New York City Democratic Socialists of America

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New York City Democratic Socialists of America are affiliated to Democratic Socialists of America.

NYC Delegates to 2015 National Convention

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Prominent members of DSA NYC Local

Circa 1983 New York City DSA Local report to National Office

A circa 1983 New York City Democratic Socialists of America Local report to National Office identified Assemblymembers Jerry Nadler, Eileen Dugan and Denny Farrell as members of the Local.

It also named Councilmembers Ed Wallace, and Ruth Messinger.

Organizers of DSA NYC in 2017

DSA NYC Organizers via Meetup


1990 Debs Dinner

In 1990, the NYC DSA local gave out its Eugene Debs/Norman Thomas award March 21 at a dinner honoring David Livingston, president of UAW's District 65.

Speakers included UAW International President Owen Bieber and Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger.

Also honored was Steve Max, Curriculum Director at the Midwest Academy, who received the first Paul DuBrul Award for his critical role in developing the political strategies of the citizen action movement.[3]

1990 endorsements

In 1990 New York City Democratic Socialists of America's SA PAC endorsed Deborah Glick in her campaign to win the vacant Assembly seat in Greenwich Village. It also endorsed Jack Lester over Republican State Senator Roy Goodman, and DSAer Eugene Prosnitz, who was running for Civil Court Judge from the East Side.[4]

DSA concert

On April 23, 1991 Democratic Socialists of America brought together a crowd of at least 800 to the Riverside Church in New York City to hear Billy Bragg, Pete Seeger, Gretchen Reed, Robin Holcomb, and Kate McGarrigle and Anna McGarrigle. Amid the stunning atmosphere of the church, the performers entertained and inspired the audience with songs and stories of the struggle for social justice. DSA's Rafael PiRoman served as Master of Ceremonies and Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger introduced the event. The concert was sponsored by Youth For Jobs, Peace and Freedom, a project of the Institute for Democratic Socialism and the DSA Youth Section.[5]

1991 Council endorsements

New York City DSA endorsed 13 candidates in a crowded city council election.

The local saw its vision of a progressive coalition In city politics realized by The Majority Coalition for a New New York, which organized an independent political campaign for progressive city council candidates. One candidate. Craig Miller, was a DSA member .[6]

In a hotly contested race in 1991 in Greenwich Village that divided many long-time allies in the progressive community, New York City Democratic Socialists of America picked Tom Duane, a progressive white gay man with a long history of community activism, over Liz Abzug, a progressive white lesbian.

DSA judged her lack of activism in the community to be her fatal flaw.

DSA also devoted significant resources to helping a DSA'er, Craig Miller, challenge ac long-time incumbent who had switched districts.

We got on the phones, calling members that had been to the endorsement meetings or who had indicated interest earlier. We also sent postcards to almost all our members just before the primary, reminding them to vote for our candidate.

In the end, some twenty DSA members were involved in the campaign of Guillermo Linares, a Dominican school board president running in an open seat in Manhattan. Members carried his petitions, coordinated volunteers, phonebanked, organized a fund raising party, and worked on election day. Contrary to the predictions of the political pundits, he won the primary by a 300-vote margin.

DSA also played crucial role turning the tide in a corner of the district for Una Clarke, a Jamaican child care worker and union activist who won the primary in her Brooklyn district by thirty-four votes

Of the thirteen people DSA endorsed, eight won the primary and "will probably win the general election". (Democratic primaries virtually guarantee election in most of New York City.) Four won open seats, two incumbents won, two didn't face primaries and a fifth, surprisingly lost. All of the challengers DSA backed -- including Miller - lost.[7]

Honoring the Sidels

New York City Democratic Socialists of America held a fundraising bash on December 7 1992, at which longtime activists Ruth Sidel and Victor Sidel were awarded the Paul Du Brul Memorial Award. Approximately 150 people gathered to honor the Sidels, to enjoy a performance by Pete Seeger and Randy Harris, and to hear remarks by Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger and other political and labor leaders.[8]

"Our 100 Days or Theirs?"

On January 15 1993 New York City DSA held a forum entitled "Our 100 Days or Theirs?" at which the meaning of the Clinton victory for radical activists was discussed. Speakers included DSA vice chair Jim Chapin, Noreen Connell of the Education Priorities Panel, and Gale Brewer, the federal liaison for New York City.[9]

Officers 1993

Executive committee;[10]

1993 Council elections

In 1993 New York City DSA worked in support of the re-election campaign of David Dinkins, and also on several Council elections, in the hope of boosting progressives' strength on that body.[11]

1993 Debs dinner

The New York City local's 1993 annual Debs-Thomas-Harrington dinner was held June 24. Honorees were Dennis Rivera, the president of Local 1199, and Deborah Meier, the co-director of the Central Park East Secondary School.[12]

Communist history

During the fall of 1994 New York City Democratic Socialists of America sponsored a series of lectures on the history and meaning of Soviet communism. The series was led by D SA Vice Chair Jim Chapin, who then worked as a political adviser to New York City Public Advocate Mark Green.[13]

1995 awards dinner

In 1995, New York City Democratic Socialists of America local's annual dinner was held June 7 and honored Jim Butler, the President of Local 420, the New York Municipal Hospital Employees Union, and Fran Barrett, founder and director of Community Resource Exchange.[14]

DSA May Day "bash"

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine was the site of New York City DSA's 1996 May Day "bash". New York City Council member Guillermo Linares received the Paul Dubrul award for community action and leadership while UAW Region 9A Director Phil Wheeler garnered the Debs/Thomas award.

Barbara Ehrenreich, a DSA founder and honorary chair, was the recipient of a special award honoring her for her contributions as a leading feminist, cultural critic, and political satirist. Over 150 people joined in the celebration, including special guests Dolores Huerta of the United Farm Workers, DSA Vice Chair Jose LaLuz, Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger, and Connecticut Secretary of State Miles Rapoport.[15]

2008 elections

DSA and YDS members were especially active. Some got up “at the crack of dawn,” says Jeff Gold, to take buses to support Obama in various locations in Pennsylvania, sometimes side by side with experienced trade unionists from Working America and at other times with first-time campaign volunteers. They also worked with the social democratic Working Families Party, which ran much of the New York Democrats’ field operations, to help the Democrats win their first majority in the state legislature since the mid-1960s . DSA members living in rent-regulated housing in Queens and Long Island were especially active in behalf of pro-tenant Democrats on the WFP ballot line. Another member traveled all the way to south Florida to help turn out Jewish voters for Obama, especially during early voting, when it was easier to address problems at the polls.

Many of the DSA members who reported their experiences said they enjoyed working with a wide variety of people and the opportunity to see the awesome Obama campaign machine in action. They were exhilarated by the unprecedented enthusiasm expressed by newly energized volunteers and voters. “I’m a seasoned volunteer of 25 years..., but it was different this time,” said one. They strengthened ties with local grassroots organizations, and helped to elect some progressives who, we hope, will support DSA’s Economic Justice Agenda. But to paraphrase FDR, now we have to get out and make them do it.[16]

"Socialized medicine" forum

The New York City Democratic Socialists of americal ocal’s most successful event in 2008 was a forum called “Socialized Medicine? You Bet!” at Judson Memorial Church, with NYS Assembly Dean and Health Committee chair Dick Gottfried and DSAers Naomi Zauderer of the New York Professional Nurses Union, Jeff Gold of the Health Care for All Campaign, and, from the Midwest Academy, "organizing legend" Steve Max. The local has joined the campaign against the privatization of two health insurance programs (GHI and HIP) that serve 93% of city workers and retirees as well as other New Yorkers. They held a second forum on that issue with YDS and the N.Y. chapters of Democracy for America and Progressive Democrats of America. [17]

2015 NYC DSA leaders

Frank Llewellyn, Shannon Sorhaindo, Rahel Biru, Jeevan D'souza

In 2015, Paul Bedard, Frank Llewellyn, Shannon Sorhaindo, Rahel Biru, Jeevan D'souza were members of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America steering committee.[18] ·

Fourth Democratic Primary Debate Watch Party

Sunday 17 January 2016, Organized by : Theater in Asylum and NY DSA the "Fourth Democratic Primary Debate Watch Party" was held at 192 2nd Ave, New York.

Theater in Asylum, (which was founded in 2010 by Paul Bedard and Katie Palmer), with the NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, is preparing to create theatrical adaptations of the Democratic Primary Debates. With a small army of actors, designers, dramaturgs, and support staff, we will watch and analyze the debates, devise a piece, and present it live in NYC... join us for the first step in making it: a Watch Party!

Those indicating attendance, on Wherevent included Camara McLaughlin, Lucy Myrtue, Alex Max Caring-Lobel, Jessie Bangarang Atkinson , Mandy Robbins, James Cajuste, Jeevan D'souza, Chelsea Langford, Alexis Roblan, Rick Fudge, Laura Aristovulos, Calandra Daby, Yonit Friedman, Leah Alfieri, Josh Youngerman.[19]

Serv Industry NYC-DSA

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Serv Industry NYC-DSA closed Facebook group, accessed February 9, 2018.

This is the forum for the Serv Industry NYC-DSA working group. We aim to organize service industry workers both in their workplace and poltically, as well provide support to service specific issues. We also hope to onboard service industry workers to DSA. [20]

Admins and Moderators

Members

NYC DSA Red Diaper Baby Group

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New York City Democratic Socialists of America Red Diaper Baby Group closed Facebook group, accessed December 10, 2017.[21]

Admin

  • Kristin Lee, created group on December 9, 2017. CUNY Brooklyn.

Members

More names had been added by January 11, 2018.

NYC DSA Car Caucus

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New York City Democratic Socialists of America DSA Car Caucus closed Facebook group, as of October 26, 2017.

This group is for people in NYC DSA who have cars and people in NYC DSA who want rides to things.[22]

Admin

Members

Creative Comrades (NYC-DSA Media)

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Creative Comrades (New York City Democratic Socialists of America ) Closed Facebook Group, as of September 1, 2017;.[23]

Creative Comrades is a group for NYC-DSA Media where members can:

1) Ask questions. 2) Talk about projects. 3) Pitch ideas. 4) Get advice. 5) Post jobs. 6) Collaborate. 7) Borrow gear. 8) Share resources. 9) Talk politics.

Please keep conversations respectful and be mindful not to use sexist, racist, or classist language. If you see any inappropriate content, please message us immediately at media@dsa.nyc and we will resolve the issue.[24]

Admins

Members

More members had been added by October 15.

NYC Democratic Socialists of America Public Group

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New York City Democratic Socialists of America Public Facebook Group, as of July 20, 2017;[25]

Are you a socialist in the city? Join your comrades in the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. We’re part of the biggest socialist organization in the United States. Help us put democratic socialism on the New York City map![26]

Admin

Members

References

  1. ↑ [1]
  2. ↑ https://www.meetup.com/nycdsa/members/?op=leaders The Leadership Team, Accessed April 8 2017
  3. ↑ DEMOCRATIC LEFT MARCH- APRIL 1990, p 12
  4. ↑ DEMOCRATIC LEFT SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1990, page 20
  5. ↑ DEMOCRATIC LEFT MAY/JUNE 1991, page 13
  6. ↑ DEMOCRATIC LEFT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1991, page 25
  7. ↑ DEMOCRATIC LEFT 7 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1991, page 7
  8. ↑ Dem. Left, Jan./Feb. 1993. page 9
  9. ↑ Dem. Left, Jan./Feb. 1993. page 9
  10. ↑ Dem. Left, Sept./October 1993, page 22
  11. ↑ Dem. Left, Sept./Oct. 1993, page 26
  12. ↑ Dem.Left, May/June 1993, page 11.
  13. ↑ Dem. Left, Jan./Feb. 1995, 28
  14. ↑ Dem. Left May/June 1995, page 21
  15. ↑ Dem. Left May/June 1996
  16. ↑ Democratic Left, Winter 2009
  17. ↑ Democratic Left, Fall 2008
  18. ↑ NYC DSA FB photos, Maria Svart‎NYC-DSA September 23
  19. ↑ Wherevent Fourth Democratic Primary Debate Watch Party
  20. ↑ [2]
  21. ↑ [3]
  22. ↑ [4]
  23. ↑ [5]
  24. ↑ [6]
  25. ↑ [7]
  26. ↑ [8]
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