Local
CBA’s 30th Annual Acre Clean Up
Saturday, April 29, 8:30am-2:30pm, North Common Park, 413 Fletcher Street, Lowell
Join the Coalition for a Better Acre to clean up the neighborhood’s parks. Please register for a free T-shirt at the event.
More information and to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEnRR0ibZp7L2bcjf9fr5N2UbtkUDXOIyRspNW13NjymvMow/viewform?c=0&w=1
Postcards for Progress – Climate Day Edition
Saturday, April 29, 11am-1pm, Gallery Z, 167 Market Street, Lowell
If you’re not at the Climate Change March, what better place to be than writing postcards with us? We had 9 people last time, let’s see if we can beat our record! We’ll be writing postcards to and leaving messages for our elected officials.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/230207234126912/
Un Dia Sin Inmigrantes Marcha /Day Without Immigrants March – Lawrence, MA
Monday, May 1, 10am-4pm, Campagnone Common, 200 Common St, Lawrence, MA 01840
Lawrence has always been a city of immigrants. In 1912, Lawrence immigrants who demanded better wages and better work conditions made history leading the successful strike “Bread and Roses” that lasted 9 weeks. This May 1st, if you are an immigrant and/or believe in immigrants’ rights, join the national boycott! Do not go to work, school or buy anything on this day. Join Cosecha Lawrence and several other local organizations in showing the public how much the economy of this country depends on immigrants, but most importantly that Lawrence is ready to stand up again for human and labor rights of all immigrants!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/363931354006128/
Save the date! Solidarity Lowell General Meeting
Sunday, May 21, 5pm, Mill No. 5, 4th Floor Hi-Hat area, Lowell, MA (location may change)
This meeting will feature a presentation by We The People Massachusetts, a group working to end Citizens United and add a democracy amendment to the Constitution. Learn more at www.wethepeoplemass.org. Also on the agenda: volunteering opportunities, tabling events, committee updates, and more!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1944756629144537/
State
March for Climate and Science
Saturday, April 29, 12pm-3:30pm, Boston Common, Boston, MA
This demonstration is organized by the People’s Climate Movement, which grew out of the historic 2014 march on the eve of the UN Climate Summit in New York City. Planned for the 100th day of the Trump administration, the march will oppose Trump’s climate change denial and continue the mission of the original 2014 march to demand urgent action on the global climate change crisis.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/114630515717476/
Healthcare discussion with Sen Jamie Eldridge and Rep Jen Benson
Thursday, May 4, 7-9pm, Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church Fellowship Building, 7 Elm St, Harvard, Massachusetts 01451
The League of Women Voters of Harvard is proud to present “Bringing High Quality, Affordable Health Care to Every Person in Massachusetts” with Senator Jamie Eldridge and Rep Jen Benson.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/513657859022563/
Federal
Stop DHS from deporting Somalis
Elizabeth Warren: 202-224-4543 or 617-565-3170
Edward Markey: 202-224-2742
Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101
In Georgia, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently apprehended eight Somalis, detained them and put them into deportation proceedings. Some have been in this country since childhood and they know nothing about Somalia, nor do they speak the language. Additionally, some of the individuals detained are living with mental illnesses and may not fully understand their circumstances.
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ____ and I’m calling from ______, Massachusetts. I oppose the recent policy change that has led to the apprehension, detention and deportation of Somalis. The United States should not deport people back to Somalia, due to the severe drought and famine there, as well as the threat of Al-Shabaab. Please immediately stop rounding up and deporting our Somali neighbors. Thank you!”
More information: https://5calls.org/issue/recOXAFxqJOpiBzvy
Stand up for our national monuments
Department of the Interior: (202) 208-3100
President Trump signed an executive order Wednesday instructing Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to review any national monument created since Jan. 1, 1996, that spans at least 100,000 acres in a move he said would “end another egregious use of government power.” This order appears to affect 25 national monuments.
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _____ and I’m calling from ______, Massachusetts. Please preserve our national monuments as they exist today. America’s national monuments are incredibly popular, funnel money into our economy, and hold precious cultural significance. Any attempt to reverse or shrink a monument designation by the executive branch is unlawful under the Antiquities Act. Thank you!”
Speak against releasing your passwords to the TSA
DHS comment line: 202-282-8495
The Department of Homeland Security is currently examining procedures to investigate travelers to the United States. In a congressional hearing, Secretary Kelly said they’re even considering forcing some travelers to provide their passwords to social media accounts as a condition to enter. This would violate the right to privacy, undermine freedom of expression, and create numerous cyber security risks for all people.
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _____ and I’m calling from _____, Massachusetts. Please reject any proposal to require visa applicants, refugees, or other foreign visitors to provide passwords for online accounts – including social media – in order to enter the United States. Thank you!”