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

Urgent Support Needed for Asylum-Seeker Marius

Marius has a new apartment and needs urgent assistance with rent money. If you are able to contribute, please send donations to Marissa Dupont.

Donations via:
CashApp – $gollygee17
Venmo – @owlnerd
Please put “Marius” in the notes.

Save the Date: Solidarity Lowell November General Meeting

Sunday, November 21, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Topic: Afghan refugees

Other Events

The MVP 9th Annual MICAH Awards Celebration

Saturday, November 6, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Online

This annual fundraiser event honors local heroes who are active not only in their own organizations, but also in the broader community of the Merrimack Valley and beyond.
This year’s honorees include Solidarity Lowell’s Marissa Dupont.

For tickets: https://givebutter.com/MICAH-2021
A $10 donation gets the Zoom link and a virtual program. A $30 donation also includes a physical copy of the program sent at a later date.

The Future of Hydrogen for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Tuesday, November 9, 9:00am-12:00pm
Hybrid event – In person and online

A discussion of the recently released white paper from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the AIM Foundation. Following a discussion by the paper’s authors, a panel of state officials, including Lowell’s own Representative Thomas Golden, will react to the study’s findings. The study was funded by the gas companies through an industry group and regards putting hydrogen in the gas lines – a bad idea for many reasons.

For tickets ($50):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-future-of-hydrogen-for-the-commonwealth-of-massachusetts-hybrid-event-tickets-170162726295

State-level Actions

Encourage Same Day Voter Registration

Ask the House Ways & Means Committee to be sure to include same-day voter registration in the bill it will report to the House floor. No Lowell Reps are on the committee, but you could write to the chair, Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (Aaron.M.Michlewitz [at] mahouse.gov).

Sample email
I am writing to you in your capacity as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee to urge that you include same-day voter registration when reporting House Bill H.805 out for a vote in the House. Because of the college population in Massachusetts, too many people move in September. The deadlines for voter registration and registration changes effectively disenfranchise those people with regard to primaries. It is possible to handle the logistics of implementing the change and important to avoid disenfranchising people as much as possible.
Thank you.

Support the Common Start Act

Affordable childcare, early childhood education, and afterschool care. The Common Start coalition has a plan for all of that. We need to help them convince legislators to pass the bill.

Rally. Hold the date of November 14 for a rally in Lowell. Time, place, and speaker line-up details forthcoming.

Support Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence

Immigrants in Massachusetts who suffer intimate partner violence are twice as likely to be killed by their abusers as are the native born. The Massachusetts Safe Communities Act would end voluntary police and court involvement in deportations, so that all victims feel safe reporting abuse and getting help and protection. Urge your state legislator to support the Safe Communities Act today!

Please let your state rep and senator know you support the Safe Communities Act. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/support-immigrant-survivors-of-domestic-violence/

h/t Jeannine Wood, via News-MAGIC

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Our State Legislators’ Info

Contact your state representative and state senator
(Find yours here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator)

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

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

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

October meeting (Endorsed Candidates Showcase) recording:
https://youtu.be/5cGYD0TykS4
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Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute