Local
At Large Lawsuit Hearing
Tuesday, October 17, 2pm, Moakley Federal Court House, Courtroom 18, One Courthouse Way, Boston, MA
The At-Large case will have its first hearing at the Federal District Court. The parties will discuss the city’s motion to dismiss the claim and next steps with the case. It’s a chance to hear arguments between the parties and meet the presiding judge, Judge Young, assigned to the case.
More information: http://www.nonprofitvote.org/documents/2017/10/lowell_motion-dismiss-plaintiff-response-9-29-17.pdf
An Evening to Save Lowell High
Thursday, October 19, 6-8pm, 22 Shattuck St, Lowell
We made the ballot, and November 7th is right around the corner! Save Lowell High is hosting an evening reception for our supporters to get an update on the campaign and help us get the resources to win. Please join us!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/172675619964184/?active_tab=about
NEXT SOLIDARITY LOWELL MEETING
Sunday, October 22nd, 5pm, Mill No. 5, 5th Floor, 250 Jackson St, Lowell
The monthly general meeting for members of Solidarity Lowell. On the agenda: a presentation by Russ Davis of Raise Up, the results of our City Council candidate survey, volunteer opportunities with Lowell Votes, the importance of neighborhood group meetings, new policies for the Facebook group and page, possible creation of a Slack channel, tabling locations, possible new meeting locations, group updates, and more! See you there!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/335777956887450/
State
Cancel the Debt: Solidarity Rally and Fundraiser for Puerto Rico
Saturday, October 21, 1-3pm, Baupost Private Investments Bviii, 10 St James Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
On October 3rd, the Intercept broke a story about one of the largest holders of Puerto Rican debt, a Boston based company linked to billionaire Seth Klarman: “The Baupost Group, a Boston-based hedge fund managed by billionaire Seth Klarman, owns nearly $1 billion of Puerto Rican debt, purchased under a shell company subsidiary and hidden from public scrutiny. Baupost acquired the debt through an on-paper Delaware-based corporation named Decagon Holdings LLC, whose beneficial owner had been unknown until now.” (https://theintercept.com/2017/10/03/we-can-finally-identify-one-of-the-largest-holders-of-puerto-rican-debt/)
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1730355163675437/
Support Automatic Voter Registration
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
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from _______, Massachusetts. Automatic Voter Registration is a simple and important reform designed to increase political participation and strengthen voting rights by shifting our voter registration system from an opt-in to an opt-out one, making elections more free, fair, and accessible for all. It simply requires that every eligible citizen who goes to an RMV or other agency covered under the “motor voter” law be automatically registered to vote, unless they say no. Please cosponsor H.2091. Thank you!”
More information: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H2091
Federal
Donate to Support Hurricane Victims in Puerto Rico
Donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ew_puertorico?refcode=20171002em1
Advocate for ICE oversight and humane treatment of detainees
Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _____ from ______, Massachusetts. Please support accountability and transparency in the ICE detention system. In taxpayer-funded immigration detention centers around the US, in-depth reports show that ICE imprisons asylum-seekers and treats people inhumanely. Reps. Adam Smith and Pramila Jayapal’s Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, addresses these wrongs. I would like you to co-sponsor this legislation. Thank you!”
More information: https://www.splcenter.org/news/2017/10/03/dignity-detained-immigrants-act-urgently-needed-humane-treatment-detainees
Oppose DHS’ proposed social media monitoring of immigrants and citizens
Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170
Edward Markey: 617-565-8519
Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from _______, Massachusetts. I want to express deep concern about the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed policy of monitoring social media of immigrants, their legal guardians, green-card holders, and naturalized citizens. This intrusive, anti-immigrant policy gives carte-blanche access to data and violates citizens’ 4th and 1st amendment rights. Evidence shows that it will not make our country safer. Please oppose DHS overreach. Thank you!”
More information: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/28/us/politics/immigrants-social-media-trump.html?_r=0
Oppose the SHARE Act
Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101
If made law, the SHARE Act would make it easier to buy a gun silencer without a background check.
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _______ from _______, Massachusetts. Please vote against HR 3668, the SHARE Act. The deregulation of gun silencers is dangerous to public safety. We must not roll back sensible gun laws that provide a safer community for all, especially in the wake of the events in Las Vegas. Thank you!”
More information: https://www.wallofus.org/posts/198/speak-up-against-silencing-gunfire
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.