July 3, 2018 Steering Committee Statement
The Steering Committee (SC) of East Bay DSA has voted unanimously to expel a member of the chapter in response to allegations including sexual assault. We take these allegations and our leadership responsibilities in this organization very seriously, and have written an explanation of the events in question below.
On May 17, 2018 an email from an anonymous account was sent to info@eastbaydsa.org and to an undisclosed number of East Bay DSA members. The email contained tumblr posts and linked conversations outlining allegations of rape, abuse, intimate partner violence, retaliation against accusers, and the evasion of accountability processes by a Member of the chapter. (These incidents were not alleged to have occurred in the context of DSA.)
In response to these serious allegations the SC immediately convened a closed emergency executive session to discuss the allegations and the appropriate course of action that would ensure member safety and maintain our chapter's commitment to due process. In accordance with Resolution 331, a harassment grievance officer (HGO) was appointed to conduct an investigation and solicit the Member's response to the allegations. Pending the outcome of that investigation, the Member was not been permitted to attend East Bay DSA events or meetings. Both the Member and National DSA were notified.
The HGO reached out to the Member to notify them of the charges against them and to give them an opportunity to respond to the charges. The Member did not deny the allegations, so the HGO did not pursue the investigation of the allegations any further.
On June 17, 2018 the SC convened a closed, executive session in which the HGO presented a report of their investigation. The SC deliberated on the information and evidence provided in order to determine the appropriate course of action. Based on the report and deliberations, the SC voted unanimously (with one at-large SC member absent) to expel the Member from East Bay DSA, in accordance with our bylaws Section 2 Member Discipline, Suspension, and Expulsion.2
This decision was not easily made. Our deliberations, and ultimate decision, centered largely around prioritizing member safety. The severity of the allegations—which included rape, abuse, intimate partner violence, retaliation against accusers, and the evasion of accountability processes—factored into our decision, as did evidence that some of the behavior alleged to in the original emails continues to this day.
We found that the statement we received from the Member in response to the allegations, as well as the Member's nondisclosure of these allegations to the general membership as part of their campaign to run for co-chair of this organization, demonstrated a lack of concern for the health and safety of the organization, as well as for its members. The Member did not disclose the allegations in a transparent way and they did not entrust the membership, especially survivors, with the option of making an informed decision in the context of their running for the highest office in this organization. These behaviors demonstrate a continued pattern of deceit and manipulation.
For the above reasons, the Member's actions were found to be in substantial disagreement with the principles and policies of the organization. If we are to build a lasting organization to battle capitalism and all its attendant modes of inequality, East Bay DSA must strive to create an environment in which everyone is safe, in which members are allowed to make informed and open decisions, and in which everyone can engage in positive socialist work without fear of harm, harassment, or intimidation.
As a result of this unfortunate situation, an election will likely be held at the September General Meeting to fill the vacant co-chair position.