DSA Santa Cruz Presents

Red October

Oct14-162022

Red October is a Santa Cruz-based convergence of radical events and discussions, art and presentations, joining flourishing movements sharing a post-capitalist, socialist horizon.

Drawing inspiration from past models of theory and practice, Red October brings critical and affirmative attention to contemporary ways of imagining a world beyond capitalism, including in relation to their antiracist, antisexist, and decolonial intersections.

Red October is specific to local concerns in Santa Cruz, as well as extending beyond them, seeking to connect, amplify, and strengthen theoretical and comparative frameworks for local struggles. It provides a movement space of red organizing in collaboration with labor, ecosocialist, and political formations within and beyond electoralism.

Red October is motivated to push the conversation toward recognizing the necessity of a socialist future, to build networks of alliances and solidarity on the Left, and to imagine and realize a post-capitalist world in common.

  • Day I / Oct 14

    No Green Capitalism: Envisioning Ecosocialist Futures and How We Get There

    London Nelson Community Center

    301 Center St, Room 5 @ 5:00-7:00pm

    This panel brings together a range of approaches to post-fossil futures. It will address competing approaches to de/growth, radical Green New Deals, and the decolonial, anti-racist Red Deal. Where is our common ground and how can we strategize together in challenging the unsustainable and socially unjust conditions of green capitalism?

    With Martabel Wasserman and TJ Demos (DSA); Gwen Parden, Maya Caminada, and Logan Haug (UCSC Climate Coalition); and Mark Weller and Yanely Martinez (Safe Ag Safe Schools / Californians for Pesticide Reform)


    Film Screening: Sorry to Bother You (2018)

    TABBY CAT CAFE

    1101 CEDAR ST / 8:00-10:00PM

  • Day II / Oct 15

    Visit the Lichen Museum

    LANDING COMMUNITY SPACE

    650 River St. @ 11:00AM-12:30PM

    Zero in on inhabitants of the sidewalks and river bank ecologies; enter slowed, horizontal, colorful and complex worlds that co-exist with those of capitalist urgency but are mostly overlooked or stepped on.


    The Palestinian Struggle for Liberation: Why It Matters and How to Get Involved

    London Nelson Community Center

    301 Center St, Room 5 @ 1:00-2:30PM

    Palestinians continue to resist Israeli colonial terror, and a growing international movement has risen up in support of their struggle. We'll discuss why this should matter to all of us and what we can do.

    With members from UCSC Students for Justice in Palestine, Jadaliyya and MERIP (Middle East Research and Information Project), Palestine Justice Coalition, and DSA BDS and Palestine Solidarity Working Group.


    Socialist Labor Organizing in Santa Cruz

    London Nelson Community Center

    301 Center St, Room 5 @ 3:00-5:00pm

    What are the most effective approaches to labor organizing? What has worked, what has not? What priorities should be put in place in the near future of labor struggle in Santa Cruz? How can the left grow its capacity, building on the recent regional and national wins with Starbucks and Amazon?

    With Jeb Purucker, Sarah Mason, Kyle Galindez, and Jared Pettit.


    Musical Performance by evicshen at Indexical

    1050 RIVER ST., #119 @ 8:00PM

    Sound artist, experimental music performer, and instrument-maker from San Francisco. Discount for Red October attendees!

    More info and tickets here.

  • Day III / Oct 16

    Radical Politics Between Movement Organizing and Electoralism

    Resource Center for Nonviolence, Community Room

    612 Ocean St @ 1:00-3:00pm

    What is the place of electoral politics in the struggle for leftist movement building? What are the strategic objectives, advantages and/or disadvantages of socialists contesting positions within capitalist political institutions? How might political organizing compliment labor and community organizing?

    With Hector Marin, Joy Schendledecker, Jeb Purucker, Angela Taylor, and Reggie Meisler


    Strike! Labor Working Group Art Build

    LITTLE GIANT COLLECTIVE

    115 RIVER ST. SOUTH @ 4:00-6:00PM

    The Labor Working Group is working on producing a set of strike materials for our DSA Santa Cruz chapter, consisting of a large-scale “ON STRIKE” banner and picket signs, which we'll use to support local strikers. We'll be hosting an ART BUILD at Little Giant Collective . Let's hang out, have a drink, and build strike materials together! Contact [email protected] for info.

Halloween / Oct 31

People's Disco

Moe’s alley, 1535 Commercial Way @ 9:00pm
A Revolutionary Socialist Dance Party

All events are free an in Santa Cruz unless otherwise noted and as long as seats last. Please note: Indoor events require masks to ensure the safety of all.