SOLIDARITY LOWELL RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR 10/21/17

LOCAL:

–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/

–Postcards for Progress – Help Lowell Vote!
Saturday, October 21st, 1-3pm, Gallery Z, 167 Market St, Lowell
It’s time for postcards again! In addition to all of the things happening in the country that we need to write postcards about, we’re getting out the vote for OUR OWN city’s upcoming election! Let’s do this!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1895191457467153/

–Help Tenants Forced Out of Their Homes to Learn about their Rights
Lowell Alliance wants to continue to reach residents of the Lowell scattered sites by phone or through home visits to keep an updated contact list on how to best keep in touch. There are a few tenants who are not engaged and we want to make sure they are still receiving updates on what is currently happening. To volunteer or support us in
other ways, contact MTauras@ywcaoflowell.org or 978-454- 5405 ext 132

–City Council Candidating Forum
Monday, October 23, 5:30-8pm, Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway St, Lowell
Join Coalition for a Better Acre and Lowell Votes for a chance to meet City Council candidates in a fun, friendly environment. Candidates will move from table to table, just like with “speed dating”. You’ll be able to ask your questions so you can decide who to vote for on November 7th. Spanish and Khmer interpreters, food, drinks, and child care will be available.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1971837663032534/

–Stand for Indigenous People by Standing Up To Big Banks
Monday, October 23rd, 2pm, TD Bank, 45 Central Street, Lowell
On October 23rd, 92 of the world’s largest banks will meet in São Paolo, Brazil to discuss policies on the climate and Indigenous Peoples’ rights to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent  (FPIC). Mazaska Talks is calling on indigenous people and allies everywhere to join us for mass global action that make it clear to the banks: financing climate disaster and the abuse of Indigenous Peoples will result in a massive global divestment movement.
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtvMHGmDauTnLdwxXW9zNKKIfnyTPBFhY184pPo0FiPuk-LA/viewform?usp=sf_link

–School Committee Candidating October CHOP Dinner
Wednesday, October 25, 5:30-8pm, Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway St, Lowell
Join Coalition for a Better Acre and Lowell Votes for a chance to meet School Committee candidates in a fun, friendly environment. Candidates will move from table to table, just like with “speed dating”. You’ll be able to ask questions so you can decide who to vote for on November 7th. This event is combined with our CHOP Dinner for October, which will be provided by CBA All-Star/celebrity chef Jennifer Myers, who will be making personal pot pies!
More information: https://www.evensi.us/school-committee-candidating-october-chop-dinner-lowell/228426279

–City Council Candidate Meet & Greet Social
Thursday, October 26, 6:30pm, 101 West Forest Street, Lowell
Hosted by the Highlands Neighborhood Association. Take this opportunity to mingle with our City Council candidates and discuss issues that are important to you!
(I could not find a website or Facebook event for this so unfortunately do not have additional information. Sorry!)

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/

FEDERAL:

–Fix the Criminal Justice Reform Bill
Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170
Edward Markey: 617-565-8519
Express your support for the positive reforms included in the bill, but also let them know they need to make sure Massachusetts keeps people out of jail who don’t belong there.
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _______ from _______, Massachusetts. S.2170 includes many positive provisions, but there are elements that still need improvement. Please work to fully repeal mandatory minimum sentences for all drug offenses, prevent changes to the bail statute that could result in more people locked up before trial, and ensure meaningful reforms to fix lengthy solitary confinement. Thank you!”
More information: https://ssl.capwiz.com/aclu/issues/alert/?alertid=78885626&type=ST

–Ask Niki Tsongas to Support the Do No Harm Act
Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101
The Do No Harm Act will ensure that this country continues to protect true religious freedom for all, without allowing religion to be used to hurt others. Specifically, the Do No Harm Act would clarify that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act can’t be used to exempt anyone from laws that prohibit discrimination, require equal pay, protect child welfare, or guarantee access to health care.
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ________ from _________, Massachusetts. Please co-sponsor the Do No Harm Act (H.R. 3222) today. Religious freedom is a critical founding principle of this country, but it doesn’t allow anyone to discriminate against or harm others. Thank you!”
More information: https://action.aclu.org/secure/DoNoHarmAct2017

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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.