Austin DSA

COFFEE SOCIAL! Celebrating 1 year of Austin's best run club! 9 AM: Optional 2 mile run/walk. All levels welcome. 9:30 AM: The celebration begins! With cake, party hats, and comrades. March 8th at Epoch Coffee, 221 W N Loop Blvd

The ONLY run club in Austin is celebrating its first full year of operation! Join us for coffee and cake at 9:30 AM, Sunday, March 8. If you'd like to join our usual leisurely 2-mile run, we'll meet in front of Epoch at 9 AM.

Socialist Happy Hour: South Hang out with the coolest socialists in South Austin! St Elmo's Brewery, 440 E St Elmo Rd, G-2 Friday, March 6th, 7 to 9 PM

Join us for our South Side Socialist Happy Hour, now at St. Elmo's Brewery! This is a great opportunity to catch up with old comrades and make new ones. We'd love to see you there. Can't make this one? Catch us again on the 3rd Friday of each month!

Political Education Committee/AfroSocialist Caucus Event: BLACK PEOPLE AGAINST FASCISM Sunday, March 8, 4 to 5:30 PM Hybrid event - RSVP for location and Zoom A talk on how to identify fascism and how to fight it using three Black radicals as references: Idris Robinson, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, and Bobby Seale.

Join us Sunday, March 8, at 4 PM, for a presentation that will address how to identify fascism and how to fight it using three Black radicals as references: Idris Robinson, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, and Bobby Seale.

RSVP: buff.ly/Tekx1jq

Around 50 comrades smiling for a photo with raised solidarity fists. The people in the center are holding an Andrew Hairston for Justice of the Peace banner.

Today is the Big Day! Make sure to get out and vote if you haven't yet, and if you live in Travis County's Justice Precinct 1, vote Andrew Hairston for Justice of the Peace!

Find your polling place: buff.ly/Fe8ihGt

📸 Photo by Caleb R

THIS WEEK WITH AUSTIN DSA Monday, 3/2: Austin DSA Power Hours, 6 PM Come meet comrades at Central Library to get campaign, committee and chapter work done! Tuesday, 3/3: Austin DSA Run and Coffee Club, 7 AM A beginner-friendly 2 mile run with comrades and a post-run coffee hour at Epoch Coffee! Primary Election Night Party, 7 PM Meet us at Batch on Manor for an Election Night watch party with Andrew Hairston for JP1! Wednesday, 3/4: Austin Against Apartheid Meeting, 6 PM Regular virtual meeting for our campaign focused on Palestine solidarity and action. RSVP for events at austindsa.org/events

THIS WEEK WITH AUSTIN DSA Wednesday, 3/4: Homes for All Campaign Meeting, 6 PM Join us virtually as we plan to make the city bond work for the working class! Friday, 3/6: South Side Socialist Happy Hour, 7 PM Join us at Ani’s Day and Night to catch up with old comrades and make new ones! RSVP for events at austindsa.org/events

Austin DSA events for the week of March 2 through March 8.

RSVP at austindsa.org/events, also accessible through the linktree in our bio!

Housing has become a central focus in the current affordability crisis, and Austin has not been immune from sky-rocketing housing costs. Austin DSA’s Homes for All campaign advocates for affordable city-owned housing in our city, to be financed by the 2026 Bond.

The City Council is expected to hear formal recommendations from the Bond Election Advisory Task Force (BEATF) in April. This will impact how the city allocates infrastructure funding within our community.

In Austin DSA, we firmly believe housing should be affordable, sustainable, and owned by the public. This includes housing for individuals and families of all sizes and means, infrastructure that minimizes its environmental impact, and housing that is not controlled by self-interested landlords or financial institutions.

Do you share the dream of Austin becoming a city that supports working people and ensures that no one is crowded out of Austin because of housing costs? Join the next Homes for All campaign meeting on March 4 at 6:00 pm and stand in solidarity for an affordable Austin!

Do you share the dream of Austin becoming a city that supports working people and ensures that no one is crowded out of Austin because of housing costs? Join the next Homes for All campaign meeting on March 4 at 6:00 pm and stand in solidarity for an affordable Austin!

RSVP: buff.ly/g3EPqtS

Austin DSA for Andrew Hairston for Justice of the Peace Canvass #2 Join Austin DSA to knock on doors to elect our fellow member Andrew Hairston to Justice of the Peace (Precinct 1). Help us elect someone that will hold empower the working class by holding landlords…

We're canvassing for Andrew one last time before Election Day on Tuesday. Join us tomorrow at 10 AM! Newbies welcome, we will pair you up with an experienced canvasser!

RSVP: buff.ly/HUAG6tc

You can also donate to the caretaking efforts for George Floyd Square in MN here: buff.ly/7I0lTlo

Andrew Hairston, if elected to Justice of the Peace in Precinct 1, plans to implement virtual appointments, so our undocumented neighbors can't be detained by ICE at the courthouse, keep kids in schools, and keep families in their homes.

As they gain first-hand experience of what a city under siege by federal agents is like, they're reminded how important it is to have an infrastructure of support at the local level, including from those who have the power to protect vulnerable members of our community from institutional harm.

Words from Austin DSA's Co-Chair Gumbo, who is currently in Minneapolis for @twin.cities.dsa's incredible Bring the Heat, Melt the ICE week of action, learning tactics to combat ICE from comrades on the ground.

Austin DSA for Andrew Hairston for Justice of the Peace Canvass #2 Join Austin DSA to knock on doors to elect our fellow member Andrew Hairston to Justice of the Peace (Precinct 1). Help us elect someone that will hold empower the working class by holding landlords…

Early voting is happening now, February 24th, until Friday, the 27th, and then election day is March 3rd! There is one opportunity left to canvass for Andrew with us before then, this Saturday at 10 AM.

RSVP: buff.ly/AWiyixj

And of course, make sure to get out and vote!

NEW EPISODE Austin DSA Batcast Hairston for Peace: No One is Disposable On YouTube and Spotify

The justice courts are the one place where working-class people are most likely to experience the legal system. This court is responsible for: Evictions cases, Civil cases less than $20,000, Fine only criminal offenses, and Trauncy These courts hear thousands of cases a year. It is thousands of hours of time off for families. It is thousands of hours of stress for individuals navigating the legal system for the first time. And it is your friends and neighbors that will be directly impacted by a court where in the 2022 primary, only 15,549 ballots were cast in a precinct with over one hundred thousand registered voters.

On what it means to have a democratic socialist justice of the peace: “The idea is to have DSA and tenants unions in the court, which is public and accessible, and kind of connect working-class people who are navigating these incredibly stressful, really dilitterious proceedings, like bouncing babies on their lap, trying to figure out how they're going to pay $5,000 in back rent in a week. Having comrades in that space and having me as a socialist on the bench, I think we can really try and build working-class power here in Texas.” - Andrew Hairston Candidate for Travis County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Austin DSA member

Portrait of Andrew Reginald Hairston for Travis County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1. Photo: Lauren Slusher

In this episode of the Austin DSA Batcast, we talk to Andrew Hairston, candidate for Justice of the Peace, about the responsibilities of a JP, who they serve, and what it could mean to have a Democratic Socialist represent us.

Watch on Youtube: buff.ly/iyHAHQw
Listen on Spotify: buff.ly/glygtH7

Austin DSA member giving a talk on German Communists in the Civil War

Crowd gathered at Barrett's Too listening to the talk

Member from Austin DSA's Austin Against Apartheid campaign taking to an attendee about the campaign

Teams gathered playing trivia

Photos from our first-ever Solidarity on Tap event on February 12th at Barrett's Too! 3 of our members gave talks on niche parts of socialist history, followed by trivia based on the talks! Keep an eye out for the next installment announcement (potentially coming in May 👀)

📸 Photos by Caleb R

February General Body Meeting Tuesday, February 24th, 6:30 to 9 PM First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, 4700 Grover Ave Virtual Attendees: RSVP for Zoom link It's a potluck! Please wear a mask!

TOMORROW! Join us for our monthly General Body Meeting! Austin DSA gathers monthly for updates on our current campaigns, rousing political speeches, and to vote on what the chapter should work on. This meeting will be both in-person and virtual. RSVP for the Zoom link!

Zoom: buff.ly/VjQKdhi

2 CANVASSES LEFT! Canvass with us for Andrew Hairston, Austin DSA-endorsed candidate for Travis County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 1. Saturday, 2/21, 12:30 PM to 3 PM. Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E 38th 1/2 St. Joined by Council member Zo Qadri and University Democrats! 2. Saturday, 2/28, 10 AM to 12:30 PM. North Oaks Neighborhood Park, 820 Plaza Dr. Hosted by Austin DSA Leadership Committee!

With less than two weeks left until election day, there are just TWO opportunities left to canvass for Andrew Hairston for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1!

New canvassers and members welcome! We'll have training, coffee, and snacks.

RSVP for 2/21: buff.ly/vtAUl0d
RSVP for 2/28: buff.ly/AWiyixj

EDIT: Due to the forecasted thunderstorm tomorrow morning, Saturday’s canvass has been rescheduled for Sunday at 1 PM, still at Ben Fisher Park!

RSVP: actionnetwork.org/events/austi...

Screenshot of Andrew Hairston's endorsement in the Austin Chronicle, reading: Retiring Judge Yvonne M. Williams has two qualified candidates vying to succeed her: Ciara Parks, currently general counsel for the Travis County Juvenile Probation Department and an associate judge for the city of Manor, and Andrew Hairston, a civil rights attorney and Education Justice Project director at Texas Appleseed. Though we declined to endorse Hairston when he challenged Judge Williams in 2022, we publicly encouraged him to run again. This time around, we were persuaded by Hairston’s stated intention to center racial, economic, and social justice at the People’s Court.

Also, thank you to Austin Chronicle for the endorsement!

An adult and small child watching performer on stage.

Fundraiser attendees smiling for a photo.

Fundraiser attendees smiling for a photo.

Andrew Hairston and fundraiser attendee smiling for a photo.

Election day is March 3rd, and early voting begins this coming Tuesday, February 17th! We're canvassing every Saturday, and the next canvass is this Saturday at 10 AM at Ben Fisher Park. New canvassers and members welcome! We'll have training, coffee, and snacks.

RSVP: buff.ly/vtAUl0d

Andrew Hairston smiling for a photo with members of Austin DSA's electoral committee.

Medieval Snails performing on stage.

Fundraiser attendees smiling for a photo.

Fundraiser attendees smiling for a photo with Andrew Hairston poster prints.

Photos from our fundraising concert for Andrew Hairston last Friday! Thank you to everyone who came out to support our endorsed candidate for Travis County Justice of the Peace and help us reach our fundraising goal! Shout out Medieval Snails & Front Plate States for the tunes!

📸 Photos by Caleb R

RSVP: buff.ly/o5hhBa0

Love Letter to Minneapolis: Letter Writing and Winter Weather Kit-Packing From Austin to Minneapolis, Abolish ICE! Some materials provided, please bring socks and gloves to donate! Sunday, February 15, 2 to 4 PM Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches, 3220 Manor Rd

This Sunday, join us in writing letters of love and solidarity to comrades in Minneapolis and pack winter weather and first-aid kits for their mutual aid programs!

Letters, envelopes, and some kit materials will be provided, but we ask that folks bring warm socks and gloves to donate as well!

Solidarity on Tap! Short fun talks about the history (and future) of socialism: - Hungry for Community: A World Tour of Social Restaurants - Between Karl Marx and Abraham Lincoln: German Communists in the American Civil War - America's Socialist Mayors: We've Been Here Before Thursday, February 12, 7 PM Barrett's Too, 103 N Loop Blvd E

Presentation topics for our first-ever Solidarity on Tap event! Join us this Thursday, February 12 at Barrett's Too to discover something new about socialism, learn more about Austin DSA and build community!

RSVP: buff.ly/ykhFl7i

Austin DSA is celebrating 100,00 socialists in DSA! TODAY, Feb 7th at 8 PM, at Lala's, 2207 Justin Ln

TONIGHT! We are celebrating DSA reaching 100,000 members nationwide at 8 PM at Lala's Little Nugget, 2207 Justin Ln. Come enjoy some celebratory energy with comrades!

Solidarity on Tap Curious about socialism? Join us for talks on the history (and future) of socialism, the latest socialist news, trivia, prizes, and solidarity! Thursday, February 12, 7 PM Barrett's Too, 103 N Loop Blvd E

Next Thursday, February 12th, join us for our first-ever Solidarity on Tap event! SoT features fun & accessible presentations on socialist topics ranging from history, international affairs, & current events. We'll also have trivia, prize giveaways, & Socialism in the News!

RSVP: buff.ly/ykhFl7i

CALL TO ACTION Tell Austin City Council to vote YES on Item #47: Creation of a Green Social Housing policy

Rents in Austin remain injuriously high for working-class residents and families, leading to persistent rent burdens, economic stress, and homelessness. Home-ownership is beyond the capacity of the vast majority, and these conditions empower landlords and banks. Social housing leverages public resources to provide permanently affordable, mixed-income housing with public land or publicly-owned apartments.

Social housing is the only realistic way to meet the needs of working-class residents at scale while the federal and state governments impose austerity. It will also empower labor unions by using city leverage to guarantee union jobs build our way to affordability. This is not new. We’ve seen localities like Montgomery County, Maryland, and Portland, Maine, enact similar social housing initiatives. Allowing them to build housing quickly and create an alternative to the status quo. We need creative solutions now that are accountable to the people through our public institutions.

What you can do: Speak at the Council meeting on Thursday, February 5, before voting (item 47). You can sign up in-person at City Hall until 9:15 AM on Thursday. Contact your City Council member by tomorrow morning, Thursday, February 5, and tell them to vote YES on Item 47. A link to find and contact your Council member will be in the linktree in our bio (linkt.ree/austindsa).

Tomorrow, Thursday, February 5th, City Council will vote on whether to adopt a Green Social Housing policy that focuses on creating affordable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible housing.

Contact your City Council member and tell them to vote YES by tomorrow here: buff.ly/bqPeboU

Government | AustinTexas.gov Winter Weather Alerts

You can also register to speak against Item 3 before the vote on Thursday, February 5. Registration closes on Wednesday at 12 PM.

Email your Council member: buff.ly/bqPeboU
Register to speak at Thursday's Council meeting: buff.ly/6owsNiX

CALL TO ACTION! Tell Austin City Council to vote NO on Item #3: $400K-2M for AI surveillance in Austin's parks and pools

AI surveillance company LiveView Technologies (LVT) is courting the Austin City Council and is now inches away from winning a new contract that would implement AI cameras in our parks and pools. We know that the Trump administration is actively using data collected by mass surveillance technologies like LiveView cameras to facilitate mass deportations, to hunt abortion seekers, and to track political protesters. In many cases, police are sharing data with ICE and other federal agencies regardless of the law.

With recent news stories illuminating an alarming amount of collaboration between Austin Police Department and ICE, we do not want to add to the datasets that create vulnerabilities for our immigrant neighbors and others who may be targeted. Remember, the safest form of data is data that does not exist.

What you can do: Sign up to speak at the Council meeting on Thursday, February 5, before the vote (item 3). Registration closes on Wednesday at 12 PM. Contact your City Councilmember before Thursday, February 5, and tell them to vote NO on Item 3. Links to do both will be in the linktree in our bio (linkt.ree/austindsa).

AI surveillance company LiveView Technologies is now inches away from winning a new contract that would implement AI cameras in our parks & pools.

Reach out to your Austin City Council member and urge them to oppose the contract (Item 3) because we do not want AI surveillance in our public spaces.

Events — Austin DSA Interested in Austin DSA? The best way to learn more about the work our chapter is by showing up at one of our events.

There will be a canvass every Saturday until election day on March 3rd! Help us elect someone who will empower the working class by holding landlords and bosses accountable, and who believes our courts should serve the people with compassion, dignity, and integrity.

RSVP at austindsa.org/events!

This past Saturday, over 1000 doors were knocked in Travis County's Precinct 1 in support of Andrew Hairston, our endorsed candidate for Justice of the Peace! We had an amazing turnout, with ~50 comrades showing up to canvass, including our current Socialists in Office, Mike Siegel and Jose Garza.

Fundraiser for Andrew Hairston for Justice of the Peace! Friday, 2/6 at 6:30 PM. Batch, 3220 Manor Road. Can't be there? Throw your socialist cash to the link in bio!

Fundraiser for Andrew Hairston for Justice of the Peace! Performances by: Medieval Snails, Front Plate States. Come as a Bezos Apologist, leave as a Class Traitor. Can't be there? Throw your socialist cash to the link in bio!

This coming Friday, February 6th at 6:30 PM, join us at Batch for a fundraising concert for Andrew Hairston, our endorsed candidate for Travis County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1! Come enjoy some tunes, camaraderie, and donate to the campaign!

RSVP: buff.ly/Yot09D1
Donate: buff.ly/Wlr3ak6