Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions
Meet with Sen. Kennedy about the Progressive MA Agenda
Tuesday, May 28th, 5:30pm, Coffee and Cotton, Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson St, 4th Floor, Lowell
Join us in convincing Senator Ed Kennedy to co-sponsor the bills in the Progressive Massachusetts agenda, including the Fair Share Amendment, the Promise Act, Debt-Free College, Affordable Child Care, Medicare for All, the Safe Communities Act, the HOMES Act, and more!
More information and to RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/2313472005588230/
Help Staff the Solidarity Lowell Table at Pride
Saturday, June 1st, 11am-5pm, Downtown Lowell
We’re looking for folks to join us in representing Solidarity Lowell at Lowell Pride! March with us in the parade, help set up, staff the table, and/or help pack up after the event. Use the form at the link below to let us know what you’re able to help with!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/QyUQKDW2NyYVwvj18
Help Staff the Solidarity Lowell Table at Acrefest
Saturday, June 8th, 11am-4pm, North Common Amphitheater, 431 Fletcher St, Lowell
We’re looking for folks to join us in representing Solidarity Lowell at AcreFest! Help set up, staff the table, and/or help pack up after the event. Use the form at the link below to let us know what you’re able to help with!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/jE82NWXwBPgEVbJd6
Immigrant Rights Committee and Potluck Event Planning Meeting
Monday, June 3rd, 6:30-8:30pm, Eliot Presbyterian Church, 273 Summer St, Lowell
We’ll be planning the Cultural Exchange Potluck event in conjunction with Welcoming Week Lowell 2019, and strategizing about networking with other immigrant communities.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1083943201808869/
Join the Affordable Housing Subcommittee
As a result of our recent Strengthening Our Cities workshop series and activities at meetings, Solidarity Lowell is creating a subcommittee that will focus on the topic of affordable housing. If you are interested in joining, sign up using the form below.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/RcDDqskH7bsurq4D9
Join the Elections Subcommittee
The time has come to get our endorsements survey ready for the Lowell City Council and School Committee elections this fall. We’re looking for folks who are interested in helping put together the survey, get it out to those running for office, and compile the results for our members.
If you’re interested, please email lynne@solidaritylowell.com
Solidarity Lowell Meeting Day/Time Survey
Our group has been meeting at 5:30pm on Sundays for quite some time, and we want to make sure that this is still the best day/time for our members. Please take this quick, one-question survey to let us know what days/times work best for you!
Click here: https://forms.gle/3cD4fCzgTTqMPuNs7
Chelms-FED Up Postcarding
Every Tuesday, 9:30-11:30am, The Java Room, 14 Littleton Rd, Chelmsford
Fed up in Chelmsford? Come join us at The Java Room! We will be writing postcards for upcoming municipal elections! 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
Thursday Postcarding
Every Thursday, 9-11am, Panera Bread, 2 Cornerstone Square, Westford
Join your postcarding friends from Indivisible Westford Progressive Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell to write issue-based postcards to our reps and write directly to voters for an upcoming election! Join us every Thursday!
For more information, contact Hope at hope@solidaritylowell.com
Help Marius Cover His Lawyer’s Fees and Stay in the Country
Marius is a Togolese asylum-seeker, who has recently moved to Lowell to fight for asylum in the Boston federal immigration courts. Marius comes from a family of political dissidents fighting for greater democracy, and was forced to flee his country after his parents were murdered by the government. He has been threatened everywhere he’s tried to rebuild his life, and last year decided to journey across South and North America to seek asylum in the United States. But Marius cannot do it alone. The Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network is providing housing for him, but he also needs funds for legal, medical and living expenses. We need to raise $500/month for his living expenses, plus at least $2000 in lawyer’s fees so any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated.
Donate here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “asylum” in the “special notes” part of the donation form).
More information: https://www.gofundme.com/help-marius-stay-and-fight-for-asylum-in-the-usa?fbclid=IwAR3LDRCxbnncLMXBTul7dhAS73nc7mQHoNSMxrh8FfkYVdKlqs2Kp129liU
Help with Sanctuary
Assisting our immigrant community is one of the most important things you can possibly do. Solidarity Lowell is part of the Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network, which helps provide a place to stay for immigrants at immediate risk of deportation. If you are interested in helping out with local sanctuary efforts, either with accompaniment, food, laundry, or otherwise, please email Solidarity Lowell’s Volunteer Coordinator at marissa@solidaritylowell.com. Training is provided. You can also donate to the cause here:http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “asylum” in the “special notes” part of the donation form). Also, since the sanctuary space was empty for so long, the MVISN decided to open it up to asylum-seekers, and we have a guest there currently. If you’d like to help with his living expenses, please donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/help-marius-stay-and-fight-for-asylum-in-the-usa?fbclid=IwAR3LDRCxbnncLMXBTul7dhAS73nc7mQHoNSMxrh8FfkYVdKlqs2Kp129liU
More information and to sign up for training: marissa@solidaritylowell.com
Local Events and Actions
Lowell Naturalization Ceremony: Help Register New Citizens
Wednesday, May 29th, 9:30am-1:30pm, Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 E Merrimack St. Lowell
Come join the League of Women Voters and friends, and help up to 1000 new American citizens register to vote. It’s a very rewarding experience!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2410163585669373/
Lowell’s 16th Annual Refugee and Immigrant Conference
Thursday, May 30th, 8:30am-3pm, Middlesex Community College, 33 Kearny Square, Lowell
This year’s theme is “Global Trends and Local Integration”. The keynote speaker is Saida Abdi, LICSW, MSW., M.A., the Director of Community Relations at the Boston Children’s Hospital Refugee Trauma and Resilience Center.
More information and to register: https://www.facebook.com/events/452727321937960/
State- and National-Level Events and Actions
ICE Detainee Vigil
Sunday, May 26th, 2-3pm, South Bay Correctional Facility, 20 Bradston St, Boston
Stand in solidarity with those detained by ICE!
RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQals1YicEAHRqCWfJyecPaXI3itWp2O0rkDJ0WcpOwHImNg/viewform
Support Cambodian Democracy
Senator Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170
Senator Edward Markey: 617-565-8519
Representative Lori Trahan: 978-459-0101
Sample Script: “Hello, I’m [Name] from [Address] and Solidarity Lowell. Please support HR1376/S.34, the Cambodia Trade Act, and HR.526, the Cambodia Democracy Act. Cambodia is not running its country fairly, human rights are being violated, and these bills are important steps in the right direction. Thank you!”
More information: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1376/text and https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/526?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22h.r.+526%22%5D%7D&s=1&r=1
Lobby Day for the ROE Act
Thursday, May 30th, 11:30am-2pm, Massachusetts State House, Room 222, 24 Beacon St, Boston
Lobby Legislators in person about the ROE Act because we have a critical opportunity to expand and protect abortion access in MA NOW!
More information and to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqQCV1NaPPY0U_SmHXbmmtUN0ymnbi66j7AOL8JM-hjv_J6A/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0SqbbwDzorf91xenrbT0ydB1hlSVYotiHdM4uUYo1yyRG_8gkFhZu-f1c
Stand for Reproductive Justice
Please contact your state representative and state senator (find yours here https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator):
House Speaker Robert DeLeo: 617-722-2500
Rep. Thomas Golden 617-722-2263
Rep. David Nangle 617-722-2520
Rep. Rady Mom 617-722-2460 ←-thank him for co-sponsoring!
Rep. Colleen Garry 617-722-2380
Rep. Tram Nguyen 617-722-2425 ←– thank her for co-sponsoring!
Sen. Edward Kennedy 617-722-1630
Sen. Michael Barrett 617-722-1572
Sen. Barry Finegold 617-722-1612
Sen. Jamie Eldridge 617-722-1120 ←-thank him for co-sponsoring!
Sample Script: “Hi, I’m [Name] from [Address] and Solidarity Lowell asking you to immediately co-sponsor the Roe Act. Please stand up for reproductive justice and the rights and autonomy of those needing abortions. Thank you!”
More information: https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocacy-fund-massachusetts-inc/issues/roe-act/roe-act-cosponsors
Free COSECHA Members Nelson and Heiner
On May 13th, 2019, ICE detained two much loved and active community members, Nelson Lopez and Heiner Nolasco, after a routine traffic stop. Nelson is a new father to a two week old baby – his sister is currently helping to care for his newborn. It is critical that ICE releases Heiner and Nelson and allows them to reunite with their families who depend on and love them.
More information and to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/free-nelson-and-heiner
Coffee and Convincing Rep. Golden About Ranked Choice Voting
Wednesday, May 29th, 2:30pm, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston
There is no better way to show elected officials that this matters to their constituents than to have constituents say so in their own words. Come talk about why RCV is a priority for you.
RSVP here: https://www.voterchoicema.org/200_coffees_with_rep_thomas_golden
Can’t make the meeting? Call him! Rep. Thomas Golden 617-722-2263
Sample Script: “Hi, I’m [Name] from [Address] and Solidarity Lowell. Ranked Choice Voting is an upgrade to the way we vote where voters get to rank the candidates in their order of preference instead of just picking one. This means that voters can vote their conscience without fear of wasting their vote and spoiling the election for more established candidates. Communities that use Ranked Choice Voting have seen many benefits such as higher voter turnout and satisfaction along with less negative campaigning — two huge issues in elections today. We need legislators like you who care about their constituents’ interests to support our movement. I hope you will support this improvement to our electoral system and democracy. Thank you!”
More information: https://www.voterchoicema.org/about_rcv