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Over 300 Sanders activists attended [[Democratic Socialists of America]]’s “Socialist Caucus” on Wednesday afternoon, July 27th, 2016. In the audience were over  100 Sanders delegates, including most of DSA’s 55 member-delegates; they were joined by Larry Sanders, Senator Sanders’ brother, and the Senator’s son, Levi Sanders.

Over 300 Sanders activists attended [[Democratic Socialists of America]]’s “Socialist Caucus” on Wednesday afternoon, July 27th, 2016. In the audience were over  100 Sanders delegates, including most of DSA’s 55 member-delegates; they were joined by Larry Sanders, Senator Sanders’ brother, and the Senator’s son, Levi Sanders.

The enthusiastic audience heard from leaders of the two largest unions that backed Sanders.  Michael Lighty, political director of [[National Nurses United]] (and former DSA national director) analyzed  the “transformative,” anti-corporate nature of Sanders’ call for [[single-payer]] healthcare and a financial transactions tax to finance free public higher education. [[Communications Workers of America]] District One Legislative Director Bob Master argued that a post-Sanders political trend would have to broaden its racial basis and coordinate work around several key racial and economic justice demands.   

The enthusiastic audience heard from leaders of the two largest unions that backed Sanders.  Michael Lighty, political director of National Nurses United (and former DSA national director) analyzed  the “transformative,” anti-corporate nature of Sanders’ call for [[single-payer]] healthcare and a financial transactions tax to finance free public higher education. Communications Workers of America District One Legislative Director Bob Master argued that a post-Sanders political trend would have to broaden its racial basis and coordinate work around several key racial and economic justice demands.   

DSA National Director [[Maria Svart]], El Paso DSA activist and Sanders delegate [[Ashley Rodriguez]], and New York City DSA Co-chair Rahel Biru outlined the role DSA locals play in multi-racial coalitions and electoral campaigns  to fight for immigrant rights, affordable housing and democratic public education.  [[Jose LaLuz]], DSA vice-chair and veteran labor and Puerto Rican rights activist, brought down the house with an impassioned plea to end United States [[colonial]] rule in [[Puerto Rico]].  

DSA National Director [[Maria Svart]], El Paso DSA activist and Sanders delegate Ashley Rodriguez, and New York City DSA Co-chair Rahel Biru outlined the role DSA locals play in multi-racial coalitions and electoral campaigns  to fight for immigrant rights, affordable housing and democratic public education.  Jose LaLuz, DSA vice-chair and veteran labor and Puerto Rican rights activist, brought down the house with an impassioned plea to end United States [[colonialismcolonial]] rule in [[Puerto Rico]].  

[[Maria Svart]] and [[Joseph Schwartz]], DSA National Political Committee member and chief organizer of the caucus, briefly outlined the NPC’s outlook on the election: building a stronger, multi-racial and anti-racist “post-Bernie trend” that can be in opposition to a neoliberal [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] administration on day one. This can be accomplished, in part, by engaging in independent “Dump Trump” work in swing states (e.g., working for down-ballot progressives and engaging in voter registration and voter turnout among anti-Trump, progressive constituencies). In non-contested states, DSA locals can work for down-ballot progressive candidacies and build independent left electoral  and social movement capacity.  

[[Maria Svart]] and [[Joseph Schwartz]], DSA National Political Committee member and chief organizer of the caucus, briefly outlined the NPC’s outlook on the election: building a stronger, multi-racial and anti-racist “post-Bernie trend” that can be in opposition to a neoliberal [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] administration on day one. This can be accomplished, in part, by engaging in independent “Dump Trump” work in swing states (e.g., working for down-ballot progressives and engaging in voter registration and voter turnout among anti-Trump, progressive constituencies). In non-contested states, DSA locals can work for down-ballot progressive candidacies and build independent left electoral  and social movement capacity.