Good morning,

I hope your 2024 is off to a good start – although for the fate of democracy, I guess it's more important that it come to a good finish.

As you know, our beloved friend Ady Barkan died on November 1, 2023 after the most courageous 7-year struggle with ALS imaginable. There were some remarkable obituaries, from the New York Times to Pod Save America.

Sarah Johnson and I, who had the extraordinary blessing of working together with Ady to build Local Progress, wrote together about Ady in The Nation about how Ady turned dying into organizing, an act of love so powerful that it really did change the world.

The memorial service for Ady is this coming Sunday, January 14 in Santa Barbara (6-8 pm ET, 3-5 pm PT), where we'll gather to eulogize him. Senator Elizabeth Warren is scheduled to be there, and as much as I revere her, I confess I am most looking forward to seeing Ady's kids, Carl and Willow.

The service will be a chance to remember and celebrate Ady's life and work, and also a chance to carry his legacy forward. The Be A Hero Team is continuing Ady's work for a country where everyone has access to the health care they need to thrive – including the fight against Medicare privatization.

I wanted to let you know about two ways you can watch Ady Barkan’s memorial service from New York City (or wherever you are):

Livestream: The event will be livestreamed. Register here.

NYC Community Watch Gathering: There will be a NYC community gathering to watch the livestream together at Open Society Foundations at 224 W 57th St. Doors open at 5 pm ET. RSVP here.

Thanks so much to everyone who worked together with Ady, who supported him and his work. We look forward to joining together in community to remember him on Sunday – and to carrying his legacy forward, which Ady showed us can be work of such powerful joy and love, even through the most perilous times.

Brad