Dispatch from the Co-Chairs

YDSA National Co-Chairs Carlos and Aron discuss the first half of their term and where we go from here.

We are extremely proud that YDSA has a publication that is by and for members of our incredible organization. As co-chairs we are incredibly proud of the work our chapters have engaged in over the past year whether it is organizing workplaces, setting up democratic student unions, or making campuses a sanctuary for those vulnerable under right-wing control. Thanks to our paid national political leadership, we have been able to regularly meet with chapters both in-person and virtually along with running our many important committees like the Youth Labor Committee (YLC), Youth Growth and Development Committee (YGDC), Palestine Committee, Chapter Health and Intersectionality Committee (CHIC), and many more. The National Coordinating Committee’s capacity has been increased incredibly and allowed us the opportunity to bring national YDSA to local chapters.

We began this term under very turbulent circumstances, starting with Joe Biden’s public and historic drop out during the 2024 YDSA National Convention. We both knew we had to not just organize a response to the 2024 election but keep in mind the very different organizing realities that could unfold before us. Many lessons were learned from the encampment movement earlier in the year about the importance of movement democracy, engaging in mass action, and the principled role YDSA has as socialist organizers in broader struggles. It is also apparent that YDSA was going through a period of transition as the Bernie 2020 generation was now graduating out of the organization. We also recognize that 2028 will be a major year with UAW’s unprecedented call for national coordinated union activity and the 2028 election. With these elements in mind, this NCC has taken up the responsibility as transitional stewards of this historic organization we all belong to. 

This NCC found that in order to meet the moment and be ready to engage in a meaningful way in future struggles, we would have to build the foundation now. This is why we have been committed to coordinating more regional networks across university systems and geography, supporting existing chapters with their on-the ground organizing, and building new chapters in previously unorganized geographic areas.  We are proud of the growing YDSA presence in places like Texas, Kentucky, and the Pacific Northwest. We also recognize the ambitious nature of some of this work like building democratic bottom-up student unions, organizing workplaces, and fighting against the ever-growing privatization of our universities. 

Although this year has had its fair share of unpredictability, we are committed to supporting chapters to build towards and test student strikes as a viable tactic to engage in. Just as with building student unions, this is a long term project that patiently requires deep departmental organizing, measurable structure tests, and strong organizer recruitment and development. Some campuses show the potential of striking sooner than later but it is imperative that the student strike organizing process is not rushed and is connected with campus conditions.

Following our mandate at convention, we continue to push ahead and build a stronger YDSA that the next generation can inherit. As your national co-chairs and long term YDSA leaders, we are proud of how far this organization has come in such a short time. Whether it is starting your own chapter on a new campus or joining an existing one, we are proud to know that our organization is standing tall and ready to meet whatever challenge we meet next. We have a lot of work ahead, but we know we can do it together.

With revolutionary love & en solidaridad, 

Aron Ali-McClory & Carlos Callejo III 

2024-2025 YDSA National Co-Chairs