Who we are & what we do
We are the youth and student section of the Democratic Socialists of America, and a national organization of recognized campus chapters and several hundred activists. We organize on college and high school campuses to fight for the immediate needs of workers and students, while building our capacity to fight for more radical and structural changes in the long term. Ultimately, we are part of the international struggle to build a better world, and we call the better society we are fighting for democratic socialism.
We are proud of our unique status as one of the few national, multi-issue left-wing student organizations in the United States. Twice a year we meet at our winter outreach conference and summer leadership retreat to share our experiences and build a national community. We encourage young socialists to explore social and political issues on our blog, The Activist.
The Activist
Blog for Young Democratic Socialists, the youth section of Democratic Socialists of America. Mention our blog online using #TheActivistYDS.
The Red Letter
Quarterly newsletter for Young Democratic Socialists, the youth section of Democratic Socialists of America. Mention our newsletter online using #RedLetterYDS.
Latest News
YDS in National Debate with Turning Point USA
Young people are building and leading their own movements, and during these uncertain times campuses are centers for heavy ideological debate and conflict. As millennials prepare to shape our world in our image, one central question looms: should our future be a socialist or capitalist one?
Join us at Georgetown University on Wednesday, April 26th at 6:30 PM for a friendly debate on this question between Ryan Mosgrove, National Organizer for Young Democratic Socialists, and Charlie Kirk, Founder and Executive Director of Turning Point USA.
This debate will be livestreamed via Facebook Live on Event Page! If you're local, it is a public event and directions are here.
YDS Makes a Big Impact on Campuses in the Spring
The Young Democratic Socialists have grown from roughly a dozen chapters at the beginning of the school year to over forty groups around the country today. YDS is now one of the premier progressive national campus organizations - on par in strength with historic allies such as United Students Against Sweatshops and United States Student Association.
Igniting the Socialist Resistance Against Trump
From February 17-19, members of Young Democratic Socialists (YDS) gathered for “Revolution at the Crossroads: Igniting the Socialist Resistance Against Trump.” The first YDS conference since the post-Bernie/Trump boom, the gathering acted as a rally point for all our new members as well as the staging ground for building and confronting the new far-right administration.