September 2026
Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter! Read 4 stories about what Charleston DSA has been up to this month, written by our members.
Introducing…
Hello, friends and comrades, and welcome to the first edition of our newsletter! Every month, you can expect a set of news stories about what Charleston DSA’s getting up to in the Lowcountry. We’ll focus on issues important to the area, how members can keep up with the local chapter, and hopefully convince a few new people to join up.
So without further ado, we present the September 2026 newsletter.
Solidarity Forever!
Justice for the Ladson 3
Two DSA members were part of the group of three picketers arrested on July 28 during a regular weekly picket of Elbit Systems organized by the Elbit Out of South Carolina (EOSC) coalition. These three picketers, now known as the Ladson 3, were arrested by North Charleston Police Department (NCPD) on charges designed to silence their resistance against genocide. The arrests follow a previously established pattern of NCPD repression and intimidation which EOSC has experienced all too regularly across the two-year campaign to shut down the Israeli weapons and surveillance company in Ladson.
Tyler McArthur, one of the Ladson 3, says these arrests are part of a pattern of state repression perpetuated by NCPD, an agency which hires officers out to Elbit Systems to guard their Ladson facility.
“North Charleston Police Department’s explicit support for Elbit Systems has only continued to be confirmed by the recent events that have unfolded. Not only are they willing to take money from Elbit and act as private security while off-duty, but they are also willing to actively repress demonstrators and produce trumped up charges to try to intimidate protesters. This is intrinsically linked to the wider issue of First Amendment repression in Charleston, and the fight at Elbit shares in the character of the fight for our First Amendment rights. I stand with resolve alongside my fellow comrades, to continue to push back against genocide and to preserve our rights. Not only shall we maintain those rights, but we shall gain more because workers deserve more!”
According to Collin H., another member of the Ladson 3, "The fight for justice won’t end when the charges are dropped. The abuse of power and trauma inflicted by NCPD doesn't disappear when their charges fail to stick. Officer Kramer and NCPD need to be held accountable for their actions against the people of North Charleston.”
Tyler, while explaining the reason he got involved in EOSC, also emphasized the importance of the campaign: “Our work to oppose Elbit Systems is internationalism in practice in the Lowcountry. Elbit produces weapons for a genocide subsidized by our tax dollars, robbing our school system to produce weapons to kill children across the globe. I won’t be intimidated by the half-baked attempts to silence us, and neither should anyone else.”
The Ladson 3 plan to fight the charges in court, despite the trial being delayed twice already. Take note of the hesitation shown by North Charleston and show out in solidarity for the Ladson 3—Until Palestine is free and Elbit’s out of SC!
Beylotte on the Ballot
Charleston DSA is endorsing Francis Marion Beylotte for Charleston County School Board. Beylotte is running for the District 7 seat in West Ashley.
“West Ashley is such a great opportunity for a working-class movement,” Beylotte said. “Most politicians are not talking to these folks.”
He is campaigning on three platforms:
- Expanding evidence-based behavioral health services in Charleston County Schools at no cost to students or parents. Common mental health issues—anxiety, depression, PTSD—and more will be addressed in this program.
- Opposing the scapegoating of transgender students to ensure schools are safe and inclusive.
- Replicating successful school programs and identifying areas where public schools can improve.
Beylotte is no stranger to the Charleston County School District. He previously served on the Constituent Board, the Health Advisory Board, and the James Island High School Discipline Review Board.
Charleston DSA’s endorsement means that we are committed to seeing Beylotte in the District 7 Board seat. We have established a committee to coordinate with his campaign and are encouraging our members to join us in invaluable groundwork tasks, starting with canvassing.
“As a candidate who wants to win, the DSA endorsement comes with an army of canvassers,” Beylotte said. “Knocking on doors, I can see it making a difference.”
If you’re interested in joining Charleston DSA’s efforts to get Beylotte elected, reach out to us at charlestondsa.org. Election Day is November 3.
Police Abusing Flock Cameras
Six law enforcement officers across South Carolina were fired for misusing Flock cameras in the just last two months. Two deputies in Greenville County, two officers in Greer, an officer in Mauldin, and a lieutenant with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office were each terminated for abusing the infamous surveillance system which has popped up around the United States.
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are the most recent focal point in the debate over police surveillance and our ability to hold law enforcement accountable for abuses of power. These systems, commonly referred to as Flock cameras because of the popular manufacturer Flock Security, have been installed across the country in association with (and directly funded by) law enforcement agencies. Since 2020, agencies in the Charleston Metropolitan area have been spending increasing portions of their budgets on the installation and maintenance of these camera systems. As of 2026, that cost totals $1.3 million on 216 ALPRs and counting.
Allegations, investigations, and audits led to the termination of the South Carolina officers. Colleton County Sherrif’s Office, for example, reported that its fired officer conducted “unauthorized Flock searches involving 14 individuals” over approximately a year resulting in “more than 2,700 instances of unauthorized use of the Flock system.”
While these audits may eventually catch some abuse of these cameras, cases like this show that such policies are being flouted, applied irregularly, and have no inter-agency standard for enforcement except company recommendations. Flock is also only one of many surveillance companies including Axon, NDI Recognition Systems, Verkada, and Rekor, not to mention other older systems containing protected information like DMV records. Flock is the only system that has these auditing protocols to hold them accountable, suggesting this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Two Years to Go
The Democratic Socialists of America announced last year our ambitions to run a socialist candidate for president in 2028. With a contentious election likely, and South Carolina setting the stage as the first Democratic presidential primary, Charleston DSA is preparing for the 2028 election season now.
How are we doing this? By growing our chapter, increasing our understanding of socialist political theory, building relationships outside of the chapter, and increasing our sway in local elections.
This and more will build a strong working-class movement that can stand up to the increased national scrutiny that we can expect over the next two years. Our chapter is only as powerful as the people who are in it, and a healthy internal democracy is the first step to building a thriving democracy for our nation.
Get involved at charlestondsa.org.