SOLIDARITY LOWELL RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR 4/19/18

Local

Solidarity Lowell April Meeting

Sunday, April 22, 5:30-7:00 PM, Christ Church United, UCC, 1 Bartlett St., Lowell (use Bartlett St entrance)

The monthly general meeting for members of Solidarity Lowell and interested guests. Our speakers this month are Harmony Wu from Progressive MA and Mike Berggren from Northeast Recovery Learning Community. Also on the agenda, an update from the Trust Act/Outreach subcommittee, a new phonebanking group, discussion of the Progressive Massachusetts Congressional survey, and more!

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/225957347964137/

Cambodian New Year & Parade 2018

Saturday, April 21, 8:30-11:00 AM, Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway St, Lowell, 01854

Please join us for another year of celebrating traditional Khmer New Year with Buddhist blessings, performances, food and more. This event will be hosted at the Lowell Senior Center which will then proceed by a parade to continue the celebration hosted by Clemente Park Committee.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1991482131090562/

 

7th Annual Lowell Khmer New Year Celebration

Saturday, April 21, 12:00-5:00 PM, Clemente Park, 823 Middlesex St, Lowell, 01851

This is a huge celebration commemorating the Cambodian New Year, in the traditional harvest season. The celebration will include performances, food and other vendors, and informational booths. Bonus: Get your free bottle of fish sauce at 1:30 PM at the Volunteer Table!

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2130752680491545/

2018 Lowell Earth Day Parade and Festival

Sunday, April 22, 11:30 AM-4:00 PM, Lowell National Historical Park, 246 Market St, Lowell, 01852 & UTEC, 35 Warren St., Lowell 01852

We invite organizations, individuals and families to the streets of downtown Lowell to celebrate the Greening of our city with a mile-long parade featuring The Party Band, local schools, puppets, costumes, and eco-conscious groups from the area. Parade start @12:30 p.m.: Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center (246 Market Street). Parade finish/Festival location: UTEC, 35 Warren St., Lowell, MA 01852. Immediately following the parade, we’ll be holding a fun sustainability festival for all participants and the general public.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/630980807253431/

 

Lowell School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting on Recess

Monday, April 23, 6:00 P.M., Lowell Public Schools Central Administration Building, 155 Merrimack Street, 5th floor, in the TV Studio

Do you support an equitable, district-wide recess policy in Lowell? Then we need you to join us! The School Committee voted to move this discussion to the Policy Subcommittee, and now they need to hear from you. We are asking for a minimum of 30 minutes of recess for K-8. Meeting agenda: Discuss and review the development of a district-wide recess policy.

More information, including the suggested policy guidelines: https://www.facebook.com/events/572324603136199/

Demonstrate, Drink, and Discuss – April

Friday, April 27th, 6:30-8:30pm, Ladd and Whitney Memorial, 309 Merrimack Street, Lowell, and UnChARTed, 103 Market Street, Lowell

Join us for Solidarity Lowell’s monthly visibility event! At 6:30pm, join us at the island in front of City Hall to protest against the atrocities of the Trump administration. Please bring signs! Then at 7:30pm, after the demonstration, come to UnChARTed to have some food and/or drinks and discuss the events of the week! All are welcome!

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/234603980439420/

 

Postcards for Progress – Spring Edition

Saturday, April 28, 10am-12pm, Coffee and Cotton, Mill No. 5, 4th Floor, 250 Jackson Street, Lowell

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 topics, progressive but non-partisan, will be provided, but people are of course welcome to bring their own ideas.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/234948983718026/

 

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

 

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. You can also donate to the cause here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “sanctuary” in the “special notes” part of the donation form).

More information and to sign up for training: marissa@solidaritylowell.com

 

State

UMass Lowell Congressional Candidate Debate

Sunday, April 29, 1pm, Durgin Hall, 54 Wilder St. Lowell

UMass Lowell and the university’s Center for Public Opinion will host debates for Democratic primary candidates running in the Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas. Two 90-minute debates will be held at noon and 2 p.m. on the university’s South Campus. Two debates are scheduled because of the large number of Democrats, more than a dozen, in that primary. Currently, only one Republican candidate is running.

More information: https://www.uml.edu/News/press-releases/2018/CongressionaldebatereleaseMarch2018.aspx

 

Stand up for Massachusetts Values in the Budget

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

Sample Script: “Hello, I’m _______ from _________, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. Please make sure our state budget protects civil rights and civil liberties. Please co-sponsor Amendment #1361, “Valuing Children Equally,” which would Lift the Cap on Kids, which cruelly denies welfare support to children conceived while the family receives assistance. Please oppose the expansion of state wiretap powers to “listen in” on a wider range of personal communication (Amendments #515 & #1174), as well as anti-boycott measure dressed up as a non-discrimination amendment (Amendment #979). Finally, please SUPPORT immigrant residents of Massachusetts. I am troubled by proposed budget amendments designed to deprive immigrants of opportunity in the Commonwealth and make them more vulnerable to deportation.  Please reject them all. Instead our state government should do everything it can to reduce the pervasive fear that has arisen in immigrant communities in the face of the Trump administration’s constant attacks. Thank you!”

More information: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-rep-stand-up-for-ma-values?ms_aff=MA&initms_aff=MA&ms=180417_budget+amendment_MA&initms=180417_budget+amendment_MA&ms_chan=eml&initms_chan=eml

 

Protect Immigrant Families

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

Sample Script: “Hello, I’m ________ from _________, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. Please advance key protections for immigrant families during budget negotiations over the next few months, and oppose any amendments that would deprive immigrants of opportunity or deepen the involvement of state and local agencies in immigration enforcement. Please ensuring that police and other law enforcement do not ask people about their immigration status. Make sure that police inform people of their right to seek legal help before they are interviewed by immigration agents. And end collaboration agreements between county sheriffs and ICE, which undermine community trust in local police. Thank you!”

More information: https://mailchi.mp/5386d72129ae/take-action-to-protect-immigrant-families-today?e=13d08e9dc9

 

Stand for All Students

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

Sample Script: “Hello, I’m _______ from ________, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. Please co-sponsor the following amendments to fund our public schools and colleges: Amendment #246 would fix the Foundation Budget for K-12 public schools, Amendment #156 provide much-needed funding for public colleges and universities, Amendment #1343 would mandate at least 20 minutes of recess for elementary school students, and Amendment #924 would provide basic consumer protections to student loan borrowers. Thank you!”

More information: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/fundourschoolsbudgetweek2018?delivery_id=27486969

Support Transportation to Treatment for those in Recovery

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

Sample Script: “Hello, I’m _______ from ________, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. Please support Budget Line #639. This budget line will grant Bridgewell Inc. extra funding for a pilot program providing transportation for addicts seeking recovery options in the Merrimack Valley. It will provide rides for people in Greater Lawrence, Lowell, and Haverhill, filling a critical gap in the treatment and recovery process. Thank you!”

Please record their answer and email mvalleypr@gmail.com with their response.

 

Federal

Stand with People At Risk of Religious Discrimination

Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101

Sample Script: “Hello, I’m ______ from ________, Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell. I’m calling about the US Dept. of Health and Human Services division that condones discrimination against our own citizens. Denying medical treatment is unconscionable and risks our neighbors’ lives. Providers who discriminate should not receive government money. Please co-sponsor H.R. 5123, a new bill that abolishes this department. Thank you!”

More information: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr5123