Candidate Statement: Benny Z. - At Large

This is an unprecedented moment with enormous possibilities for building a more democratic society. We must grow East Bay DSA as an organization of working people that fights for working people. Our membership needs to reflect the diversity of the East Bay, and we must demonstrate the value of our organization to communities beyond Berkeley and Oakland. We succeeded in turning out the vote for Bernie here; now we must make sure each person we spoke to sees EBDSA as a political home where they can develop the skills to organize as tenants, co-workers, and neighbors. It is only through this type of mass organizing that we will be able to build towards a multiracial, working class movement.

During my time as a member of East Bay DSA, I have helped our chapter become a trusted partner in climate justice work with groups from APEN to Sunrise Movement. As co-chair of the GND Committee, I represent us in the California Green New Deal Coalition and the No PG&E Bailout Coalition. I helped our committee organize last year’s climate strikes and the PG&E headquarters lockdown in December. I was also heavily involved in organizing Bernie canvasses and providing support for the OEA strike. 

The Green New Deal is an overarching vision for the society we are fighting for. It runs through all our committee campaigns, whether that be green social housing, a just transition, Medicare for All, or racial and environmental justice. As an at-large member, I will work to deepen this interconnectedness by helping the Labor committee develop its transit worker support, the Housing committee incorporate utility bill strikes into rent strikes, and the Racial Solidarity Committee support communities affected by environmental racism.

If you share this vision, please support me and the Organize for Power slate.