Who Are the Democratic Socialists (DSA)?
Many New Yorkers didn’t know much about the the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and its New York chapter until this weekend’s atrocities. The horrible slaughter of Israeli citizens, particularly women, children and the elderly, has stunned our city not only for its brutality, but for how quickly rallies were organized and “both sides” rhetoric sent out from those firmly and safely in the US. On the heels of a terrorist attack, in a city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, the event and surrounding communication was excessively crass and inappropriate.
And forced many to finally ask: who and what is the DSA?
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)
The DSA is a growing political organization that advocates for progressive and socialist policies. The membership-based organization purports to promote economic, social, and political equality. DSA members advocate for policies such as universal healthcare, workers' rights, climate justice, and the reduction of income inequality.
The group’s roots are in the socialist and leftist movements of the 20th century but recently saw a resurgence in popularity in the 21st century. While the organization was officially founded in 1982, it has experienced significant growth in recent years, particularly following the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns of Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist.
DSA's membership has expanded substantially in the last decade, making it one of the largest socialist organizations in the United States — and, in New York, one of the most extreme and connected to Congress.
Don’t like the response to the terrorist attacks in Israel? Well, consider the influence of the most radical DSA members.
Controversial Positions
While there is consistency in many of the groups policies and views, the absolutism and dogma can vary. For instance, within each of the group’s most notable positions (such as universal healthcare, criminal justice reform, workers' rights, climate justice, defunding the police, education equity and racial justice) are calls from some for more radical fealty.
Some of the policies that have bubbled up to the surface before this week have been the defund the police movement and a radical move to decrease the prison population and decriminalize serious offenses. With respect to the “defund” movement, the DSA have pushed its hardline stance so far as to ultimately cause tension between members. And its policies related to criminal justice have left many New Yorkers fearful for their safety as repeat offenders continue to commit a staggering number of serious crimes in the city.
Positions on Israel
Unfortunately the ill-timed and shockingly pro-terror rally on Sunday came as little surprise to those who have followed the increasingly dogmatic position of the group on Israel. These generally include:
Support for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for economic pressure on Israel to change its policies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Opposition to U.S. Military aid to Israel.
Support of Palestinian rights, including the right to self-determination, an end to the occupation, and opposition to Israeli settlement expansion.
Opposition to Israeli government policies, such as those related to settlements, the blockade of Gaza, and military operations in the Palestinian territories.
Support for a two-state solution or a democratic secular state with equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians.
Most controversial, of late, was a call for those seeking a DSA endorsement in 2021 to commit to not even travelling to Israel. A request that was a step too far for some candidates.
According to the New York Post, 2021 candidate for Manhattan district attorney Tali Farhadian Weinstein responded: “So let me get this straight. Per this questionnaire it would be ok for me to travel to Iran, the country of my birth, which hangs men for being gay and may stone women for adultery, but not to Israel.”
Response to Rally
One of the most notable and enthusiastic DSA supporters in NYC has been silent on Sunday’s rally.
Response from New York City DSA members currently in office, or who have run for office previously, has run the gamut from silence to long, convoluted “both sides” rhetoric. Something that congressman Ritchie Torres vocally rejected on X (formerly Twitter): “Israel is the victim of a terrorist attack. Hamas is the perpetrator. It’s as simple as that. There are no ‘both sides.’”
Few other responses that may be of interest to New Yorkers and that minimized the terrorist attack:
Tiffany Caban delivered of the worst cases of “both side” rhetoric related to the tragedy unfolding … “New York City is home to loved ones of the Israelis who were killed in this week’s attack, and Palestinians who were killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the lead-up to it, and in retaliation for it. My heart is with all of them.”
Jamaal Bowman jumped in with a weak “root cause” statement in relation to the conflict.
Jumaane Williams added more false equivalency… “…even as Palestinian life/suffering often goes undervalued.”
What’s angered most to statements by DSA members has been an inability to simply denounce terrorism (hurting all civilians in region) and decouple any rhetoric from sentiments related to a long-standing and complex conflict.
For a full list of DSA members in office, New Yorker Reza Chowdhury has provided a list on X.
Why Does it Matter?
The policies and positions of the most ardent New York DSA members may be shocking in this moment, as they fail to call out the terrorists killing women and children, but they are completely consistent with the policies and positions they advocate for daily. And for this, New Yorkers should now pay close attention, especially as the group tries to reframe the weekend’s rally still without condemning Hamas.
For instance, Queens City Councilmember Tiffany Caban has a stated mission to: “End the carceral system in New York City by defunding and disbanding the NYPD, permanently closing Rikers Island, halting the construction of new jails, and embedding restorative practices into all city agencies.”
For families, the idea that we we disband the police and empty jails defies any logic and seems, well, like anarchy. But this is a person representing our city in an elected role and if you didn’t notice, you need to now.
A review of past Tweets shows a consistent position with some of the most shocking content posted this week (that has yet to be disavowed by DSA member Caban).
So, if you disagree with the policies and positions of DSA candidates, then it’s important to do your research and vote.
There are great candidates in both parties that do not agree with the Democratic DSA members.
Now more than ever it’s important to consider what is important to you. We have an election coming up on Nov 7. Also consider checking out (and supporting) the new organization (which we support and are advisors to), called One City Rising. A group formed to “…build tools that educate voters, supports policies to bring communities together, stands up against divisive ideology, and helps create much needed political change through government reforms rooted in common ground solutions.” See more here.