Resolution to Launch a Communications Committee for RI DSA

 Passed by membership: February 2025

Whereas:

The Trump era has formed a new political landscape;

It is necessary for the political independence of the working class to have a clear and distinct voice;

Social media is becoming increasingly unreliable under the ownership of Elon Musk;

We have an urgent need for our message to be amplified and effectively communicated;

We must take concrete steps toward establishing our own independent press system;

Be it resolved:

That the Communications Committee of Rhode Island DSA be launched as a dedicated space for the strategic development of media initiatives within our chapter, ensuring that we are equipped to confront the struggles ahead with a precise understanding of our current needs and capacities.

That the Communications Committee create and implement a coherent media strategy aimed at strengthening our movement, expanding our reach, and fostering a new generation of cadre trained in the revolutionary use of press and media as essential tools for organizing and mobilizing the working class against the resurgence of Trumpism.

That the Communications Committee start its media operation focusing on two main topics: a) Labor and immigration (for example, the imminent strike of 30,000 Stop & Shop workers, and the crises of and resistance to ICE raids) and b) Local politics (for a broader and clearer understanding of local politicians, their strategies, their ties and relationships to big business, etc.).

For an Anti-Zionist Rhode Island DSA

 Passed by membership: September 2024

Whereas:

Zionism, as an enthno-nationalist political project, has resulted in the ongoing death, displacement, and dehumanization of Palestinians;

In line with Convention Resolutions #7 and 8 from 2017 and Resolution #35 from 2019, DSA National has publicly declared on numerous occasions in recent years that it “unapologetically stands in solidarity with Palestinian people everywhere”;

In line with Convention Resolution #8 from 2023, DSA has reaffirmed its commitment to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement and its opposition to Zionism;

Rhode Island DSA’s bylaws require our endorsed politicians to vote in line with our chapter platform, which includes “no more U.S. military aid to Israel,” “solidarity with the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement,” and protecting the speech rights of pro-Palestine activists;

Rhode Island DSA seeks to contribute to a mass movement that can achieve Palestinian liberation by building and sustaining local partnerships with Palestinian organizations;

The national DSA’s struggles to hold elected DSA members accountable to anti-Zionist principles have fueled mistrust and harmed our organization’s working relationships with major Palestinian-led grassroots organizations;

It is important for our work that we as a local chapter make clear our principles and commitment to pro-Palestine values;

Be it resolved:

Rhode Island DSA denounces the national organization’s pre-2017 history of supporting Zionism and commits to being an anti-Zionist chapter.

Rhode Island DSA affirms that the following actions, by endorsed politicians or members, are in opposition to the stance of our organization:

  1. Publicly opposing the pro-Palestine movement (e.g., denouncing the BDS movement in public interviews; writing public op-eds denouncing student encampments; drafting and voting in favor of legislation that suppresses the right to freely criticize Zionism/Israel and/or the right to boycott).

  2. Participating in political junkets and Zionist events or projects hosted by the Israeli government or Zionist lobby groups, such as, but not limited to, AIPAC, Christians United for Israel, Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI), or J Street.

  3. Providing material aid to Israel (e.g., congresspeople voting to provide Israel with material aid; giving direct financial donations to any kind of entity or organization that carries out Israeli settlement and Palestinian displacement, such as the Jewish National Fund, the Israel Land Fund, the Hebron Fund, and Regavim).

Rhode Island DSA pledges to:

1. Oppose legislation that harms Palestinians, such as:

a. Any official adoption of a redefinition of antisemitism to include opposition to Israel or support for BDS (e.g., IHRA definition of antisemitism).

b. Efforts to penalize individuals, universities and entities that boycott Israel.

c. Efforts to send military or economic resources to Israel.

2. Support legislation that upholds Palestinian liberation, such as:

a. Efforts to end Israeli apartheid and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians and promote Palestinians’ rights to return to and live freely on the land (e.g., H.Res. 2590).

b. Condemnation of Israeli apartheid and colonial practices (e.g., H.Res. 751).

c. Attempts to end the spending of U.S. tax dollars on Israel and/or sanction Israel until it ceases its practices of apartheid and colonialism.

Rhode Island DSA’s endorsement of political candidates will be conditional upon a commitment to Palestinian liberation:

  1. Candidate questionnaires will include multiple questions about the candidate’s position on Palestine and the above expectations.

  2. Potential candidates who cannot commit to the aforementioned expectations will be disqualified from endorsement by Rhode Island DSA.

  3. Rhode Island DSA will provide all endorsed candidates, in collaboration with trusted movement partners, with anti-Zionist educational materials and open-door counsel as needed.

  4. Upon receiving fair and ample opportunity for education, current or future endorsed candidates who do not commit to or maintain the aforementioned expectations will undergo a review by the Electoral Committee to have their endorsement revoked by a vote of the membership, with additional accountability measures (e.g. votes to censure or expel) considered, per chapter bylaws.

Rhode Island DSA commits to providing members with political education opportunities regarding Palestine and anti-Zionist politics, including but not limited to reading lists, chapter discussions, reading groups, speakers, and opportunities for local organizing.

Rhode Island DSA will oppose attempts to prevent pro-Palestine discussion or organizing amongst DSA membership, locally and nationally.

No votes for genocide

 Passed by membership: July 2024

Whereas:

Rhode Island DSA’s approach to the November election is to “criticize both Trump and Biden, explain how Democrats and Republicans harm workers here and abroad, and explicitly advocate for a new party of the working class”;

Rhode Island DSA played a significant role in the local Uncommitted campaign, and we contributed to this campaign’s principled rejection of the Democratic Party while protesting Biden’s genocide in Gaza;

Nationally, many progressive activists have shifted their attention away from the genocide, instead focusing on the “drop out Joe” demand in order to save the Democrats from electoral defeat — despite the fact that any candidate chosen by party leaders will continue the Biden administration’s unconditional support for Israel;

At the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago, R.I.’s party-appointed uncommitted delegate will claim to be fighting for Palestine, but, being a Democratic Party loyalist, will promote the party and may openly support the eventual nominee;

Rhode Island DSA needs to counter these political messages by carrying the message of the R.I. Uncommitted campaign into the general election, keeping Palestine in the spotlight and reaching those people who want an alternative to the two-party system; and

Some of our allies have expressed interest in a “no votes for genocide” campaign, which would encourage Rhode Islanders to reject the two major parties because neither offers any change to U.S. imperialist policy;

Be it resolved:

Rhode Island DSA will include “no votes for genocide” as part of our general election message, encouraging Rhode Islanders not to vote for Amo, Magaziner, Whitehouse, RFK, Trump, or the Democratic presidential nominee. We will call attention to these politicians’ unconditional support for Israel and explain why a new party of the working class is needed to end all U.S.-sponsored wars (Gaza, Ukraine, etc.).

As counter-programming to the DNC, Rhode Island DSA will host a rally, coinciding with the convention, to promote the above messages. We will also encourage rally attendees to sign and share a “no votes for genocide” pledge. Depending on capacity and interest from allies, we may turn this pledge-gathering effort into an organized campaign to get as many Rhode Islanders as possible to sign on. We will also tell these voters which of the third-party candidates on the ballot oppose U.S. funding for Israel.

Neither Biden nor Trump: Keep DSA Independent!

April 8, 2024

Rhode Island DSA asks the National Political Committee to reject any DSA-sponsored “defeat Trump” effort, such as the campaign proposed by the NPC minority in their “2024 Organizing Plan.” An implicit or explicit endorsement of either candidate would compromise our organization’s political independence and alienate us from those working people who are looking for an alternative to the two capitalist parties. Instead, the DSA ought to criticize both Trump and Biden, explain how Democrats and Republicans harm workers here and abroad, and explicitly advocate for a new party of the working class.

Prioritize Member-Led Democracy, Not Staff!

 January 29, 2024

The DSA’s National Political Committee recently voted for budget cuts to reduce the national organization’s $2 million deficit. Rhode Island DSA is troubled by the fact that these cuts — the deepest of which apply to DSA’s youth section — target expenses that were mandated by convention votes, but don’t touch the jobs of the current group of unelected national DSA staffers.

DSA personnel cost $3.6 million, which is 72% of the organization’s projected income. Yet several NPC members and their political caucuses have stated that these staff jobs must be preserved, even if that means cutting member-approved initiatives, stipends for elected DSA leaders, and chapters’ share of their dues.

While DSA members take pride in belonging to a democratic organization, all too often unelected directors and staff hold inappropriate power on the national level. This is a major cause of the current budget deficit. Prior to October of last year, neither DSA members nor even the NPC were permitted to see the full budget numbers. And it’s well known that the national organization squandered members’ dues on a $360,000-per-year contract with a grievance officer, which alone accounts for more than half of the $2 million deficit.

Staff play an important supporting role in any large organization, but the purpose of a socialist group is not to create jobs for professionals. The world doesn’t need yet another progressive NGO. Rhode Island DSA calls on the NPC to eliminate non-essential staff and director positions before making any further cuts to members’ democratically chosen priorities, stipends for elected leaders, or dues share for chapters.

 The Providence City Budget Hurts the Working Class

July 3, 2023

The new budget increases residential property taxes, decreases commercial taxes, and funds a second police academy. Make no mistake: this is an attack on the working class of Providence. Instead of taxing the rich and making institutions like Brown University pay their fair share, this regressive scheme puts the tax burden on ordinary residents while giving wealthy businesses a break. On top of that, the city government is giving the police yet more funding — resources that could have gone to schools and other basic needs.

Rhode Island DSA is especially disappointed that our endorsed DSA member on the Providence City Council, Miguel Sanchez, voted for this bill. We know that Miguel was not pleased with the final product and he supported the city council’s version of the budget in order to avoid Mayor Brett Smiley’s even worse proposal. However, this is a situation in which a socialist legislator could stand up, fight back, and rally his constituents against unpopular anti-worker policies. And since the city council needs a supermajority to overcome the mayor’s veto, just one or two councilors may have the leverage to demand concessions if they are willing to break from their colleagues.

That said, we appreciate that Miguel has now promised to coordinate more closely with Rhode Island DSA and consult with us on future votes. We look forward to working with him and we will have his back if he takes a difficult stand.

But we should be clear: until the working class organizes to fight back, capitalists will continue to call the shots, and both the major political parties will do their bidding. Providence’s pro-corporate budget was designed by a city government controlled entirely by Democrats, and it made little difference that the city council president, Rachel Miller, is a self-described socialist. This situation shows why working people need a party of their own — and why Rhode Island DSA recently committed to organize for a working-class party through our work in community groups, labor unions, and independent socialist electoral campaigns.