Twin Cities
Democratic Socialists of America
Little Red Letter #112
Wrapping up the 2023 DSA Convention,
Justice for Workers, Shutting Down the HERC, and More!
This past weekend 22 members of our chapter alongside over 1,000 comrades from across the nation gathered in Chicago for the 2023 DSA National Convention, the first in person convention since 2019. The convention, held every two years, is the highest decision making body of our organization. The three day event included debate and decisions on political direction, strategy, and organizational structure, in addition to breakout sessions highlighting organizing work happening across the country and providing opportunities for members of different tendencies and across chapters to connect and build relationships for future efforts. A special thrill for many of our delegation members was the ability to take Amtrak to convention, letting them engage with other members making the same trip including At-large, Brainerd Lakes Area, Red River Valley, Portland, Seattle, Whatcom County, San Diego and other DSA members! Over the next couple of weeks our delegation will be debriefing and developing a report back to highlight the decisions that were made and what it may mean for the chapter.
Yesterday a rally was held by MN350 Workers United to stand in solidarity with MN350 organizer Nancy Beaulieu, who was unjustly fired last week, and to call on MN350 to stop their union busting actions, including disciplining Senior Pipeline Resistance Organizer Andy Pearson over union activity. This union was initially recognized on June 12, but the union says management has withheld formally affirming that recognition to the NLRB. Per the union, management has also demanded that unionizing employees waive the right to file objections with the NLRB, the right to strike, the right to talk publicly about the union with supporters, and even sought to exclude eligible staff from the union who had signed union cards.
In Minneapolis the Fair Drives, Safe Rides policy had a public hearing on August 8 in the city’s Business, Inspections, Housing & Zoning Committee. Testimony included community members and rideshare drivers organizing with the Minnesota Uber/Lyft Drivers Association speaking in favor of the policy. The committee voted to approve the proposed ordinance and it now goes to the City Council which will vote on adopting the ordinance. Introduced by Council members Wonsley, Chavez & Osman, this policy aims to protect basic workers’ rights and guarantee a minimum compensation for rideshare workers. A statewide version of this was passed in the previous legislative session, spearheaded by Senator Omar Fateh. This was then vetoed by Governor Tim Walz.
Also coming up this week, the campaign to shut down HERC is now entering a more public and critical phase. At the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners meeting next Tuesday August 15 at 1:00pm, a wide range of people including doctors, union leaders, scientists, teachers, waste workers, experts, and impacted community members will speak directly to the commissioners on the need to close the trash incinerator. The county already needs to approve a closure plan in order to qualify for certain state funds, and we need to ensure their plan includes a definite closing date. All are invited to join in solidarity at this meeting to back up those testifying. If you plan to attend please RSVP here so you can receive updates about the event, county meeting rules, and our demands.
Lastly, if you didn’t have a chance to come out to watch our chapter softball team General Strike Three the last couple months, you still can! Unfortunately the open fall league we applied to was canceled, but we have registered for the competitive co-ed fall league instead. Over the next month they will be playing every Tuesday through Sept. 5. All games are doubleheaders at Bossen Field Park in South Minneapolis at 6p and 7p, you can find the schedule here. They had a thrilling opener this past Tuesday, and look forward to the rest of the season. After 8p you can also join us at nearby Venn Brewing for a post-game social. Anyone interested in joining the roster should head to the #socialists-play-sports-softball Slack channel, especially women or women-identifying folks!
On the Left Bank – Issue 5
“On the Left Bank” is a creative writing and art zine produced and distributed by TCDSA members and supported by TCDSA. We publish short prose, poetry, and visual art quarterly.
If you’re interested in publishing or joining the editorial board, contact us at leftbankmag@proton.me. We always are looking for more writers, artists, and editors!
TCDSA committees and working groups need members to get involved in order to create the multi-racial, worker-powered socialist future we’re all aiming for. Below are some opportunities to be part of the exciting work going on in our chapter right now!
- East Phillips Urban Farm
- Following the huge Roof Depot victory, there’s still plenty of work to be done to continue the fight for environmental justice in the Twin Cities. Current focuses are:
- Shutting down the HERC Trash Incinerator
- Shutting down Smith Foundry and Bituminous Roadways
- Reimagining Highway I-94
- Continuing community engagement in East Phillips for the realization of the Urban Farm
- If you’re interested in any of this work, reach out to TCDSA’s East Phillips and EJ Working Group at eastphillips@twincitiesdsa.org or on Slack at #epni_coalition_with_and_events to get plugged in!
- Following the huge Roof Depot victory, there’s still plenty of work to be done to continue the fight for environmental justice in the Twin Cities. Current focuses are:
- Twin Cities DSA Sports
- Ultimate Frisbee
TCDSA is putting together an ultimate frisbee team for a nine week fall league! Games will be on Sunday afternoons from September 11– November 6, and we need more players to fill our roster! If you’re interested please join the #socialists-play-sports-ultimate-frisbee Slack channel. All experience levels welcome!
- Basketball
Join us Sundays at 9:00 to play some casual pickup basketball games with comrades! Join the #socialists-play-sports-basketball Slack channel to stay in the loop! All skill levels are welcome 🏀 - Disc Golf
Disc golf is the golf of the working class! Most courses are in public parks and are free to play. Discs are inexpensive compared to most sporting gear and can be bought used, and many people who’ve been playing for a while have a collection of extra discs available to borrow. We’re organizing occasional TCDSA group rounds—join the #socialists-play-sports-disc-golf Slack channel for more info! All are welcome, regardless of athleticism.
- Ultimate Frisbee
- General Strike Three Softball Doubleheader and Post Game Social – RSVP Here
- Tuesday, August 15, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Bossen Field Park
Come meet comrades old and new to the chapter and cheer for our softball team, General Strike Three. The team will play a doubleheader with games at 6 and 7 at Bossen Field Park, field #5, and then after we’ll head to Venn Brewing for a brief post-game social.
- Tuesday, August 15, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Bossen Field Park
- Picnic in the Park with the West Metro & Wright County Group – RSVP Here
- Wednesday, August 16, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM – West Pulaski Park
Join us for a picnic full of pride and solidarity! The West Metro & Wright County Democratic Socialists invite you to a picnic on Wednesday, August 16th at West Pulaski Park in Buffalo at 5:30 pm. We’re going to celebrate our recent successes and plan for a powerful future. But the main thing is to hang out with some friends and comrades! We’ll share outdoor games, food, drinks, and fun. Families and friends are welcome. Bring folding chairs if you have them. The picnic is pot-luck, but all are welcome, whether or not you bring something to share. RSVP and let us know if you plan to bring something!
- Wednesday, August 16, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM – West Pulaski Park
- TCDSA 101 – RSVP Here
- Saturday, August 19, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Join us for an introduction to Twin Cities DSA! Designed mainly for new members but any member might benefit. This event will acquaint you with the ideas behind socialism, the structure, culture, and history of Twin Cities DSA, its position in the national and local left ecosystem, and help you discern where you might find the most rewarding opportunities to get involved.
- Saturday, August 19, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- General Strike Three Softball Doubleheader and Post Game Social – RSVP Here
- Tuesday, August 22, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Bossen Field Park
Come meet comrades old and new to the chapter and cheer for our softball team, General Strike Three. The team will play a doubleheader with games at 6 and 7 at Bossen Field Park, field #5, and then after we’ll head to Venn Brewing for a brief post-game social.
- Tuesday, August 22, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Bossen Field Park
- Tech Ops Committee – Monday, 8/14, 7:00pm-8:00pm – Zoom Registration
- The Tech Ops Committee meets on the 2nd Monday of the month.
You can see the latest agenda here at the top of the page.
- The Tech Ops Committee meets on the 2nd Monday of the month.
- East Phillips Urban Farm Working Group – Monday, 8/14, 8:00pm-9:30pm – Zoom Registration
- The East Phillips Urban Farm working group meets weekly on Monday at 8p. TCDSA has endorsed the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute’s (EPNI) Urban Farm initiative to resist the City’s Hiawatha Campus Expansion plan.
- Labor Branch Meeting – Tuesday, 8/15, 7:00pm-8:30pm – Zoom Registration
- The TCDSA Labor Branch meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. For information about this meeting, see the #labor channel on Slack. Not on Slack? Submit tcdsa.org/slack to verify you’re on the member list.
- Internal Organizing Phone Bank – Wednesday, 8/16, 6:00pm–7:00pm
- Join the Internal Organizing Committee for our bimonthly phonebank to call new TCDSA members.
We meet on Zoom to go over the script, mute ourselves and make phone calls to other DSA members, and then return to debrief how our calls went. A brief training is provided and no prior experience is required. These phonebanks are a chance to meet newer members to TCDSA, hear what they need from our chapter and what brings them to socialism. All are welcome to join, but new members should note that this is a group calling session where we will call you, not an event designed for new members.
IO phonebanks are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. For more information about joining this meeting, see the #internal-organizing Slack channel.
- Join the Internal Organizing Committee for our bimonthly phonebank to call new TCDSA members.
- Communications Committee Meeting– Thursday, 8/17, 6:00pm-7:30pm – Zoom Registration
- The Communications Committee meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.
For information on joining this meeting, see the #communications channel on Slack. Not on Slack? Submit tcdsa.org/slack to verify you’re on the member list.
- The Communications Committee meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.
- Steering Committee Meeting – Sunday, 8/20, 3:00pm-4:30pm
- Check #steeringcommittee for the zoom link and agenda. If you are a member and need access to slack, sign up at tcdsa.org/slack
- East Phillips Urban Farm Working Group – Monday, 8/21, 8:00pm-9:30pm – Zoom Registration
- The East Phillips Urban Farm working group meets weekly on Monday at 8p. TCDSA has endorsed the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute’s (EPNI) Urban Farm initiative to resist the City’s Hiawatha Campus Expansion plan.
- St. Paul Branch Meeting – Wednesday, 8/23, 7:00pm–8:30pm – Zoom Registration
- The St. Paul Branch of TCDSA meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month.
- TCDSA Electoral Door Knock – Saturday, 8/26, 1:00pm-4:00pm
- Details TBD— Please check our Event Calendar for more details!
Go to tcdsa.org/events to see everything!
| Socialist Soirée at the 2023 DSA National Convention The Socialist Soiree was immortalized on YouTube. From Deb K R Pro-Israel PAC pushing Minneapolis Councilwoman LaTrisha Vetaw to challenge Ilhan Omar Although it’s early in the campaign cycle, Rep. Ilhan Omar is drawing challengers and, once again, the politically powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is trying to defeat her. This time, they chose LaTrisha Vetaw as their potential candidate. Read all the latest on MinnPost. From Deb K R The Small-Town Library That Became a Culture War Battleground Throughout the country, far-right groups are trying to control what books kids can read. In Dayton, Wash., they tried to shut down the library altogether. From Deb K R |
Editorial counterpoint: Twin Cities would be better without an I-94
Our comrade Elizabeth Wrigley-Field had an Op-Ed published in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune suggesting that the Twin Cities would be better off without a big old urban freeway gouged out between the cities.
From Deb K R
Presidential candidate assassinated at campaign rally in Ecuador
An Ecuadoran presidential candidate known for opposing cartels and corruption, Fernando Alcibiades Villavicencio Valencia, was publicly assassinated at a campaign rally in Quito just days before the election.
From Deb K R
Martha Plimpton on SAG-AFTRA stakes
Martha Plimpton, who describes herself as “middle of the show biz eco-system” and someone who “never had a civilian job,” explains what’s at stake for actors like her in the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes for new contracts. Basically, the future of the industry. The possibility of anyone making a living acting or writing for films and TV.
From Deb K R
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