Dear John,

During this pandemic, we’ve all had to be more creative than usual. One thing bringing me joy today is our brand new TakeAction Instagram tv show. My coworkers Britton and Magdalena put together an incredible episode about organizing in the Great Depression. I think we could all use some of their wisdom and creativity now. It just went live. Check it out here.

Now, without further ado:

Mothers’ Day is this Sunday. Even though we’re in lockdown, my family – who is quarantining together – wants to make the day special to celebrate my mom and remember my dad, who passed away last year.

We should all have the opportunity to celebrate mothers and other caregivers in our lives, biological or chosen, this weekend.

For the past few years, the National Bail Out Collective has organized the #FreeBlackMamas around Mother’s Day. They raise money so incarcerated Black mothers and caregivers can spend the holiday with their families.

Especially now, when COVID-19 is spreading fast in prisons, infecting and killing incarcerated folks, this work is vital.

If you’re able, make a donation to support their work, #BailOutBlackMothers, and reunite families for Mother’s Day.

Minnesota’s interim budget forecast came out yesterday.

We know right-wing politicians and big corporations are going to try to use this moment to make deep cuts, dividing us. But that’s not what we need right now.

We need politicians and communities #WhoCareforUs. We need to think about our future and build a more resilient state.

Our executive director, Elianne, said in her press statement yesterday: “Minnesota has come through tough economic times before, including the last recession, by pulling together and requiring the wealthiest corporations and individuals to pay their fair share in taxes.”

She’s right. Here in Minnesota, we all come together to tackle big problems. We’ve done it before and we can do it again.

We’ll get through this crisis by pulling together.

All around the country, legislators are facing incredible pressure to reopen our communities, even as more people are dying from COVID-19 every day. We need our politicians to listen to us, not the huge corporations and right-wing protestors with guns.

Send your state legislators a message this week or give them a call. Tell them who you are staying home for and why you support extending the stay at home order.  

Also, if you haven’t checked out the MNSolidarity facebook group yet, you absolutely should.

One of the joys of working from home is virtually meeting all of my coworkers’ pets. Maybe you’ve seen this viral clip of a weather broadcaster in Florida and his dog who insisted on being in the forecast, but I wanted to share it again.

Did you miss our Quaranatina with jeremy messersmith last Friday? TakeAction has a link to the entire concert on our website. I loved his cover of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 which starts around the seven-minute mark.

We’re working on a comedy livestream. Keep your eyes on our website and social media for more details soon!

Be well,

LyLy

Organizer