Features
The South United: Power in Numbers – Wash F
Yesterday, over 300 protesters trekked to the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil. Our state is the second largest immigration detention hub in the country, and these jails are notoriously inhumane. ICE kidnapped the Columbia University student two months ago for his pro-Palestine advocacy. Since then, his wife has given birth alone. When she traveled to visit him in the hopes he could hold his newborn – something federal policy encourages – ICE refused to allow it. All of this because he dared to advocate for human rights and the end of the Palestinian genocide.
Protestors piled into buses from New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, and Austin, and more drove in from Shreveport, Alexandria, and elsewhere. They came representing the Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Southeast Dignity Not Detention, and New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP). You can check out more photos and videos from the march on NOLA 4 Palestine’s Instagram.
We must never stop fighting for an end to ICE’s inhumane, racist, xenophobic, and blatantly cruel actions, both for political prisoners like Mahmoud Khalil and for the immigrants facing an uptick in raids and other attacks by our current administration. Freedom for all – the people demand it!
Bulletins
Nominations for Delegates to National Convention: DEADLINE TOMORROW
If you’re interested in being one of our seven New Orleans delegates, please fill out this form by tomorrow, May 24th. DSA National Convention will be August 8-10 in Chicago. Chapter delegates and at-large delegates from across the country meet to set our course for the following two years and elect our new National Political Committee (NPC), which functions as DSA’s highest decision-making body between conventions. After nominations, everyone will receive an OpaVote link to vote.
May General Membership Meeting Next Saturday
Our monthly GM will be Saturday, May 31st, at 12:00 pm, in room 204 of the Healing Center (2372 St. Claude). We will be hearing from the candidates running for delegate to August’s National Convention. We’ll also hear from members returning from a delegation to Cuba. We’ll discuss our upcoming Local Convention, the DSA Fund’s How We Win Conference, and get committee updates and more. RSVP here and request a proxy if you’re unable to attend.
Nominations for 2025-2026 Local Council
Local Council is our democratically elected chapter leadership with responsibility for managing the overall direction of the chapter. Local Council consists of two co-chairs, one membership chair, one secretary, one treasurer, two at-large members, a steward for each of the official committees, and a representative of each administrative or currently-chartered campaign group. For a complete description, see our chapter bylaws. To nominate yourself or someone else, email a candidate statement to hello@dsaneworleans.org.
Submissions Open for 2025 Local Convention
New Orleans DSA’s annual Local Convention will be June 28. Submissions can include proposals to amend bylaws, resolutions for new campaigns, or they can be for other chapter business. Reach out to Jack RS for information on how to write a resolution, and stay tuned for a resolution writing workshop ahead of convention.
Chapter Merch Available Now!
Support and rep your favorite socialist organization with merch! Help us fundraise to send our delegates to DSA’s biennial National Convention, move into a new space by ordering a shirt, or just give us feedback on what items you might want to see in the future. Check it out at bit.ly/dsanola-merch.
Brake Light Clinic & Health Fair
We’re co-hosting our next Brake Light Clinic & Health Fair with member and endorsed City Council District E candidate Danyelle Christmas. Join us on Saturday, June 14, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at 4961 N Claiborne Ave. Sign up here to volunteer.
Community Calendar
Friday, May 23
12:00-12:45p Free Palestine! Abolish ICE! Weekly Lunch Hour Rally – NOLA ICE Field Office, 1250 Poydras St.
Saturday, May 24
1:00-4:00p Canvassing (Bob Murrell, District A) – Signup
Sunday, May 25
1:00-4:00p Canvassing (Bob Murrell, District A) – Signup
5:00p George Floyd National Day of Action March Against Executive Order 14288 – City Hall, 1300 Perdido St.
Wednesday, May 28
7:00-8:00p Municipal Action Committee Meeting – Meet
Thursday, May 29
5:30-6:30p Gaby Biro OPSB End of Year Community Town Hall – East New Orleans Regional Library, 5641 Read Blvd.
Friday, May 30
12:00-12:45p Free Palestine! Abolish ICE! Weekly Lunch Hour Rally – NOLA ICE Field Office, 1250 Poydras St.
Saturday, May 31
11:00a-3:00p Peace by Piece Youth and Family Wellness Day – Conrad Park, 3400 Hamilton St.
12:00-2:00p New Orleans DSA General Meeting – New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St. Claude Ave. Room 204 – RSVP
2:00-5:00p Canvassing (Bob Murrell, District A) – Signup
Sunday, June 1
9:00a-12:00p Canvassing (Jackson Kimbrell, District C)
11:00a-1:00p Listwork Session – Coffee Science, 410 S. Broad St.
1:00-4:00p Canvassing (Bob Murrell, District A) – Signup
Down the Road
June 14 Brake Light Clinic & Health Fair – 4961 N. Claiborne Ave.
June 28 New Orleans DSA Local Convention – New Orleans
August 8-10 DSA National Convention – Chicago
October 11 Municipal Election Day – Open Primary
November 15 Municipal Election Day – Runoff
Solidarity Means Action is the weekly newsletter of the New Orleans Democratic Socialists of America. Subscribe for updates every Friday at 8:00 am Central.