. Challenging liberal narratives that present imperialism as a bygone historical phenomenon, or as a practice that individual countries engage in by projecting power beyond their borders, we will instead present a more holistic analysis of imperialism as a system of global political economy — what Lenin called “the highest stage of capitalism” — characterized by the extractive flow of wealth, value, and resources from the Global South to the Global North. Learn more and RSVP here.
We Power DC canvassing kick-off — June 4 at 6:30pm
Are you tired of paying hundreds of dollars a month to a billion-dollar company for your electricity? Us too. That’s why We Power DC is campaigning to create a publicly owned utility that will ensure lower bills, good union jobs, and clean energy for all. Join We Power on Wednesday, June 4 at 6:30pm to talk to neighbors in Ward 1 about public power. Training and materials will be provided — wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring friends.
Pack, Party, Pride! — Saturday, June 14 from 7 – 10pm
Ready for Pride Month? Join DSA comrades on Saturday, June 14th, from 7 – 10pm for Pack, Party, Pride! Celebrate pride by helping pack 2,000 reproductive and sexual health care kits at our pride-themed care kit event. All proceeds go towards paying for the costs of these care kits, and earns a raffle ticket from one of our lovely vendors. Buy a ticket here.
Chapter Program Commission seeks member input — take the survey and join in the next listening session
At Metro DC DSA’s last convention, the chapter voted formally to establish a two-year political program for the chapter, to be developed by a standing Program Development Commission (PDC). The PDC, which is made up of 13 chapter members from across working groups and the larger DMV region, is gathering member input to help develop that chapter program.
The PDC has opened their survey and is seeking input from DSA members, regardless of activity and level of involvement, and interested community members. Share your thoughts on MDC DSA’s future here. The commission has scheduled a second listening session for live input on Saturday, May 31 at the MLK Library to get input on the work of the chapter, our organizing culture, and thoughts on how DSA should operate and present itself for the next two years. Sign up here.
New to DSA and looking to connect with others? Join the New Member Cohort this June
Everyone new to Metro DC DSA is invited to apply to join the Summer 2025 New Member Community Cohort. The group will participate in Wednesday night sessions for three weeks starting June 4 at MLK Library in DC. Participants will cover foundational organizing concepts, creating a meaningful framework for socialism, and how to become an active member in DSA. At least one session will be followed by a social hour, and comrades in the cohort will be signing up together for direct actions throughout the month. Applications are due by May 26.
Want to stay updated? MDC DSA members are encouraged to 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.
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. 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 submit your Update or Dispatch 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].
DMV LEFT COMMUNITY BULLETIN
People Power 101: Getting Started with Organizing Relationships on May 29 | Rising Organizers
On Thursday, May 29 from 6:30 – 8:30pm at MLK Library, join this free training by Rising Organizers to get into the weeds on the role of relationship building in creating robust, sustainable movements for democracy. During the training, they will break down the art of a one on one meeting; what it is, why it matters, and how to do it well. RSVP for the training here.
Save the Block on May 31 | Save Chinatown Solidarity Network
Join the Save Chinatown Solidarity Network for an afternoon of education, celebration, art, and action in Chinatown. On Saturday, May 31, from 3 – 6:30pm at Chinatown Park, recognize Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Month by fighting to protect Chinatown small businesses. There will be music, vendors, food, art, a documentary screening, and more. Learn more on Instagram here.
Teach-in & Social Hour for Jews and friends of Palestine on Sunday, June 8 | Alexandria for Palestine
Are you interested in learning more about Jewish solidarity with Palestine but you don’t know where to start? Maybe you haven’t found community yet? Bring your curiosity and good will to learn about and discuss antisemitism, Zionism, and Palestinian solidarity on Sunday, June 8 from 1 – 3:30pm in Alexandria. RSVP for details.
DC Joy Day on June 14 | Free DC
On Saturday, June 14, from 12 – 5pm at Anacostia Park, Free DC and Harriet’s Wildest Dreams are hosting DC Joy Day, a community celebration with music, performances, kids activities, and more. Bring a cooler, invite your friends, and make it clear that DC communities are about connection and joy, not fear or weapons of war. Learn more on Instagram here.
Kennedy Center staff votes to unionize | UAW/Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO
Employees at the JFK Center for the Performing Arts have voted to unionize “across departments” with the United Auto Workers, the Washington Metropolitan Council AFL-CIO reported earlier this week. The effort comes “amid months of layoffs and job uncertainty following major changes brought on by the Trump administration,” which has replaced most board members with Trump favorites.
Action on anniversary of George Floyd's murder | DC Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression Action on anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, Sunday, May 25 – 2pm at Lafayette Square to protest Trump EO unleashing the cops. Note: Not all sponsors' demands are endorsed by MDC DSA.
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.
Biography of historian Christopher Hill spans decades of change in discipline’s perspective
Hill, one of the most prolific and influential historians of the 20th century, upended the view of 17th-century Britain’s two revolutions (one violent, one non-). He was also the product of two specific eras of political and social change: the Old Left’s communist and working-class movements of the 1930s and ’40s, and the New Left’s liberation and countercultural movements of the 1960s and ’70s – but never strayed from class as a fundamental analytic. The Nation
MD energy advocates find mixed bag in outcomes from Assembly, Moore response
For Maryland utility ratepayers and We Power folks: Very nerdy but thorough Maryland Matters coverage of energy issues surrounding some contentious Moore vetoes (and signings) of bills backed by the 2025 General Assembly. Maryland Matters
Poetry begins at STOP
At this moment in time, to belong to the Arabic language and its creative memory, with its long tradition of poets who sang of loss, revenge, and justice, is also to be of Palestine. Protean
Three well-tested ways to undermine an autocrat
When we heard South Africa’s Cecil Ramaphosa zing Trump with “I wish I had a plane to give you,” we knew a lasting meme was born. In his NYT column, Nicholas Kristof outlines how dissidents in entrenched authoritarian societies have used ridicule, exposure of corruption, and the example of a single victim to fight autocracy. NYTimes
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.
Thinking about it, but want to get this email Update every Friday? SIGN UP
HERE
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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