Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions
Join our RRT Instant Action Crew
Recently, the need for instantaneous responses to calls for action has arisen, things that can’t wait for our next newsletter.
We are looking to build a list of people willing to receive text messages to act PDQ. We realize not everyone will be able to act on all requests at all times, but this will give Solidarity Lowell the ability to respond to progressive needs as quickly as is sometimes necessary. Given the lack of transparency in our legislature, for example, advance warning of a vote sometimes is less than 24 hours. It won’t wait for the next newsletter. There have also been stand-outs organized with less than a week’s notice.
If you’d like to be on alert, especially for matters that affect city or state, please email contact@solidaritylowell.com
Media help needed
Solidarity Lowell seeks volunteers to update our website, which is on WordPress. We would also like to find someone who can help to produce occasional videos for TikTok and local access TV.
If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please email contact@solidaritylowell.com.
Happy News To Share
From: Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network (MVISN)
There’s exciting and joyful news to share: two immigrants with whom our community has been sharing support, Marius and Lillian, are expecting a baby together! The baby is due at the end of the Summer. We wish them hearty congratulations! Our network can help Marius and Lillian get ready to welcome their child by donating gift cards to Target and Kohls, which will allow them to purchase a car seat, stroller, clothes, and whatever else they need. If you are generously able to donate a gift card, in any amount, please contact marissa@solidaritylowell.com. You can also donate via the GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/47gvz-marius Thank you!
Lowell Events
Lowell Litter Krewe
The LLK is in full swing helping to beautify our city.
To connect with them: https://linktr.ee/lowelllitterkrewe
Sign up to volunteer, check out their schedule and more.
Next events
Cleanups every Thursday 3:30-6pm with Life Connections’ Jump Start Jobs Program
Volunteer Request: Dwelling House of Hope/Lowell Litter Krewe
Saturdays 7:30am-12pm
RSVP: LowellLitterKrewe@gmail.com 978-201-9916
Dwelling House of Hope provides 400 families every Saturday with a food box at their weekly drive-up pantry, and they need volunteers! If you’re interested in signing up for every Saturday, one Saturday, or even a half-shift, please let LLK know! Volunteers will be asked to sort through pallets of food, pack boxes, and load them into the cars of the families served.
Next City Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 9, 6:30pm, at City Hall and online
Meetings are held in Council Chamber Tuesdays at 6:30pm with public welcome. Now on summer schedule of every 2 weeks.
Attend in person or by using remote participation as follows: Members of the public may view the meeting via LTC.Org (Online; Live Streaming; Or Local Cable Channel 99).
See agenda for details Agenda due to be posted August 5…
Agenda: https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter
To speak, you must register by 4 pm the day of the meeting. Those wishing to speak regarding a specific agenda item must register to speak in advance of the meeting by sending an email to the City Clerk indicating the agenda Item and a phone number to call so that you may be issued a Zoom link to the meeting. Email Address is MGEARY@LOWELLMA.GOV. If you have no access to email you may contact the City Clerk at 978-674-4161.
Support Progressive Candidates
Progressive candidates get elected when progressive folks do the work to support them.
Whether you like phonebanking, texting, or doorknocking, there’s something you can do. Pick a campaign and volunteer. They ALL have environmental chops.
Dr. Tami Gouveia
Progressive Mass endorsee for Lieutenant Governor
Daily Opportunities
https://www.tamigouveia.com/events/
Tanisha Sullivan
Progressive Mass endorsee for Secretary of State
Canvassing and Phonebanking opportunities
https://tanishasullivan.com/join-us/
Quentin Palfrey
Progressive Mass endorsee for Attorney General
https://www.quentinpalfrey.com/
Meet and Greet with Quentin Palfrey
Monday, August 8 7-8pm
On Zoom
RSVP for link: https://secure.ngpvan.com/3EOZScP9ekKUtJRRIrvR4g2
Chris Dempsey
Progressive Mass endorsee for State Auditor
https://dempseyforauditor.com/
Meet and Greet with Chris Dempsey
Monday, August 15 7-8pm
On Zoom
RSVP for link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/081522virtualmg
Reproductive Rights
The good news is that abortion is still legal in Massachusetts, although there are a few things we could do to make access easier. But we will be affected by the Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade. While there is no instant fix, there are ways we can help stand up to the decision.
A full list of actions you can take may be found at:
https://tinyurl.com/4r568ack
Gun Safety
For those concerned about gun violence, we have compiled a list of organizations working on the problem that you could support and possible actions you can take. We urge you to check them out and see if one fits your values and activism style.
Democracy Corner
Don’t miss your chance to vote in the primary
Deadline to Register to Vote: August 27
Deadline for Mail-in Ballot Application: August 29
Early voting: August 27-September 2
Applications to vote by mail have been sent out. If you haven’t received yours, or if you moved and haven’t changed your registration, you can take care of that online at: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/
Lowell Needs Poll Workers
The City of Lowell employs approximately 225 poll workers per election, including Wardens, Clerks, Inspectors and translators. All poll workers are paid, and subject to very specific rules/guidelines/policies. Early voting begins August 27, so hiring must be done before then. A month away.
Poll workers are essential to running an election. If you have the time, please consider signing up. For more information, see https://www.lowellma.gov/317/Election-Workers.
Our Endorsed Candidates for State Representative Welcome Volunteers
Our endorsees in contested races have also been endorsed by Progressive Massachusetts! Below are contacts for our members and endorsed candidates running for local state representative. If you are interested in helping our endorsed candidates running for statewide office, or efforts to elect more reasonable candidates in other states, you will find links to organizations here: https://tinyurl.com/ycxysmhw
Zoe Dzineku, Lowell 16th Middlesex
https://www.govotezoe.com/
- Volunteers for Saturday doorknocking would be greatly appreciated. Choose from two shifts.
- People can sign up here: https://secure.ngpvan.com/p/SKoqjTVt40SifvNXEKxsmg2
- Field captains are needed to be responsible for checking people in for a shift, providing training as necessary, and checking them back out.
- People can contact Victoria at vic@govotezoe.com.
Tara Hong, Lowell 18th Middlesex
https://www.tarahong.com/
- Volunteers needed for phonebanking and canvassing. Volunteer on the site.
Teresa English, Billerica
https://www.voteteresaenglish.org/
- Phonebanking Mondays and Wednesdays. Register on the site.
Phonebank for Act on Mass Endorsed Candidates
Thursdays August 4,11,18 6-8pm
https://tinyurl.com/5x4z3snt
Help Get Out the Vote-When More People Vote, More Progressives Win
Wednesdays, August 3,10,17 12-3pm
Join a Mass Voter Table phone bank encouraging folks to vote by mail.
https://actionnetwork.org/campaigns/2022-mvt-phone-banks
State-Level Actions
Help stop the Ballot Question to Undo the Drivers License Act
As you may have heard, the state Republican party is collecting signatures to force a referendum on the Work and Family Mobility Act (now law!) on November’s ballot. The coalition that helped pass the bill into law is now working to dissuade people from signing at locations where the Republican party is collecting signatures, including the Tewksbury Market Basket (Oakdale Plaza further down Rt 38, not Stadium Plaza on the Lowell line). There is a need for volunteers for various time slots and locations over the next couple of months.
We will pass on more information as it becomes available. Meanwhile, you can contact Harris Gruman, Executive Director, SEIU Massachusetts State Council harris.gruman@seiuma.org or John Drinkwater jdrinkwater@massaflcio.org.
Help Get the Fair Share Amendment Passed–Canvass and/or Phonebank!
This amendment, a priority of Progressive Massachusetts, would add an additional 4% tax on incomes over $1 million, with revenue to be directed to improve our transportation systems (roads, bridges, and public transportation) and our schools. It is estimated that it would raise $2 billion per year. For years, Massachusetts has skimped on its transportation system and the maintenance and upgrades now required amount to billions of dollars. We saw another example of the cost of ignoring that last week when an Orange line train caught fire during rush hour and 200 passengers had to walk to safety from a bridge. Clearly it can’t wait any longer.
The amendment is Question #1 on the ballot this November. But getting it passed means a lot of voter education through door-knocking and phonebanking. If you’d like to help, you can sign up at https://tinyurl.com/bdcwp7xa
Our State Legislators’ Info
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
(… or find yours here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator)
Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133
National Actions
Our Federal Legislators’ Info
Senator Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
https://www.warren.senate.gov/contact/shareyouropinion
Senator Edward Markey: 617-565-8519
255 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
https://www.markey.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Representative Lori Trahan: 978-459-0101 / 202-225-3411
https://trahan.house.gov/contact/write-your-rep.htm
Representative Seth Moulton: 978-531-1669 / 202-225-8020
https://moulton.house.gov/contact
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 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 at solidaritylowell.com
For more events not listed here, visit the full Events calendar: https://solidaritylowell.com/events/
June meeting notes:
https://tinyurl.com/2p9ke9h4
June meeting recording:
https://youtu.be/BKXwSQB0UFo
See recordings of past Solidarity Lowell meetings in our YouTube channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCohwMIkVdabQdDHsVTLIGsQ
For positive news visit Solidarity Lowell Upbeat on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/326202548419687
Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Join at: https://www.progressivemass.com/donate/