About Pensacola DSA
ByLaws
Our official bylaws may be viewed here.
Chapter jurisdiction
Currently we cover Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties. Outside of this range? Start a Chapter!
Who We Are
Pensacola FL DSA, or colloquially Pensacola DSA is an official chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. We are members of the greater Pensacola community from all walks of life who are tired of a government that doesn’t heed the demands of the People!
We are tired of an economy that only serves the wealthy elite and leaves the working class in destitution.
What We Do
Pensacola DSA seeks to build local working class power in the fight for socialism. Towards that end, we engage in struggle through Mutual Aid, Political Education, Labor Organizing, International Solidarity, Elections, and Direct Action.
Theory of Change
The capitalist class is the problem because they enforce an undemocratic economic system which relies on exploitation. The working class is the historical agent of change because capitalism can’t function without workers. The way workers make change is by building a mass movement of the majority, strategically stopping production and/or shutting down sectors of the economy and society, and remaking our economic, social, and political systems.
So what’s stopping us? Many working class people don’t see themselves as part of the working class or can't imagine that they could deserve more. We’ve been conditioned into individualism. Our material conditions make us feel powerless. We don’t know how to organize. The capitalist class uses their power to keep us apart. All of these things and more.
So how do we win? We need high and growing working class participation. We must unify against capitalism's divisions. We ultimately must build a demonstrable & sustainable movement of the majority. And we do this by organizing, which grows our capacity and helps us do hard things.
About DSA
DSA is the largest socialist organization in the United States, with over 250 chapters and successful wins like elected DSA members and endorsed candidates, Green New Deal infrastructure wins like public renewables, historic expansions of housing rights and many more victories in the last few years. DSA grew in popularity around the campaigns of Bernie Sanders and has developed and matured as the organization it is today. It is a descendant of the Socialist Party of Eugene Debbs, leaving over opposition to the party's support of the Vietnam war. DSA was founded by Michael Harrington and has evolved overt time. A National Convention is held every two years to democratically steer the course of the body and to elect a National Political Committee (NPC) to preside between conventions.
You can read more about the structure and administration of DSA here.
Read our political platform here.
FAQ
What are dues for?
Dues help DSA maintain and grow independence under the control of our members rather than corporations or NGO bureaucracy. Some organizations are run for the profit of their owners or operate using grants from government or the noblesse oblige of corporate funding that could be easily taken away. We ask our members to pay 1% of their annual income to support our democratic socialist organizing among the 99% locally and nationwide. There are a variety of dues options available on the national join page.
National FAQ page addressing more questions (including regarding dues).
What if I don't live in the City of Pensacola?
Pensacola DSA is our DSA chapter in Northwest Florida. Currently the chapter has one regional/area branch, the Emerald Coast Branch, which covers Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. Folks from the neighboring communities of South Alabama, the Central Florida Panhandle, Walton county, and Panama City are are welcome to participate however we encourage you to start a chapter. You can participate from any area covered by of the chapter and we try to make virtual meetings geographically representative. Come to a meeting and get plugged in!
Question unanswered? Ask us! info@pensacoladsa.org