Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) says it currently has 57 registered chapters on college campuses, according to Democratic Socialists of America Program Associate Lawrence Dreyfuss, up from just 15 in 2016.
YDSA has experienced 280 percent increase in the number of clubs from 2016 to 2018.
Previously reported stories said YDSA had over 250 registered chapters, but Dreyfuss told the Daily Caller those 250 campuses initially expressed interest (they filled out a form), but in terms of establishing an active chapter, they wound up with 57.
Democratic National Chairman Tom Perez recently called Democratic Socialist congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez the “future of the party.” Perez’s prediction may be correct as the number of a Democratic Socialist clubs on college campuses has skyrocketed since 2016.
Democratic Socialism has become a popular interest for Democrats after Ocasio-Cortez upset current New York Rep. Joe Crowley. Crowley was one of the favorite candidates to succeed Nancy Pelosi as the leader of the House Democrats.
Young people view socialism as more attractive than older people. Of people ages 18-29, 55 percent considered socialism favorably compared to other age groups, according to a 2016 Gallup poll. Only 37 percent of people between the ages 30 and 49 viewed socialism as positive. 27% percent of people between 50 and 64 years old thought of socialism positively.
The student part of the Democratic Socialists of America’s constitution believes in helping campus communities “fight for equality, justice, and democratic socialism. Right now, the organization has three current campaigns running: “Medicare for All,” “Strong Unions” and “Electoral Power.”
Initially, YDSA launched a campaign called the “Fall Campus Drive” in June 2017 with the goal of increasing its organization on campus to 100 before the 2017-2018 school year began. At the start of the campaign, had only 50 chapters across 27 states, according to the club’s website.
“When we originally launched the YDSA fall campus drive, we set the bold target of 100 campuses across the country. Currently, we’ve received over 250 campuses register for the fall drive! This explosion in interest shows that this semester will be the biggest ever for YDSA. We will be able to build a mass movement for democratic socialism and justice at campuses across the country.”
The 2018 Annual YDSA Summer Convention takes place August 3-6, in Minneapolis. Members will meet to discuss new resolutions and amendments to its constitution.