Local
Raise Up! Massachusetts Signature Gathering Training For Merrimack Valley Region
Tuesday, September 19th, 6-8pm, United Teachers of Lowell, 169 Merrimack Street, Lowell
Please join members of the Lowell Education Justice Alliance and United Teachers of Lowell to attend a training on signature gathering. Petitions will be available for Paid Family Leave and Fight for $15 per hour. Refreshments will be served.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/113401192671168/
Solidarity Lowell City Council Candidate Chat
Sunday, September 24, 5-7pm, Mill No. 5, 5th floor, 250 Jackson Street, Lowell, MA
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of this year’s City Council election. We will be holding a discussion with the candidates regarding five issues we have identified as of utmost importance to Lowell. An informal mingle with the candidates will follow after the chat, where you can ask any questions you might have. This event will be held in the 5th floor meeting room.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/105304816825867/
Volunteers Needed for Support of 300 Lowell Residents Forced to Relocate
Approximately 300 low-income residents will have to relocate due to the planned sale of LHA’s scattered site units. Lowell Alliance is working with Northeast Legal Aid and the Northeast Justice Center to support and represent these tenants to have their questions, concerns and positions heard. We will be going door-to-door and phone banking to tenants in the coming week. We will then have a public meeting for the Tenants’ Association to elect steering committee members and discuss their positions. Interpreters are also needed.
If interested, contact Mary Tauras at mtauras@ywcaoflowell.org or 978-454-5405 ext. 132
SAVE THE DATE: Postcards for Progress: Fall is in the Air, Postcards are in the Mail!
Saturday, October 7th, 1-3pm, location TBD
We make a difference, one postcard at a time! Let’s write to our elected officials about important legislation, as Congress goes back in session, and get out the vote for upcoming elections. Location TBD (our usual location may be unavailable due to Kerouac Festival events). The time may also change slightly due to location availability. Join us!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/355308374881736/
State
Rally to Support DACA!
Friday, September 16th, 1-3pm, Steps across from the MA State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston
Rally on the steps across from the Massachusetts State house followed by a March to the JFK Federal Building. Defend DACA! Extend TPS! Jail Joe Arpaio! No Ban! No Wall! Defend Transgender Rights! Resist Fascism! Hosted by Boston May Day Coalition.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/284164215401645/
Hearing on Bill to Raise Minimum Wage to $15 (H.2365 or S.1004.)
Tuesday, September 19th, 11:30am rally, hearing at 1pm, Gardner Auditorium, MA State House
The Raise Up Massachusetts coalition is encouraging people to attend this hearing to raise the minimum wage to $15, as well as the rally and lobbying before the hearing. Meet in Room 437 at the Statehouse at 11:30am if you would like to participate in the rally.
More information: http://action.raiseupma.org/page/s/2017-15-minimum-wage-hearing
Stop House Bill H.916 which would Penalize Protesters
Please contact your representative (find yours here https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/):
Rep. Thomas Golden 617-722-2263
Rep. David Nangle 617-722-2520 <—author of this bill
Rep. Rady Mom 617-722-2460
Rep. Colleen Garry 617-722-2380
Rep. James Lyons 617-722-2460
Sen. Eileen Donoghue 617-722-1630
With this bill, some members of the Massachusetts Legislature are seeking to impose harsh criminal penalties on people engaging in political protests. The bill would impose fines, substantial restitution costs, and significant jail sentences on demonstrators who block, obstruct, or otherwise interfere with the movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. This means that protestors who engage in sit-ins, marches on public streets, demonstrations that block sidewalks, large rallies that spill outside of parks, etc. all could face fines and restitution costs in the thousands of dollars, as well as jail terms.
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _____ from ______, Massachusetts. H.916 is a direct assault on the right to free protest. Rep. Nangle’s bill is abhorrent, especially after the events in Charlottesville. I encourage you to do everything in your power to stop this bill now! Thank you!”
More information: https://www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/840126
Federal
Donate to the Hurricane Irma Relief Fund
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-irma-relief-fund/
Oppose Efforts to Weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act
Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _____ from _____, Massachusetts. I would like to express my concern about possible changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act. H.R. 620 would restrict litigation rights, allow businesses to delay accessibility compliance, and make disabled people responsible for reporting non-compliance. Please advocate for civil rights and vote no when this bill comes up for a vote in the House. Thank you!”
More information: https://www.aclu.org/blog/disability-rights/congress-wants-change-americans-disabilities-act-and-undermine-civil-rights
Oppose the New Plan to Repeal the ACA
Elizabeth Warren: 202-224-4543
Edward Markey: 202-224-2742
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from _____, Massachusetts. I oppose the Cassidy-Graham ACA repeal plan. Congress needs to improve the Affordable Care Act, not repeal it and leave millions of people without options. Thank you!”
More information: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/6/16263316/cassidy-graham-mccain-obamacare-repeal
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.