In This Issue    Young Democratic Socialists Update: August 29, 2007
 
 
  

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Socialist Summer School
Turning Point for the Young Democratic Socialists  
 
The YDS Socialist Summer School in New York City this past August 11-12 was the best summer conference in years.  The crowd was very diverse in terms of regional representation, gender, race, and class.  Throughout the weekend there was high energy.  People were excited to meet, many for the first time, and get ready to work together and learn about democratic socialist perspectives.  Chapters and members are ready to make YDS a tighter organization and a viable coalition partner in national student politics.
 
To get a full report of the conference from The Activist, our blog, click here. 
 
 
Read biographies and see pictures of the new Coordinating Committee members.
 
Fighting for Immigrant and Student Rights
2007-2008 Activist Agenda  
 
Every summer conference the YDS body votes on our Activist Agenda.  The document articulates our national activist priorities.  This year, YDS voted to continue our National Immigrant Rights Project for another year.  We also agreed that it is critical for us to tackle the crisis of student debt from a socialist viewpoint.  YDS has materials and will be developing more for these projects.  We look forward to hearing ideas for these campaigns from you. 
 
For the official Activist Agenda, click here.
 
If you want materials and ideas, please contact the National Office at yds@dsausa.org
 
Iraq Moratorium
A Increasing the Volume of the Anti-War Movement's Voice
  
YDS and our youth peace network, The National Student and Peace Coalition, have signed on to support the Iraq Moratorium.  In the legacy of the Vietnam Moratorium, decentralized actions will occur on the third Friday of every month.  Former TransAfrica Forum president and Democratic Socialists of America (YDS's parent organization) member Bill Fletcher, Jr. said in The Nation "The Iraq Moratorium will allow local actions integrally connected at a national level such that each effort is understood and felt to be part of a national movement without at the same time creating a new organization or coalition."  YDS chapters will be joining in the first day of action this September 21st by wearing black armbands.  For ideas and/or to be connected to your local chapter, please contact yds@dsausa.org.
 
For the full article from The Nation magazine click here.
 
For the Iraq Moratorium website click here.
  
YDS Fights Oppression 
Revival of the Anti-Racism and Feminist Committees
 
The large growth of the YDS in the past year has increased our diversity and strength.  Subsequently, we have revived the Anti-Racism and Feminist Committees.  The committees have set projects for themselves and are welcoming YDS members to help out.  To learn more about the "Hip-Hop & Socialism" and "Feminist Writing Project" you can contact Anti-Racism Coordinator Emahunn Raheem Ali Campbell (erc3s@uvawise.edu) and Feminist Issues Coordinator Mary Smith (thewindcriesmary@hotmail.com). 
 
 
 
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