Hi comrade!
We’re less than two weeks from the election, but as you know, democratic socialism does not begin or end with the presidency. Regardless of the results next week, we are collectively empowered to create change that produces a more just and fair world for all. Our individual voices are being heard at the highest levels because there is strength in numbers, and always more work to be done.
Whether you are volunteering for one of our local candidates’ campaigns or lending your skills to one of our working groups or attending a session to learn a bit more about what democratic socialism even is, your work matters. We’re proud to stand with you at protests, in virtual meetings, and even our Halloween costume contest (see below).
In Solidarity,
Your SV DSA Newsletter Team 🌹
Silicon Valley DSA is your local volunteer-run chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Updates
Redwood City Budget Meeting
The City of Redwood City City Council is meeting tonight to discuss revisions to the 2020-2021 city budget. Due to COVID-19 related expected losses in revenue, the City is making cuts across the city, including to the police department’s budget. Join us as we advocate for defunding the police in Redwood City. Recently one of our members chronicled our work in RWC so far. Read about it on our blog.
Mountain View: Protect Rent Control
Silicon Valley DSA is once again organizing to protect rent control from Mountain View City Council. Councilmember McAlister wants to pack the Rental Housing Committee with appointees during the lame duck session instead of leaving appointments to the next Council. The Rental Housing Committee has the power to suspend rent control if the vacancy rate rises above 5%. It is now at 7%. Rent control itself is at stake!
Check out our fact sheet at sv-dsa.org/rhc for how to give comment at Council on Tuesday night and how to contact them by email. Tell City Council: hands off rent control!
Contact: #caucus-mountain-view on Slack. We always have a lively Slack discussion during City Council meetings!
Halloween Costume Contest
Spooky or silly, we want to see your Halloween costumes at our costume contest! This Friday, 10/30 from 7-9pm, come see what the rest of SV DSA is dressing up as at our new weekly virtual social hour. There will be prizes, including for scariest, cutest, best group, most socialist, and best costume from stuff I had laying around the house!
Voter Guide Update
Due to the decisions made in a member-wide vote on 10/22, SV DSA has officially revised our voting recommendation on Prop 25, and no longer makes a recommendation (changed from recommending a yes vote). Our voter guide includes our previous stance and the argument against our previous recommendation.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers Exposed
Crisis Pregnancy Centers are organizations that pretend to be abortion clinics in order to scare and shame people into not getting abortions. Many people walk into CPCs not realizing what they are, and end up being given misinformation about their pregnancy and choices. Join us as we work on our educational CPC video and begin drafting our next script on 10/27 from 7-9pm.
Support Our Candidates
It’s the final days of the campaign trail. All of our endorsed candidates need help dropping literature and making calls. Sign up to help get these democratic socialists elected to office today:
- Basil Saleh for CUHSD School Board
- Jake Tonkel for San Jose City Council
- Tiffany Vuong for Milpitas City Council
- Alex Lee for State Assembly
- John Lashlee for Mountain View City Council
- Lissette Espinoza-Garnica for Redwood City Council
Protest 101
Going to your first protest doesn’t need to be intimidating — we’ll help you prepare. Join us for a Protest 101 workshop on either 11/1 or 11/5 from 6-7pm where we will walk through how to engage in direct action safely and intentionally. Topics will include safe practices for direct action during COVID-19, preparing to navigate escalation by the police, understanding your role in a demonstration, and more.
Medicare for All Webinar
The healthcare working group is preparing a webinar on Medicare for All, and we’d love your help.
Contact: healthcare@siliconvalleydsa.org or #wg-healthcare on Slack
Video Editors Wanted
The SocFem working group is looking for video editing volunteers! If you have the time and skills to help, reach out on #wg-soc-feminist this week for more info.
Contact: socfem@siliconvalleydsa.org or #wg-soc-feminist on Slack
Defund the Police
Join our justice working group for a bookclub meeting on 11/9 at 7 to 8:30pm. No reading necessary this time! We’re focusing on a podcast that makes the case to defund the police.
Can’t make bookclub? Our next monthly working group meeting will be 11/12 at 6-8pm. We hope to see you there!
We’re also working closely with the National Don’t Call the Police campaign on local alternatives.
Contact: justice@siliconvalleydsa.org or #wg-justice on Slack
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