Kansas City Democratic Socialists of America is the Kansas City, Missouri-based chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a political activist group that as of 2025 claimed to be the largest socialist organization in the United States with approximately 80,000 members and approximately 200 chapters. The chapter represents counties in Missouri and Kansas that are a part of the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. ^{1 2 3 4}

Background

Kansas City Democratic Socialists of America is the regional body of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for all of Clay and Jackson counties in Missouri, Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, as well as other areas around the Kansas City metro area. The chapter was founded in 2017. It does not publicize its membership numbers or financial information, but the group’s website claims that the chapter is entirely funded by dues. ^{3 4}

Like other DSA organizations, the group uses far-left socialist rhetoric, noting, “We are socialists because we share a vision of a humane international social order based on building working class power to achieve equitable distribution of resources, meaningful labor, a healthy ecosystem, gender and racial equality, and non-oppressive relationships” and further stating that “we reject an international economic order sustained by private profit, alienated labor, race and gender discrimination, environmental destruction, and brutality and violence in defense of the status quo.” ^{3 4}

The Kansas City chapter’s website links to far-left unions and union-organizing projects, including Amazonians United, the Restaurant Organizing Project, and the Communications Workers of America. ⁵

At the national level, the DSA is organized as a 501(c)(4) “social welfare” advocacy nonprofit. It also has an affiliated 501(c)(3) charitable arm called the Democratic Socialists of America Fund (DSA Fund). In 2023, the DSA reported having approximately 78,000 members, down from a high of 95,000 in 2021 but significantly more than the 6,200 it reported having in 2015. ^{6 2} In October 2025, the DSA reported 216 chapters and organizing committees, with each chapter only being required to have one member. ⁷

Activities

Kansas City Democratic Socialists of America hosts several monthly events and chapter meetings, most of which meet virtually. In 2025, the group launched an ICE FREE campaign to lead protests against immigration enforcement under the second Trump administration. The group also promotes union organizing, inviting union organizers from the International Association of Machinists (IAM) and other unions to present at its meetings. The group also coordinates with the Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. ⁸

In January 2025, the group was among many far-left groups that organized a protest in Kansas City opposing the inauguration of President Donald Trump. The group of about 50 protesters gathered at Ilus W. Davis Park in front of City Hall and chanted, “No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here” and “The people, united, will never be defeated.” In addition to Kansas City DSA, other groups participating in the protest included the Kansas City branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Free Palestine KC, About Face KC, the Kansas City Green Party, the Trans Protection Party, Healthcare Workers for Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace KC, and Peaceworks KC. ⁹

In March 2025, Kansas City DSA joined 43 other advocacy organizations for a “volunteer fair” hosted by Boots on the Ground Midwest, a Kansas City-based left-of-center initiative to provide training workshops for activists and “build a yellow brick road for our Senators to find their way back home to Kansas.” It was promoted by Indivisible, a left-of-center demonstration organizer that directed activists to send yellow bricks to the offices of U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Roger Marshall (R-KS). ^{10 11 12}

1. Democratic Socialists of America official website. Accessed November 6, 2023. Available at: https://www.dsausa.org/
2. Kristian Hernandez and Beth Huang. “Growth and Development Committee 2023 Report to the DSA National Convention.” Democratic Socialists of America. 2023. Page 19. Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zll3BCBpr4ZwruT_ctugQUMCODRcZv7T/view
3. About. Kansas City DSA. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.kcdsa.org/about
4. Join. Kansas City DSA. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.kcdsa.org/join
5. Organize. Kansas City DSA. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.kcdsa.org/organize
6. “Donate.” Democratic Socialists of America. Accessed September 30, 2025. Available at: https://act.dsausa.org/donate/donation
7. “Chapters.” Democratic Socialists of America. Accessed October 1, 2025. Available at: https://www.dsausa.org/chapters/
8. Calendar. Kansas City DSA. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.kcdsa.org/calendar
9. Calacal, Celisa. “Trump’s inauguration greeted by protest in Kansas City: ‘Nothing is inevitable’” KCUR National Public Radio. January 21, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2025-01-21/donald-trump-inauguration-protest-activists-kansas-city
10. Glynn, Earl F. “Boots on the Ground Midwest promotes progressive organizing in KC area.” Watchdog Lab – Substack.com, March 17, 2025. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://watchdoglab.substack.com/p/boots-on-the-ground-midwest-promotes.
11. “Kansas Senators – There’s No Place Like Home.” Indivisible. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/761740/.
12. Glynn, Earl F. ““Indivisible” to harass US Senators this week in Kansas.” Watchdog Lab – Substack.com, March 16, 2025. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://watchdoglab.substack.com/p/indivisible-to-harass-us-senators.