Vote your conscience, vote DSA endorsed candidates

Election Day is this Tuesday. Twin Cities DSA has endorsed two candidates, one in a local race and one in a statewide race.

Andy Dawkins, who was a DFL State Representative from 1987 to 2002, is the Green Party endorsed candidate for Attorney General. He is facing incumbent Lori Swanson, who has a number of marks against her progressive record. See Andy's campaign site for all the information. There will be an election night party for Dawkins supporters 8pm, November 4, at O'Gara's Bar and Grill in Saint Paul.



Captain Jack (CJ) Sparrow is running against long-time DFL incumbent Peter McLaughlin for the position of Hennepin County Commissioner, District 4. Besides being an almost 30-year local activist in anti-poverty and homelessness issues and a 40-plus-year supporter of economic democracy in the form of cooperatives, CJ is a member of the DSA Local. His excellent campaign platform is propounded on his blog, Occupirate. He only wears the pirate costume for special appearances and demonstrations, by the way.

From the National Blog

In The Left and Voter Turnout, Duane Campbell argues that getting out the vote can be a vital part of our organizing efforts. He says

We need to select and engage in some electoral battles. Our selection could be based upon whether:

•  It is an important issue. 
• Our allies are working on it. 
• There is a democratic socialist thread in the campaign. 

 

Here is news from the Altlanta local of DSA, which is launching a movement called Moral Monday/GA, pushing an expansion of Medicaid. Note that this is not a blog, but is sort of treated like a blog. However, the individual articles don't have permalinks. Therefore, if you wait too long, the article about Moral Monday may have moved off the top spot or been deleted. Apart from that, nice website, and they are doing a lot, including working with Occupy Atlanta, which is also doing a lot.

Twin Cities DSA Meetings and Events: Spring 2013

Sunday, April 21, 2013, 5 PM. Book group: Discussion of Michael Harrington's Twilight of Capitalism facilitated by Ryan Chegwin. A Twin Cities DSA business meeting will follow at 6 PM. Mayday Books, 301 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis.

Sunday, May 19, 2013, 3 PM. Peak Oil: Presentation by Dan Frankot and discussion. Mayday Books, 301 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis.

Also, please visit the Twin Cities DSA information table at the 39th Annual May Day Festival. Sunday, May 5, 1–6 PM at Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis.

Ty Moore for City Council Volunteer Meeting and Ward 9 Canvass

Join the Ty Moore for City Council campaign at 4200 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, on Sunday, April 7, 12 noon - 2 PM for a volunteer meeting to discuss updates on the campaign and how to get plugged in. This week there will be a political discussion on Ty's support for Minneapolis Energy Options and building a movement for municipalized utilities in Minneapolis. Then, from 2 - 5 PM, canvass in Ward 9.

Twin Cities Local DSA endorses Ty Moore for Minneapolis City Council, Ward 9

The Twin Cities Local of the Democratic Socialists of America, at its March meeting, voted without opposition to endorse the candidacy of fellow socialist Ty Moore for the Minneapolis City Council seat for Ward 9. The seat is one being vacated by Gary Schiff (DFL) as he runs for Mayor. As the Democratic Socialists of America is not a political party nor a political action committee, endorsement by a local or sub-group is educational and informational in nature, and serves mainly as a notice to the public that we have decided that this candidate’s positions are strongly in line with our values and our organization’s goals. Members of the local, especially those who live in Minneapolis, are encouraged to support the candidate as individuals, but are free as ever to support whom they choose.

Ty Moore, who is a member of Socialist Alternative and running under that banner, is also endorsed by the Green Party of Minneapolis (which is a political party!) Our local invited Ty Moore to address our meeting on March 24 about his candidacy, why he is running and what he stands for. After his address, we had a formal motion to endorse, which passed with none opposed and one abstaining. We are very pleased as socialists to see an electable activist with broad community support running as a socialist for a local office.

Meeting Notice: Twin Cities DSA Membership Meeting, March 24, 2013

Twin Cities DSA will hold a membership meeting Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 6 PM. The meeting will begin with a half-hour business session. Then, guest speaker Ty Moore will speak about his candidacy for Minneapolis City Council, representing Ward 9. A social hour will follow. Location: 2nd floor conference room, Davanni's Pizza, 2500 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis.

Freedom to Marry Day Rally

Organized by Minnesotans United for All Families, the Freedom to Marry Day Rally will be a key first step in working with state legislators to ensure that in 2013, Minnesota state law is changed to reflect our shared belief that loving and committed same-sex couples should have the freedom to marry.

Where: Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda.
When: Thursday, February 14, 2013, 3 PM - 4:30 PM.

For more information about this event visit the Minnesotans United for All Families.

Meeting Notice: Membership Meeting, February 24, 2013

Twin Cities DSA will hold a membership meeting Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 6 PM. The meeting will start with a half-hour business session. The agenda will include planning for a grassroots economic training workshop (in March, tentatively) and outreach efforts by our local at this year's May Day parade and festival. The meeting will  conclude with a 30-minute open political discussion, which will be followed by a social hour. Location: 2nd floor conference room, Davanni's Pizza, 2500 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis.

Meeting Notice: Membership Meeting, January 20, 2013

Twin Cities DSA will hold a membership meeting Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 6 PM. The meeting will start with a half-hour business session and conclude with a 30-minute open political discussion. A social hour will follow the meeting. Location: 2nd floor conference room, Davanni's Pizza, 2500 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis.

Re-energizing Meeting

The Twin Cities local will have a "re-energizing" meeting at 5 pm Sunday, February 19.  This will be held in the community room of the Standish Green Condominiums, at 2210 East 40th Street, Minneapolis, 55407.  (Buzz party room if we don't see you at the door.) There will be refreshments served and there is a very full agenda, including a progressive candidate for Minneapolis School Board seeking our support and/or endorsement, lots of ways to get involved in local OWS events, and plans to rebuild the local, get involved in more actions and much more.  For one thing, it's not too early to think about what we want to do for the May Day Parade. 

Next DSA Meeting, Sunday October 23, 2011 at 7:30 PM

There will be brief business, and then table discussion.

Our next DSA meeting will be October 23rd, 2011 @ 7:30 pm at Davanni's Pizza & Hoagies, Riverside, at 2500 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN, in the upstairs meeting room.

Twin Cities DSA at the Occupy Minnesota (Wall Street) Event, Sunday October 9th, 2011

Today, several of us from the local Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America took part in the Occupy Minnesota (Wall Street) event. 

There is some hope that people are waking up, and confronting the powers. Unchecked corporate power is a threat to our democracy and to social justice. 

Americans of all types were at this event- anarchists, socialists, tea-partiers, Ron Paulites, libertarians, and ordinary people, all protesting Corporate power and its alliance with government. It is not shrill to suggest that unchecked corporate power is leading to a nascent fascism. Average Americans are being asked to sacrifice, while the rich and corporations are not being asked to sacrifrice. Corporate profits are privatized, while corporate losses are socialized.

Join the movement, stand up for your rights. Take part in the Occupy Wall Street event in your city. If there isn't one in your city, start it! 

Here are some links: 

Occupy Wallstreet

OccupyMN

"Occupy" movements are spreading to other cities, in the U.S. and in other countries, including:

 Albuquerque, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Dallas, Des Moines, Houston, Iowa City,Jersey City, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Portland/Oregon, Portland/Maine, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Fe, Seattle, Tampa, Trenton, Washington D.C.,  Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth. 

Memember of the Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America, including your truly, at the Occupy Event 

Young Anarchist woman at the event. 

Congressman Keith Ellison (D) of Minnesota, and Antonia from La Asamblea de Derechos Civiles

See more pictures on my public Facebook posting (may have to log in to Facebook to see the album):
Occupy Minnesota- Democratic Socialists of America, Twin Cities




Antonia from La Asamblea de Derechos Civiles speaks on the need to prosecute Wall Street, and on the shared struggle of all people, Latina, Black, White, and others, for social justice.

This was originally posted on Lance's Blog: 


http://lancegold.blogspot.com/2011/10/twin-cities-dsa-at-occupy-minnesota.html

Check out this video that breaks down the MN budget impasse!
MN Budget Deficit

Dayton wants to keep up with the increasing health care costs that the poor, disabled and elderly depend on and is trying to raise the $1.3B by increasing taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans. The GOP led legislature says, "No way".

In 5 1/2 hours, the Minnesota government will shut down.

Upcoming Fist & Rose Newsletter

We are working on creating a newsletter for the local. Our next meeting will be July 17, 2011 at 6:30pm at the Roseville Old Chicago. If you are interested in being part of this project, call or email Kate!

Stephan's back in town

Dear Comrades in the Struggle:

Our dear Comrade Stephan will be back in town, and he is able to join us Monday evening, at Old Chicago. I will make reservations on Monday (they will not accept them before then) for 7 PM. I hope you can all join us!

Thanks to Kate for setting this up!

In solidarity,

Comrade Basil (Lance)

Minnesota DSA-ers Protest Arizona Immigration Law

Thursday July 29th, members of our local Twin Cities DSA joined in a local protest in St. Paul against the Arizona Immigration Law. La Lucha Continua!

SATURDAY, JUNE 12

6:30 pm Mayday Books FREE!

301 Cedar Ave. South on the West Bank in Minneapolis

Sponsored by:

Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Socialist Alternative (SA), and Mayday Books

The Red Tail, 2009, 87 minutes, directed by Melissa Koch and Dawn Mikkelson

The story…“For all those families struggling with the disastrous effects of economic globalism, with a global system that does not speak to their concerns or address their fears, The Red Tail is your film. For those not victims of globalism, at least not yet, The Red Tail is your ticket to understand how your country is being shaped by forces beyond our political control. [The Red Tail] will make you not only smarter, but also more sensitive and compassionate.”-Huffington Post, Feb 25, 2010.

On August 19, 2005 Roy Koch, along with 4,400 airline mechanics, custodians, and cleaners of AMFA went on strike against Northwest Airlines, the fourth largest airline in the world. Northwest, otherwise known as “The Red Tail” by its employees, wanted to lay off 53% of their union and outsource their jobs. What followed was a 444-day strike that would end with 4,000 union members out of work, including Roy.

May Day Books is a non-profit, volunteer-run, progressive bookstore. “Not making a profit since 1975!”

In the basement of THE HUB; enter on side of building. There is a large public parking ramp behind the building. For info, call 612-333-4719.

Twin Cities DSA June Meeting-Monthly Meeting for brief business, discussion, and fellowship

Twin Cities DSA June Meeting-Monthly Meeting for brief business, discussion, and fellowship.

Date: Sunday, June 27, 2010
Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: Davanni's Pizza & Subs Riverside
Address: Riverside 2500 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN

May Day Event @ The Black Dog Café

Workers of the World Unite —

On May Day at the Black Dog!

Join us May 1st at 6:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Café for a spirited and

informative celebration of the 120th anniversary adoption of May Day

as the official holiday of the International Labor Movement. Stories,

poems, songs, video, art work, and presentations about the ongoing

struggle for economic and social justice featuring: Spoken word by

Anya Achtenberg, Ed Bok Lee, Kyle Chase, Diane Jarvi, and

Rich Broderick. Music by The Fantastic Merlins and Diane Jarvi.

Presentations by Dr. Stephan Peter, faculty member in political sci-

ence at Anoka-Ramsey Community College and long-time May Day

participant, and Members of the Minnesota chapter of the

I.W.W. on the attempted suppression of the Wobblies in the early

20th century and the movement’s current progress. Plus continuous

video feeds of May Day celebrations in Paris, Berlin and elsewhere.

The Red & The Black, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., the Black Dog Café,

308 Prince St., (across from the St. Paul Farmer’s Market), St.

Paul. Free Admission. On-street parking available, and off-

street parking behind the café, $1 for the evening.

Call 651.228.9274 for further information.