Local

Acrefest and Resource Fair
North Common Park, 413 Fletcher Street, Lowell
Solidarity Lowell will be tabling at Acrefest, put on by Coalition for a Better Acre and ACTION! Please join us for fun, resources, a free cookout, and getting the word out about Solidarity Lowell!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1938377309577671/

CD3 Nonpartisan Congressional Debate
Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 6:00 pm at Christ Church United, 1 Bartlett St entrance, Lowell
Submit your questions here: https://goo.gl/forms/Wen29qZZMa5JHYkS2
Candidates running for the third Congressional District will come together to discuss their vision. Moderator: Dr. Marianela Rivera, Vice Chair of the Lawrence School Committee
More information at: https://www.facebook.com/events/169636493880460/

Demonstrate, Drink and Discuss
Join us for Solidarity Lowell’s monthly visibility event, as we peacefully protest against the separation of immigrant families at the border!
6:30pm– Join us at the island in front of City Hall for the protest. Bring signs or hold one of ours.
7:30pm– After the demonstration, come to Viet Thai (368 Merrimack Street) to have some food and/or drinks and discuss the events of the week!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1652525748200164/

Postcards for Progress, June Edition
Saturday, June 16th, 11AM – 1PM at Gallery Z, 167 Market St. in Lowell.
After a long hiatus, Saturday postcarding is back! We’ll be writing to our elected officials and directly to voters! Open to all who want to help with progressive causes. See you then!
https://www.facebook.com/events/171365516908919/

Kathleen Reticker Forum for Children and Families
Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 2:00PM, at the Lowell High School Auditorium, 50 Father Morrissette Blvd.
Hear 11 of the candidates for the 3rd Congressional District answer questions in a moderated forum regarding vital issues facing children and families.
For more information: https://www.kathyretickerforum.org/

Public Meeting: Election Lawsuit Listening Session
Wednesday, June 13, 2018 AT 6:30PM at the Sullivan School, 150 Draper St., Lowell, MA
The Lowell City Council Ad-Hoc Sub-Committee on Election Laws (City Councilors Vesna Nuon, Edward Kennedy, and John Leahy) is holding a public meeting to listen to the thoughts, ideas, concerns of residents with the current election laws and process in the City, in light of the public lawsuit which is currently pending. This meeting is part of a series of meetings in different neighborhoods of Lowell.
For more information contact City Councilors Vesna Nuon, Edward Kennedy, and/or John Leahy at https://www.lowellma.gov/FormCenter/Contact-the-City-Council-5/City-Council-Contact-Form-45

19th Annual African Festival Lowell
Saturday, June 16th, 11:00am-7:00 pm, Sampas Pavilion, 500 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell
It’s a fun family festival that features many facets of the African Continental culture and its Community in the USA. All welcome!
For more information: http://www.africanfestivallowell.org/festival-flyer.html

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 Freedom for All Public Education Canvas Saturday, June 9, 2018 • 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Lowell Help us speak to voters about the need to defend transgender protections this November! RSVP at https://secure.freedomma.org/page/s/merrimack-pb Progressive Mass Statewide HubDialer Days Every Thursday, 6:30pm, from home Make calls on behalf of Raise Up Massachusetts for our campaigns for Paid Family and Medical Leave and a $15 Minimum Wage! We are calling people who signed our petitions for these issues and likely voters, offering to patch them through to their legislators. That means that while you’re on the phone, you can offer to connect the person you’re speaking with directly to their legislator’s office so that they can ask them to support and prioritize these important pieces of legislation. HubDialer includes a script, a place to record the caller’s response, as well as a button to patch them through! Sign up here: http://action.raiseupma.org/page/s/hubdialer Federal Support LGBTQ Rights with the Equality Act The Supreme Court’s recent narrow ruling in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado case reversed a lower court ruling in favor of a gay plaintiff who was refused service because of their sexual orientation. However, the Court did NOT grant public businesses the right to discriminate against LGBTQ customers more broadly. The continued uncertainty over LGBTQ customers’ rights makes it more important than ever that Congress pass the Equality Act. While the Equality Act has been introduced in the past, it was filed in 2017 with unprecedented support in both the House and the Senate. We must capitalize on this momentum to secure national-level protections for LGBTQ people. Call Rep. Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101 Sample script: Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from Lowell. I’m calling to urge Rep. Niki Tsongas to support [S.1006 / H.R. 2282], the Equality Act of 2017. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other queer people still face significant violence and discrimination at the workplace, in the housing market, and in everyday interactions. Civil rights protections must be expanded to include gender identity and sexual orientation as protected characteristics. OPTIONAL: Add a personal story or experience about why this issue is important to you. Thank you for your time and attention. Push Back on the Political Cancellation of August Recess Sen. McConnell is most likely looking to cut a deal with the Democratic Senators up for reelection: vote yes on a long list of Trump’s judicial nominees, and you can get your recess back to campaign. Using our judiciary system for political gamesmanship is shameful. Senators must take their time to properly vet nominees and not simply rubber stamp them. Canceling August Recess is also unfair to constituents who deserve the opportunity to meet with and be heard by their Senators. Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170 Edward Markey: 617-565-8519 Sample script: I’m calling to express my disapproval of McConnell’s political cancellation of August Recess. I ask that [SEN NAME] refuse to cut any deal helping McConnell confirm more unqualified and unfit judicial nominees in exchange for a full August Recess. Thank you for your time and attention.