Month: February 2018

SOLIDARITY LOWELL RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR 2/22/18

Local

Solidarity Lowell February Meeting

Sunday, February 25, 5:30pm, Christ Church United, 1 Bartlett Street, Lowell

The monthly general meeting for members of Solidarity Lowell. Enter at the Bartlett Street entrance. Our meeting is in the chapel (come inside and take a left). Featuring a presentation about single payer healthcare by Renee D’Argento!

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/159707961476344/
Experiential Diversity: Marginalization and Self-Efficacy

Saturday, February 24, 8:30am-noon, Bell Tower, 60 Island Street, Lawrence, MA

During this 3-hour training we will explore our own diversity/differences and encourage on-going understanding of others’ diversity or differences. Facilitators will introduce the concept of personal efficacy—the ability to effect courses and outcomes in your life—and the impact that marginalization can have on our ability to achieve and maintain personal efficacy in our own life. Suggested donation of $40.

More information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/experiential-diversity-marginalization-self-efficacy-february-training-tickets-42047157179?aff=efbneb
Immigration Explained: Ask the Experts

Wednesday, February 28, 7:30-9pm, First Parish Church United of Westford, 48 Main St, Westford

Speakers will discuss current immigration issues, give accounts of the personal circumstances of recent immigrants and their families, describe existing uncertainties in the law and suggest opportunities for public action.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/162786917703791/
The Incorruptibles Training: Take Back Our City Government

Sunday, March 4, 5:30-8pm, Christ Church United, 1 Bartlett Street, Lowell

This workshop introduces a model of organizing that goes beyond electing good people– it walks you through the five key areas that will enable you to cultivate great–and incorruptible–candidates for every election who will remain deeply involved in policy-making after elections.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/156874165034935/
Want to Help with Sanctuary?

Assisting our immigrant community is one of the most important things you can possibly do. If you are interested in helping out with local sanctuary efforts, please email marissa@solidaritylowell.com. Training is provided and there is a session coming up this weekend! You can also donate to the cause here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (and please write “sanctuary” in the “special notes” part of the donation form).

More information: marissa@solidaritylowell.com

State

Working People’s Day of Action

Monday, February 26, 12:00pm, Boston Firehouse, 125 Purchase St, Boston

On February 26th, thousands of working people across Massachusetts will join a national day of action as we speak out for good, union jobs. The Working People’s Day of Action coincides with the Supreme Court hearings on the Janus vs. AFSCME case. That case is part of a well-funded campaign by the wealthy special interests to divide us from our co-workers – and to limit the power in numbers we have together in a union.

More information: https://www.massaflcio.org/working-peoples-day-action-226
Support the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Bills

Please contact your state representative (find yours here https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator):
Rep. Thomas Golden 617-722-2263
Rep. David Nangle 617-722-2520
Rep. Rady Mom 617-722-2460
Rep. Colleen Garry 617-722-2380
Rep. James Lyons 617-722-2460

H3610 (An Act Temporarily Preventing Firearm Access for Extremely Dangerous or Suicidal Individuals) and H3081 (An Act Establishing Extreme Risk Protective Orders) are currently stuck in committee in the MA Legislature.

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _______ from _______, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. After last week’s shooting, it’s time to support H3610 (An Act Temporarily Preventing Firearm Access for Extremely Dangerous or Suicidal Individuals) and H3081 (An Act Establishing Extreme Risk Protective Orders). Please urge leadership to bring them to a vote. Thank you!”

More information: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H3610 and https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H3081
 

Stand Up for Community Safety and Immigrants’ Rights

House Rules Committee Chair William C. Galvin: 617-722-2692
Senate Rules Committee Chair Mark C. Montigny: 617-722-1440
Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo: 617-722-2500
Senate President Harriette Chandler: 617-722-1544
The Massachusetts Legislature, with its Democratic supermajority, has not yet taken the modest, rational step forward to protect our communities, our friends and neighbors from being driven into the shadows and harassed by the cruel and senseless Trump deportation machine. This is appalling. We the people need to demand that the legislature pass the Safe Communities Act to ensure that our undocumented friends and neighbors feel safe calling the police to report emergencies and crimes. This is a matter of safety for ALL OF US.  Now that the bill is in two new committees and in two separate chambers, there is no more excuse for delaying its passage.

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _____ from ______, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. I am calling because I’m impatient. I am asking you and leadership to move the Safe Communities Act (S.1305 or H3265) in its full, robust form, out of the Rules Committee and onto the floor for a vote as soon as possible. This is urgent. I have been contacting my State Representative and Senator for months. It’s time for action. Thank you!”

More information: http://www.safecommunitiesact.com/
Tell Governor Baker to Dump the NRA from Our State Government

Governor Charles Duane Baker Jr: 617.725.4005

Governor Baker appointed local NRA leader Ronald Amidon as Commissioner of the Department of Fish & Game in July 2017. Amidon was president of the Gun Owners’ Action League (GOAL), the NRA’s state affiliate in Massachusetts. Fish & Game is now directing visitors on the state website to GOAL for more information on gun ownership. GOAL advocates for the repeal of our state’s gun safety laws.

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _______ from _________, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. Please remove NRA leader Ronald Amidon as Commissioner of Fish & Game and remove links on the Massachusetts state website to NRA affiliate Gun Owners Action League. It’s time to take a stand against the NRA. Thank you!”

More information: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/gov-charlie-baker-dump?akid=199233.8030332.Rum5F6&rd=1&source=mo&t=13

Federal

Oppose ICE Entering Courthouses, Schools, and Places of Worship

Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101

Sample Script: “Hi, my name is _____ from _____, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. I’m calling to express my concern about ICE’s new directive to make arrests inside of courthouses, and their pushing the limits around officially sensitive locations like hospitals, churches, and schools. I would like you to co-sponsor the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (H.R. 1815). Thank you!”

More information: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1815

Posted by Greg in Rapid Response Team

SOLIDARITY LOWELL RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR 2/1/18

Stand with Jacob Leonce!

Friday, February 2, 8am, Immigration & Customs Enforcement Office, 1000 District Ave, Burlington

Longtime Haverhill resident Jacob Leonce has been ordered to appear and surrender to ICE for deportation back to St. Lucia. Jacob originally came to the US on a legal visa and has spent years trying to regularize his legal status so that he can remain here with his children, both of whom are US citizens and know no other home. Join us for a nonviolent vigil in solidarity with Jacob and his family. Bring candles, signs, and donations you would like to make to the Leonce family. Spread the word!

Please RSVP to mvalleypr@gmail.com or 978-686-0650)

If you can’t attend, call ICE regional director Christopher Cronen at 781-359-7500 and ask (firmly and respectfully) that ICE use its prosecutorial discretion to grant Jacob a stay of removal.

 

Postcards for Progress – February Edition

Saturday, February 10th, 1-3pm, Gallery Z, 167 Market Street, Lowell

It’s time for postcards again and we’re back at Gallery Z! We’ll be writing to our elected officials and directly to voters! Open to all who want to help with progressive causes. A list of suggested progressive topics will be provided. Postcards, stamps, and pens will be available for your use but you are welcome to bring your own supplies. Contributions of ideas or supplies welcome but not required.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1766589823636623/

 

Develop Your Leadership Skills and Make Your Community a Better Place!

Empower: Building Leaders, Strengthening Communities is an initiative developed by Lowell Alliance  and Coalition for a Better Acre. We are seeking community activists and leaders, or potential leaders, interested in learning how to create positive change and improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods and communities. Through a 9-week training program, Empower will provide participants with the knowledge, skills and resources to strengthen their capacity to create and lead change at the grassroots level.

More information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_FZRWBF3OYyBFtDoW81Dl7PgVqNe6h1JPS1ZaDMSq0Q/edit

A Rapid Response Rally if Mueller is Fired

If the firing happens before 2pm, the event will be held at 5pm the same day. If it happens after 2pm, the event will be held at noon the following day. Ladd and Whitney Memorial (the island outside City Hall), 309 Merrimack Street, Lowell

Nobody is above the law! Donald Trump is publicly considering firing special counsel Robert Mueller. This would be a constitutional crisis for our country. Our response in the minutes and hours following a power grab will dictate what happens next, which is why an immediate response is imperative.

Sign up to be notified: https://act.moveon.org/event/mueller-firing-rapid-response-events/14830

State

Ask Governor Baker to #StandUpCharlie and Just Say No to Offshore Drilling

Governor Charlie Baker: (617) 725-4005

Governor Baker needs to stand up for Massachusetts and strongly oppose Trump’s latest offshore oil drilling plan, which would be potentially devastating to fisheries, marine wildlife, the environment and tourism. And it’s not good enough for him to say he’s previously expressed opposition.

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from _______, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. You need to publicly stand up and do everything you can to oppose Trump’s latest offshore oil drilling plan. This would be devastating to our ocean and our environment. Thank you!”

More information: https://www.clf.org/blog/not-watch-protecting-new-englands-ocean-offshore-drilling/

 

Get the Safe Communities Act and Automatic Voter Registration Out of Committee

Please contact your state representative and state senator (find yours here https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator):
Rep. Thomas Golden 617-722-2263
Rep. David Nangle 617-722-2520
Rep. Rady Mom 617-722-2460
Rep. Colleen Garry 617-722-2380
Rep. James Lyons 617-722-2460

Sen. Eileen Donoghue 617-722-1630
Sen. Michael Barrett 617-722-1572

AND contact House Speaker Robert DeLeo: 617-722-2500

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from ______, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. Please make it a priority to get the Safe Communities Act (S.1305/H.3269) and Automatic Voter Registration (S.373/H.2091) bills approved favorably out of committee! Don’t hold these bills hostage and don’t subject them to an extension order! Report these bills out of committee and let them be debated in the State House. Thank you!”

More information: https://www.miracoalition.org/safe-communities and http://www.commoncause.org/states/massachusetts/issues/voting-and-elections/avr/

Federal

Stop the Biased Nunes Memo from Undermining the FBI

Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170
Edward Markey: 617-565-8519
Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is ______ from _______, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. I’m calling regarding the Schiff memo, the document Representative Adam Schiff composed to give greater context to the controversial Devin Nunes memo. I hope you’ll use this information to set the record straight and stop the assault on the FBI and Department of Justice. Thank you!”

More information: https://5calls.org/issue/stop-nunes-memo-undermine-fbi-mueller

Posted by Greg in Rapid Response Team