RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR AUGUST 10, 2022

Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions

SL Canvass Days!

Canvass for our Endorsed 18th Middlesex Candidate, Tara Hong
Saturday August 13, 9:30am
Meet at 704 Middlesex Street (Mony Var Insurance office), right near Pailin Plaza.

Canvass for Progressive Mass Endorsed Candidate for Secretary of State, Tanisha Sullivan
Saturday Aug 13, 2pm
Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 560 Bridge St

Canvass for our Endorsed 16th Middlesex Candidate, Zoe Dzineku
Saturday Aug 20, 11am
Meet at Top Donut, 700 Aiken Ave

Canvass for Progressive Mass Endorsed Candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Tami Gouveia
Saturday Aug 20, 2pm
Meet at McDonald’s, 66 Plain St

For any of the canvasses
Sign up at: https://forms.gle/TuJ9FLkth2emCDkz5 or just show up. (Signing up helps us plan.)
Questions? 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
Saturday, August 13, 8-11am
First Street Invasive Removal
Meet at 1st Street, Duck Island End
https://www.facebook.com/events/744663273463378/

Saturday, August 20, 9am-12pm River Meadow Brook Cleanup
With Lowell Canalwaters Cleaners and LNHP
Meet at 7 Chambers St

Saturday, August 27, 8-11am River Meadow Brook Invasive Removal
Meet at Lincoln St under the Connector

Cleanups every Thursday 3:30-6pm with Life Connections’ Jump Start Jobs Program

Other Events

Meet and Greet with Chris Dempsey

Monday, August 15 7-8pm
On Zoom
RSVP for link: https://actblue.com/donate/081522virtualmg
Meet Progressive Massachusetts’ Endorsed candidate for Auditor.

Write Pro-Choice Postcards to Voters

Wednesday, August 17 from 10:30 -11:30am
In person, Lexington Visitor Center
RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblelab/event/488627/

Join IndivisibleLAB outside at the visitor center in Lexington on to write postcards to pro-choice voters in PA.

Join the movement to elect pro-choice Democrats! The extremist Supreme Court has taken away our freedom and right to abortion. Activate America is writing to likely pro-choice voters in swing states with a simple message: your freedom is being curtailed, fight back and vote. We will be writing for Matt Cartwright (PA 08). Packets contain everything you need to write 25 postcards; the cost is $15.

Feel free to bring a friend, just stop by to say hello, or pickup postcard packets even if you can’t stay. You’ll find us at the picnic tables in front or the porch in the back (depending on weather). We spread out tables but feel free to bring a mask; we can also create a mask-only table if there is demand.

If you want a drink or snack, check out Via Lago, which is just across Meriam Street. There is parking on the street or in the lot on Meriam Street. There is a water refill station inside the Visitor Center so bring your own water bottle!

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/

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.
  • Field captains are needed to be responsible for checking people in for a shift, providing training as necessary, and checking them back out.

Tara Hong, Lowell 18th Middlesex
https://www.tarahong.com/

  • Phonebanking every Wednesday.
  • Volunteers needed for phonebanking and canvassing. Volunteer on the site.

Teresa English, Billerica
https://www.voteteresaenglish.org/

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.

Daily Opportunities in support of Dr. Tami Gouveia
PM Endorsee for Lieutenant Governor
Almost daily August 9-September 6, 10am-8pm (times vary)
Phonebanking every Sunday.
https://www.tamigouveia.com/events/

Canvassing and Phonebanking for Tanisha Sullivan
PM endorsee for Secretary of State
Almost daily August 9-September 6,  5-8pm  (times vary)
https://tanishasullivan.com/join-us/

Support Quentin Palfrey’s Campaign for Attorney General
https://www.quentinpalfrey.com/

Support Chris Dempsey’s Campaign for Auditor
https://dempseyforauditor.com/

Help Get Out the Vote-When More People Vote, More Progressives Win

Wednesdays, August 10,17, 24, 31  12-3pm
Join a Mass Voter Table phone bank encouraging folks to vote by mail.
https://actionnetwork.org/campaigns/2022-mvt-phone-banks

Phonebank for Act on Mass Endorsed Candidates

Thursdays August 11,18 6-8pm
https://secure.everyaction.com/p/4RaZvzFwfUuqxjOYDB8jxQ2?utm_medium=&emci=deccaf7c-94ff-ec11-b47a-281878b83d8a&emdi=93ca408c-98ff-ec11-b47a-281878b83d8a&ceid=9902154
Help elect candidates who will stand up for transparency on Beacon Hill

PowerHour Sundays: Phonebanks

Sundays, 3pm – 5pm
Virtual Event

If you have only one hour per week to give to strengthening our democracy, make it worthwhile and enjoyable.

Join Lean Left’s Election Power Hour Sundays – anytime between 3 and 5 pm – where we come together to do the work and support one another. These are work sessions where we make calls in our four target states: North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire.

Sign up, and we’ll be in touch with details.
https://www.mobilize.us/leanleftvt/event/482703/

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/