Hundreds of grassroots activists at more than 400 house parties today called on Senator Bernie Sanders to enter the 2020 presidential race, which is filling up with contenders as the progressive hero weighs his opitions.

Sanders supporters across the country have started organizing for a potential second presidential run by the Vermont lawmaker, with a live streamed conference at 4 PM broadcast to house parties in all 50 states, as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Bahamas, and Austria.

The events were registered through Organizing for Bernie, a grassroots movement to encourage Sanders to run for president again in 2020, in partnership with The People for Bernie Sanders, and co-sponsored by Our Revolution, Progressive Democrats of America.

Attendees of the over 400 house parties joined a livestream conversation from key movement activists, who will discuss why Sanders is the best candidate to combat climate change, fight for working families, and beat Donald Trump.

Following that conversation, organizers laid out plans for grassroots activists to get to work building a campaign-in-waiting, should Sanders decide to seek the Democratic nomination in 2020.

Sen. Bernie Sanders won 22 states in his 2016 contest against Hillary Clinton

The events were registered through Organizing for Bernie, a grassroots movement to encourage Sen. Sanders to run for president in 2020, in partnership with The People for Bernie Sanders, and is co-sponsored by Our Revolution, Progressive Democrats of America.

Attendees of the over 400 house parties will join a livestream conversation from key movement activists, who will discuss why Sen. Sanders is the best candidate to combat climate change, fight for working families, and beat Donald Trump. Following that conversation, organizers will lay out plans for grassroots activists to get to work building a campaign-in-waiting, should Sen. Sanders decide to run in 2020.

Speakers on the livestream included Cori Bush, a former congressional candidate in Missouri; Kat Brezler, The People for Bernie Sanders digital director; Roy Tatem, former national deputy director of African American Outreach for Bernie 2016; and Sheila Healey, the field firector for Sander’ Senate campaign last year.

“We look forward to Saturday’s events and rallying our movement to lay the foundation for a Sanders 2020 campaign”, said Heather Gautney, executive director of Our Revolution. “Our Revolution members and our 600 local groups have been organizing in their communities for over two years around issues like Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, free public higher education, and getting big money out of politics. We’re ready to use that experience to organize for Sen. Sanders should he decide to run for president.”

“Saturday is going to be a big day in our progressive movement,” said Spencer Carnes, co-founder of Organizing for Bernie, who was an organizer on the 2016 campaign. “Since he launched his first presidential campaign in 2015, Bernie has always said this movement is about the people, and the ideas we fight for. Since then, millions of people have answered the call to action, and have elected new leaders at all levels of government. Saturday is the next step in our political revolution.”

Organizers encouraged volunteers to host events in their communities.

“Sanders stands apart in his dedication to building a grassroots movement and a truly progressive agenda for all,” said the website of Our Revolution, the organization set up after his 2016 campaign ended. “We need a US President who shares our movement’s desire for social and economic justice. Our message to Senator Sanders should be loud and clear: Run, Bernie, Run!”

Connect with NJTODAY.NET

Join NJTODAY.NET's free Email List to receive occasional updates delivered right to your email address!