John,
As we wrap up our first quarter in Congress, I've been thinking about where our movement was this time last year — right after our first full quarter as an insurgent grassroots campaign.
Like so many, our team was adjusting to the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. And like many campaigns, too, we were just starting to figure out how we can continue to bring more people into our movement in a safe, socially distant manner — and finally bring change to New York's 16th District.
In a matter of weeks, we went from in-person rallies, gatherings, and door knocking events like this:
To town halls, community discussions, and Zoom gatherings like this:
And while the way we were reaching people may have radically shifted between these two photos, the thing they have in common is that these were the early days of us building our progressive movement.
The work we've been doing since this time last year — and the work we will continue to do — is in service of a bold, progressive future for our children, families, and communities. The work transcends politics, campaigns, and election years. We may finally be in Congress, but where we are now is just the start.
With gratitude,
Jamaal Bowman
