RELEASE: Aaron Bushnell, dedicated and beloved community activist, self-immolates while demanding an end to Palestinian genocide

SAN ANTONIO, TX—On Sunday, February 25, 2024, Aaron Bushnell self-immolated in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC. Aaron was a cherished member of the community, a committed activist, and an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force. He provided aid and resources to people experiencing homelessness through San Antonio Collective Care, in which he worked closely with members of our mutual aid group.

There are no SADSA endorsed candidates on the ballot this cycle. All candidates named in this guide are recommended, however, San Antonio DSA did not actively campaign on their behalf. Candidates and propositions must seek the endorsement of SADSA, as our general membership votes on the decision to endorse.

San Antonio DSA stands in solidarity with Palestine’s decades-long struggle against Israeli occupation. We mourn all innocent lives lost since October 7th, and recognize that the root cause is Israel’s colonial system of apartheid and its systemic violence against the Palestinian people.

There are zero San Antonio DSA endorsed candidates on this guide. Candidates and propositions must seek the endorsement of SADSA and our general membership votes on the decision to endorse.

There are two San Antonio DSA endorsed candidates on this guide and one proposition: Jalen McKee-Rodriguez in City Council District 2, Teri Castillo in City Council District 5, Prop A: San Antonio Justice Charter.

There are no SADSA endorsed candidates on the ballot this cycle. In this guide we have recommended candidates, but San Antonio DSA did not actively campaign on their behalf.

“The dissolution of Roe v. Wade poses a problem that won’t be resolved by politicians alone,” said San Antonio DSA Co-Chair, Lexy Garcia. “A majority of people in this country already support the right to abortion. What we need is an organized working class that can demand and win abortion rights for everyone. When workers claim our power through unions and organizing, we also claim power over the decisions that affect our lives. We do not have to be ruled by undemocratic, classist institutions like the Supreme Court.”

San Antonio DSA expresses solidarity and support for the Starbucks baristas who are joining together and standing up for their rights as workers to form a union. Starbucks claims to be a progressive company, so they should live up to their professed values and stop making threats and intimidating their own employees. We know Starbucks workers will win their union, and with it the power to demand basic dignities such as reasonable scheduling, proper training, and a fair share of the record profits they’ve brought in.

There are no SADSA endorsed candidates on the ballot this cycle. All candidates named in this guide are recommended, but San Antonio DSA did not actively campaign on their behalf.

Last week, against the backdrop of the most dangerous period of the COVID-19 pandemic, City Council voted to increase our CPS Energy rates. During a period that has found teachers, students, service workers, and the highest rate of city employees out on COVID leave, we are being urged to stay home, to stop the spread, but no further federal assistance is coming. Instead, residents of San Antonio are being forced to bear the brunt of CPS Energy’s mismanagement.

On Sunday, Musicians of the San Antonio Symphony voted unanimously to strike after the San Antonio Symphony Society announced a proposal it described as their, “last, best, and final offer.” The Board and Management’s unwillingness to bargain in good faith with the musicians that create the symphony’s vibrant sound is abhorrent; especially after Symphony musicians voluntarily accepted an 80% salary reduction, all while taking on additional labor such as producing virtual content

There are six San Antonio DSA endorsed candidates on this guide: Jalen McKee-Rodriguez in City Council District 2, Teri Castillo in City Council District 5, Sarah Sorensen in SAISD District 1, Judit Vega in SAISD District 3, Luke Amphlett in SAISD District 4, and Yasmín Parra Codina in SAISD District 7.

The San Antonio DSA stands in solidarity with the workers of MOVE Texas as they seek voluntary recognition of their union, MOVE Texas United. Since 2013, the workers of MOVE have built power in underrepresented youth communities and have made it one of the most effective voter registration groups in Texas.

There are no San Antonio DSA or National DSA endorsed candidates on this guide. The candidates in this guide are recommended by SADSA’s Local Council, but none were endorsed by the chapter.