What should Maine leftists aim to accomplish in the coming few years? After many decades in the doldrums, the U.S. Left grew by leaps and bounds in 2016 and 2017, spurred social protests like Red State teachers strikes, #MeToo, Standing Rock, Black Lives Matter, and climate justice. Bernie Sanders’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns introduced the language of working class solidarity and socialism to millions of people; and Trump’s elections, COVID, and Gaza have hardened radical convictions.
Nationally, much (but not all) of this new socialist and anticapitalist energy has coalesced in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), catapulting the group from 6,000 to almost 90,000 members in a few short years. Proportionally, Maine DSA has grown even more, starting from less than a dozen long-term members in 2016, there are now over 600 dues-paying members state-wide. Over the last eight years, those members have won seats in the state Legislature and Portland City Council, marched for Black Lives, organized mutual aid during COVID, walked picket lines, organized renters unions, spoken out for abortion rights, and played a central role in Gaza solidarity, to name just a few. We’ve learned how to win. Just look at the staying power of the People First Portland referendums that raised the minimum wage, strengthened renters’ rights, and instituted Green building codes. And we’ve learned how to fight for a good cause even if the capitalists can overwhelm us with campaign cash, like when they outspent us 50 to 1 to defeat Public Power. Along the way, we’ve organized innumerable study groups, socials, art builds, and canvasses. Maybe most important of all, we’ve built a collaborative, active, and principled group of organizers while demonstrating our usefulness to a wide range of political allies.
Trump 2.0 will put Maine DSA and all progressive forces in Maine to the test. But we’re much stronger than we were in 2017 and hundreds of people are interested in joining, not to mention lots of members who are considering reconnecting or upping their level of commitment. In sum, if 2017 and our work since then put Maine DSA on the map, we have the opportunity to get to the next level in the coming years in terms of size, influence, experience, and state-wide presence. Exactly how we do that is up to us.
Right around when Trump takes office in January Maine DSA will hold its convention, and in its lead up Pine & Roses is encouraging readers to submit articles so as many folks as possible can think through what we should do in the coming year and beyond. If you have ideas for how the Left in Maine could better organize, or if you’re part of a group that has fought for social justice and have a story to tell, we want to hear what you’ve been up to in the past year and what you are thinking for the next. If you want to analyze Maine’s economy, then take a crack at it. If you are a union member and want to talk about your workplace or assess Maine unions’ strengths, we want to hear from you. Likewise if you have ideas for art, music, education, or culture.
Trump plans to go to war. We’ll be on the defensive on the national level and we shouldn’t underestimate the damage he can do here in Maine. But we don’t have to sit by and wait. How can we defend our immigrant and trans communities? How can we prepare for attacks on education, environmental protection, and union rights? Whatever we do, we will have to figure out how to marshall our considerable, but limited, resources and consult with friends and allies. But before we can act, we need to share ideas, debate, and then come together to democratically decide. That’s how it should be done in any democratic space worth its weight. Please join in by sending us your thoughts. Preferably in 1,000 word bites. Don’t worry if you need help with editing. We’re happy to help get your ideas in easily readable form.
Send articles and ideas to pineandrosesme@gmail.com
