Happy Thursday, comrades! Here's some upcoming community events and needs.

TONIGHT: Save Grow Dat! The City Park Conservancy began a master planning process for all of City Park which will alter transportation, infrastructure, and access in the park. They propose building a road straight through the Grow Dat Youth Farm, displacing them from the 7 acres they have cultivated and flourished on for over 13 years. Make your voice heard and stand up to save Grow Dat’s current home! Fill out this form to show support and get involved, and attend the City Park Planning meeting TONIGHT 5:30-7:30pm at Dillard University Professional Schools and Sciences Building (2601 Gentilly Blvd) to speak out.
Below is some helpful information provided by Grow Dat:

City Park Conservancy issued this meeting reminder which has info on parking, meeting format, links to their proposed park changes, and findings from past meetings. It also includes plans for the new promenade.
The meeting will be open-house style with various stations set up around the room that will most likely be staffed by the design team and CPC staff. We encourage you to interact with them and let them know your feedback on the master planning process and their proposed changes, including your desire to see Grow Dat remain on our current site.
Here are updated talking points that may be helpful as you go about your advocacy.
An ally organization called Friends of Grow Dat will be distributing t-shirts and buttons. Look for them!
Can't make the meeting? Email [email protected] with your feedback on the master planning process and the proposed changes. They're soliciting feedback on the proposed promenade that would impact Grow Dat.

SATURDAY, March 23rd: ELECTION DAY! Although we cannot hitch ourselves to a capitalist party and expect it to become a workers party, the Louisiana Democratic Party remains a key area of struggle in our state. Our members have democratically voted to engage in that struggle by endorsing and recommending candidates, and by coordinating with a multi-racial coalition of advocates and working class Louisianians to change party leadership. Check out the fully released Voter Guide at dsaneworleans.org/voter-guide-spring-2024 for the breakdown on the stakes, races, and candidates. RTA buses and streetcars are free on this day to assist in getting to the polls!

After you’ve voted, head-on over to Sports Drink, 1042 Toledano, at 7:30 p.m. for a victory party with the progressive victors of the DPEC and DSCC races. See you there!

SUNDAY, March 24th, 3pm-dinner -- Let Us Not Forget: Vigil for Unhoused Lives: Join us at Duncan Plaza for a ceremony honoring the unhoused neighbors we lost over the past year, building community, and reaffirming our dedication to the fight for housing as a human right. Can't come but want to support? Their Venmo is @NolaVigilForUnhoused; donations are used to pay for supplies and compensation for unhoused artists & performers. Reach out to see how else you can volunteer; every extra hand helps :)

REMINDERS:

The Electoral Working Group is looking to recruit at least one candidate in the 2025 Fall election for municipal offices. Contact Bob M on Slack if you're interested.
Local Council voted to endorse and help organize a Statewide March on the Capitol during the legislative session, scheduled for Friday, April 19th. Interested in helping with the statewide march or assisting in coalition building? Reach out!
SIGN CEASEFIRE PETITION: If you have not already, sign the petition demanding City Council call for a ceasefire, stop all support of Israel, and condemn the murder of Tawfic Abdeljabbar. DM the Instagram or respond to this email if interested in getting more involved with this campaign. Follow @nola4palestine on Instagram if you haven't already and check out NOSHIP's fantastic site of resources, petitions, ways to help, and more.
Find our other upcoming events on the calendar on our site or our last email/blog post!

Hope to see y'all soon!

Solidarity forever,

New Orleans DSA