Features
Let’s Do It Jewett! for US Congress District 1
On Labor Day, union teacher and New Orleans DSA member Lauren Jewett announced her candidacy for US Congress, LA-01. We couldn’t be more excited to help one of our own unseat Republican Steve Scalise.
Lauren has been a public school special education teacher for 17 years, standing up for the things that working people in Louisiana deserve: dignity, a life we can afford, thriving opportunity, and actual protection and recovery from major storms and disasters. She knows that workers are the hands, hearts, soul, and backbone of our state and our country. We deserve a representative who believes that and acts like it.
Stay tuned for more campaign updates for Lauren, and help us kick off her candidacy with your financial support.
Unravel the Threads and Radicalize New Comrades
It seems like there’s always something to be angry about: crooked politicians, the lunar landscape that we call our roads, or the ding-dong who cut you off in traffic this morning.
It’s important to remember that many things which make us angry are merely the tip of a wedge that is being driven between us. If you’re mad about “immigrants stealing our jobs,” you’re not thinking about the decades-long de-industrialization of our economy, the destabilizing effects of the US imperial program on Latin American countries, or the exploitative nature of capitalism leaving too few resources for all of us. You’re mad now, and you’ve found a convenient, isolated target. The trouble is that a lot of us are those immigrants, or we have a lot more in common with those immigrants than with the fat cats at the top, whether we want to admit it or not.
The purpose of division is domination. So long as we direct anger at each other, we cannot fight the true enemy.
We need everyone to change everything. When you encounter someone who is mad, sit with them and examine why they feel that way, what wedge issue might be behind those feelings, and how a deeper interpretation can radicalize them into action. You don’t need to become a psychotherapist, just learn how to help people spot contradictions in their lives, then help them unravel those threads themselves. Maybe practice a bit on yourself first. There are plenty of angry people out there; they will still be there when you’re ready to talk to them. However, don’t wait too long. We have a lot of work to do. Good luck. We believe in you.
Red Rabbits Recommendation: Delay, Distract, Diffuse
In the ongoing struggle to keep our people safe, bear in mind the difference between strategy (the overall objective or long-term goal) and tactics (short-term actions). For example, when we encounter counter-protestors at a march, the objective is to keep our group moving along, so marshals tactically engage the troublemakers until our people have passed by.
The Three Ds (Delay, Distract, Diffuse) are helpful skills to practice. Sometimes a few seconds will make all the difference in the world, so being able to delay the action of an opponent can thwart their plans and give your side time to complete their plans, react to the new wrinkle, or make an escape.
Distracting your opponent is a great tactic. If their attention is on you, then your people are freer to do their thing. You can ask them about what brings them there, or why they are so upset, or where did they get those fabulous shoes? Just keep them thinking about you, and not on your comrades.
You can also try to diffuse the passion that has them riled up. Sometimes you can do that with questions, other times you can simply sit there and listen to them. If you know that it’ll only take 60 seconds for your march to pass by, just suck it up and learn all about how the lizard people are running the government, or whatever they need to get off their chest. Then, once your people are by, or someone you’re protecting has made an escape, you’re free to walk away.
Always keep your eyes on the prize. Act tactically to support your strategy, but make sure that you have them both properly sorted out before you engage in any action.
Bulletins
DSA 4 Palestine Banner Build
Join your comrades tonight, September 5, for the Palestine Banner Build. Come hang out and paint at the Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Ave, Room 258, starting at 6:00 pm. Food, drink, and all materials provided. Sign up here to let us know to expect you.
Fall 2025 Voter Guide Team Weekly Meeting Tomorrow
Every election, New Orleans DSA publishes our voter guide analyzing the key issues in each race through a socialist lens. This is a volunteer effort by comrades in the chapter, and we want you to join us! We’ll be at the Coffee Science, 410 S Broad St, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Bring your laptop and all of your longstanding grudges against our local oligarchs. Get in touch with Aaron Z for more info.
2025 DSA Membership Survey
Members in good standing are encouraged to fill out our quick 2025 Membership Survey for us to get a better sense of who our membership is overall and to guide our actions as a chapter.
Introducing Neighborhood Circles
We’re making neighborhood circles to connect people where they live, work, and anywhere else they spend time. Use your circle to host gatherings, plan events, and organize around issues in your neighborhood. If you’re interested in joining our newly formed neighborhood circles, opt in here. Neighborhood circles will follow the chapter’s code of conduct and guidelines for respectful discussion.
Fork & Knife Club Distribution
Help contribute to our Direct Service Committee as we begin a new campaign to distribute food around local community fridges. We’ll be preparing, packaging, and distributing meals starting at the Healing Center on September 13th at 12:00 pm. If you are interested, please sign up here. We would love volunteers to help with any stage of the process!
Keep Up With the Candidates at Endorsement HQ
Election Day is October 11 and New Orleans DSA has four endorsed members running for City Council. Pastor Gregory Manning, Danyelle Christmas, Jackson Kimbrell, and Bob Murrell are making calls, knocking on doors, and attending candidate forums. Volunteer, donate, and follow these campaigns at our Endorsement HQ.
Join DSA Movie Night at the Broad
Please join our first ever movie night at the Broad Theatre, in conjunction with Gap Tooth Media! On September 24th, we’ll screen the critically acclaimed The Act of Killing, which recounts the US-backed mass killings of 1-2 million of communists, leftists, and others in 1965-66 Indonesia. We expect tickets to sell out, so get yours soon.
No Contract, No Coffee! Support a Starbucks Worker Strike
Starbucks workers are demanding a fair union contract with the staffing, hours, take-home pay, and on-the-job protections they need to do their jobs. They are part of our community and part of the fabric of our daily lives. They are neighbors. They are workers. They deserve a fair wage. When they fight, we will support them. And when they strike, we will not cross the picket line. Show your support and sign the pledge. We will not patronize any Starbucks store when baristas are on strike.
Write Like a Socialist: We Have a World to Win!
Have an update from your committee or working group? That’s a Bulletin! Want to tell us about an upcoming event? Add it to the Community Calendar! Got some opinion or analysis to share for the good of the membership? Write us a Feature! Make your contribution to the next edition of Solidarity Means Action in the Comms Discord channel.
Community Calendar
Friday, September 5
Free Palestine! Abolish ICE! Weekly Lunch Hour Rally
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm (every Friday) – Immigration Court, 365 Canal St
Urban League By The People Debate Series: Assessor
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Ashé Power House Theater, 1731 Baronne St
DSA 4 Palestine Banner Build
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Av Room 258 – Sign up
Saturday, September 6
Canvass for Jackson Kimbrell, District C
9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Get involved
Voter Guide Team Weekly Meeting
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Saturdays through September 20) – Coffee Science, 410 S Broad St
The Forum: LGBTQ+ Voices Matter Political Candidate Forum
11:00 am – McDonogh 35 HS, 4000 Cadillac St
Canvass for Bob Murrell, District A
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Get involved
Canvass for Danyelle Christmas, District E
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Get Involved
Sunday, September 7
Poli-Ed Planning Meeting
10:00 am – 11:30 am (first Sunday) – New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Av Room 258 – Reading List
Coffee with Comrades
11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Coffee Science, 410 S Broad St
Canvass for Bob Murrell, Council District A
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Get involved
Canvass for Danyelle Christmas, Council District E
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Get Involved
Big in the 90s Fundraiser for Bob Murrell
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Carrollton Station, 8140 Willow St
Chapter Orientation
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm (first and last Sunday) – Meet
Monday, September 8
Canvass for Pastor Gregory Manning, Council At-Large Division 2
5:30 pm & 6:30 pm (Monday-Thursday) – Broadmoor Community Church, 2021 S Dupre St – Get Involved
Tuesday, September 9
Canvass for Pastor Gregory Manning, Council At-Large Division 2
5:30 pm & 6:30 pm (Monday-Thursday) – Broadmoor Community Church, 2021 S Dupre St – Get Involved
Critical Mass Ride: Mass Incarceration in Louisiana
6:00 pm – French Market, Barracks St & French Market Pl
Urban League By The People Debate Series: Mayor
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Xavier University of Louisiana Convocation Center, 7900 Stroelitz St
Wednesday, September 10
Indivisible Wednesday ICE Protest
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (every Wednesday) – ICE Field Office, 1250 Poydras St
Canvass for Pastor Gregory Manning, Council At-Large Division 2
5:30 pm & 6:30 pm (Monday-Thursday) – Broadmoor Community Church, 2021 S Dupre St – Get Involved
VOTE Sheriff Town Hall
6:30 pm – VOTE, 4930 Washington Av
Thursday, September 11
Canvass for Pastor Gregory Manning, Council At-Large Division 2
5:30 pm & 6:30 pm (Monday-Thursday) – Broadmoor Community Church, 2021 S Dupre St – Get Involved
Friday, September 12
Free Palestine! Abolish ICE! Weekly Lunch Hour Rally
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm (every Friday) – Immigration Court, 365 Canal St
Saturday, September 13
Canvass for Jackson Kimbrell, Council District C
9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Get involved
Voter Guide Team Weekly Meeting
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Saturdays through September 20) – New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Av Room 258
Fork and Knife Club Distribution
12:00 pm – New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Av Room 258 – Sign Up
Canvass for Bob Murrell, Council District A
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Get involved
Canvass for Danyelle Christmas, Council District E
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Get Involved
Sunday, September 14
Canvass for Bob Murrell, District A
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Get involved
Canvass for Danyelle Christmas, Council District E
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Get Involved
Down the Road
September 21 Vote Virgo! A Birthday Pool Party Celebrating Gabriela Biro & Danyelle Christmas
September 22 Port NOLA Alabo Street Wharf Project Community Information Meeting (Stop the Grain Train)
September 24 Together New Orleans Mayoral and City Council Forum
September 24 Poli-Ed Movie Night: The Act of Killing
September 26 Voter Guide Release
September 27 Early Voting Starts
October 11 Election Day: Municipal Primary
November 15 Election Day: Municipal Runoff