LA Socialist Group Unveils Radical Takeover Plans

Democratic Socialists of America's LA chapter proposes seizing private property, controlling grocery stores, and replacing police with social workers.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Democratic Socialists of America's Los Angeles chapter has released a manifesto outlining their plans for a socialist transformation of the city, including the seizure of private property through eminent domain, taking control of neighborhood grocery stores, and replacing police officers with unarmed social workers. The group has already helped elect several candidates to local office and is backing a DSA-member running for mayor.

Why it matters

The DSA's radical agenda represents a growing socialist movement within the Democratic Party that is seeking to implement far-left policies at the local level, despite a history of such policies failing in other countries. Their plans raise concerns about private property rights, public safety, and the democratic process if unelected activists are able to bypass established institutions.

The details

The DSA's LA manifesto, which is over 9,000 words long, calls for a "socialist mass organization" to build "working class power" and target the "status quo coalition" of elected officials, developers, and union leaders. It proposes a "creative use of eminent domain" to seize private property, take control of neighborhood grocery stores, and eliminate the use of fossil fuels by 2035. The group also wants to allow non-citizen immigrants to vote in local elections and enforce a school curriculum supporting "social justice."

  • The DSA's LA manifesto was published in 2025.
  • The group has already helped elect several candidates to local office.

The players

Democratic Socialists of America's LA chapter

A local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, a socialist political organization, that is pushing for a radical transformation of Los Angeles.

Nithya Raman

A DSA-member who is running for mayor of Los Angeles and has signed up to the group's manifesto.

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The takeaway

The DSA's radical agenda in Los Angeles represents a growing socialist movement within the Democratic Party that is seeking to bypass established institutions and implement far-left policies at the local level, despite a history of such policies failing in other countries. Their plans raise serious concerns about private property rights, public safety, and the democratic process.