Young Democratic Socialists is the youth and student section of the Democratic Socialists of America, and a national organization of recognized campus chapters and several hundred activists. We are students organizing in our universities, colleges, and high schools to fight for the immediate needs of workers and students while building our capacity to fight for more radical and structural changes.
We work with labor campaigns to organize student workers of staff. We organize to defend immigrants through campaigns for sanctuary campuses. We campaign to divest our schools from fossil fuels. We do anti-poverty work through local mutual aid programs in our communities, and much much more.
YDS fights for democratic socialism through active campaigns to improve the lives of working people.
"Our priority going into the first few weeks of the fall is clear: support and invest in our local chapters so they can grow and recruit for the coming year. That is what the National Fall Campus Drive is all about."
In preparation for the fall campus drive, YDSA has produced a new digital packet for campus chapters to use in building on their campus. It includes many new and original materials designed with feedback and support from YDSA leaders like you. It will help you as you go out and prepare to do outreach and organize around campaigns and build coalitions to carry forward your work.
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 Opposes the Criminalization of BDS
A bill was recently proposed that potentially poses a threat to a number of dedicated left-wing, anti-imperialist activists and their right to free speech. The Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S. 720) seeks to criminalize the boycott of Israeli produced goods and services. Any evidence of politically motivated acts of boycott against Israel will be prosecuted. To boycott Israel is an expression of the First Amendment right to free speech.
The Story of a Successful Chapter
A YDS Chapter can quickly go from a small group of students with a common interest to a dynamic and successful chapter making real impacts on their community. Elliot Geary, Co-Chair of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga YDS, highlights both the ups and downs of starting a chapter, detailing how they set goals, formed relationships with other activist groups, resolved conflicts, and eventually gained a core group of students dedicated to their chapter.
YDS Remembers Leah Terry
Leah Terry, left, pictured at a protest against the Trans-Pacific Partnership, 2015.
Adam Cardo, Metro Atlanta DSA
Leah Christine Terry, born on the 7th of March in 1993 in San Jose, California. sadly passed on May 29 in Atlanta, Georgia. A passionate socialist activist, Leah's dedication to social justice was borne out of her own struggle with disability and her family's struggle against corporate America.