about our chapter

Cleveland DSA is the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, organizing in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Lorain Counties. Cleveland DSA is building a member-controlled democratic organization for socialist politics in Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio. We are just one of several Ohio DSA Chapters, fighting alongside Akron, Mahoning Valley, Northwest Ohio, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus.

At the root of our socialism is a profound commitment to democracy, both in our organization and in our ultimate vision. DSA is a “multi-tendency” organization. Members are not asked to agree with everything in our National Platform, so long as they share our fundamental principles. We welcome diverse views and analyses. Our leadership is democratically elected, and the vast majority of our decisions are made collectively at our General Meetings. There, democratic debate and comradely conflict play a central role in planning our work.

Cleveland DSA has engaged in reform fights, including the Cleveland Advocates for Lead Safe Housing (CLASH) campaign, in direct action and protests, and in labor and tenant organizing projects. We have launched ambitious projects of mutual aid, such as our Cleveland Housing Organizing Project’s eviction outreach work. We have stood behind Starbucks Workers United and other labor union efforts, providing organizer trainings, programming fundraiser concerts, and turning out dozens of members to picket lines.

We believe in democracy in the workplace, where we spend the majority of our lives as working people. We fight for new unions where there aren’t any, pushing for greater militancy and democracy in our existing unions, and supporting workers in action at the strike line and beyond.

Cleveland DSA is proud to have supported the growth of hundreds of organizers and activists since our founding. We hope you’ll join us and add your voice, experience and enthusiasm to our work.