Working Class Power in District 13

Friends and Constituents,

I hope you’re well. I’ve had quite a shocking weekend. Check out the video and keep reading.

After I had been excitedly encouraging constituents and friends to attend the local DSA meeting to see what they thought of the democratic organization, the meeting agenda was amended to include a motion to “Censure and unendorse Jesse Brown”. After a long period of deliberation, the chapter is mostly still confused by this resolution, and no vote was taken. I was saddened and frustrated by this situation. After all, I’ve spent seven years organizing in Central Indiana DSA, and extremely frequently I encourage people I know to join and participate in the organization. 

I feel incredibly strongly that the complaints are unfair and in bad faith; I also feel strongly that the majority of DSA members in Indianapolis do not agree with the proposal. 

But looking through the complaints about me, I can see a common trend: there are a number of people within the chapter who would prefer if I don’t engage directly on chapter social media or internal chapter affairs. 

I will abide by this request. It makes me sad, as I genuinely enjoy conversation, discussion, theory, and strategy.

But an economist and political scientist I greatly respect once said “the philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point is to change it.”

I’m a socialist. What that means is that I’m a person who wants to empower the working class to take control of our government and our economy, running both democratically for the good of all, not the profit of a few.

As a transparent and independent elected official who refuses to take donations from the rich and powerful, I get a chance to live out my ideals: I don’t take orders from the Democratic or Republican parties. I don’t take orders from donors. I don’t take orders from any lobby or interest group. Instead, I take my marching orders directly from the working class of my district. 

My constituents want me to fight for public schools, and so I have, and so I will.

My constituents want me to fight against utility rate hikes, and so I have, and so I will.

My constituents want me to fight against political corruption, and so I have, and so I will. 

My constituents want me to fight against data centers, and so I have, and so I will.

People of Indiana, we are facing a crisis. None of us can face it alone. It will take the whole organized working class to defeat political corruption and stagnation from both major parties, and to defeat the fascism authored by the Republicans and tolerated by too many Democrats.

But based on the massive outpouring of constituent feedback I’ve received, I know I don’t stand alone. I know that many people across the city and the state - whether they are DSA members or not -  want to get involved in the work of building a better world.

All are welcome to fight alongside me, and to invite me to fight alongside them in their own fights. 

Whether you come through as an individual, or even better, a committee of organized socialists, you should join me at the People’s Caucus an hour before every City County Council meeting. While virtually every other politician in the city is meeting behind closed doors to plan strategy, we can do what all socialists should be doing: working alongside the rest of my constituents and the people of Indianapolis to build power and build a better world. 

And TODAY there’s another opportunity for not just committee meetings, but action to stand with the giant majority of Indianapolis residents and fight against the scourge of AI data centers.

Join Citizens Action Coalition, Protect Indiana, and other grassroots organizations fighting against data centers at the City County Building at 12:00 noon. Corrupt Mayor Joe Hogsett has told his administration to find some way, any way, to get more data centers approved despite all of the constituent backlash against them.

Come tell Hogsett: NO to the new SU-47 zoning district that doesn’t go far enough to protect our families, our homes, or our wallets. Instead, we want the government to say YES to a full DATA CENTER MORATORIUM!

The fight continues. I won’t stop fighting for my constituents and for socialism, and I invite everyone who wants to build a better world to join me.

In love and solidarity,
Jesse