Twin Cities
Democratic Socialists of America

Little Red Letter #120

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December General Meeting Recap, Defending Camp Nenookaasi, Organizing for the Future, and More!

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Last issue we said the snow and cold had arrived. That’s been hard to tell over the last week, and we’re getting to a point where that’s a little unsettling. Either way, December is here, and we just wrapped up our December general membership meeting! Thank you to all members who attended in-person and online, and thank you especially to our wonderful guest speakers.

Colleen from the National Political Committee joined to give some insight on DSA’s current financial position, as well as make a pitch for income-based Solidarity Dues to both help sustain our national work as well as see more dues money returned to the chapter over annual or lifetime.

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YDSA members joined us to speak about the coalition they formed at the University of Minnesota to advocate for justice in Palestine, as well as highlighting the work of other local YDSA chapters in joining these efforts on their campuses. At the UMN this has included on campus rallies, tabling to promote the national “No Money for Massacres” campaign, and a forward focus toward educational events and expanding the coalition. 

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We were also joined by workers from First Avenue, who recently had their union voluntarily recognized by their employer and will soon enter bargaining. They laid out some of the more pressing reasons that fed into the union drive, including unfairness in scheduling and lack of support and training. They described how a few people started out quietly power mapping the company, identifying leaders, and bringing people in. They also described the experience of going public and the transition they are undergoing as they enter bargaining and build their power as a new union. A thank you as well to the DSA members who have turned out to stickering events at First Avenue events to help build community support for these workers.

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In addition to our guest speakers, we had a wide array of updates on our chapter’s ongoing organizing, including the coalition and solidarity work of our environmental justice group. This has included new energy toward shutting down Smith Foundry following the EPA’s report on their environmental violations, continued coalition work toward shutting down the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), including the official launch of the Minnesota Zero Waste Coalition last monday with long term goals of closing the HERC trash incinerator and fostering a grassroots movement for a waste free world.

Most pressingly though, they highlighted solidarity work they are engaging in with Camp Nenookaasi, a community based healing camp rooted in native practices and inclusive of all unsheltered relatives, who now are facing eviction. There are two opportunities for members to turnout in support in the next week, a march on Wednesday the 13th and a ceremony and breakfast on Thursday the 14th, a day where we hope the eviction of Camp Nenookaasi will be averted.

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With the 2023 elections behind us, our Socialists in Office Committee has been coordinating focused conversations with our endorsed elected officials as we continue to formalize this work and develop these connections outside of campaigns. This includes discussion on communication structures and collaboration opportunities on our endorsed priorities, such as identifying environmental justice organizing we can engage with, support for unionization efforts and collaboration on municipal level worker’s rights, advancing housing justice through tenant’s rights and restoring meaningful rent control, building municipal structures as part of our developing bodily autonomy and reproductive justice campaign, and the impact of local officials in calling for a ceasefire and justice in Palestine.

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Our labor branch co-chair highlighted the activity of the local labor movement. This included continued preparation for the 2024 contract compression as unions prepare to bargain or in some cases continue to do so, ongoing organizing within unions for labor to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, and an upcoming initiative to reactivate union-specific working groups to allow better coordination among union members in fighting the boss and democratizing their unions.

In addition, anyone who is free is invited to a panel discussion at May Day Books today at 5p. Panelists Amanda Goodman Berry, Jessica Garraway, and Kip Hedges will discuss the intersection of race & class in the labor movement: how to navigate intersecting identities in class struggle and spot the way nonprofits and the ruling class leverage identity politics to defuse and absorb militant energy and maintain the status quo.

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While the city might be taking the first steps to municipal sidewalk plowing, we don’t have it yet. The chapter kicked off our own acts of democratic snowcialism last year through our street corp working group, and that will be starting up again once we get a durable snowfall. They will be focusing first around Camp Nenookaasi and the East Phillips neighborhood and looking to recruit community members to the effort as well. Readers who are interested can sign up here to be notified by text when a shoveling event is planned. Additionally we heard from the Gertrude Brown Community Land Trust, an effort that Twin Cities DSA has supported in their efforts to purchase public land for the purpose of developing a cooperatively run community of micro-homes in North Minneapolis for unhoused people.

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Finally a business recap; three proposed bylaws amendments that had been held over from the chapter convention which ultimately were not considered during this meeting, a proposal was introduced regarding the scope of use for the chapter’s solidarity fund, which in recent months has resumed its regular functioning, and the special election for co-chair was postponed to the next membership meeting. Nominations are still open to members in good standing who are interested in putting themselves forward as candidates.

Not to end it there though, we held off on a post meeting social for a few days. So even if you missed the meeting, you can still join comrades at Arbeiter Brewing on December 16 at 7p on the mezzanine, for our official Winter(ish) and Post-General Meeting Social! Chill, talk with other TCDSA members about organizing, drink, generally have something fun to look forward to as we approach the end of the year. And anyone in the mood can join us for bowling beforehand from 3-5p next Saturday at Memory Lanes. Sign up for this one ahead of time so we know how many lanes we’ll need.

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• Race, Class and the Labor Movement
  
  • Sunday, 12/10, 5:00 – 6:30 PM – RSVP Here
    Mayday Books, 301 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis
    
    Join labor leaders, race equity activists, and class-struggle union fighters to discuss the intersection of race & class in the labor movement: how to navigate intersecting identities in class struggle and spot the way nonprofits and the ruling class leverage these things to defuse and absorb militant energy and maintain the status quo.

• TCDSA 101
  
  • Saturday, 12/16, 10:00 – 12:00 PM – Zoom Registration
    
    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.

• TCDSA Bowling Social
  
  • Saturday, 12/16, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
    Memory Lanes, 2520 26th Ave S, Minneapolis
    
    Please RSVP here to give us a sense for turnout ahead of time: tcdsa.org/bowling
    
    With summer sports and daylight hours winding down, we wanted to find a forum for continued activity during the winter and invite you to join us for an afternoon of bowling and general comradeship at Memory Lanes!
    
    The chapter will be renting two lanes for two hours, and is asking that individuals cover the cost of their shoe rental. Each lane accommodates up to 6 bowlers per Memory Lane rules, so depending on arrival time, etc., we could potentially accommodate 24 people for an hour each. It’s open format— just show up and do any or all of the following: bowl, chill, talk with other TCDSA members about organizing initiatives, eat, drink, have something fun to look forward to to combat the shorter and darker days.
    
    Memory Lanes: https://www.memorylanes.com/

• TCDSA Winter and Post-December General Meeting Social
  
  • Saturday, 12/16, 7:00 – 10:00 PM – RSVP Here
    Arbeiter Brewing Company, 3038 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis
    
    Join us for the official winter and post-December general meeting social! Chill, talk with other TCDSA members about organizing, drink, generally have something fun to look forward to as the year ends and we approach the end of the year.

• Solidarity School
  
  • Wednesday, 1/10, 6:00 – 7:30 PM – RSVP Here
    Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
    
    The Political Education Committee is thrilled to announce Solidarity School. Solidarity School is a four session educational program that builds our chapter’s organizing and intellectual skills. Poli Ed facilitators will lead 90 minute weekly lessons in January on subjects like public speaking, how to have organizing conversations, and deeper dives into socialist thinking and the Twin Cities. Solidarity School is a great way to workshop important talents that we will need in this next big year of organizing whether you are a seasoned pro or brand new to socialism or TCDSA. 

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• Tech Ops Committee – Monday, 12/11, 7:00pm – 8:00pm – Zoom Registration
  
  • The Tech Ops Committee meets on the 2nd Monday of the month.
     
    To see the latest agenda (top of the page): https://wiki.twincitiesdsa.org/books/tech-operations-committee/chapter/agendas-minutes

• East Phillips Health Team – Tuesday, 12/12, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
  
  • Note, this is NOT the DSA Health Justice WG.
    
    Goal: To improve health outcomes in East Phillips by reducing air pollution in the neighborhood.
    Jointly led by TCDSA, Seward Vaccine Equity Project (SVEP), and East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI).
    
    This group meets every other Tuesday from 6 to 730pm. It is on Zoom, but not always on DSA accounts. Please email eastphillips@twincitiesdsa.org for access to the Zoom link.

• Political Education Committee – Tuesday, 12/12, 6:30pm – 8:00pm – Zoom Registration
  
  • All members are welcome to join the Political Education Committee or to attend any of our meetings to discuss the continuation of programming like TCDSA 101, debate nights, and Solidarity School, and lifting up Poli Ed for new, curious, and established TCDSA members.This group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. For more information, check out the #politicaleducation Slack channel. Not on Slack? Submit tcdsa.org/slack to verify you’re on the member list.

• Internal Organizing Committee – Wednesday, 12/13, 6:30pm – 8:00pm – Zoom Registration
  
  • All are welcome to join our monthly meetings of the TCDSA Internal Organizing Committee (IOC).
    
    This committee works to create the spaces, structures, and resources to initiate and sustain members’ active and healthy participation in chapter work. Through internal organizing, we strive to grow our capacity by developing confident and skilled organizers and leaders who are empowered to turn their resources into collective power to make socialist change. Join the #internal-organizing channel on Slack for more info.

• Health Justice Working Group – Thursday, 12/14, 7:00pm – 8:00pm – Zoom Registration
  
  • The Health Justice working group is rebuilding! 
     
    Join us for our monthly meeting and get to know other comrades to discuss the healthcare industry, learn about current healthcare-related legislation, and plan how our chapter can work for health justice. 

• Bodily Autonomy Campaign Coordination Meeting – Saturday, 12/16, 1:00pm – 2:30pm – Zoom Registration
  
  • At this meeting we will be discussing early stages of the new TCDSA priority campaign for Reproductive Justice and Trans Liberation and planning chapter-wide strategy discussion meetings in January and February. Please come to this meeting if you are interested in helping coordinate and facilitate meetings, assisting with outreach, and internal organizing!

• Street Corps Working Group Meeting – Sunday, 12/17, 10:00am – 11:00am
  
  • At this meeting we will be discussing early stages of the new TCDSA priority campaign for Reproductive Justice and Trans Liberation and planning chapter-wide strategy discussion meetings in January and February. Please come to this meeting if you are interested in helping coordinate and facilitate meetings, assisting with outreach, and internal organizing! Reach out in the #street-corps-working-group slack channel for the location.

• Steering Committee Meeting – Sunday, 12/17, 2:30pm – 4:00pm
  
  • Check #steeringcommittee for the zoom link and agenda. If you are a member and need access to slack, sign up at tcdsa.org/slack
    
    Log on early for a “Leadership Operations Skill-Share” where a leader in TCDSA does a skill-share about skill that is important for chapter operations. These skill-shares will be from 2:10-2:30pm before the SC meeting begins

• Environmental Justice Group (f/k/a East Phillips Urban Farm Group) – Monday, 12/18, 7:00pm – 8:30pm – Zoom Registration
  
  • The Environmental Justice group meets every other week on Monday at 7p. Right now we are focusing most on shutting down the HERC, supporting Camp Nenookaasi Ikwe in East Phillips, and are also helping with the Reimagining of I-94 and shutting down major polluters in East Phillips such as Smith Foundry. Join us to discuss how best to support the residents and realize this environmental and economic justice vision.
    
    This group’s meetings are on Zoom, and occasionally in person.

• Labor Branch Meeting – Tuesday, 12/19, 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 Phonebank – Wednesday, 12/20, 6:00pm – 7:00pm – Zoom Registration
  
  • Join the Internal Organizing Committee for a New Member Phonebank. 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 other members to TCDSA, hear what they need from our chapter and what brings them to socialism. Register for the Zoom meeting here.
    
    All are welcome, but new members should note that we will be calling you!
    
    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.

• Local Elected Socialists in Office: Administrative Meeting – Thursday, 12/21, 6:00pm – 7:00pm – Zoom Registration
  
  • All branches, committees, and working groups are encouraged to bring ideas for how we can collaborate with electeds.

• Communications Committee Meeting – Thursday, 12/21, 6:00pm – 7:30pm – Zoom Registration
  
  • The Communications Committee usually meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.

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Go to tcdsa.org/events to see everything!

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