Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and Socialist Party USA (SP-USA)
March-April 2010
Both Socialist groups will meet this Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 3:00 P.M. at North Meadow Circle of Friends (1710 North Talbott Street, Indianapolis). To learn more about the new schedule and format of meetings see the adjacent article. Hope you can come. Feel free to invite all Socialists.
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Hoosier Socialists Celebrate May Day
Sunday, May 2, from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. Socialists from Indianapolis and beyond will again celebrate May Day, the International Day of Labor. Allison Luthe, Community Organizer for Jobs with Justice (JwJ), will be keynote speaker.
May Day has become an annual tradition in Indianapolis with the current sequence of observances going back to 2004. This year’s May Day holiday will be hosted at the home of Rebecca Bow and Mike Murphy at 17433 Trailview Circle in Noblesville. [For driving tips e-mail or call one of the contacts at the end of this newsletter.]
Also on the program will be a brief presentation by Marvin Williams, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Local Chair, on the history of May Day and its significance today.
Fun, music, snacks, information sharing, networking, and Comraderie have been promised. And new members will be welcomed with open arms.
The JwJ connection with DSA goes back to 2004 when DSA joined JwJ as an organizational member. A representative from DSA is on JwJ’s Steering Committee. DSA’s local treasurer, Pete Behrendt was honored last year as first recipient of JwJ‘s “I’ll Be There” award for his loyal participation at JwJ demonstrations.
Central Indiana JwJ is an organization of labor, faith-based, community, and student organizations and individuals building a broad and long-term coalition to support worker rights and social justice. Workers’ rights, economic justice, and a sustainable global economy are JwJ goals.
Meeting Schedule and Format Change
A new schedule and format for monthly meetings of DSA and SP-USA will take effect Sunday. April 18. SP-USA will hold business meetings at 3:00 P.M. and DSA will hold theirs at 3:30 P.M. A social hour, with refreshments, will follow at 4:00 P.M. For the time being SP-USA business meetings are closed except to dues-paying members.
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Indianapolis Socialists on the Web
On March 19 Central Indiana DSA and Greater Indianapolis Socialist Party USA went on the Web. And this was all the work of Dwight Welch, DSA’s Secretary. The DSA website can be found at https://indsa.wordpress.com/ and SP-USA’s at http://indsp.wordpress.com/
While still very new the websites already contain much valuable information from and about the respective organizations and have great potential for further development.
In format the sites contain information about local and national manifestations of the group; archive the newsletter, Central Indiana Socialist; and have links to socialist, labor, peace and justice, and other bodies on the Left. The potential for development is exciting.
Readers are encouraged to explore the websites as they are now and make suggestions for improvements. Comments and criticisms may be sent to Dwight Welch at servetus@gmail.com or the contact button on the site may be used.
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Socialists Table at Peace and Justice Summit
At the Midwest Peace and Justice Summit held March 27 on the IUPUI campus three socialist groups, DSA, SP-USA, and Solidarity, had tables where they met, visited with, and made valuable contacts with attendees at the Summit.
Over the one-day event George Fish, Marvin Williams, and Mike Murphy were behind the table. Valuable contact information was gathered and is already being used in spreading word of socialism in the community. George Fish also participated in a panel discussion of Contemporary Leftist Thought.
Even a Misquote Helpful
In a March 1, 2010 Louisville Courier-Journal article entitled “Socialists Get Newfound Attention as ‘Red-Baiting’ Draws Interest From Youth” Marvin Williams, Central Indiana DSA Chair, was quoted about youth attendees at the 2009 DSA Convention.
Williams was quoted as saying, “he noticed an increase in younger attendees, some drawn by ‘red-baiting’ tactics, the practice of accusing people of being communist or socialist because of their liberal views.” Williams says that isn’t exactly what he said to reporter Chris Kenning, but “even a misquote in a large regional newspaper is helpful.”
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DSA/SP-USA Meeting in Brief
February 21, 2010
In attendance: Pete Behrendt, George Fish, Ron Haldeman, Gilbert Kuhn, Wayne McCallister, John Strinka, Dwight Welch, Marvin Williams. ● Financial and meeting notes of previous meeting unanimously approved. ● In a discussion of Jobs with Justice it was reported that SP-USA can contribute, but, as a political party, cannot be on Steering Committee. ● DSA discussion concerning connecting with Young Democratic Socialists (YDS) in Bloomington. ● May Day: Where should celebration be held? Rebecca Bow of SP-USA will be taking lead on this. ● Further discussion of public panels. ● Discussion of Indiana Socialist Fellowship. What is it? It is an informal network of socialists who gather for education, social, and political activities. This statement was approved unanimously. ● A statement concerning Timothy Platt’s new Socialist party: The Greater Indianapolis local of SP-USA and Central Indiana DSA condemn the America’s Socialist Party website because of the website’s personal attacks and because its contents were never approved by the SP-USA even as it seeks to present itself as if it is a SP-USA website. Statement approved unanimously. ● Discussion to pursue making websites for the actual SP-USA and DSA. Also approved.
Dwight Welch
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Looking ahead
Apr. 18 3:00 P.M., SP-USA Closed Bus. Mtg.*
Apr. 18 3:30 P.M. DSA Business Meeting*
Apr. 18 4:00-5:00 P.M. Social Happy Hour*
May 2 May Day Celebration at 17433 Trailview
Circle, Noblesville
*Unless otherwise indicated all meetings are at the North Meadow Circle of Friends
Tentative Agenda
DSA Business Meeting
April 18, 2010
North Meadow Circle of Friends
3:30 P.M.
I. Call to Order and Opening Remarks
II. Internal Reports
A Secretary’s Report
B Treasurer’s Report
III. Coalitions, Partners, and Progress Reports
A Jobs with Justice
B Justice for Janitors
IV. Old Business
A Socialist Leaflet
B Marxist Classes
C Bloomington YSD Contact
D Midwest Peace and Justice Summit
E Website
F May Day Celebration
V. New Business
A Sharing Costs of Meeting Expenses
B Request from National DSA
VI. Open Forum
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Contacts
Democratic Socialists of America
National: 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 505, New York, NY 10038 (212) 727-8610 www.dsausa.org
Local: Marvin Williams, 1504 N. Pennsylvania St., Apt. 303, Indianapolis, IN 46202-4406 (317) 955-2779 WilliamsMDWJr@aol.com
Website: https://indsa.wordpress.com/
Socialist Party USA
National: 339 Lafayette St., #308, New York, NY 10012 natsec@sp-usa.org
Local: Rebecca Bow, 17433 Trailview Circle, Noblesville IN 46062 (317) 770-7601 bowrebecca@yahoo.com
Website: http://indsp.wordpress.com/
Central Indiana DSA 