Members of the D.C. chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America are expected to get together at Busboys and Poets Thursday for a “We Need Bernie!” rally. The group deliberately did not contact the outspoken presidential hopeful about attending.  

“This event is part of a larger national DSA effort and is an independent expenditure. Therefore, we cannot coordinate with his campaign,” DSA Deputy Director David Duhalde said of the conscious decision to exclude Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., from the planned festivities. According to Duhalde the rally — which is scheduled to take place at the restaurant’s K Street perch (1025 Fifth St. NW) beginning at 6:30 p.m. — is designed to both prop up Sanders’ presidential bid and educate people about the outfit’s broader goals. Writer/activist Jim Hightower and Larry Cohen will be on hand to rally the faithful.