The Rachel Corrie Foundation
has in other years held a community observance on March 16, the anniversary of Rachel Corrie’s stand in Gaza. This year, the Foundation quickly canceled the event and adjusted its activities to respond to growing concerns triggered by the spread of the coronavirus in Washington and beyond. Recently COVID–19 has appeared in Gaza, despite strong precautions put in place to avoid what could be a devastating outbreak. Gaza’s healthcare system and its war-battered residents are especially vulnerable, as they have lived under an Israeli-Egyptian siege for nearly 13 years. Historically, this has been a critical time financially for RFC when the community has chosen to donate generously. Now, when businesses, nonprofits, RFC partner organizations and many vulnerable families and individuals in the community face financial uncertainty, it is still important to remember the work of RFC in Gaza and at home, and to do what you can to help it continue.
The Olympia Mutual Aid Collective
is one of many such groups set up by people who decided to organize during this period to connect neighbors to neighbors, to offer up a platform for news and the sharing of resources, and provide a place to discuss individual needs and resources. Their goal is to keep in mind the needs of the most vulnerable during this time —a time defined not only by the pandemic but also by local and global solidarity. You can find them and ask to join their public Facebook Page which allows you to participate—at Olympia Mutual Aid Collective.
OlyAssembly: Are we in this together or not?
78% of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck. 20% (about 31 million workers) have had their hours reduced or their jobs eliminated based on the need to stem the spread of Covid–19. Most of these jobs offer few, if any, benefits. Unemployment does not cover everyone. The moratorium on evictions for May fails to recognize that, come May (or whenever) all the rent and mortgage bills will still be owed—by people whose income has stopped. Many who work for wages have lost or will lose months of pay for the good of society. Isn’t it right that those whose money comes not from work, but from owning things, share the burden for the good of society? This should have been evident to our leaders, but since it isn’t, OlyAssembly is leading a movement to demand the suspension of rent and mortgage payments for everyone. For more information go to http://olyassembly.org/rentstrike/
Be First to Comment