Red Star Newsletter - October 2026

Hello from Red Star! Curious about what we’ve been up to? Read on to find out!

Red Star 2026 Convention

Earlier this month, Red Star members gathered for our annual convention, and we were joined by many observers from across DSA. During convention, we spent an afternoon analyzing our current position within the political environment, the other forces at play, and plans for action in the theaters of anti-imperialism, solidarity work, partyist electoralism, and DSA’s internal development. We also heard report backs from our past year of work, elected our new steering committee, and, of course, spent many hours debating resolutions. Many Stars report that the best part of convention, however, was the opportunity to spend some time with our comrades from across the country.

National Work Update

NPC Update

NPC member Hazel W has been hard at work getting the Abolish ICE grants program up and running, and more than $40,000 have now been distributed to chapters across the country. This money is being used to build rapid response networks, run Know Your Rights outreach and trainings, support mutual aid, and organize communities to fight ICE. Remember to apply for a grant if your chapter is organizing against ICE!

Red Star in Office

Tempe city council has banned the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) in their city. This legislation was put forward by Red Star’s own Bobby Nichols. He pushed this legislation while intentionally and repeatedly critiquing the capitalist incentive structures which preclude the possibility of implementing safer uses or guardrails around ALPRs. Highlighting the commodification of surveillance under capitalism served as the most effective response to those who pushed for guardrails instead of a ban. Bobby’s approach of explicit socialist agitation and education from within government, and his prioritization of weakening the capitalist state apparatus over economistic reforms is a standard that DSA should replicate nationwide.

Red Star in the Spotlight: Our Members Share their Socialist Analysis

Sudip B appears once again on the podcast This Is Hell to discuss his recent writing, including his recent Socialist Forum piece There is No Socialism Without the End of U.S. Empire. He also joins Millenials Killing Capitalism to discuss Asian-American politics and radicalism.

Red Star’s “Reading Now”

Fidel Castro’s Political Strategy

Join Red Star on November 5th at 5:00 PM PST in reading Marta Harnecker's Fidel Castro's Political Strategy! Drawing from the writings and speeches of Fidel Castro, Harnecker reviews the strategic line, political program, and class perspective of the leadership of the revolutionary movement in Cuba that toppled the US-backed Batista dictatorship in January 1959.

Monthly Quote

The Party cannot be a real party if it limits itself to registering what the masses of the working class feel and think, if it drags at the tail of the spontaneous movement, if it is unable to overcome the inertia and the political indifference of the spontaneous movement, if it is unable to rise above the momentary interests of the proletariat, if it is unable to raise the masses to the level of understanding the class interests of the proletariat. The Party must stand at the head of the working class; it must see farther than the working class; it must lead the proletariat, and not drag at the tail of the spontaneous movement. The parties of the Second International, which preach "khvostism," are vehicles of bourgeois policy, which condemns the proletariat to the role of a tool in the hands of the bourgeoisie. Only a party which adopts the standpoint of advanced detachment of the proletariat and is able to raise the masses to the level of understanding the class interest of the proletariat--only such a party can divert the working class from the path of trade unionism and convert it into an independent political force.

— Joseph Stalin, Foundations of Leninism

Recipe Korner

Corn Saffron Pasta

https://www.lahbco.com/dinner/corn-saffron-pasta

Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn, kernels removed
• 12 saffron threads
• 1 yellow onion, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 tablespoon salted butter
• 1/2 cup preserved pasta water
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon white miso
• pasta
• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 teaspoon harissa seasoning
• 2 tablespoon chopped parsley

Directions

1. Prep the corn by removing the kernels from the cobs, and composting the cobs (or save for stock). Set aside. In a bowl, add 1 ice cube and add saffron threads to it. Let the ice completely melt until it turns a beautiful orange hue. Set aside.
2. In a skillet, heat 3 tbsp butter over medium-low heat. Add the minced onion and garlic and saute until softened about 5-6 minutes. Add the corn kernels and saffron water, then saute for 3-4 minutes until the corn is a bright yellow—season with a pinch of kosher salt.
3. Cook your pasta in heavily salted water until al dente. Reserve 3/4 cup pasta water, drain, and add to the pot.
4. Using an (immersion) blender, combine the sauteed corn, 1/2 cup pasta water, milk, and miso until smooth. Taste and add salt if needed. Toss the cooked pasta and the remaining pasta water over medium heat until emulsified.
5. To make the breadcrumbs: Melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat in a pan. Add the panko and toast until golden brown. Sprinkle harissa seasoning over the panko and toss to coat. Remove from heat and toss with chopped parsley.
6. Serve pasta with a sprinkle of harissa breadcrumbs on top and cracked black pepper.