RRT ACTION LIST 8/10/17

Local

Support Michael Degree, a Victim of Police Retaliation

Tina G. Degree and her family have been the target of police violence and intimidation for many years, and have filed an excessive force lawsuit against the Lowell police department after the cops beat Tina’s son, Devante. Now, the police are deepening their retaliation by targeting other members of this family. Tina’s brother, Michael, was recently arrested and is being held without bail being set until August 17. He was attacked multiple times by police with tasers, including while unconscious, while police taunted him by asking about his sister, Tina. Please support this fundraiser to bond him out of jail.

More information and to donate: https://www.youcaring.com/michael-897173
Support Daley Middle School’s Solar-Powered Classroom Fundraiser

The Climate Change Club at the Daley Middle School in Lowell is a group of sixth graders (and one honorary 8th grader), working together to learn about and stop climate change. They are fundraising to put solar panels on the school and make their classroom solar-powered.

More information and to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/DaleySolar

 

SAVE THE DATE: Solidarity Lowell General Meeting

Sunday, August 27th, 5pm, Mill No. 5, 5th floor, 250 Jackson Street, Lowell, MA

On the agenda: discussion and vote on whether or not to become a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts, a presentation by Darcie from Lowell Education Justice Alliance (LEJA), discussion about whether or not we should get involved in the race to replace Niki Tsongas, committee updates and more! This meeting will be held in the 5th floor meeting room.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/105304816825867/

 

State

Speak out against Governor Baker’s anti-immigration bill

Governor Charlie Baker: 617.725.4005

Last month, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that police and court officers in our state don’t have the legal authority to detain anyone solely on a civil immigration matter. However, on Aug. 1, Gov. Baker filed a bill to allow police across the state to honor civil detainer requests from U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) for any “removable alien” deemed to pose a threat to public safety.

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _______ from ________, MA. I disagree with Gov. Baker’s bill, An Act Empowering Law Enforcement to Cooperate with the United States to Transfer Custody of Convicted Criminals. We don’t need legislation to encourage police to do ICE’s job. I support the Safe Communities Act. Thank you!”

More information: https://www.miracoalition.org/news-events/728-baker-detainer-bill-would-needlessly-entangle-police-in-ice-matters

 

Federal

Prevent Military Action Against North Korea


Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170

Edward Markey: 202-224-2742

Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101

The escalating tensions with North Korea have taken a sudden and dangerous turn, with the Washington Post reporting the isolated country has successfully produced a miniaturized nuclear warhead that will fit inside a ballistic missile. Trump responded to the report with alarming rhetoric, stating North Korea will be “met with fire and fury” if they were to make any threats against the U.S. A few short hours later North Korea responded with threats of missile strikes on Guam.

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from _______ Massachusetts. I demand congressional approval before any military engagement takes place in North Korea and as that you vote against any request to do so. We cannot and should not stumble into another unnecessary war. Thank you!”

More information: https://5calls.org/issue/recP3XRP4IFDvaCgF

 

Advocate for equal access to housing for LGBTQ Americans

Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from ______, Massachusetts. Please support H.R. 1447. While it is currently legal in the US to deny housing to LGBTQ Americans, this discrimination is wrong and should be remedied. Please stand up against housing discrimination. Thank you!”

More information: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1447

 

Oppose the RAISE Act


Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170

Edward Markey: 202-224-2742

Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101

Republican Senators David Perdue and Tom Cotton have introduced legislation that viciously attacks our family-based legal immigration system. Backed by President Trump, the RAISE Act aims to cut legal immigration of extended family members by half – in addition to slashing the number of refugees we accept and eliminating the diversity visa lottery.

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from _______, Massachusetts. Please stand against the RAISE Act. This is an extremist proposal that would prevent families from reuniting and go against our nation’s core values. Thank you!”

More information: http://action.nilc.org/page/s/tell-congress-oppose-the-raise-act?source=em170802-raise-act

 

Oppose new legislation that restricts access to abortion


Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170

Edward Markey: 202-224-2742

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from _______ Massachusetts. I’m very concerned about two anti-abortion bills. S. 184 would pull all funding for legal abortion in the US. Secondly, S. 231 would modify the 14th Amendment and define life as beginning at conception. I strongly oppose both of these bills and you should do the same. Thank you!”

More information: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s231

 

The RRT (Rapid Response Team) Action List compiles action items from the week into one place. If you would like to add anything to the weekly update, please send it to Marissa Dupont on Facebook or at marissa.dupont@gmail.com using subject line “RRT”, or use hashtag #RRT in the Solidarity Lowell Facebook group.

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