A conversation about the movement's software needs during this period of social distanting.

The virus and the fact that so many activities must be cancelled as a result has underscored the importance of free software (or what is frequently called Free and Open Source Software). If you're going on-line with what were your face to face activities, you really have to listen to what our panelists have to say.

Many people are going to Zoom and it's an excellent program. It also costs money and captures a huge amount of participant data which it will turn over to the government at government request: name, user name, physical address, email address, phone numbers, job information, credit card information, Facebook profile information, information about the computer and internet connection, and buying and browsing habits.

There are alternatives and we need them because, as a movement, we can no longer rely on the in-person meetings that have been central to our culture. So come and listen to and speak with:

Ken Montenegro, Technology Director at the Center for Constitutional Rights, Micky Metts of Agaric, Jaime Villareal and Jamie McClelland of May First staff, and activist, writer and teacher Melanie Bush

They'll answer the questions many have been asking about free software, what is "open source" and, most immediately, how do we cope with this crisis while continuing our organizing work?