This is the monthly meeting of the Boston DSA Ecosocialism working group. We'll discuss updates to our campaigns, work with other groups, and a political reading discussion.

This will be a Zoom-only event. We will use the recurring number from past meetings, and will send out an agenda with details prior to the meeting, so if you're not already on our mailing list but would like to attend, please contact ecosocialism@bostondsa.org for meeting details.

https://www.facebook.com/759160187908965

New to Boston DSA? Not sure how to get started? Not a member yet, but looking to dip your toe in? Then please join us via Zoom for a New Member Orientation conference call on Saturday, June 6 at 1 pm! Members of our Membership Committee will walk you through the chapter's structure, answer questions, facilitate discussion about socialist organizing in Boston, and discuss how the chapter is responding to the COVID-19 state of emergency.

As you can see, one way we are handling that last one is by moving a lot of meetings that would normally be in-person to Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed out to everyone who joined the chapter in between the last New Member Orientation in early May and our most recent membership data (which we receive the Monday before). If you do not fit into that timeline but still wish to be on the call, please message us and we will send you the link.

https://www.facebook.com/642150506337406

The current crisis has shown more than ever the need for rent control, medicare for all, strong unions and other popular working class demands. Boston DSA has an unprecedented opportunity to elect multiple dedicated members to the state house to fight for democratic socialism in Massachusetts, but it can only happen if we hustle and talk to as many voters as possible.

Join us in making phone calls for Anna Callahan, a fellow Boston DSA member running for state representative in Medford and Somerville!

The Zoom link will be sent over the Electoral Working Group email list as well as the #wg-electoral slack channel. If you think you may not be on this list but would like to attend, please email electoral@bostondsa.org. On the day of the event, please message the chapter Facebook account if you need the link.

Unavailable on the 6th? You can sign up to volunteer for Anna or donate to the campaign at the links below!

https://annacallahan.com/volunteer/
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/cte-anna-callahan-1

https://www.facebook.com/2491835147793336

Well, that escalated quickly. Cities across America are in open revolt. Police nation wide are brutalizing protesters and intentionally causing them to riot. Trump is threatening an even worse crack down.

Assuming there's still electricity and internet access, the Revolutionary Socialist Caucus will be hosting a discussion about the current events of the day. We can't be more specific than that because who the fuck knows what's going to be going on in five days?

The RSC is a Boston based caucus of revolutionary socialists engaged in many struggles, from housing to political education and more.

This meeting will be hosted on the Zoom meeting platform.

https://www.facebook.com/200091131060747

IF YOU NEED THE ZOOM LINK ON THE DAY AND DON'T HAVE IT: Please message the chapter Facebook account, Boston Democratic Socialists of America

At this pivotal point for our movement facing the disaster capitalism of the pandemic, it's never been more important to think deeply and discuss strategy with your fellow BDSA members. We'll be reading a broad set of perspectives on the legacy of the Bernie campaign, the question of a new Democratic Socialist Party, and the key tasks for Socialists during the pandemic. Please join us!

This is the third of four sessions, which will be held each week on Sunday evenings at 8pm beginning Sunday, May 24th.

Week 3 Readings: The "Dirty Break" strategy

2019 DSA Convention Resolution 31 - Class Struggle Elections:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ty-YS0FTSns3LOppTUFCnfT7LxT--2cWnVlcosbF9QM/edit?usp=sharing

Seth Ackerman - Blueprint for a New Party - https://jacobinmag.com/2016/11/bernie-sanders-democratic-labor-party-ackerman
OR
Seth Ackerman interview on The Dig (Jacobin Podcast) - https://www.thedigradio.com/podcast/a-new-party-of-a-new-kind/

Eric Blanc - Socialists, Democrats, and the Dirty Break - http://socialistworker.org/2018/08/06/socialists-democrats-and-the-dirty-break

Jared A and Dustin G - A Socialist Party in Our Time? (Paywalled, sadly) - https://catalyst-journal.com/vol3/no2/a-socialist-party-in-our-time

Discussion Questions:
1. What, if anything, does DSA gain politically from announcing our future intention to break from the democratic party?
2. Should DSA be taking concrete steps to prepare for a "dirty break" from the Democratic Party, and what could those steps look like?
3. In what situations should socialists run for office today on the Democratic Party ballot line vs an independent ballot line?
4. What is an independent workers party? What kind of struggles should it engage in besides elections? Would ourselves as a party help or hurt DSA?

https://www.facebook.com/816779162181728

COVID-19 Update: We will be meeting exclusively on Zoom for the foreseeable future. Please message Tim Follo for the zoom link!

The Immigration Working Group works in solidarity with (im)migrant-led groups in Boston to help build a broad cultural and legislative campaign in the name of dignity, respect, and political protection for the (im)migrant working class.

If you have any questions or would like to be added to the working group mailing list, please email immigration@bostondsa.org.

https://www.facebook.com/766080833872087

A reading group that meets every Monday, studying various theoretical works that cover socialist organizing, Marxist economics, building in a pre-revolutionary moment, the historical meaning of the Russian Revolution and the effects of Stalinism.

For more information about the current readings and the Zoom link, contact bostonmarxist@gmail.com.

You can also fill out this Google form to register interest: https://forms.gle/4158uVY7mvWoDqot6

https://www.facebook.com/653341328545089

COVID-19 is exacerbating the housing crisis. Rents continue to rise, the landlord class prospers, and the working class continues to get squeezed. But our chapter is part of the growing movement to change this. We are putting principles into action and saying: housing is a human right.

Boston DSA has formed a Rent Control Campaign to coordinate housing justice issues in the current moment. We will organize to fight for the immediate demand of today-- an emergency cancellation of rent and mortgages -- and pave the way for further mobilizations to win state-wide rent control.

This meeting will be held over Zoom. Please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvce6trjMiGdOTAMMCFhrWenx5CuE6t3mp

https://www.facebook.com/674398170068004

Everyone new to socialist activism is invited to a four-session introductory reading group on the basics of socialism, based on Jacobin's lively pamphlet, “The ABCs of Socialism”.

Each session will discuss three or four questions raised in “ABCs” that are the kind you are likely to get into with workmates, family members or fellow activists. Topics will include “Why do socialists talk so much about workers?”; “Doesn’t socialism always end in dictatorship?”; “Don’t the rich deserve to keep most of their money?” among others.

We want this reading group to provide a basic knowledge of socialist goals and analysis in a low-key atmosphere which, we hope, will make learning fun and motivate new DSAers to get more deeply involved in the work of our chapter. The first session will be on Tuesday, May 26th and in total there will be four sessions (May 26th, June 2nd, 9th, and 16th). There will be about 35 pages of reading for each session. "The ABCs of Socialism" can be downloaded for free here: https://s3.jacobinmag.com/issues/jacobin-abcs.pdf. For the first session, please read through page 35.

This group will be on Zoom. Please DM us for the call-in info.

If you have any accessibility requests, please contact our Accessibility Coordinator at accessibility@bostondsa.org.

https://www.facebook.com/168202891283272

The Boston DSA Coordinating Committee meets semimonthly, usually on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. We will be meeting online only for the foreseeable future.

We use these meetings to brainstorm and address administrative issues in the chapter. The Zoom link and CC meeting notes are posted in the #ask-cc channel in the chapter Slack. In addition, you can email the CC at boston-dsa-coordinating-committee at googlegroups dot com.

All CC meetings are open to the general membership, but not to the general public. On specific occasions where the CC is handling sensitive information, it may go into executive session for a portion of the meeting; this will be made known beforehand.

https://www.facebook.com/3188933287998001

Do you love socialism and posting? Do you have skills in email-writing, calendar-managing, social media, and other officey stuff from your corporate job that you'd like to use to smash capitalism instead? Do you hate canvassing and would prefer to just draft emails for the revolution? Are you good at graphic design (because I'm not and could really use some help on that front)? Then the newly rebooted Communications Committee wants YOU! *World War II recruitment poster pointing*

Our second meeting will be Thursday, June 11th at 6 pm on Zoom. We will be checking in on our progress for the tasks we decided upon at our first meeting, so if you missed the relaunch and want to know what those are, please feel free to email us at the address below and the Comms Coordinatrix can loop you into whatever you find interesting. (Hopefully it goes without saying that you can also drop in on the 11th and start from there.)

All members in good standing are welcome to join the Committee, but the Committee is members-only. If you are on the fence about joining but are intrigued, you can still come to the meeting to check it out. Please DM us for the Zoom info, or email us at bdsa-comms-committee at googlegroups dot com.

https://www.facebook.com/192736318443612

Join us in the first meeting relaunching the Prison Abolition Working Group. This group works to end the corrupt carceral system and the suppression of thousands by the justice system. This first meeting will be help via Zoom, and we will be voting for a regular monthly meeting time during this relaunch meeting.

Agenda and call-in information will be shared leading up to this event. If you have any questions or are interested in joining please email prisonabolition@bostondsa.org.

https://www.facebook.com/902378250276159

This is the monthly meeting of Boston DSA's electoral working group. This meeting is open to all DSA members, non-members, allies, and coalition partners.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are holding this meeting online. The Zoom link will be emailed to the electoral working google group list before the 14th. If you are not on that google group, please message this event to get the link.

https://www.facebook.com/979529905836503

IF YOU NEED THE ZOOM LINK ON THE DAY AND DON'T HAVE IT: Please message the chapter Facebook account, Boston Democratic Socialists of America

At this pivotal point for our movement facing the disaster capitalism of the pandemic, it's never been more important to think deeply and discuss strategy with your fellow BDSA members. We'll be reading a broad set of perspectives on the legacy of the Bernie campaign, the question of a new Democratic Socialist Party, and the key tasks for Socialists during the pandemic. Please join us!

This is the final session! Let's discuss next steps based on what we've understood from the group so far.

Week 4 Readings TBD

Discussion Questions: TBD

https://www.facebook.com/293228348746443

This is the monthly meeting of the Housing Working Group. Join our ongoing tenant organizing projects and other socialist housing topics!

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are holding this meeting online. Please message us for the Zoom link.

We also have a weekly strategy call every Monday at 7pm, and a monthly training on "Tenant Organizing under Covid." (the next one is this Sunday 5/17 at 3pm).

https://www.facebook.com/170110781086352

A reading group that meets every Monday, studying various theoretical works that cover socialist organizing, Marxist economics, building in a pre-revolutionary moment, the historical meaning of the Russian Revolution and the effects of Stalinism.

For more information about the current readings and the Zoom link, contact bostonmarxist@gmail.com.

You can also fill out this Google form to register interest: https://forms.gle/4158uVY7mvWoDqot6

https://www.facebook.com/653341345211754

Everyone new to socialist activism is invited to a four-session introductory reading group on the basics of socialism, based on Jacobin's lively pamphlet, “The ABCs of Socialism”.

Each session will discuss three or four questions raised in “ABCs” that are the kind you are likely to get into with workmates, family members or fellow activists. Topics will include “Why do socialists talk so much about workers?”; “Doesn’t socialism always end in dictatorship?”; “Don’t the rich deserve to keep most of their money?” among others.

We want this reading group to provide a basic knowledge of socialist goals and analysis in a low-key atmosphere which, we hope, will make learning fun and motivate new DSAers to get more deeply involved in the work of our chapter. The first session will be on Tuesday, May 26th and in total there will be four sessions (May 26th, June 2nd, 9th, and 16th). There will be about 35 pages of reading for each session. "The ABCs of Socialism" can be downloaded for free here: https://s3.jacobinmag.com/issues/jacobin-abcs.pdf. For the first session, please read through page 35.

This group will be on Zoom. Please DM us for the call-in info.

If you have any accessibility requests, please contact our Accessibility Coordinator at accessibility@bostondsa.org.

https://www.facebook.com/168202887949939

This is the monthly meeting of the Membership Committee, which meets via Zoom on the third Tuesday of every month. Meetings are open to all Boston DSA members in good standing. To obtain the Zoom information, please email the Membership Committee at coordinators at bostondsa dot org.

https://www.facebook.com/516509529281505

Join us for the monthly Tech & Infrastructure Committee meeting where we discuss ongoing projects and opportunities for direct action.

Join the #cmt-tech-infra channel on Slack or send an email to boston-dsa-tech-infra@googlegroups.com for more information on how to get involved.

https://www.facebook.com/3175583145819532

Calling all leftists of color! Boston DSA AfroSocialists and Socialists of Color Caucus is hosting a hangout on Zoom to discuss how to build a strong, diverse, and organized Left -- and why BIPOC socialists in Boston and beyond might consider joining DSA and getting active in Boston DSA.

DSA is the largest socialist organization in the United States, with 70K members, and growing daily. But we can only win radical demands like the Green New Deal and Medicare for All if our membership reflects the working class generally. Share how you're holding up during the Covid-19 pandemic, tell us your stories about what it means to you to be a leftist of color, and have a good time! Let’s build the bonds that can pull us closer to take on the fights ahead.

Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAscuqopjkoHtxDvJtlcTutvzO1874LJ5IQ

https://www.facebook.com/293481208330112

Join us for the June General Meeting of the Boston Democratic Socialists of America!

We will be having a debate and opening voting on whether to endorse Ihssane Leckey, a chapter member primarying Joe Kennedy in Massachusetts' 4th Congressional District.

We will also be having a panel discussion and breakout groups regarding strategies for the Left in the wake of the Bernie campaign, the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the onset of the prolonged economic depression we are almost certainly facing.

For the safety of our members, we will be meeting over Zoom. If you are not on our mailing list, please DM us for the call-in info.

https://www.facebook.com/626636388065214

This is the monthly meeting of the Healthcare Working Group. To join the mailing list or to inquire about meeting details, locations, accessibility, etc., please email healthcare@bostondsa.org.

Meeting locations vary by month, so please DM or email for details.

https://www.facebook.com/593965788101164

A reading group that meets every Monday, studying various theoretical works that cover socialist organizing, Marxist economics, building in a pre-revolutionary moment, the historical meaning of the Russian Revolution and the effects of Stalinism.

For more information about the current readings and the Zoom link, contact bostonmarxist@gmail.com.

You can also fill out this Google form to register interest: https://forms.gle/4158uVY7mvWoDqot6

https://www.facebook.com/653341348545087

Everyone new to socialist activism is invited to a four-session introductory reading group on the basics of socialism, based on Jacobin's lively pamphlet, “The ABCs of Socialism”.

Each session will discuss three or four questions raised in “ABCs” that are the kind you are likely to get into with workmates, family members or fellow activists. Topics will include “Why do socialists talk so much about workers?”; “Doesn’t socialism always end in dictatorship?”; “Don’t the rich deserve to keep most of their money?” among others.

We want this reading group to provide a basic knowledge of socialist goals and analysis in a low-key atmosphere which, we hope, will make learning fun and motivate new DSAers to get more deeply involved in the work of our chapter. The first session will be on Tuesday, May 26th and in total there will be four sessions (May 26th, June 2nd, 9th, and 16th). There will be about 35 pages of reading for each session. "The ABCs of Socialism" can be downloaded for free here: https://s3.jacobinmag.com/issues/jacobin-abcs.pdf. For the first session, please read through page 35.

This group will be on Zoom. Please DM us for the call-in info.

If you have any accessibility requests, please contact our Accessibility Coordinator at accessibility@bostondsa.org.

https://www.facebook.com/177451200358441

Join Boston DSA members to discuss ongoing local mutual aid efforts in response to COVID-19 and how to get involved. This meeting will be held over Zoom. Contact mutualaid@bostondsa.org with any questions or if you want to be added to the working group mailing list.

https://www.facebook.com/2511858229128363

The Boston DSA Coordinating Committee meets semimonthly, usually on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. We will be meeting online only for the foreseeable future.

We use these meetings to brainstorm and address administrative issues in the chapter. The Zoom link and CC meeting notes are posted in the #ask-cc channel in the chapter Slack. In addition, you can email the CC at boston-dsa-coordinating-committee at googlegroups dot com.

All CC meetings are open to the general membership, but not to the general public. On specific occasions where the CC is handling sensitive information, it may go into executive session for a portion of the meeting; this will be made known beforehand.

https://www.facebook.com/3188933291331334

**Update: Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, working group meetings will be held over Zoom until it is safe to meet in person. Please email education@bostondsa.org for Zoom information.**

Monthly meeting of the Political Education Working Group. Come and discuss internal and external education projects for Boston DSA!

The Democracy Center is partially accessible, however does not have an accessible bathroom available on premises. Daedalus next door has generously offered to accommodate people who need an accessible bathroom.

If you have any accessibility concerns, please reach out to education@bostondsa.org to request accommodations.

https://www.facebook.com/2462375854017632

Rent and people's ability to pay rent will be a major feature of the COVID crisis, with potentially devastating consequences for working people across the world. Organizing together with our neighbors for housing as a right is more important than ever.

Over the past 2 years DSA Housing Working Group has organized with tenants unions in several building complexes in Boston. We have held these trainings around once a month to talk bout what we've learned about tenant organizing and to get new organizers out there doing the work as quickly as possible. Please join us for our third fully online tenant organizer training to discuss strategies and tactics for tenant organizing during the COVID crisis.

Please message us for the Zoom link if you'd like to join!

https://www.facebook.com/226880328609977

A reading group that meets every Monday, studying various theoretical works that cover socialist organizing, Marxist economics, building in a pre-revolutionary moment, the historical meaning of the Russian Revolution and the effects of Stalinism.

For more information about the current readings and the Zoom link, contact bostonmarxist@gmail.com.

You can also fill out this Google form to register interest: https://forms.gle/4158uVY7mvWoDqot6

https://www.facebook.com/653341378545084