Features

Pre-Convention Political Discussion Series Continues Next Two Sundays –Bob M

Leading up to Convention, the Chapter has been holding political discussions about what we’ve been doing, what the local organizing terrain looks like, and how we move forward.

At the Labor discussion, we covered:

• Power mapping, using examples like the Frenchmen Street garden fight,
• New Orleans’s unique history of mutual aid and why Black organizing traditions must lead any mass movement,
• The Minnesota general strike as a proving ground and the national May Day Strong coalition,
• Assigning formal liaisons to unions and stakeholders,
• Connecting labor to housing, immigration, and salting as advanced tactics.

Members spoke about a May Day 2028 general strike and a resolution for Local Convention. To continue this discussion, head to #worker-power-louisiana on Discord or email hello@dsaneworleans.org.

At the Electoral discussion, we covered how our chapter’s electoral work, the local political terrain, and our electoral strategy to be voted on at our Local Convention. Head to #municipal-action-committee on Discord or email hello@dsaneworleans.org to read the resolution.

Discussion included:

• Developing local political policies and principles that will guide our elected officials, endorsed candidates, and Voter Guide,
• Picking races well in advance that we want to run in, recruiting members in those districts, developing them as socialist candidates, and then endorsing them,
• Creating a committed team that develops public policies and incorporates feedback from the community at our neighborhoods organizing efforts and events.

Thank you to the members who contributed to these discussions. We have two more to go, including this Sunday for solidarity work around mutual aid, immigration advocacy, community safety, abolition, and more. Be sure to RSVP for the remaining political discussions.

Fool Me Once, Shame on You… –Andy L

…fool me twice, shame on me, as the old saying goes. As the City and NOPD keep adding more and more layers of surveillance, it’s important to remember that police departments all across the country have problems keeping their officers from stalking their ex-girlfriends. Although you’re probably thinking, “The solution is obvious: don’t date cops,” I would offer another option: don’t give them another tool that has a history of being abused.

I don’t know how many times we need to say this, but here’s one more time: buying toys for cops doesn’t make us safer, but investing in our communities does. Cities have to spend more and more on cops because they cut support services and leave it to the cops to clean up the ensuing societal calamity. In New Orleans, the cops get about a quarter of the city budget.

So the next time you hear someone crowing about how Flock cameras are going to be a game changer, you should think to yourself, “How is that going to be abused by some nimrod, and how long will it take us to find out about it?” If you REALLY want to have fun with it, think about all of the better things that the city should be spending that money on.

Don’t be fooled. Technology won’t keep us safe–but community will.

Missed It by That Much –Andy L

The next time someone you’re talking with daydreams about starting their own business and being their own boss, I encourage you to sit with them about that for a few moments and slip in a quick organizing conversation.

Why do they want to be their own boss? Do they want to decide what kind of work gets done, what kind of products are made? Do they want to keep all of the value that their labor has created? Do they want to own all of the tools that they need to do the work? (Some would call that owning the means of production. )

If the answer to these questions is ‘Yes,’ then you, Dear Reader, are talking to a budding Marxist. They already understand the concept of alienation of their labor, even if they may not have the words for it.

Remember that a VERY important part of having an organizing conversation is LISTENING. Let them talk. You’d be surprised how close people are to getting it. Sometimes they just need a little help making that last step. Good luck! I believe in you.

Bulletins

Ecosocialists: Come See What We Can Grow

We’re getting together to kick off an Ecosocialist Working Group! Come learn how we can get our hands in the dirt to build community power! Join us Friday, June 12, at the Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Av #258, or online. RSVP to let us know you’re coming.

Summer Social and Second Cohort Graduation

Join us for New Orleans DSA’s Summer Social and Second Cohort Graduation! Come out to Skeeta Hawk Brewery on June 14th, from 2-5pm. Bring your family and meet your fellow chapter members. Not a member? Come anyway! The Second Cohort Graduation begins at 3:30pm. Cohorts help members become familiar with New Orleans DSA, get comfortable talking about our work, and strengthen connections and camaraderie among comrades. Sign up for the next cohort if you’re interested in expanding your involvement with New Orleans DSA. Solidarity!

Landry/Murrill Recall Campaign: Monday Night Collection Events

Starting Monday, June 15, New Orleans DSA will be collecting signatures to recall Governor Landry and AG Murrill, at 2372 St Claude Av from 5-8pm. We’ll do this every Monday, and we encourage anyone who wants to help to fill out this form and reach out to the Recall Campaign. If you know of a location that would hold a recall signature drive, please join us on the Discord server and we can help you build out that idea.

Defending our Unhoused Neighbors Post-HB211 – Wash F

A few weeks ago, the Louisiana Legislature passed HB211, a law described by the National Homelessness Law Center as “one of the cruelest anti-homeless bills in the country.” Now that this law criminalizing homelessness has passed, we must plan what to do next. Join our friends at NOHHARRM for a general forum on Monday, June 15, 6–8 pm at the New Orleans Liberation Center (4999 Burgundy St) to discuss how this will impact our community, and to strategize how to support those experiencing homelessness.

Direct Service & Health Justice: Brake Light Clinic/Health Fair

Saturday, June 20th, Direct Service and Health Justice will be holding a Brake Light Clinic and a Free Health Fair at 1800 AP Tureaud Ave from 11am-2pm. We will also be collecting signatures for the recall campaigns against Jeff Landry and Liz Murrill (and Sid Edwards if you are an East Baton Rouge resident). If you want to volunteer for this event, fill out this form and be sure to reach out to the Direct Service and Health Justice Committee. Join us at 6pm every second and fourth Tuesday to help us plan these events, or bring us a new idea, or make a donation to our mutual aid work to ensure we can keep serving the community.

Merch Pre-Orders Open Now!

We’ve got a new store page where you can order t-shirts locally! We’re printing a new batch soon, so get your orders in before Monday to ensure we reserve one in your size. You can also check out our new Skulls, Roses, and Solidarity design exclusively on our Good Press page here.

Robert’s Rules Rampage

Convention is upon us! Are you ready for it? Do you relish diving into the parliamentarian mosh pit, flinging amendments and shouting, “Point of order?” Do you secretly wish you’ll be called on to overrule the Chair? Come learn how to navigate the mechanics of Robert’s Rules of Order, the structured framework we use to conduct orderly, fair, and efficient meetings. Join us for a learning session on June 20th, 6-7:30pm, at QiQi (2021 Foucher St).

Poli-Ed Reading: My Traitor’s Heart

This month, join the Political Education Committee as we read My Traitor’s Heart: South African Exile Returns to Face His Country, His Tribe and His Conscience, an autobiography by Rian Malan that focuses on his relationship with South Africa and its people as a white colonizer related to the powerful Afrikaners who helped establish the Apartheid system. We will meet at 5pm Sunday, June 21st, at the Healing Center (2372 St Claude Av #258) to discuss the book. Feel free to join us, even if you haven’t had a chance to read the book. The conversations are always for everyone!

Save the Date for Local Convention, June 27

June 27th, 12-5pm at First Grace UMC (3401 Canal St) will be our annual Local Convention. With the large growth in our chapter, this convocation of our members is a great way to meet members, hear political arguments, and plan our next year of organizing. Please save the date and make plans to attend. Childcare will be provided. RSVP today.

More Chapter Orientation Times

You spoke! We listened! We are now adding two weekday Chapter Orientations per month. Not everyone has free weekends, so we are expanding to ensure we can connect with as many comrades as possible. Join us on the 3rd and 4th Thursday of every month at 6:30pm where you can learn about DSA, engage, and get better plugged in. Those new to the Chapter are highly encouraged to attend, as well as current members to lend insights, answer questions from new members, or even learn something new yourself!

Community Calendar

Friday, June 12

Ecosocialist Working Group Interest Meeting
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Av #258 & Meet – RSVP

Saturday, June 13

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Sunday, June 14

Chapter Social & Cohort Graduation
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Skeeta Hawk Brewing, 455 N Dorgenois St

DSA Political Discussion: Solidarity Work
8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Av #258 & Zoom – RSVP

Monday, June 15

NOHARRM General Forum
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
New Orleans Liberation Center, 4999 Burgundy St

Immigration Advocacy Working Group
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Av #258 & Discord

Tuesday, June 16

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Wednesday, June 17

Queer Soc Meeting
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Meet

Thursday, June 18

Chapter Orientation
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Meet – RSVP

Friday, June 19

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Saturday, June 20

Brake Light Clinic & Health Fair
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
AP Tureaud Park, 1800 AP Tureaud Av

Robert’s Rules Rampage
6:00 – 7:30
QiQi, 2021 Foucher St

Sunday, June 21

Poli-Ed Reading Group: My Traitor’s Heart (Rian Malan)
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm (third Sunday)
Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Av #258 – Meet

DSA Political Discussion
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Av #258 – RSVP

Down the Road

June 27 New Orleans DSA Local Convention – RSVP
July 5 Coffee With Comrades
July 19 Poli-Ed Reading Group