Welcome to the weekly BERN (Bernie Election and Revolution News), a collaborative effort of the Daily Kos group The Political Revolution. We are not affiliated with the campaign, except as volunteers. Numerous group members have contributed to this series in affirmation of Bernie’s campaign motto “Not me. Us.”
This is an election diary about Bernie Sanders and the campaign’s recent activities. Constructive comments and questions about his policies, issues, or campaign strategy are welcome. What’s not welcomed is negativity towards Bernie, his supporters, or any of the other 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary competitors.
Today’s topics
- Bernie’s “no apologies” anti-war/anti-MIC stance
- Solidarity with Union workers
- Vermont Homecoming and New Hampshire Ice Cream Socials
- Upcoming events in Nevada and California, including the CA Democratic Party convention!
Bernie makes no apologies for being against war
At Bernie’s homecoming rally in Montpelier, VT on May 25th he spoke about his anti-war foreign policy and doing everything he can to stop Trump from starting a war with Iran.
During his big rally in Vermont today, Senator Bernie Sanders brought up Iran and said he’s working with “honest conservatives” in the Senate to stop the Trump administration from starting a war.
Sanders said he makes no apology for his positions on Vietnam and Iraq, before bringing up his opposition to the Saudi-led war in Yemen and his concerns about a drumbeat to war with Iran.
“I am doing everything that I can,” Sanders said, “working, by the way, with some honest conservatives in the Senate, to prevent Donald Trump and John Bolton from taking us into a war in Iran.”
He said it would be “much more destructive” than the Iraq war and “could lead us literally to perpetual warfare in that region.”
Mediaite 05/25/19
He’s also willing to take on the MIC and reinvest part of that budget on things American’s really need and deserve.
… we say to the Military Industrial Complex that we will not continue to spend $700 billion a year on the military. We want and need a strong defense. But we do not have to spend more than the next 10 nations combined.
We are going to invest in education. We are going to invest in affordable housing. We are going to invest in rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. But we are not going to invest in never-ending wars.
Real Clear Politics 05/26/19
Solidarity — Bernie campaign sending volunteers to union picket lines
In an unprecedented move Bernie’s campaign is mobilizing its massive volunteer database to support striking union workers. I went to march on the picket line at the University of California with UPTE-CWA and AFSCME a few weeks ago.
On May 23rd, volunteers in Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Tampa, St. Louis, Milwaukee and other cities were asked to join striking McDonald’s workers.
It’s not uncommon for members of the 2020 Democratic field to show up to picket lines or tweet out their support to striking workers. But Bernie is taking labor solidarity to a new level by tapping into his campaign’s massive listservs to mobilize support for striking workers. It’s an extraordinary and possibly unprecedented move, according to labor historians and union organizers.
The Vermont senator's presidential campaign sent geo-targeted emails Tuesday to supporters in or around 10 cities throughout the U.S. to support striking McDonald’s workers, according to the campaign. Employees at the fast-food chain are staging one-day walkouts and other work actions to fight for a $15 minimum wage, union rights, and workplaces free of sexual harassment.
Vice News 05/23/19
Today there is another strike involving health care workers at University of Pittsburgh hospital (UPMC).
From the campaign’s email:
“For years UPMC's billions have made executives rich, while thousands of hospital workers remain underpaid, underinsured, and in debt to their own employer. Yet when UPMC workers try to form their union, they are met with harassment, intimidation and even illegal firings. … They’re going on strike for a better life — can you join them in solidarity at UPMC Montefiore on Tuesday?”
Ice Cream Socialists!
Yesterday and today Bernie is in New Hampshire. He put on some Ice Cream Socials with Ben Cohen, one of his campaign co-chairs. He’s the Ben of Ben & Jerry’s.
Let’s Get Ready to Rally!
Bernie’s coming to California and Nevada this week! Click the links to go to Bernie’s Facebook page for more details and to RSVP.
California Democratic Party Convention & Move-On’s Big Ideas Forum
In addition to the above events, Bernie will be appearing at the CA Dem Convention May 31 — June 2 in San Francisco!
June 1st is the MoveOn Big Ideas Forum (also in San Francisco) where he will be appearing with many of the other 2020 presidential candidates — just about everyone, except Biden.
To invite your friends, family, and activist communities to the Big Ideas Forum watch party, give them this link: moveon.org/bigideasforum.
WHAT: An event where progressive champions pitch “One Big Idea” in five minutes or less, followed by a facilitated discussion with our hosts. In short, a showcase to surface progressive and inspiring ideas that Democrats up and down the ballot can champion going forward.
WHO: 2020 presidential candidates, including Senator Cory Booker, Secretary Julián Castro, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congressman Beto O’Rourke, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Elizabeth Warren.
WHERE: Streamed online! Register at link above.
WHEN: June 1, 2019 at 12:45pm PT.
He is also holding a fundraiser June 1st (after the MoveOn Forum and the San Jose rally at 5 PM). Bernie has three big events in one day. I don’t know how he does this!
I’m going to be at this fundraiser!
June 2nd he is scheduled to give a short speech at the convention and there will be a straw poll to see which candidates are the most popular with the California Dems.
All of the candidates are going to be roaming the halls and schmoozing the delegates. I’m not a delegate but I signed up for volunteer shifts at the Bernie 2020 booth so I will be reporting on that scene and the fundraising event early next week.
Volunteer for Bernie
Go to MAP.BERNIESANDERS.COM and enter your zip code to find canvassing, solidarity and rally events near you!
Iowa has already started phone banking.
California is rocking the canvassing events.
Donate to Bernie
In honor of Bernie & Jane’s 31st Anniversary, can you please make a $31 donation?
Any amount is welcome! Thank you! ❤️