The RRT (Rapid Response Team) Action List compiles action items from the week and upcoming events into one place. If you would like to add anything to the weekly update, please send it to Dee Halzack at dee@solidaritylowell.com.

 

Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions

Local Events and Actions

Solidarity Lowell General Meeting THIS SUNDAY

Sunday, June 27, 5:30pm
Marissa Dupont will present an update on “Drawing Democracy” State Redistricting (redrawing election districts based on the 2020 Census data). There will also be a presentation on the Fair Share Amendment (a proposed additional tax on incomes above $1 million).

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83962190050?pwd=QTlva3J5T3VyeWlNeVdSUG9ya2tGdz09

Meeting ID: 839 6219 0050
Passcode: 548436
Dial in: 301 715 8592 or 646 558 8656

 

Support for Asylum-Seeker Marius — UPDATE

Marius, the Togolese asylum-seeker whom the Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network (MVISN) is sponsoring, is in need of housing. With the sanctuary space still under construction and the couple he is staying with starting a family, he needs another place to live. If you or someone you know has a spare room, please email marissa@solidaritylowell.com

Marius has retained an immigration lawyer, filed an application for asylum, and successfully moved his case to the Boston immigration courts from El Paso, but until he receives legal authorization to work, our network has committed to financially supporting him with $500/month. Please chip in towards the $500 we need to meet our commitment to him. Any amount will be gratefully accepted.

Donate here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “asylum” in the “special notes” part of the donation form)

Community Vigil for Those Lost to COVID-19

Tuesday, June 29, 6:00pm
Outside City Hall

The City of Lowell is hosting a community vigil to honor Lowell residents who passed away due to COVID-19. The ceremony will take place outside of City Hall on Tuesday, June 29 at 6:00 PM. 319 flags will be placed in the lawn of City hall to symbolize each life lost in Lowell.

Merrimack Valley Project House Party

Thursday, June 24, 7pm
Fundraiser in support of all the work MVP does!
For more information: https://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/
To attend:
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98088588722
Meeting ID: 980 8858 8722
One tap mobile +13126266799,,98088588722# US (Chicago) +16468769923,,98088588722# US (New York)

 

State-level Events and Actions

Want to Help Get More Transparency in the State House?

Join ActOnMass’s The People’s House campaign

The People’s House Textbanking, Co-hosted by Sunrise Boston
June 22, 2021 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Join volunteers of the People’s House campaign to text voters and build the movement for State House reform. *Please note* Training for newcomers is at 5:30. The text bank begins at 6:00.
https://secure.everyaction.com/Hg-5tnpkJEeVme1tQUCDkA2

 

Public Hearing on the Work and Family Mobility Act
Wednesday, June 23 2:00pm – 4:00pm
The state legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation (https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J27) has scheduled a virtual public hearing for the Work and Family Mobility Act on Wednesday, June 23 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. The Work and Family Mobility Act will enable all qualified state residents to apply for a Massachusetts driver’s license regardless of immigration status. Details on the bill and to sign up to testify (deadline June 23) can be found at https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/3752 .

The People’s House Textbanking
June 23, 2021 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Join volunteers of the People’s House campaign to text voters and build the movement for State House reform. *Please note* Training for newcomers is at 5:30. The text bank begins at 6:00.
https://secure.everyaction.com/OlGnch6OOkKaA16iYSF-lQ2

The People’s House Virtual Art Build
June 24, 2021 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
What’s a rally without eye-catching and clever signs? Join The People’s House staff as we break out arts and crafts supplies to make signs in anticipation of our rallies across the state on Sunday 6/27. Feel free to pop in to brainstorm, hang out with us, or just say hi!
https://secure.everyaction.com/qXgJ99OTJUidCmSi2nKIDQ2

 

Rally for The People’s House – Beacon Hill
June 27, 2021 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133
With only a week or two until the House Rules vote, it’s time to show Beacon Hill that the people of Massachusetts believe in democracy, and won’t settle for anything less. Join hundreds of people across the state as we show our support for common-sense rules reform. Bring signs, water, sunscreen, and of course, your friends! Location: the State House steps.
https://secure.everyaction.com/nLlu5_VqFUCXxua1siOxZg2

Massachusetts Housing Justice Forum

June 23, 7PM
To register: bit.ly/homes4mass
Sponsored by Mass Call2Action and over a dozen Democratic committees across Massachusetts.

Speakers will touch upon the topics of social housing, community land trusts, tenants’ rights and protections, and current pieces of legislation at the state level. We’ll end the night with a brief Q&A.

All registrants will receive a follow-up email including a link to the recorded event, additional information from our speakers, and other ways to get and stay involved in pushing for more equitable housing policy in Massachusetts.

Via News-MAGIC

 

Redistricting Hearing for MA CD3

Thursday, July 8, 6:00 – 11:00 PM 
https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/3744
The State Legislature’s Special Joint Committee on Redistricting will hold a virtual hearing for residents of the 3rd Congressional District (CD3). This hearing provides an opportunity for area residents to offer their opinions on local and community interests that the Committee should consider on the division of the Commonwealth into 9 Congressional Districts, 40 State Senate Districts, 160 State Representative Districts, and 8 Councillor Districts.
There is a link on the above page to sign up If you want to provide oral testimony.
If you only want to view the hearing, it will be broadcast on  Malegislature.gov  and there is a link to that on the above page as well.

– – – –
To contact your state representative and state senator (email preferable at the moment)
(find yours here https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator):
(replace the “at” and extra spaces with “@”)

House Speaker Ronald Mariano: Ronald.Mariano at mahouse.gov 617-722-2500
Senate President: Karen E. Spilka: Karen.Spilka at masenate.gov 617-722-1500
Rep. Thomas Golden Thomas.Golden at mahouse.gov  617-722-2263
Rep. Vanna Howard Vanna.Howard at mahouse.gov  617-722-2800 x7302 / Google Voice: 978-272-9078
Rep. Rady Mom Rady.Mom at mahouse.gov 617-722-2460
Rep. Colleen Garry Colleen.Garry at mahouse.gov 617-722-2380
Rep. Tram Nguyen tram.nguyen at mahouse.gov 617-722-2425
Sen. Edward Kennedy edward.kennedy at masenate.gov 617-722-1630
Sen. Michael Barrett Mike.Barrett at masenate.gov 617-722-1572
Sen. Jamie Eldridge James.Eldridge at masenate.gov 617-722-1120
Sen. Barry Finegold Barry.Finegold at masenate.gov 617-722-1612

Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133

 

National Events and Actions

Freedom to Vote Rally

Saturday, June 26, 2-3:30pm, Boston Common
To sign up: https://tinyurl.com/473xpz99

Join one of many rallies around the country organized to support passage of S.1, the For the People voting rights act.  This date was chosen because it coincides with the arrival in DC of the Black Voters Matter Freedom Ride for Voting Rights Bus Tour.

Join Indivisible Mass Coalition, Swing Blue Alliance, NAACP-Boston, Common Cause MA, Progressive Mass, JALSA, Act on Mass, Free Speech for People, Mass Peace Action, TPS Alliance, Indivisible Acton Area & others at the Rally.

Please consider volunteering to help, including as event marshals and peacekeepers, water stations, medical support and setting up the fully equipped stage with a state of the art sound system. If you can volunteer, please email debi.cpaul@gmail.com.

Solidarity Lowell is a volunteer group of community members of Greater Lowell working toward social justice by defending the human rights, dignity, and equality of all persons against all forms of hate and discrimination.
 

Visit the Solidarity Lowell website: http://solidaritylowell.com

For more events not listed here, visit the full Events calendar: https://solidaritylowell.com/events/

To join our postcarding efforts to write to legislators on issues of interest , please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/h2V7gJ1e2WbY9dKU9

For volunteer opportunities, visit our Volunteer page: https://solidaritylowell.com/volunteer-opportunities/

For positive news visit Solidarity Lowell Upbeat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/326202548419687

View the notes from our May meeting: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11R4df87hbYo-QU4z2w9KfS6hKgIioap_ExnEi3cS7OE/edit?usp=sharing

Watch the video from our May meeting: https://youtu.be/L0drAWMW630

Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute

The RRT (Rapid Response Team) Action List compiles action items from the week and upcoming events into one place. If you would like to add anything to the weekly update, please send it to Dee Halzack at dee@solidaritylowell.com.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE FOR THE SAFETY OF YOURSELF AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions

Save the Date: Solidarity Lowell General Meeting

Sunday, June  27, 5:30pm
Among the topics will be redistricting, which is a big deal in our community since the demographics are changing, and the Fair Share Amendment.

Support for Asylum-Seeker Marius

Donations are needed to assist Marius, the Togolese asylum seeker whom the Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network (MVISN) is sponsoring. With generous support from people like you and MVISN member groups like ours, Marius has retained an immigration lawyer, filed an application for asylum, and successfully moved his case to the Boston immigration courts from El Paso, exponentially increasing his possibility of ultimately winning his case. Until Marius receives legal authorization to work, our network has committed to financially supporting him with $500/month. Please chip in towards the $500 we need to meet our commitment to him. Any amount will be gratefully accepted.

Donate here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “asylum” in the “special notes” part of the donation form)

 

Local Events and Actions

Attn: Pawtucketville Residents:
Claypit Brook Climate Resilience Stormwater Management Capital Improvement Plan

Virtual Hearing
Wednesday, June 16, 6:30pm
RSVP: tinyurl.com/LowellMVP
The City of Lowell is holding a public meeting to discuss the findings of the Claypit Brook Capital Improvement Plan, which identified a suite of strategies to address the intense flooding that has been experienced in the Pawtucketville neighborhood. This project aims to enhance the resilience of the community to climate change impacts and is funded by an MVP Action Grant. The City wants to hear from residents!
The Project Team will present the results of the prioritization process which identified green infrastructure locations and projects around the watershed. This virtual meeting will also include interactive polling and Question & Answer sessions. The meeting will be recorded and posted online for those who are not able to attend. Translation and interpretation are available in ASL, Español, ភាសាខ្មែរ, português.

Lowell Votes Get Out the Vote Training

Thursday, June 17 , 5:30-7pm
https://tinyurl.com/Lowell-Votes-Sign-Up
Help Lowell voters learn about and transition to vote in the new hybrid voting system. Learn how to talk about the importance of voting locally, register voters, join a phone bank, and canvass safely door to door.

State-level Events and Actions

Fair Share Amendment Campaign Kicks into High Gear and You Can Help

Lawrence event June 15
The Fair Share Amendment is a proposal to amend the Massachusetts Constitution, creating an additional tax of four percentage points on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million. The new revenue, approximately $2 billion a year, would be spent on “quality public education and affordable public colleges and universities, and for the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges and public transportation.” To ensure that the amendment continues to apply only to the highest income taxpayers, who have the ability to pay more, the $1 million threshold would be adjusted each year to reflect cost-of-living increases.
Become an official “Fair Share Amendment Voter” by filling out the pledge form at https://raiseupma.us/pm.

Join the Merrimack Valley Campaign launch:
Tuesday, June 15, 6 PM 
Greater Lawrence Launch, McGovern Transportation Center
English – https://actionnetwork.org/events/lawrence-for-the-fair-share-amendment?clear_id=true
Spanish – https://actionnetwork.org/events/lawrence-for-the-fair-share-amendment-2?clear_id=true

Sign up to Testify at Hearing on Anti-bullying Dignity at Work Act

Deadline Wednesday, June 16 at 1:00pm
On June 22, 2021, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development will hear testimony on the Dignity at Work Act (DAWA).

Here are three ways that you can take action TODAY:
1. Sign the petition: bit.ly/passDAWA
2. Get action alerts: bit.ly/DAWAalerts
3. Testify on behalf of DAWA in Massachusetts on Tuesday, June 22. Sign up to testify at bit.ly/DAWAtestifyMA (sign-up deadline: Wednesday, June 16 at 1:00pm ET). Get ready by joining our testimony training on Tuesday, June 15 at 10:30am ET: bit.ly/getready615

Email info@workplacebullyingcoalition.org for more information.

Lobbying & Libations: Progressive Mass Summer Lobby Training

Thursday, June 17, 2021 6:00 PM-7:30PM
To register: https://tinyurl.com/2xe3en4
Host Contact Info: issues@progressivemass.com
Find out more about how to lobby for progressive issues and legislation. Mix your “liberal libation” of choice and join us for our summer lobby training!

Gender Neutral ID Marker Bills and ACTION NEEDED!

While it has been possible for some time to tick the box for a third gender option on your Massachusetts driver’s licenses, that change did not mean the X option was available and legal in all documentation throughout the state. There are two bills that propose to change that. If you would like to submit written testimony, testify in person, or both, follow the link for more details, including templates.
https://tinyurl.com/9v4kfhcf

Tell your senator to support H.3863 regarding reprecincting to make redistricting easier

As you’re probably aware, the figures from the Census have been delayed. Which pushes back the time redistricting can start. Massachusetts has usually started redistricting by redrawing precinct lines. But that will further shorten an already too-short time frame for redrawing districts. This bill allows the legislature to start by drawing district lines FIRST and allowing towns and cities to THEN draw precinct lines to fit within the new district lines. A simple change that will make the whole process more efficient.

Use the link to write your senator:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/support-the-reprecincting-bill?source=direct_link&

Urge your state representative to support transparency

Sample script:
“Hello, this is [your name] from [your full street address] and Solidarity Lowell. It’s been almost three months since the House and Senate passed respective sets of Joint Rules for the current legislative session, and almost two months since a Conference Committee was formed. The delay at finalizing a set of Joint Rules is holding back some of the important work of the session.
The Joint Rules should embody the commitment to democracy and transparency that many residents of the Commonwealth cherish. In particular, I urge you to press upon your chamber’s Leadership to include the following measures in a final Joint Rules package: publishing full committee votes on the Legislature’s website in an accessible manner, making testimony accessible to the public, with appropriate redactions as with any other public records request, and extending the notice period for hearings to one week. All of these steps will help legislators do their own jobs better and strengthen the participatory nature of our democracy.”

Please contact your state representative and state senator (email preferable at the moment)

(Replace the “at” and extra spaces with “@”)
House Speaker Ronald Mariano: Ronald.Mariano at mahouse.gov 617-722-2500
Senate President: Karen E. Spilka: Karen.Spilka at masenate.gov 617-722-1500
Rep. Thomas Golden: Thomas.Golden at mahouse.gov  617-722-2263
Rep. Vanna Howard: Vanna.Howard at mahouse.gov  617-722-2800 x7302 / Google Voice: 978-272-9078.
Rep. Rady Mom: Rady.Mom at mahouse.gov 617-722-2460
Rep. Colleen Garry: Colleen.Garry at mahouse.gov 617-722-2380
Rep. Tram Nguyen: tram.nguyen at mahouse.gov 617-722-2425
Sen. Edward Kennedy: edward.kennedy at masenate.gov 617-722-1630
Sen. Michael Barrett: Mike.Barrett at masenate.gov 617-722-1572
Sen. Jamie Eldridge: James.Eldridge at masenate.gov 617-722-1120
Sen. Barry Finegold: Barry.Finegold at masenate.gov 617-722-1612

(Or find yours here https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator)

Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133

 

National Events and Actions

Virtual Summit: Continuing Threats to Free and Fair Elections

Wednesday, June 16, 12pm-2pm
https://tinyurl.com/4znrpjp8
Presented by The Brennan Center, the Ash Center, and the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Equal Rights Amendment Needs Your Help

Thank you to Indivisible Mass Coalition and News-MAGIC for bringing this to our attention.

The reason the Equal Rights Amendment has not become part of the US Constitution is because the Trump Administration issued an Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) memo blocking the Archivist from publishing it. Why can’t the new Justice Department issue an OLC memo unblocking the publication of the ERA? Let’s ask!

Sample script:
“Dear Attorney General Garland, Now that 38 states have ratified the Equal Rights Amendment, it is time to put women in the Constitution! Please repeal your predecessor’s banning of the publication of the ERA and instruct the Archivist to publish it immediately! Women have waited long enough!
Sincerely,
[your name, full address]”

Submit a comment here: https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice

Solidarity Lowell is a volunteer group of community members of Greater Lowell working toward social justice by defending the human rights, dignity, and equality of all persons against all forms of hate and discrimination.
 

Visit the Solidarity Lowell website: http://solidaritylowell.com

For more events not listed here, visit the full Events calendar: https://solidaritylowell.com/events/

To join our postcarding efforts to write to legislators on issues of interest , please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/h2V7gJ1e2WbY9dKU9

For volunteer opportunities, visit our Volunteer page: https://solidaritylowell.com/volunteer-opportunities/

For positive news visit Solidarity Lowell Upbeat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/326202548419687
View the notes from our May meeting:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11R4df87hbYo-QU4z2w9KfS6hKgIioap_ExnEi3cS7OE/edit?usp=sharing

Watch the video from our May meeting:
https://youtu.be/L0drAWMW630
—-

Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute

 

The RRT (Rapid Response Team) Action List compiles action items from the week and upcoming events into one place. If you would like to add anything to the weekly update, please send it to Dee Halzack at dee@solidaritylowell.com.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE FOR THE SAFETY OF YOURSELF AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions

Save the Date: Solidarity Lowell General Meeting

Sunday, June  27, 5:30pm

Support for Asylum-Seeker Marius

Donations are needed to assist Marius, the Togolese asylum seeker whom the Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network (MVISN) is sponsoring. With generous support from people like you and MVISN member groups like ours, Marius has retained an immigration lawyer, filed an application for asylum, and successfully moved his case to the Boston immigration courts from El Paso, exponentially increasing his possibility of ultimately winning his case. Until Marius receives legal authorization to work, our network has committed to financially supporting him with $500/month. Please chip in towards the $500 we need to meet our commitment to him. Any amount will be gratefully accepted.

Donate here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “asylum” in the “special notes” part of the donation form)

 

Local Events and Actions

Please sign the petition for justice on state-backed killings in Cambodia

https://www.change.org/p/cambodians-together-we-fight-to-end-impunity-justice-for-state-backed-killings-in-cambodia
Details are inside. You may sign the petition anonymously if you need to.

March for Moses

Saturday June 5, 12:00-2:00pm (rain or shine)
850 Lawrence Street, Lowell

Demand justice for Moses Harris, who disappeared during an encounter with the police. No police report has been made public as of publication date. Although Moses’ body has been found, there are still a lot of questions that have not been answered. Deaths involving police should be investigated by an independent body, not the police department involved in the incident. Meet near where Moses went missing and march to the Lowell Police Headquarters (JFK Plaza/Arcand Drive).

For more information, contact CAJE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAJE.LowellMA

State-level Events and Actions

Driving Families Forward Phone Bank 

Wednesday, June 2, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
RSVP here for link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vfuCqqzwuHd1b_273I8El3WBv48-4p8WU

Join the Driving Families Forward Coalition to phone bank for the Work and Family Mobility Act, which will enable all qualified state residents to obtain a driver’s license or identification card regardless of immigration status.
(h/t Driving Families Forward Coalition)

Third Safe Communities Act Campaign Under Way

Wednesday, June 9, 6-8pm
The third campaign for Safe Communities is well underway! The Massachusetts Safe Communities Act (S.1579 and H.2418) has now been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Safety, which will hold a public hearing on the bill sometime this year, likely this fall.

Thanks to public activism, there are 75 House cosponsors, and 20 Senate cosponsors. That’s half the Senate, and nearly half the House!

With a new legislative session, a new House Speaker, a new Public Safety Committee, and near-majority support, the SCA campaign is continuing its momentum from last session.

But a supermajority of House and Senate votes will be needed to overcome an expected Governor’s veto. That’s two-thirds of each chamber: 107 House votes and 27 Senate votes.

Please join the Coalition in June for a virtual Phone Bank to mobilize constituents in swing districts to call their legislators! Register below, and they’ll contact you with details, and provide training and support throughout. Don’t forget to invite your friends—you can create your own phone bank party!

Sign up here for Wednesday, June 9, 6pm to 8pm: http://bit.ly/SCAPhone609
Sign up here for Wednesday, June 23, 6pm to 8pm: http://bit.ly/SCAPhone623

 

Solidarity Lowell is a volunteer group of community members of Greater Lowell working toward social justice by defending the human rights, dignity, and equality of all persons against all forms of hate and discrimination.
 

Visit the Solidarity Lowell website: http://solidaritylowell.com

For more events not listed here, visit the full Events calendar: https://solidaritylowell.com/events/

To join our postcarding efforts to write to legislators on issues of interest , please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/h2V7gJ1e2WbY9dKU9

For volunteer opportunities, visit our Volunteer page: https://solidaritylowell.com/volunteer-opportunities/

For positive news visit Solidarity Lowell Upbeat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/326202548419687

View the notes from our May meeting:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11R4df87hbYo-QU4z2w9KfS6hKgIioap_ExnEi3cS7OE/edit?usp=sharing

Watch the video from our May meeting:
https://youtu.be/L0drAWMW630
—-

Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute