I HOPE you’re not Zoomed out quite yet because I’ve got a host of interesting events lined up for you this week!  

Saturday May 9

To kick-start the week, join Virtual Surround Yarl’s Wood Demo at 1.30pm. 

Nothing demonstrates the callousness of the Tory Party quite like its commitment to the hostile environment. 

Pandemic or no pandemic, rounding up migrants for deportation remains a priority. 

But campaigners have been working tirelessly throughout the lockdown to secure their release. 

Today we can do the same and show solidarity with those trapped in the notorious Yarl’s Wood detention centre. 

Expect a full afternoon of speeches from detainees, campaigners and politicians (including Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Nadia Whittome) followed by a raucous protest to demand the closure of detention centres. 

At 2pm tune in to CND’s webinar After the Virus: Can we Build a Better World? — a question I’m sure we’re all asking, followed by Tenants, Covid And The Fight To Keep Our Homes at 7pm, to hear how tenants from Britain, Barcelona and the US are campaigning to save their homes during the crisis. 

For any ravers out there desperate to dive into a deafening, sweaty room once again, don’t miss Quarantek — Livestream Party. 

I know your bedroom is a pretty poor substitute for the real thing, but with techno, jungle and hardcore blaring from 6.30pm till 7am, it’s the best we can do for now. 

Sunday May 10

After all that Zooming (and possibly raving) you deserve a rest, comrade. Rest those eyes and take it easy till tomorrow.

Monday May 11

To understand how the coronavirus is affecting women in the Middle East, tune in to this interesting live Zoom discussion by the New Arab, The Gendered Impact of Covid-19: Cases from Lebanon, Syria and Palestine at 6pm. 

Another clash (sorry!) at 6pm on Facebook with Online People’s Assembly Facilitator Training — an opportunity to learn the art of being a good facilitator with Extinction Rebellion. 

Tuesday May 12

There’s a lot of contenders for the 7pm slot tonight. The first is the legend himself Noam Chomsky hosted by Cambridge Union. One that I’m sure cannot be missed. 

While Stand up to Racism is also hosting a discussion at 7pm with union organisers at St George’s hospital about their ongoing dispute over outsourcing in End Outsourcing: Equal Rights for Migrant Workers in the NHS.

Or join Laura Pidcock for Fighting for the Future: NE People’s Assembly Webcast to discuss the government’s disastrous handling of the crisis. 

Wednesday May 13

At 2pm delve into the history of the Irish in Britain Representative Group (IBRG), which challenged anti-Irish racism, campaigned for the release of political prisoners and promoted Irish culture through 1981-2003. 

The talk on Zoom will be hosted by former IBRG chair Bernadette Hyland, a socialist feminist, writer and researcher.

Thursday May 14

This November, US citizens will head to the polls after the biggest crisis in a generation. 

How will the coronavirus pandemic affect the chances of Donald Trump and Joe Biden? And how will they campaign while keeping to social distancing rules (will this be the end of Trump’s raucous rallies?) 

To discuss what’s likely to be the most contentious election in US history, join the Frontline Club’s webinar, US Elections 2020 at 3pm. 

Next up is the Amos Trust’s Climate Justice Special at 5pm which will look at how the legacy from the pandemic can strengthen calls for climate justice, followed by the Young Greens’ webinar Organising to Win — with United Voices of the World at 8.05pm. 

This radical trade union has been smashing bosses giving pittance pay to migrant and BAME outsourced workers in London. 

Join the union’s founder Petros Elia and campaigners to hear how UVW has beaten privatisation and outsourcing and how we can organise in this time of global crisis. 

Friday May 15

To end the week on a high, find out how a Serbian student movement erupted into a massive mobilisation of civil resistance that toppled dictator Slobodan Milosevic’s genocidal regime.

How Otpor! Created a Wave of Resistance, hosted by Animal Rebellion at 7pm, looks back at this pivotal moment in history with key student organiser Ivan Marovic.

This year Palestinians mark the 72nd anniversary of “the catastrophe,” when the state of Israel was declared after forcing 750,000 people out of their home land. Mark this day with them by joining the Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s Nakba Day Rally at 2pm.