Local
Demonstrate, Drink, and Discuss: Protest Trump’s SCOTUS pick
Friday, July 13th, 6:30-8:30pm, The Ladd and Whitney Memorial, 309 Merrimack 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 rally against Trump’s SCOTUS pick! Bring signs! Then at 7:30pm, come to El Potro (124 Merrimack Street) to have some food and/or drinks and discuss the events of the week! All are welcome!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1879460295687971/
Chelms-FED Up Postcarding
Tuesday, July 17th, 9:30-11:30am, The Java Room, 14 Littleton Rd, Chelmsford
Fed up in Chelmsford? Come join us! We will write lots of postcards to voters for an upcoming election in Ohio! Information, addresses, and supplies provided, but feel free to bring your own supplies and info as well. See you there!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/363118220880943/
Voting Rights Lawsuit Listening Session
Wednesday, July 18th, 6:30pm, LTC, 246 Market Street, Lowell
In light of the Voting Rights Act lawsuit filed against the City, these sessions give Lowell residents the chance to express their thoughts and concerns about the process of electing City Council and School Committee members. Organized by the City Council’s Sub-Committee on Election Laws, the meetings help the community consider whether the current voting system should change from the current at-large system to a district-based one, or a mix of the two.
For more information, email Mary Tauras at mtauras@ywcaoflowell.org
Downtown Lowell Clean Up
Saturday, July 21st, 9am-noon, Middlesex and Appleton Streets, Lowell
Help clean up two of Lowell’s notable streets. We will meet at 240 Jackson St. (across from Mill No. 5) before walking over. Gloves, bags, and trash pickers will be provided but feel free to bring your own if able. These streets in particular have been neglected by the city. The Lowell Transitional Living Center, Community Health Center, and small shops all contribute to a lot of foot traffic, and unfortunately a lot of plastics and rubbish are left behind. If you can’t stay the whole time or can only come late, that’s okay!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/872125486322144/
Solidarity Lowell July Meeting
Sunday, July 22, 5:30-7pm, Christ Church United (UCC), 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). On the agenda: a postcard action, group updates and announcements, an update from Immigrant Rights subcommittee, and more! All are welcome.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/647322638948698/
Help Displaced Puerto Rican Families Find Housing
After six months living in FEMA-funded motels – and moving motel locations frequently – many of the 65+ FEMA-registered families who relocated to Greater Lowell after Hurricane Maria still need to find permanent housing. If you have housing information and opportunities to share or would like to support families in other ways, please email Amada Gregory atagregory@ywcaoflowell.org or call (978) 710-9748.
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, either with accompaniment, food, laundry, or otherwise, 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
Modernize the Foundation Budget Formula NOW!
Thursday, July 12th, 1-4pm, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston
Our Foundation Budget formula was written in 1993, and it does not reflect the current needs of our schools and students. It must be updated! Join us in demanding the State House follow through on the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review Commission and update the Foundation Budget formula. This popular piece of legislation passed unanimously in the state Senate and has a majority of support in the House.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/452941225148468/
Stop the State House from Leaving Low-Income and ELL Students Behind
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
Senate President Harriette Chandler: 617-722-1500 (if you were in Donoghue’s district)
Sen. Michael Barrett 617-722-1572
Sen. Barbara L’Italien 617-722-1612
Sen. Jamie Eldridge 617-722-1120
Sample Script: “Hi, I’m ______ from [ZIP code]. Please support Representative Vega’s amendment to H.4730 including recommendations from the FBRC on low-income and ELL students. Any school funding bill that does not include every recommendation of the Foundation Budget Review Commission (FBRC) is not modernization, and fails to address the urgent and dire problems ELL and low-income students face. House leaders have decided Black and Brown students are not worth investing in by leaving out the two most important racial justice fixes for school funding. They are deciding to leave some students behind. I hope you will listen to constituents like myself and will support Rep. Vega’s amendment to the Foundation Budget bill (H.4730) to include recommendations from the FBRC on low-income and ELL students. Thank you!”
More information: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/action-alert-call-your-rep-to-stop-state-house-from-leaving-low-income-and-ell-students-behind/
Pass Simple Protections for Immigrants
Please contact your state representative and state senator (find yours here https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator):
House Speaker Robert DeLeo: 617-722-2500
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
Senate President Harriette Chandler: 617-722-1500 (if you were in Donoghue’s district)
Sen. Michael Barrett 617-722-1572
Sen. Barbara L’Italien 617-722-1612
Sen. Jamie Eldridge 617-722-1120
Sample Script: “Hi, I’m ______ from [ZIP]. Please don’t remove basic legal protections for immigrants in the budget. Make sure that Massachusetts resources are used to fight crime and keep local communities safe, not to assist federal deportation and family separation; and guarantee that people in local custody are informed about their rights. Please make sure these protections end up in the final 2019 budget. Thank you!”
More information: https://aclum.org/support-simple-immigrant-protections/
Federal
Oppose a Citizenship Question in the 2020 Census
Submit your comment to the link below this week!
This is an especially important action if your citizenship status is secure. People with vulnerable citizenship are at greater risk of targeting by the current administration. Use your privilege to support our neighbors.
Sample Script: “Hi, I’m _______ from [ZIP]. I support an accurate census count, increased participation, accurate dispersal of funding, and fair congressional representation. I oppose the citizenship question on the 2020 census form. I also oppose inadequate testing of added questions. I am against sharing citizenship data with National Conference of State Legislatures. I also do not support changes to Public Law 94-171 Redistricting Data File. Thank you!”
Submit your comment here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/06/08/2018-12365/proposed-information-collection-comment-request-2020-census