by Statement by Reform & Revolution
The agenda proposed for the DSA Convention lacks comprehensive discussion on several topics that are crucial for the socialist movement or have sparked significant controversies within DSA in the past two years. To foster a democratic discourse on these vital matters, Reform & Revolution engaged in conversations with comrades from Marxist Unity Group, Red Star, Communist Caucus, Libertarian Socialist Caucus, Emerge, Red Labor, individual comrades from Bread & Roses, and others. Together, we formulated a joint proposal to improve certain aspects of the agenda.
Our primary objective is to ensure that the delegates, who constitute the highest decision-making body of DSA, have the opportunity to consider and vote on these proposals. It’s important to note that while Reform & Revolution doesn’t endorse all of these resolutions, we fully endorse the notion that they are important topics for DSA and should be debated openly at the convention.
The joint proposal would amend the agenda by:
⬤ Moving several less controversial resolutions to the Consent Agenda, specifically:
- Consensus Resolution #1: Building Tenant Power and Organization (Housing Justice Commission)
- Member-Submitted Resolution #16: Renew the National Activist Conference
- Member-Submitted Resolution #11: Make Bud DSAʼs Official Mascot
⬤ Adding “A Fighting Campaign for Reproductive Rights and Trans Liberation” to the beginning of debate block 2. You can find the full text of the resolution here: Stand Alone Resolution: A Fighting Campaign for Reproductive Rights and Trans Liberation
This is a resolution that Reform & Revolution strongly recommends.
⬤ Inserting “Consensus Resolution Amendment P: Towards a Party-Like Electoral Strategy” between Consensus Resolution Amendment I and Member-Submitted Resolution #2
This is a resolution Reform & Revolution developed in collaboration with Marxist Unity Group and strongly recommends.
⬤ Instead of discussing the question raised by the Palestine Solidarity & BDS Working Group as an amendment to NPC Recommendation #8, adding “Member-Submitted Resolution #12: Make DSA an Anti-Zionist Organization in Principle and Praxis” with its amendment “Member-Submitted Resolution Amendment F: Make DSA an Anti-Zionist Organization in Principle and Praxis” to the end of debate block 4.
This resolution #12 is brought forward by the Palestine Solidarity & BDS Working Group. R&R recommends a “NO” vote on this resolution; we support a “YES” vote for amendment F and then a “YES” vote for the resolution as a whole only if amendment F is approved.
Here is the concrete motion to change the agenda
You can show your support for this proposal by signing here.
Stephan Kimmerle is a Seattle DSA activist and a Co-convener of its District 2 group. He's been involved in the labor and socialist movement internationally—from being a shop steward in the public sector in Germany to organizing Marxists on an international level. He visited and wrote about the revolutions in East Germany and Serbia, the struggles in Palestine/Israel, as well as Turkey and Kurdistan. Now, he is working part-time jobs while being a stay-at-home dad of two wonderful children.
