General Membership Meeting April 30th, 2022

East Bay DSA

12-2pm

I. Sign-In, Settle In

facilitated by Shane R

Introduction bu Annika B

II. Report Backs

ILWU & OEA Strikes Against Privatization

By Matt S

California DSA Updates

By Fred G

III. Convention Prep

• Save the Date: June 12th
• 2022 Convention Packet
• Resolution and Amendment Submission
• SC Election Deadlines
• Q&A
• Closing remarks

IV. Resolutions Debate

A. Resolution to Reaffirm EBDSA’s Commitment to the Liberation of Palestine and to Endorse the statement For an Internationalist DSA

Submitted by East Bay DSA’s Anti-Imperialist Working Group

Whereas, socialists in the US have the necessity and responsibility to oppose imperialism, racism & settler colonialism; and

Whereas, the struggle of the Palestinian people for liberation & self-determination is a cutting edge of the struggle against Imperialism; and

Whereas, the US plays the major international role in the perpetuation of Israeli apartheid; and

Whereas, DSA’s National Committee has de-chartered the National Palestine/BDS Working Group, and barred the Working Group’s Steering Committee from any and all national leadership roles for one year; and

Whereas, the NPC has subsequently re-chartered the national Palestine / PDS working group but has not reversed its ban on the the working group steering committee members from leadership roles (effectively creating a group without leadership)and

Whereas, the Palestine/BDS Working Group was created by a democratically decided resolution at DSA’s National Political Convention and the NPC did not have the authority to de-charter it nor to determine its democratically-elected leadership and

Whereas, 3 members of the NPC issued a dissenting statement from the NPC majority’s decision that urged DSA members to “remain true to our anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist values and support us in standing with our Palestinian and Palestinian-allied comrades against censorship;” and

Whereas, the NPC opposed the call of the Working Group to expel Congressman Jamaal Bowman for his vote for billions of dollar in military aid to apartheid Israel and his violation of BDS with his propaganda trip to Israel and meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and refused to discipline Bowman in any way; and

Whereas, East Bay DSA passed a resolution calling for Bowman’s expulsion along with over 50 chapters who dissented from the NPC decision on that matter; and

Whereas, many members of the chapter joined with AROC, ILWU workers and the Palestine solidarity movement in the Block the Boat actions at the Port of Oakland that blocked an Israeli ship from docking; and

Whereas, over 30 chapter members and 1200 DSA members signed the statement dissenting from the NPCs decision and calling for For an Internationalist DSA; and

Whereas, the NPC’s action is seen by the outside world as a rebuke of solidarity with Palestine and the BDS Movement and does harm to the Palestine freedom struggle and the reputation and credibility of DSA as an organization. Multiple organizations have already explicitly stated that they will not work with DSA unless all of the NPC’s actions are reversed, imperiling our ability to do BDS/Palestine solidarity work at both the local and national level 

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA condemns the actions of the NPC and demands the full reinstatement of the BDS WG, with its current leadership, including the lifting of sanctions placed on the steering committee; and

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA asserts that committees and working groups should be able to criticize and discuss issues without censorship. Disciplined messaging comes out of building a culture of trust and shared responsibility, through the comradeship of leaders working together to accomplish our common goals even as we may continue to debate other issues – not by undemocratically silencing opposition; and

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA commit to the struggle for a liberated and democratic Palestine, and to the merger of socialism and anti-imperialist movements across the world. We will work toward a DSA that lives up to this commitment; and 

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA endorses the For an Internationalist DSA statement; and

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA will promptly publicly communicate our position via our social media and other external communication channels, as well as include it in the next chapter newsletter; 

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA will redouble our efforts toward building the BDS movement & for Palestine liberation by working with local Bay Area allies including AROC, the Palestine Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Palestine Action Network in common cause.

“For An Internationalist DSA” Letter

We are writing first of all to dissent from the National Political Committee (NPC)’s decision to decharter the BDS and Palestine Solidarity Working Group (BDS WG). Secondly, we are reaffirming our commitment to transforming DSA into a fighting organization of the exploited and oppressed, built on the power of the working-class, rather than a handful of politicians and self-appointed movement leaders.

On March 18, the NPC voted to decharter BDS WG, despite its compliance with their request to turn over its social media passwords. While the NPC’s statement leaned on bureaucratic explanations, there is no doubt that this was retaliation for BDS WG’s public criticism of Congressman Jamaal Bowman, and the NPC’s decision not to censure him for supporting Israeli defense funding. Ultimately, it seems the NPC’s only concrete reason for decharting BDS WG was its refusal to delete a month-old Twitter thread criticizing a popular NPC position defending Bowman.

In a statement of dissent posted to the internal discussion board, NPC members including Jen B, Jen M and Kara H wrote “we invite you to commit to struggling through conflict, to remain true to our anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist values, and support us in standing with our Palestinian and Palestinian-allied comrades against censorship.” We stand by this statement.

Our dissenting leaders have demonstrated what true leadership means—standing without apology for the oppressed, and rallying the rank-and-file members who make DSA worth fighting for to their cause. This is the DSA we joined: an organization made up of our comrades who walk picket lines in the pouring rain, who clash with riot police in the movement for Black Lives, and who organize into the dead of night to see our cause through, the rank-and-file majority who do not flinch in the face of the ruling-class. We will not stand and watch while DSA is hollowed out in the name of backroom deals with politicians.

Following this invitation from our dissenting leaders, we the undersigned affirm the following commitments:

1. We demand the NPC reinstate BDS WG with its previous leadership, and lift the ban on national leadership placed on them.
2. We demand the NPC affirm the right of lower bodies—including all chapters, working groups, standing committees and caucuses—to publicly criticize higher bodies, up to and including the NPC. Without open criticism, our democracy will wither and die.
3. We commit to the struggle for a liberated and democratic Palestine, and to the merger of socialism and anti-imperialist movements across the world. We will work toward a DSA that lives up to this commitment.
4. In the coming year leading to the 2023 DSA Convention, we will work toward building a unified opposition in DSA committed to a strategy of international working-class revolution and against collaboration with the ruling class

MOTIVED by Mike H

Q&A highlights: 

• Q: Who wrote the letter? A: multiple groups contributed no single caucus is leading this letter. 
• Point of Information by Zack over the censure of Bowman. 

DEBATE highlights

• Con - Against sending aid for Palestine as it is not even a state. 
• Con - This is spitting the organization. 
• Disappointed on how this niche issue divided the DSA. 
• Motion to call to question; seconded
• C.T.Q. VOTE: PASSED BY CLEAR MAJORITY

RESOLUTION VOTE: PASSED BY CLEAR MAJORITY

B. EBDSA Resolution in Support of the Living Wage Act of 2022

Submitted by East Bay DSA’s Electoral Committee

Whereas, the minimum wage in California is $15 an hour as of January 1, 2022 and no further increases through the legislature are currently scheduled, and

Whereas, the Living Wage Act of 2022 proposes to raise the minimum wage by a dollar an hour each year for three years to become $18 an hour January 1, 2025, and

Whereas, the Living Wage Act of 2022 is currently in signature gathering for the November 2022 California general election, and

Whereas, the coalition supporting the Living Wage Act includes several labor councils, UNITE-HERE locals, California Calls, and 

Whereas, the outgoing and incoming leadership of the California Labor Federation are in support while the endorsement moves through their process, indicating a likely endorsement, and

Whereas, the main financial backer, Joe Sanberg, has publicly stated that he will spend whatever it takes to get the measure on the ballot, and

Whereas, the pollster for the campaign, Ben Tulchin, who served as Bernie Sanders's pollster, has conducted initial research with likely voters indicating solid support, and 

Whereas, the working class of California could use a raise, and

Whereas, the lowest-paid workers in the state would gain $6,000 per year in full time employment if the measure passes, and 

Whereas, endorsement by EBDSA offers an opportunity for our chapter and members to strengthen our ties to and work together with organized labor on the campaign, and 

Whereas, California DSA's support resolution will take effect when two or more chapters support the measure, 

Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA endorse the Living Wage Act of 2022 and become actively involved in the campaign to pass it.

Motivated by Fred G

Q&A highlights:

Q: did the Labor Committee vote for this? A: Electoral Committee has. 

Debate:

Con: doesn’t appear to have the grass-root support that it should, for it to be considered.

Pro: the increase in wages mean less hours needed for the working class to work, the more time said working class be active as potential members of DSA. 

Motion to all to question; seconded

C.T.Q. VOTE: PASSED BY CLEAR MAJORITY

RESOLUTION VOTE: PASSED BY CLEAR MAJORITY

V. Updates

Tax the Rich Campaign

VI. Committee + member announcements

Bread and Roses: support for endorsed Candidates in two districts in an hour. - SHane

Berkeley Progressive Alliance: Mathew

Meeting Adjourned at 2pm