On the right day, the North Texas Democratic Socialists of America might change your brake lights for free during a community outreach event.

Why? To get your undying loyalty to the working class?

Ultimately, yes. But the goal in that moment would be to get you to question why a burnt-out $2 light bulb could end up costing you hundreds of dollars or possible jail time if you can’t afford to pay off a ticket.

With 400 paid members in its ranks, the North Texas Democratic Socialists of America is a group that’s really up against the political tide. It doesn’t have the money, reach or membership of the Democratic or Republican parties. And some question whether this group has a future at all.

Members of the North Texas Democratic Socialists and American Federation of Teachers union stand as Issac Davis, top right, speaks in favor of a 3 percent raise for Dallas ISD support staff (custodians, office assistants, cafeteria workers, etc.) during a board of trustees meeting on Aug. 23, 2018. (Brandon Wade / Special Contributor)

But that hasn’t stopped DSA members from being among the loudest at Dallas protests against Donald Trump, police brutality and white supremacy since the North Texas chapter formed in April 2016.

Members often wear bright red T-shirts holding signs that read “Abolish ICE” or “Medicare for All.” They also call for eliminating student debt, more financial protections for consumers and other populist messages.

Kristian Hernandez, one of three co-chairs of North Texas DSA, said the group’s mission right now is growing and being visible.

Sometimes that requires shouting.

“We’re an energized group. You don’t see a lot of those in Dallas,” Hernandez said. “We’re not beholden to any corporate money. That gives us a lot of liberty to pursue things and say things in a way that is ‘real talk.’”

Ron Hansen, left, a supporter of State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, stands with a campaign sign while speaking with Kristian Hernandez, right, a member of the North Texas Dream Team, during a protest outside Rinaldi's offices on May 31, 2017, in Farmers Branch. (Ben Torres / Special Contributor)

The group’s push in North Texas

Hernandez said two of the group's goals this year were the failed sick paid leave petition and the 3 percent raise for Dallas ISD support staff that the board of trustees confirmed in August.

“We’re trying to change the narrative that electoral politics are the only way to make change in your community. They’re not the only way to have power and to fix things,” Hernandez said. “I’m not saying they’re not important, but there has to be a dual-sided effort of electoral wins and community power.”

As for running candidates in the future, Hernandez said the group would likely do so in the Democratic Party.

Michael Gonzalez of the Democratic Socialists of America helps unload a truckload of boxes as a coalition of labor and faith groups and political activists delivers petitions at Dallas City Hall calling for a city ordinance mandating paid sick time to be placed on the November ballot on June 11, 2018. The ordinance would require private employers to allow all employees to accrue at least one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours of work. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

Carol Donovan, chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party, said she and party members welcome DSA because they are likely to oppose Republican leaders and Trump.

The group is also welcome to run candidates in the primaries, Donovan said, but she would expect them to support the Democratic platform if elected.

“My concern is if any group that’s on the far right or far left, then you lose your center,” Donovan said. “Not only do you lose people who are right of center but you also lose your base. If leadership is in the center, then generally you can keep the whole organization together.”

Dallas County Republican Chair Missy Shorey said she does not take democratic socialists lightly despite the group’s size, though she doubts its members understand “how dangerous their ideas are.”

As for the group’s presence in Dallas, Shorey said she finds it interesting that they have flexible work schedules that allow for regular protests.

“I support their lies being unveiled as they advocate for failed ideas,” Shorey said.

Does an increase in national interest spell a future for democratic socialism?

Before 2016, the DSA’s national membership hovered around 6,000, but the exposure it got from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential primary run put it in the spotlight and in the minds of young Americans. As of the start of September, the group says it has 50,000 members.

It's official -- we now have 50,000 members! https://t.co/DM6FrNiBu7 — DSA 🌹 (@DemSocialists) September 2, 2018

A 2016 Gallup poll found that about 55 percent of people between 18-29 had a favorable view of socialism.

And in May 2018 GenForward, a group focused on millennial attitudes, found that about 61 percent of millennial Democrats had a favorable view of socialism and that black and Hispanic millennials were more likely to view socialism favorably.

Chris Riddiough, 72, a founding member of DSA, said she never thought she would see the group grow the way it has in the past two years.

“We’re obviously not in power, but the fact that so many more people are open to the ideas of democratic socialism is a very major step forward,” Riddiough said.

But James Riddlesperger, a Texas Christian University political science professor, said he would hesitate to call this increased interest in socialism an actual movement. “They’re going to need a lot of money, votes and candidates winning before they can consider themselves a viable movement,” Riddlesperger said.

Riddlesperger said Sanders’ almost-successful primary run emphasized specific goals like universal health care and tuition-free education rather than his socialist label.

In comparison, Riddlesperger points to the tea party, a movement that scored electoral wins, but ultimately melded into the mainstream Republican Party.

Isaac Davis, a member of the North Texas Democratic Socialists, speaks in favor of a 3 percent raise for Dallas ISD support staff (custodians, office assistants, cafeteria workers, etc.) during a board of trustees meeting on Aug. 23, 2018. (Brandon Wade / Special Contributor)

But Hernandez said that while other chapters around the country may try to win public offices, North Texas DSA’s focus is on having an impact locally.

And that’s what was on the agenda at a recent North Texas DSA meeting, where 17 members and non-members met at Half Price Books in northeast Dallas to quietly discuss racial justice and local organizing efforts.

Leading the meeting was Hernandez, who wore a bright red T-shirt. At the close of the meeting, she urged non-members to join and to try and be at the next meeting.

“We know our place in Dallas. A lot of it is to agitate and to have people ask more critical questions and to question power,” Hernandez said. “We want to show people that they can demand better and demand more of their elected officials.”