Local
Volunteers Needed for Support of 300 Lowell Residents Forced to Relocate
Approximately 300 residents will have to relocate due to the planned sale of LHA’s scattered site units. Lowell Alliance is working with Northeast Legal Aid and the Northeast Justice Center to support and represent these tenants to have their questions, concerns and positions heard. We will be going door-to-door and phone banking to tenants in the coming week. We will then have a public meeting for the Tenants’ Association to elect steering committee members and discuss their positions. Interpreters are also needed.
If interested, contact Mary Tauras at mtauras@ywcaoflowell.org or 978-454-5405 ext. 132
Fill out the Lowell Votes Survey!
Now that we have candidates, it’s time to start putting together the yearly Lowell Votes voter guide! Please take the survey and let us know what we should cover.
Take the survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedYzb_5K2MudTAEX5xdPfihUANOC7zPqXYXbhInU9WNChWxA/viewform
Demonstrate, Drink, and Discuss! Focus on Anti-Fascism
Friday, September 8, 6:30pm, Intersection of Arcand Drive and Dutton Street (at the bridge next to Cobblestones, across from City Hall)
Solidarity Lowell’s monthly visibility! At 6:30, come demonstrate with us! Bring signs about whatever is important to you. We’ll plan to demonstrate for about an hour. After the demonstration (around 7:30pm), we’ll head to Coffee and Cotton to have some drinks, discuss the events of the week, and support their new liquor license. All are welcome!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1927377024169899/
Postcards for Progress: Back to School Edition
Saturday, September 9, 1-3pm, Gallery Z, 167 Market St, Lowell
We make a difference, one postcard at a time! Let’s write to our elected officials about important legislation, as Congress goes back in session, and get out the vote for upcoming elections. Join us!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1965396147040800/
A Rapid Response Rally if Mueller is Fired
If it happens before 2pm, the event will be held at 5pm the same day. If it happens after 2pm, the event will be held at noon the following day. Location is the island outside City Hall, across from Cobblestones, Lowell, MA Nobody is above the law! Donald Trump is publicly considering firing special counsel Robert Mueller. This would be a constitutional crisis for our country. Our response in the minutes and hours following a power grab will dictate what happens next, which is why an immediate response is imperative.
Sign up to be notified: https://act.moveon.org/event/mueller-firing-rapid-response-events/14830
SAVE THE DATE: Solidarity Lowell City Council Candidate Chat
Sunday, September 24, 5pm, Mill No. 5, 5th floor, 250 Jackson Street, Lowell, MA
Here’s your chance to ask City Council candidates the questions that are important to you! This event will be held in the 5th floor meeting room.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/105304816825867/
State
Solidarity with Low-Wage Workers – Labor Day Action in Boston
Monday, September 4, 11am, Boston Common, Boston, MA
This Labor Day, low-wage workers in the Fight for $15 are having a national day of action to demand a minimum wage of $15/hr and union rights.
More information: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTO9lC3m2Do-XZXsjyDZfZAbYm0DETF7s4RaXSkDQWpe73ag/viewform
Let’s Pack the House for the S.365 Hearing – Presidential Tax Transparency
September 6, 1:00PM, State House, Room B-1, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA
Senate bill S.365 would require candidates for POTUS to disclose their tax returns in order to appear on a Massachusetts primary or general election ballot. It is time to make the release of tax returns a requirement versus a voluntary action. Please join members of area Indivisible groups to provide testimony on why this should be the law in MA.
More information: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S365
Federal
Donate to Houston Relief
Here are some options for groups that are working to aid those affected by Hurricane Harvey:
The Texas Workers Relief Fund is a union-relief effort by the Texas AFL-CIO. Donations are tax-deductible. The state has been closely coordinating with the Houston and Corpus-area central labor councils to provide material aid.
More information and to donate: http://www.texasaflcio.org/donate
Houston’s mayor has set up the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to assist with victims of Houston’s ongoing and increasingly dangerous flooding. Donations are tax-deductible.
More information and to donate: https://ghcf.org/hurricane-relief/
RAICES, a Texas-based nonprofit legal advocacy group, has been working with Texas shelters to find housing for women and children stranded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being released from detention centers.
More information and to donate: https://www.raicestexas.org/pages/donate
Advocate for two bills protecting Special Counsel Robert Mueller
Elizabeth Warren: 202-224-4543
Edward Markey: 202-224-2742
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from _______, Massachusetts. I approve of the special counsel investigation into Russia ties, and would like you to support two pieces of legislation that protect Robert Mueller from presidential dismissal. S. 1735 (The Special Counsel Independence Protection Act sponsored by Sen. Graham) and S. 1741 (The Special Counsel Integrity Act by Sen. Tillis). Both check the president’s power. Please co-sponsor one or both of these efforts. Thank you.”
More information: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-plans-protect-special-counsel-robert-mueller/story?id=49034036
Ask Our Reps to Cosponsor the Dream Act
Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170
Edward Markey: 617-565-8519
Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101
The bipartisan Dream Act (S.1615) would protect DACA-recipients by providing qualified undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. before the age of 18 a pathway to citizenship. To be eligible, individuals must graduate from high school or pass the GED and either attend college or enlist in the military.
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from _________, Massachusetts. Please cosponsor the Dream Act, allowing qualified undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children a pathway to citizenship. Thank you!”
More information: https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/tell-your-senator-co-sponsor-dream-act
The RRT (Rapid Response Team) Action List compiles action items from the week into one place. If you would like to add anything to the weekly update, please send it to Marissa Dupont on Facebook or at marissa.dupont@gmail.com using subject line “RRT”, or use hashtag #RRT in the Solidarity Lowell Facebook group.