Dear Friends:

Things are tough, and will be getting tougher every day. Decades seem to be passing in weeks, as they say. I hope all of you and your families and friends are hunkered down and doing ok.  In this particular moment, the failings of our political and economic system are becoming more and more obvious. This crisis and pandemic is going to hit the poor, the homeless, the people already neglected by our political and economic system, the worst, and likely even more so if they are people of color. The complete failure of the system is becoming manifest.  But there is hope! I want to take a minute to share some resources and events coming up that you might find helpful.

DSA has issued a great statement on Covid-19 in English and Spanish that is worth reading:  https://www.dsausa.org/statements/now-is-the-time-for-solidarity-dsa-national-statement-on-covid-2019/

You can sign up for Covid-19 Bulletins from DSA here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/dsa-covid-19-bulletin/ Here's the first Bulletin: https://www.dsausa.org/news/dsa-covid-19-bulletin-1-news-and-organizing-updates-during-a-global-crisis/

And if you want to organize your workplace against Covid-19, you can check out this form from DSA here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerf2QzafRMvvM1zjr8Oynz4ZYZ_bQ1U0cKJ5eeWclnT8yCgA/viewform

I also want to share some events coming up being put on by our comrades in East Bay DSA.  

First, East Bay is hosting a Zoom meeting that is an introduction to Democratic Socialism.  If you are wondering about DSA, what this "Democratic Socialism" is all about, this is a great place to start! It's tomorrow afternoon, so get out your computer or cell phone, talk to some comrades, and learn about the political movement that might just save the planet and the human race!

Intro to Democratic Socialism Zoom Meeting

Saturday March 21

1 pm to 3 pm

Info and RSVP here: https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1266/2020-03-21-intro-to-democratic-socialism/

Second, East Bay is doing an event next week to talk about shock doctrine and Covid-19.  From their website:

"The capitalist class never lets a good crisis go to waste, and the rapid spread of COVID-19 (the disease caused by the new coronavirus) is no exception. How will corporations use this crisis to further privatize our society? How will the right wing take the rapid spread of disease as an impetus to further marginalize racial minorities? How can the left resist these efforts and offer an alternative for a rational society based in democracy?

"To discuss these questions and more join East Bay DSA's Socialist Night School (by Zoom conference call) on Tuesday, March 24. Thanks to the wonders of our Silicon Valley overlords, Zoom will allow us to break out into small groups and give everyone the opportunity to share their thoughts and experience."

Socialist Quarantine School: Shock Doctrine & COVID-19

Tuesday, March 24

7 pm to 9 pm

Info and RSVP here: https://www.eastbaydsa.org/events/1267/2020-03-24-socialist-quarantine-school-shock-doctrine-covid-19/

Bernie Sanders, who is still in this race, is ahead of everyone else on Covid-19. Including, especially, the Democrats, who are so obsessed with means testing and placating their donors that the Republicans are cynically appearing to be outflanking them from the left.  It's gross. But Bernie is great on this issue and is taking it very seriously.

You can read about Bernie's response and watch his speech on Covid-19 here: https://berniesanders.com/issues/emergency-response-coronavirus-pandemic/

We still want Bernie to win, and to amass as many delegates as he can.  I don't think in person primaries should continue at this point, but some states allow vote by mail.  We can still phone bank and text bank.  You can find out about volunteering as an individual for the campaign here: https://berniesanders.com/volunteer/

I wish the best to all of you and your families.  Take care.

Solidarity Forever,

J.R. Parker

Co-Chair, Sacramento DSA for Bernie 2020 Working Group

P.S.: are you interested in joining DSA? You can join right here--and if you elect monthly dues (at an amount you are able to pay) a portion of that money will be made available to our chapter in Sacramento: https://act.dsausa.org/donate/membership/

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