Local
Help Marius Cover His Lawyer’s Fees and Stay in the Country
Marius is a Togolese asylum-seeker, who has recently moved to Lowell to fight for asylum in the Boston federal immigration courts. Marius comes from a family of political dissidents fighting for greater democracy, and was forced to flee his country after his parents were murdered by the government. He has been threatened everywhere he’s tried to rebuild his life, and last year decided to journey across South and North America to seek asylum in the United States. But Marius cannot do it alone. The Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network is providing housing for him, but he also needs funds for legal, medical and living expenses. We need to raise $500/month for his living expenses, plus at least $2000 in lawyer’s fees so any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated. Also, he is in need of a rain coat, size men’s medium. If you can provide one, please email marissa@solidaritylowell.com.
Donate here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “asylum” in the “special notes” part of the donation form).
More information: https://www.gofundme.com/help-marius-stay-and-fig
Last Chance to Vote in the SL Coordinating Committee Election
Members in good standing who were not in attendance at the general meeting on Sunday have been emailed a ballot. Please vote! Ballots are due Friday, May 3rd. Results will be announced this weekend. If you have not received a ballot and believe you should have, please email marissa@solidaritylowell.com
POC and Interested in Becoming a Teacher? Attend an Informational Session!
Thursday, May 2, 3:30-5pm, Butler Middle School, 1140 Gorham St, Lowell
Thursday, May 9, 2:30-4pm, Sullivan Middle School, 150 Draper St, Lowell
To foster a more diverse teaching staff, the school department is looking to its own backyard. These sessions come amid a call from parents and officials for a teaching staff that better reflects the district’s majority non-white student body. A recent workforce report showed 91 percent of teachers in the district are white.
More information and additional sessions: http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_32592209/lowell-launches-effort-recruit-teachers#ixzz5m9GAJ1Hf
4th Annual Lowell Sustainability Summit
Saturday, May 4th, 8:30am-12:30pm, LTC, 246 Merrimack St, Lowell
How can Lowell transition to clean energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote an effective response to climate change? Let’s find out together. You’re invited to a morning of networking, collaborative conversation, and engaging presentations featuring a keynote address from UML Professor and Climate Change Initiative Director, Dr. Juliette Rooney-Varga!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/357898288150352/
May Day Labor Panel/Talk
Saturday, May 4th, 2-3:30pm, Lowell National Historical Park, 246 Market St, Lowell
Join Lowell National Historical Park for a special panel discussion on the history of May Day and Lowell’s connections to the events that took place in Haymarket Square in Chicago on May 4, 1886. What, to the American worker, do either of these events mean today? The panel will feature local experts Robert Forrant, Jeannette Huezo, Traci Parker, and Elizabeth Pellerito. This free event will take place at the Visitor Center.
More information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=54D90A4A-A7A8-C5FE-D074D7BDD1C1494E
2019 Lowell Earth Day Parade and Festival
Sunday, May 5th, 12:30-4pm, Lowell National Historical Park, 246 Market St, Lowell
The Lowell Earth Day Parade & Festival is an opportunity for organizations, individuals and families to gather together on the streets of downtown Lowell to celebrate the arts, nature, and sustainability. The festivities will feature a mile-long parade with local schools, puppets, costumes, and eco-conscious groups from the Greater Lowell area. Immediately following the parade, we’ll be holding a fun, family-friendly, sustainability festival at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center (50 Warren Street Lowell, MA 01852), free, for all to attend.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1150948921750409/
Volunteer at and Attend the Points of Light Festival
Saturday, May 4th, 6-10pm, 282 Suffolk St, Lowell
Points of Light is a spring celebration of unity and renewal that brings together the food, music, and traditions of Lowell’s diverse cultures. The centerpiece of the night is a special ceremony in which participants personalize water lanterns that will be released onto the Western Canal, creating hundreds of floating points of light. The festival still needs lots of volunteers, for everything from cleaning up the canal to decorating lanterns with kids.
Sign up to volunteer here: http://www.pointsoflightlowell.com/volunteer/
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/379280495963159/
Lowell Votes Public Meeting
Tuesday, May 7th, 6-7:30pm, Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St, Lowell
Want to get involved with Lowell Votes? Have concerns, questions, or ideas about 2019 elections? Just want to know what we’re working on? Join us to learn and share.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2304420259835422/
Second Planning Meeting for the Cultural Exchange Potluck
Wednesday, May 8th, 6:30-8pm, Eliot Presbyterian Church, 273 Summer St, Lowell
Join us to plan the potluck event in conjunction with Welcoming Week Lowell 2019, and strategizing about networking with other immigrant communities. Bring guests, all are welcome.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/355227692003124/
Unpacking Whiteness Workshop Series
Date and location TBD
Solidarity Lowell is organizing an Unpacking Whiteness workshop to help our white members understand how to confront white supremacy and their own personal biases, and learn how to be better global citizens. This six-week workshop is presented by Felicia Sullivan. Sign up using the link below to help us decide on which evening of the week this will be held.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/tPp98rQY9y9ztg4R8
Chelms-FED Up Postcarding
Every Tuesday, 9:30-11:30am, The Java Room, 14 Littleton Rd, Chelmsford
Fed up in Chelmsford? Come join us at The Java Room! We will be writing postcards for upcoming municipal elections! 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
Join your postcarding friends from Indivisible Westford Progressive Massachusetts and Solidarity Lowell to write issue-based postcards to our reps and write directly to voters for an upcoming election! Join us every Thursday!
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. Solidarity Lowell is part of the Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network, which helps provide a place to stay for immigrants at immediate risk of deportation. If you are interested in helping out with local sanctuary efforts, either with accompaniment, food, laundry, or otherwise, please email Solidarity Lowell’s Volunteer Coordinator at marissa@solidaritylowell.com. Training is provided. You can also donate to the cause here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “asylum” in the “special notes” part of the donation form). Also, since the sanctuary space was empty for so long, the MVISN decided to open it up to asylum-seekers, and we have a guest there currently. If you’d like to help with his living expenses, please donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/help-marius-stay-and-fight-for-asylum-in-the-usa?fbclid=IwAR3LDRCxbnncLMXBTul7dhAS73nc7mQHoNSMxrh8FfkYVdKlqs2Kp129liU
More information and to sign up for training: marissa@solidaritylowell.com
State
Light and Restoration: A Benefit Concert
Sunday, May 6th, 4-5:30pm, Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main Street, Haverhill
Though the worst of winter is behind us, many are still rebuilding their lives after the devastation of the 2018 Merrimack Valley gas explosions. Koleinu, Boston’s Jewish Community Chorus, and Temple Emanu-El join forces to present Light and Restoration: A Benefit Concert for our Neighbors in the Merrimack Valley. The concert will include choral music by Koleinu and will feature Temple Emanu-El’s own Cantor Vera Broekhuysen, Cantor Michael McCloskey of Temple Emeth, Newton, and a singalong led by Music Out Front, the musical arm of Mothers Out Front. All proceeds will benefit the Greater Lawrence Gas Explosion Fund.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/331810534029217/
Ask Our Reps to Support these Environmental Bills
Please contact your state representative and state senator (find yours herehttps://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. Tram Nguyen 617-722-2425
Sen. Edward Kennedy 617-722-1630
Sen. Michael Barrett 617-722-1572
Sen. Barry Finegold 617-722-1612
Sen. Jamie Eldridge 617-722-1120
Sample Script: “Hello, I’m [Name] from [Address] and Solidarity Lowell. Please co-sponsor S.497, An Act to Protect Pollinator Habitat. This would establish a special commission to study statewide opportunities for improving pollinator health. Please also co-sponsor S.2005, An Act to Secure a Clean Energy Future. These bills are crucial to protecting our environment. Thank you!”
More information: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S497 and https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2005