Twin Cities
Democratic Socialists of America
Little Red Letter #124
Organizing Everywhere, Macalester Undergrads Want a Union, Camp Nenookaasi Today, and More!
Organizing Everywhere
We usually lay out events further down in the newsletter, but this edition we want to highlight some amazing actions that are going to have the Twin Cities buzzing for the next couple of weeks.
First is a public hearing at 1:30p today in Minneapolis on a minimum compensation ordinance for rideshare drivers, who will be showing up to city hall in support of compensation model A, and folks who can should join them in support. Then later tonight, we have the DFL caucuses at 7p. Twin Cities DSA members are organizing to support allies and candidates who may receive our endorsement, oppose conservative democrats and others who are hostile to us, recruit new members, and introduce resolutions supporting a $25 statewide minimum wage, a Gaza ceasefire, and the Minnesota Health Plan. Find where you caucus, get sample resolutions, and let us know if you can join us at tcdsa.org/caucus.
Still to come this week, we have an event tomorrow to talk 2024 labor actions and the fight for a living wage at 7p at our office in the Spruce Tree Center. Coming up Thursday at 5:30p is our February General Meeting, and we’ve got a lot of business to take care of! We’ll be meeting at the Merriam Park Library, and check in starts at 5p. Find all the details and how to register ahead of time at tcdsa.org/generalmeeting.
And starting Friday we have a solid stretch of labor solidarity events through to the next weekend. We’ll touch back on the Macalester organizing campaign in the next section, who are holding a support rally this Friday, March 1st at 5p at The Loch on campus. Finally that weekend kicks off the 2024 Compression Week of Action, starting with a rally on Saturday at 11am. All members and allies are encouraged to attend! After that, there are almost daily opportunities to show up in support of twin cities workers all asking the question “What could we win together?” Scan the QR code for more details about how you can turn out to support these workers!
Macalester Undergrads Want a Union
As we have vaguely alluded to, earlier this month the Macalester Undergraduate Workers’ Union became the latest group of student workers to go public with their organizing campaign. They join a growing wave nationally of undergraduate workers unions, with undergraduates at both California State University and Harvard University voting to unionize in the past few months. At Macalester, this is the continuation of 15 months of preparations that began following student employees at Cafe Mac attended a Macalester YDSA meeting on union organizing. Organizers and supporters have given a variety of reasons in favor of the campaign, from a need to improve workplace conditions and training, to improve pay, scheduling, and financial support, and as a way to stand for better conditions for everyone. With a bargaining unit that would total nearly 1,300, they are off to a big start and engaged in a variety of actions. In addition to engaging undergraduate workers to sign union cards, they are building community support and connecting with campus groups to create solidarity across the Macalester Community, and asking Alumni to sign their petition in support of their organizing. You can find all their information and details on how you can support them at their Linktree, and anyone who can make it is invited to attend a rally in support this Friday, March 1st at 5p at The Loch on campus.
Camp Nenookaasi Today
Camp Nenookaasi continues after a series of evictions by Mayor Frey and his staff, involving several city departments. In Nenookaasi’s sustained effort to reshape how Minneapolis responds to the issue of houselessness and addiction, people are working to create a new model organized around caring for people who are struggling instead of the criminalization and neglect that is the city’s status quo. The newest camp location is 2601 14th Ave S, and our TCDSA working group continues to organize people to show up at camp every Sunday from 2-5:30pm, and need your help! We do whatever is needed and helpful on that day which can include: running errands, organizing the kitchen, fixing yurts, talking with residents. Residents are told to keep drug use to their private spaces but you need to be ok with the possibility of witnessing this. For up to date information and all ways to support the camp visit their linktree, and connect with us directly at environmentaljustice@twincitiesdsa.org or on the #environmental_justice_group slack channel.
By Deb K R, a summary of labor struggles, electoral struggles, and ideological struggles in education from the US to Minnesota to the Twin Cities. Meet the new MSP superintendent. Get interested in your school board election.
By Ethan BF, an article summarizing what Cop City is, how its construction and opposition has unfolded, and what lessons there are in this process.
Why Liberal/Progressive Politicians Don’t Deliver
By Kip H, a reflection on the current efforts and frustrations around a ceasefire resolution in the city of Saint Paul.
- TCDSA February General Meeting – Thursday, 2/29, 5:30p – 7:30p
- Please join us at Merriam Park Library at 5:30p on Feb. 29th for the February General Meeting. Members may also attend over zoom, and threads will be set up on Slack for freeform discussion of any proposals/nominations.
On The Agenda:
Updates about the ongoing work of the chapter, as well as nominations and candidates speeches for the vacant Co-chair and Political Education Coordinator positions. These position are vacant following the resignations of the prior office holders. We will also hear and discuss member proposals, including proposals around expanding the Ezra Ishman Solidarity Fund’s mission, a COVID-19 policy for chapter events, and whether the chapter should sign on to an open letter to the NPC calling for Nithya Raman’s expulsion and dis-endorsement. Find all the details and how to register ahead of time at tcdsa.org/generalmeeting.
- Please join us at Merriam Park Library at 5:30p on Feb. 29th for the February General Meeting. Members may also attend over zoom, and threads will be set up on Slack for freeform discussion of any proposals/nominations.
- Twin Cities DSA Budget, Finance, and Fundraising
- As many of you have heard about, we have an office! As you may also have heard about, DSA is in a budget crunch. Both of these factors make it all the more important that our chapter is on top of our finances, proactive with our fundraising, and prepared for transition, as our chapter treasurer is in their last term in office. If you want help ensure our chapter’s financial stability as we continue our development, if you want to learn about and help manage our budget, if you want to help take our fundraising to the next level, consider joining the B.F.F. Committee. Reach out to Tim H on slack directly or email tcdsatreasurer@gmail.com.
- Electoral Committee General Meeting – Wednesday, 2/28, 6:00p – 7:30p – Zoom Registration
- The TCDSA Electoral Committee holds a general meeting the last Wednesday of every month at 6PM.
- West Metro & Wright County Working Group – Wednesday, 2/28, 6:00p – 7:30p – Zoom Registration
- Monthly meeting – this month we’ll talk about the MANY labor actions coming up soon, anti-fascist organizing and coalition building, the DFL caucuses, and some upcoming events.
- Saint Paul Branch Meeting – Wednesday, 2/28, 7:00p – 8:30p – Zoom Registration
- Monthly meeting – this month we’ll talk about the MANY labor actions coming up soon, anti-fascist organizing and coalition building, the DFL caucuses, and some upcoming events.
- Pickup Basketball
- Saturday, 3/2, 1:30p – 3:30p
Saturday, 3/9, 1:30p – 3:30p
We’ve found a place to play basketball indoors during the winter! Super informal, please come out if you’re interested in playing and meeting other comrades. All skill levels welcome, we’re a very casual group!
For location details and to spot check that we’re on for the session each week, as some weeks we might have overlapping events that would motivate us to cancel, check out the #socialists-play-sports-basketball channel on Slack.
- Saturday, 3/2, 1:30p – 3:30p
- Steering Committee Meeting – Sunday, 3/3, 2:30p – 4:00p
- Steering Committee Meetings are held at our Spruce Tree office (1600 University Ave St Paul) and hybrid on Zoom
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
- Steering Committee Meetings are held at our Spruce Tree office (1600 University Ave St Paul) and hybrid on Zoom
- East Phillips Health Team – Tuesday, 3/5 6:00p – 7:30p
- 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 6:00p to 7:30p. It is on Zoom, but not always on DSA accounts. Please email eastphillips@twincitiesdsa.org for access to the Zoom link.
- Note, this is NOT the DSA Health Justice WG.
- Minneapolis Rent Control Working Group – Tuesday, 3/5, 6:00p – 7:00p – Zoom Registration
- Join the Minneapolis Rent Control Working Group as we fight for strong rent control in our city! Meetings on Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month at 6pm.
- Internal Organizing Phonebank – Wednesday, 3/6, 6:00p – 7:00p – 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.
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.
- 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.
- Communications Committee Meeting – Thursday, 3/7, 6:00p – 7:30p – Zoom Registration
- Palestine Solidarity Working Group – Thursday, 3/7, 7:00p – 8:00p – Zoom Registration
- Regular biweekly meeting of the TCDSA Palestine Solidarity Working Group. Join us as TCDSA organizes with allies in the community towards Palestinian liberation.
Check the #palestine-solidarity Slack channel for the zoom link and agenda. If you are a member and need access to slack, sign up at tcdsa.org/slack
- Regular biweekly meeting of the TCDSA Palestine Solidarity Working Group. Join us as TCDSA organizes with allies in the community towards Palestinian liberation.
Go to tcdsa.org/events to see everything!
Immigrants are not hurting US-born workers – Six facts
It may be just dry statistics, but it’s great backup if you’re trying to convince someone that immigrants don’t harm the US-born part of the workforce. Brought to you by Daniel Costa and Heidi Shierholz of the Economic Policy Institute. – From: Deb K R
Look at all these great election laws!
The trifecta legislature of 2023 passed a lot of progressive legislation. Just this list of only election laws passed would be a pretty impressive record. More democracy is always nice. Thanks to Minnesota Reformer for gathering all the facts. – From: Deb K R
Harry Shepherd – a famous Black photographer from St. Paul decades before Gordon Parks
As African-American History month draws to a close, MinnPost has a piece from the historical society about Harry Shepherd, born 1856 in Virginia, who operated several photographic studios in turn of the century St. Paul. – From: Deb K R
Workers Announce Strike at Seven Nursing Homes in the Twin Cities
The Minnesota Reformer’s Max Nesterak gives the lowdown on the planned one-day strike at seven Twin Cities nursing homes. Workers are caught in a spiral of low wages leading to burnout and non-replacement, leading to dangerously low staffing levels. – From: Deb K R
The problem of copper wire theft from streetlights
Bill Lindeke, writing in Cityscape in MinnPost, delves into the issue of copper theft as it affects safety and city budgets, and notes that Athena Hollings and Sandy Pappas are working on legislation to pinch off the demand side, a strategy that worked well for the similar issue of catalytic convertor theft. – From: Deb K R
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