Local
Demonstrate, Drink, and Discuss – Protest Kavanaugh!
Friday, August 10th, 6:30-8:30pm, The Ladd and Whitney Memorial, 309 Merrimack Street, Lowell and Life Alive, 194 Middle Street, Lowell
Join us for Solidarity Lowell’s monthly visibility event! At 6:30pm, come together at the island in front of City Hall to rally and make your voices heard. We will continue to protest Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Not only are women’s health and LGBT rights at stake, but he has previously voted to allow more (including foreign) money into our politics! Then at 7:30pm, we’ll walk to Life Alive to have some food and/or refreshing non-alcoholic beverages, and get to know each other and discuss the events of the week! All are welcome! Bring a friend or neighbor!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/291245388303060/
Day of Action for Sabrina Heisey
Saturday, August 11th, 10am-2pm, 1465 Lakeview Ave, Dracut
Progressive Massachusetts (of which Solidarity Lowell is a chapter) has endorsed her, now let’s help elect her! Join us for a Day of Action for Sabrina Heisey for State Rep, 36th Middlesex, Dracut and Tyngsborough.
RSVP to kriegerjk44@gmail.com or heiseycampaign@gmail.com
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2039433446148448/
Public Meeting About Parks and Open Spaces
Monday, August 13, 6-8pm, Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway Street, Lowell
Join your neighbors at the Lowell Senior Center to discuss our city’s parks and programs. Tell us how you use them today and what you would like for the future! The Department of Planning and Development is hosting the meeting. Khmer and Spanish translation services will be available.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/197627144244024/
Stand in Support of Councilor Nuon About Meeting with the New Police Superintendent
Tuesday, August 14th, 6:30pm, Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell
City Councilor Vesna Nuon has filed a motion to be discussed at the City Council meeting on Tuesday that asks that the City Manager schedule a public meeting with the new police superintendent as soon after the hiring as possible. This would be an opportunity for the superintendent to share his policing philosophy, for the public to ask questions and express their concerns, and to foster a positive relationship and spirit of cooperation between the institution and the community.
Watch the Solidarity Lowell Facebook group for more information!
What a Difference a D.A. Makes
Tuesday, August 14th, 6-7:30pm, Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack Street, Lowell
Did you know that District Attorneys decide whether to charge a crime or divert a person to necessary drug treatment? They decide whether a crime carries a mandatory lengthy prison sentence. They also decide whether to charge a crime that leads automatically to deportation for immigrants. Learn more from Rahsaan Hall who is leading the ACLU of Massachusetts’ public education campaign about the elected DAs’ key role in determining the fairness and effectiveness of our criminal legal system and how, as voters, we can hold them accountable.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/609399852794870/
Tyngsboro Canvass for Endorsed Candidates
Tuesday, August 14th, 6-8pm, Tyngsboro (location TBD)
Progressive Massachusetts (of which Solidarity Lowell is a chapter) has finished endorsing candidates – now let’s help them win! In Tyngsboro, we’ll be talking to voters about four candidates endorsed by Progressive Massachusetts: Sabrina Heisey for State Rep, John Drinkwater for State Senate, Josh Zakim for Secretary of State, and Donna Patalano for Middlesex District Attorney!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1789633201072964
UTEC’s Congressional Candidate Forum
Wednesday, August 15th, 5:30-7pm, UTEC Catalyst Center, 17 Warren Street, Lowell
UTEC is hosting a youth-led candidate forum with the MA-03 Congressional Candidates. All candidates have been invited and the event is open to the public. The event will focus on issues chosen by UTEC members and staff.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2706820095998580/
Chelms-FED Up Postcarding
Every Tuesday, 9:30-11:30am, The Java Room, 14 Littleton Rd, Chelmsford
Fed up in Chelmsford? Come join us! We will write lots of postcards to voters for upcoming elections in Massachusetts and Ohio! Information, addresses, and supplies provided, but feel free to bring your own supplies and info as well. See you there!
For more information, contact Hope at hope@solidaritylowell.com
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Postcarding!
Every Thursday, 11am-1pm, Heritage Farms Ice Cream, 163 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell
Ice cream, great company, and postcards to voters! Come join us to write postcards for some races right here in Massachusetts! Suggested text and supplies provided, but feel free to bring your own supplies as well. You may also want to bring a sweater. The AC is set a tad brisk.
For more information, contact Nancy Greene at greenenk61@gmail.com
SAVE THE DATE! The 2nd Annual Solidarity Lowell Summer Barbecue
Sunday, August 26th, 2-5pm, Lynne Lupien’s House (address will be emailed the day before the event)
It’s time for the 2nd annual Solidarity Lowell Summer Barbecue! Featuring a Ranked Choice Voting Ice Cream Election, this is sure to be a fun event! We’ll also have the Awesomeness is Lowell board game, amongst others! The Coordinating Committee will provide burgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers and dogs. We will also provide the buns and rolls, with gluten-free versions of each. We hope to see you there! FYI: This event is for Solidarity Lowell members and family only. Thank you!
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR THE POTLUCK HERE: https://www.mealtrain.com/potlucks/dwy0r4
Please RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/227078811277517/
A Rapid Response Rally if Mueller is Fired
If the firing 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. Ladd and Whitney Memorial (the island outside City Hall), 309 Merrimack Street, Lowell
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
Help with Sanctuary
Assisting our immigrant community is one of the most important things you can possibly do. If you are interested in helping out with local sanctuary efforts, either with accompaniment, food, laundry, or otherwise, please email marissa@solidaritylowell.com. Training is provided. You can also donate to the cause here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “sanctuary” in the “special notes” part of the donation form).
More information and to sign up for training: marissa@solidaritylowell.com
State
Volunteer to Help #50MilesMore
From August 22nd to the 26th, students will be marching from Worcester to Springfield, the home of Smith and Wesson, America’s 3rd largest gun manufacturer. Smith and Wesson, producer of the M&P 15 used in Parkland, Aurora, and San Bernardino, continues to deny responsibility and refuse to track where their weapons are going. Students will march to demand that Smith and Wesson recognize their role in the epidemic of gun violence. They are looking for adults who have a day or two off to help by marching with students, driving cars with supplies and setting up rest and lodging locations, or by chaperoning during nights spent at the lodging locations.
To register as a volunteer: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSciErQH8nqFZJfdqCmTozAa2t-GEOrYQVM-jVR0uCCEDVIsXg/viewform
More information: https://50milesmore.org/ma/
Make Sure You Can Vote in the MA State Primary Election on Sept. 4th
Please make sure that you (and your friends) will be able to vote in the primary election on Sept. 4th (the day after Labor Day). You must be registered by next Wednesday, August 15th in order to vote on Sept. 4th. You can check your MA voter registration status here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx
Submitting the form also enables you to see sample ballots and confirm your voting location. You can also register to vote or update your registration information online here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/