Local
Solidarity Lowell Rally for Women!
Saturday, January 19th, 3-5pm, The Ladd and Whitney Memorial, 309 Merrimack Street, Lowell
Join us for a rally to celebrate women’s achievements, with a special focus on the large number of women newly-elected to Congress. Bring your signs! Don’t have one? We’ll have extra and some sign-making supplies. Speakers include: Karen Cirillo, Lowell City Councillor; Maritza Grooms and Masada Jones of The Kindred Project; Pat Taber, Yes on 3 Greater Lowell Program Lead; Lauren Young from Freedom for All Americans; Shayndel Kahn, Rabbinic Pastor, and more! There will also be an open mike, if you would like to say something. After the rally ends, we’ll go down to Purple Carrot at 107 Merrimack Street for something warm to eat and/or drink.
RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1442333805897670/
SL Rally for Women Sign-Making Party!
Thursday, January 17th, 7-9pm, Coffee and Cotton, Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson St, 4th Floor, Lowell
Solidarity Lowell Rally for Women Sign Making Party! Come hang out and make your sign for the Solidarity Lowell Rally for Women! You can bring your own supplies or we will have some you can use.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2189854911066475/
New Americans Voter Registration Drive
Tuesday, January 22nd, 9am-1:30pm, Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 E Merrimack St, Lowell
One of the best parts of becoming a U.S. citizen is being able to vote. So every time that newly naturalized U.S. citizens are sworn in at the Lowell Auditorium, we greet them at the door and invite them to register to vote right there. Join our next voter registration drive and help us ensure that all U.S. citizens make their voices heard – whether they’re citizens by birth, or by choice.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2217993911780205/
SAVE THE DATE: Solidarity Lowell January Meeting
Sunday, January 27th, 5:30-7pm, Christ Church United, 1 Bartlett Street, Lowell
Join us for the monthly general meeting of Solidarity Lowell! On the agenda: group updates and announcements, an update from Immigrant Rights subcommittee, a vote to endorse current progressive city council members, Jay Mason speaks about Solarize Lowell, a discussion about our goals for the year…and more! All are welcome! See you there!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1004372119758537/
Call for More Diversity in Lowell Schools’ Hiring
William Samaras, Mayor and School Committee Chair: (978) 459-6785
Jackie Doherty, School Committee Vice-Chair: 978-459-0004
Sample Script: “Hi, I am [Name] from [Lowell neighborhood], asking you to please prioritize diversity when hiring for positions in our schools. The business-as-usual approach is no longer an option for the short- and long-term health of LPS teachers, administrators and most importantly, the students! Our district is where it is today because of past and present decisions to not appropriately invest and innovate in the Human Resources department. Please take the recommendations from the HR Audit seriously as they should inform critical changes going forward. Please do not just talk about your valuing diversity, but put the necessary practices and systems in place to realize actual change in the department as well as within the district. Thank you!”
More information: http://richardhowe.com/2018/12/28/bobby-tugbiyele-on-lps-hr-director-search/?fbclid=IwAR1GMpv1U_JpvOwjuCGhy-gjh0KBu-I97AxRdMNVqV1K0l4ykdXgwXbLVzg
Chelms-FED Up Postcarding
Every Tuesday, 9:30-11:30am, The Java Room, 14 Littleton Rd, Chelmsford
Fed up in 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
Jericho Walk Against ICE
Tuesday, January 22nd, 1-2pm, 1000 District Ave, Burlington
Please join us for our monthly Jericho Walk at the Burlington MA ICE office. The Jericho Walk is a silent interfaith prayer and act of solidarity. The walk draws inspiration from the Battle of Jericho, in which the community marched around the city of Jericho seven times, causing the city walls to fall. The Jericho Walk of today is a silent, peaceful, and prayerful walk to bring down the walls of our unjust immigration system and is open to people of all or no faiths. Please bring signs calling for just treatment of those who are caught in our broken immigration system.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/218880329021583/
Lobby for Debt-Free Higher Ed
Wednesday, January 23rd, 11am-1pm, Massachusetts State House, Room 350, Boston
The average student debt in Massachusetts is $37,172 and it is only growing. It’s clear: student debt is a crisis that can no longer be ignored or pushed aside. It’s time for a debt-free future for the current and future students of Massachusetts, to ensure the next generation’s success and well-being. Join us for a Day of Action at the State House, to lobby the legislature, make it known that we will fight this student debt crisis, and ensure that every Massachusetts resident and high school graduate has a right to an education.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/596341627477676/
2019 Campaign Launch Day! Justice & Renewable Energy for All!
Thursday, January 24th, 10:30am-2:30pm, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston
On January 24, hundreds of members of the Mass Power Forward coalition will descend on Beacon Hill to demand that our legislators do everything they can to promote a clean energy future. Our goals are: 1. Environmental Justice in MA! 2. 100% Renewable Energy Justice 3. Equity in transportation and carbon pricing. The stakes have never been higher. With climate deniers running the show in Washington, DC, we NEED Massachusetts to step up and lead. Meet at Paulist Center near the statehouse.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2281484028801937/
Protect TPS Workers Within 100 Days!
Representative Lori Trahan: (978) 453-3200
Sample Script: “Hello, I’m [Name] from [ZIP] and Solidarity Lowell. Please make it a priority to protect Temporary Protected Status holders in our communities. By systematically ending TPS for almost all covered countries, the Trump administration has unleashed a humanitarian crisis, and I’m counting on you to do everything in your power to stop it. If Congress doesn’t act, TPS holders will lose their work permits and face deportation as soon as early summer. This is an urgent crisis. Please commit to passing legislation within the first 100 days of this Congress to make current TPS holders eligible for permanent residency. Thank you!”
More information: https://actnow.io/br6PVk6