THE METRO DC CHAPTER of the Democratic Socialists of America held its yearly convention on December 7 and 8 of 2024. The affair was the largest local convention of its post-Bernie era – with over 180 people tapped in during Zoom and in-person. Through proxy voting, a count from the chapter’s steering committee reported that over 280 members were engaged in the two-day convention over the two day affair — a new record in the DSA's post-Bernie era.

On the floor, the body voted on 3 resolutions, 3 bylaw amendments and a handful of floor amendments and procedures. An additional 3 resolutions, 2 bylaw amendments and a 2025 chapter budget were adopted in a consent agenda. The results are summarized below:

All of the resolutions are available for reading on the chapter’s internal wiki, along with items passed in the consent agenda. But resolutions that passed on the floor are the most consequential for the chapter’s work over the next year:

• CR18 - Unified for an Anti-Zionist Metro DC DSA:  The resolution reflects the will of the chapter, eager to cast away notions of “liberal Zionism” in the face of Isreal’s genocide against the Palestine and flagrant violations of international law. The resolution formalizes support for a few ongoing Palestine solidarity campaigns: anti-Chevron organizing facilitated through the #StopFuelingGenocide campaign, support for DC for Palestine’s upcoming divestment campaign, opposition to the Virginia Israel Advisor Board and an upcoming divestment campaign in Montgomery County. It creates a new expectation for elected officials endorsed by the chapter to publicly clarify their support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement (BDS) along with refraining from affiliation with the Israeli government or Zionist lobby groups. In addition, members of the chapter are expected to avoid affiliation with these same groups, and refrain from opposing BDS or being affiliated with Zionist lobby groups or the Israeli government.
• CR 4 - Fight Fascism, Build Socialism: This resolution outlines a plan of action to counter the 2025 inauguration of fascist goon Donald Trump. Defending federal workers, DC autonomy and immigrants under threat of deportation clarify the focus. Mass protest, labor agitation and attuning chapter structures to mobilization will be the tactics for charting a wider mobilization.
• ‍CR5 - For a Chapter Program: This resolution creates a new Program Development Commission to build a chapter program, clarify chapter points of unity and identify long-term organizing targets for socialists in the DMV. This project is an ambitious one – to make sure the “big tent” of the DSA is hoisted by a firmer frame, and to create a clearer strategy for future engagement compared to the jostling between positions DSA has experienced post-Bernie.

Items in the consent agenda were not controversial – largely tidying up the chapter’s already impressive structure. BA1 clarifies the chapter’s approach to endorsing ballot resolutions, BA2 clarifies the process resolutions are proposed to the general body for membership, and CR6 identifies new pathways for YDSA to engage in the central life of the chapter. 

Two ballots were also circulated to the wider membership before and after the convention: the first was an endorsement vote for Shayla Adams-Stafford for the PG County Council Special Election for District Council five; the second asked members to rank their vote for chapter secretary and to vote on the five priority resolutions proposed to the general membership. Shayla Adams-Stafford received over 99% of the vote for her endorsement. And five priority campaigns were selected (Internationalism and Palestine Solidarity, the work of the Bodily Autonomy (trans and reproductive rights) working group, Stomp Out Slumlords tenant organizing, labor solidarity work and the chapter’s utility municipalization campaign, We Power. These campaigns will receive additional funding and priority access to chapter resources.

The results of the decisions adopted by the body provide the chapter with a clear program moving into 2025. A number of changes will task the chapter – which is experiencing a huge growth in new and reengaged members – with an ambitious to-do list for 2025.