Local
Solidarity Lowell Holiday Party
Sunday, December 16th, 5-8pm, Lynne Lupien’s House, Lowell
Come celebrate togetherness and friendship at the annual Solidarity Lowell Holiday Party! The SL Coordinating Committee will provide some fabulous food from local restaurants around Lowell, so come hungry! There will be board games and a Ranked Choice Voting demonstration…with cookies! Bring a dish to share if you can–sign up so we have an idea what food to expect at: https://www.mealtrain.com/potlucks/m8w4m9
More information and to RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/466046290469363/
Circle Up: Strengthening Restorative Practices in Lowell
Monday, December 10th, 5-9pm, UTEC, 35 Warren St, Lowell
Lowell-area organizations that promote restorative values in their work are joining together for a special night to discuss opportunities to deepen restorative practices in Lowell. Using the film Circle Up as a starting point for conversation, this community event will facilitate discussions about restorative practices with opportunities to meet and learn about organizations in Lowell who share restorative values.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/527280271018020/
City Hall Holiday Open House
Tuesday, December 11th, 4-6pm, Lowell City Hall
The City of Lowell’s Mayor William Samaras and City Manager Eileen Donoghue welcome the public to attend City Hall’s annual Holiday Open House. Fun for the whole family, including music, a magic show, light refreshments, and more.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/332907710833923/
Fund Our Future: Legislative Education Forum
Tuesday, December 11th, 4:30-6:00pm, Lawrence Public Library, 51 Lawrence St, Lawrence
A forum in Lawrence featuring legislators throughout the Merrimack Valley who will be asked to address the crises in funding public education in Massachusetts.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/311451136376152/
State House Hearing on Gas Infrastructure
Tuesday, December 11th, 1-5pm, Boston State House
Join 350 Mass and allies at a State House hearing on gas infrastructure and safety. Following the Merrimack Gas disaster in October, it is essential that we put community health and safety over the profits of utilities and their shareholders.
RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczXHCudK94lFWxJTr8Fb4fxifV5QQ7kUaL2a_0apEdmqdpkg/viewform
Andover Rally Against the Raytheon-Saudi Alliance
Thursday, December 13th, 7-8am, Raytheon, 350 Lowell St, Andover
Raytheon is the largest supplier of weapons to Saudi Arabia for the Yemen War. Raytheon bombs have been used in many of the Saudi attacks on civilians during the war. Yemen is facing the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe with bomb deaths, one million cases of cholera, and widespread famine. Join Merrimack Valley People for Peace, Massachusetts Peace Action, Cambridge Friends Meeting, Raytheon Antiwar Campaign, Christ Church United- Lowell, and the Lawrence Friends Meeting for a rally at the Andover Raytheon facility, where the Patriot missile is produced.
More information: http://masspeaceaction.org/event/rally-against-the-raytheon-saudi-alliance/
Volunteer at the New Lowell Justice For Our Neighbors Clinic
Wednesdays: December 12, January 9 and February 13
Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) is looking for volunteers for their new clinic in Lowell. They are in need of:
Clinic Coordinators: Coordinate clinic operation
Intake Volunteer (2-3): Complete confidential client paperwork at clinic
Hospitality (2-3): Prepare and serve light supper / refreshments for clinic
Child care (1-2): Supervise (as needed) young children during the clinic
Interpreters (2-3), as needed (Spanish, Portuguese, Other)
Additional volunteers will be needed to support ongoing fundraising, marketing and outreach.
If interested, contact pam-brewster@comcast.net
Chelms-FED Up Postcarding
Every Tuesday, 9:30-11:30am, The Java Room, 14 Littleton Rd, Chelmsford
Fed up and near Chelmsford? Come join us to write postcards to voters and to our elected officials! Information, addresses, and supplies provided, but feel free to bring your own supplies and info as well. See you there!
For more information, contact Hope at hope@solidaritylowell.com
Thursday Postcarding
Every Thursday, 9-11am, Panera Bread, 2 Cornerstone Square, Westford
Celebrate the election wins and shake off the losses with your postcarding friends from Solidarity Lowell and Indivisible Westford Progressive Massachusetts!
For more information, contact Hope at hope@solidaritylowell.com
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
Comment on the Proposed Public Charge Rule
(use the form at the link below) BY DECEMBER 10th
The Trump administration wants to slam the door on working-class immigrants by subjecting anyone who earns less than 250% of the federal poverty line ($62,750 for a family of 4) to intense scrutiny, and effectively excluding anyone below 125% of FPL ($31,375 for a family of 4). Immigrants applying for a green card or visa could be deemed to be a “public charge” – someone who depends on the government – and turned away if they earn below 250% of FPL and use any of a wide range of public programs for working families, or are deemed to be likely to use them in the future. This is an assault on America’s fundamental values, and we must fight back.
Leave comments using this form set up by MIRA (English only): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaAJ2xCj-2LwemVTCp90NLs7exHMVmRQaaqlQoveUH_VWcWA/viewform
Cosecha Rally for Immigrant Workers
Monday, December 10th, various times and locations throughout the day
Join us as Cosecha and the Grinch show Boston what Christmas looks like for immigrant workers who have worked for months without getting paid by their boss. Without money for rent, food, presents, and travel, workers who have not gotten paid will not be able to celebrate as they should be able to with their loved ones. We will be in Sullivan Station in the morning, in downtown at lunch hour, and in Maverick Square in East Boston in the evening. Join us to spread the word about wage theft in Massachusetts. We will be walking through Boston with a ‘Grinch’ representing employers who won’t pay and handing out information.