Note: The following resolution was passed by ROC DSA membership following debate at the June General Meeting. The Chapter aims to continue using these meetings to conduct chapter business, and encourages members to submit resolutions for debate that will clarify our political positions and orient our actions as a chapter. Resolutions can be submitted at: bit.ly/dsaresolutions.
WHEREAS, the national bodies of the Democratic Socialists of America—including conventions of the members; the National Political Committee; and the International Committee—have, since 2014, affirmed the normalization of US relations with Cuba;
WHEREAS, in 2021, Convention Resolution 14 oriented our international work towards solidarity with mass parties;
WHEREAS, at 2023’s National Convention, the consensus resolution reaffirmed CR14’s dictates and clarified that the International Committee and the National Political Committee are solely responsible for diplomatic work;
WHEREAS, the legacy of the socialist Cuba lies in their success at waging a guerilla war against a dictatorship, establishing a national revolutionary government, nationalizing and redistributing millions of acres of land, resisting the US empire’s attempts to restore their colonial-imperial rule over the island, and surviving the destruction of their international benefactor, the Soviet Union, while the United States continues to exert imperial power from 90 miles away;
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Rochester Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (ROC DSA) affirms National DSA’s stance in solidarity with the Cuban socialist struggle, and in opposition to the United States’ (and its allies’) economic blockade and sanctions on Cuba.
BE IT FURTHER resolved that ROC DSA calls for an end to the blockade, and all sanctions on Cuba.
BE IT FURTHER resolved that ROC DSA calls on the U.S. State Department for the removal of Cuba from the state terror list and to begin the process of normalizing relations.
BE IT FURTHER resolved that ROC DSA considers itself in alignment with DSA’s International Committee as pertains to relating to Cuba.
Affirmed June 4, 2024.