Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions
Unpacking Whiteness Dialogue Group
A weekly six-session workshop starting July 10th, 7-9pm, in Lowell
Individuals committed to exploring their own racial biases are invited to participate in an Unpacking Whiteness Dialogue Group. The purpose of the group is to engage in supportive, structured dialogues with others to explore whiteness in contemporary society, especially to better understand the legacy and impact of white supremacy, white privilege, explicit and implicit bias, systemic racism, and microaggressions. Registration is capped at 10 and depending on interest, other groups may be formed. You will be expected to attend all six sessions.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/ZBEwvrvwRCa5KBgq9
SAVE THE DATE: Solidarity Lowell June Meeting
Sunday, June 23rd, 5:30pm, Christ Church United, 1 Bartlett St, Lowell
Join us for the monthly general meeting of Solidarity Lowell, featuring a speaker from the Merrimack Valley Housing Project (MVHP), group updates and announcements, updates from our subcommittees…and more! All are welcome! Hope to see you there!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/303575653919505/
Join the Affordable Housing Subcommittee
As a result of our recent Strengthening Our Cities workshop series and activities at meetings, Solidarity Lowell is creating a subcommittee that will focus on the topic of affordable housing. If you are interested in joining, sign up using the form below.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/RcDDqskH7bsurq4D9
Join the Elections Subcommittee
The time has come to get our endorsements survey ready for the Lowell City Council and School Committee elections this fall. We’re looking for folks who are interested in helping put together the survey, get it out to those running for office, and compile the results for our members.
If you’re interested, please email lynne@solidaritylowell.com
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 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.
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-fight-for-asylum-in-the-usa?fbclid=IwAR3LDRCxbnncLMXBTul7dhAS73nc7mQHoNSMxrh8FfkYVdKlqs2Kp129liU
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
Local Events and Actions
Moody Street Canal Cleanup
Saturday, June 15th, 9am-noon, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, 581 Merrimack St, Lowell
The third Lowell Canalwaters cleanup for the season brings us back to Moody Street and the Western Canal where we’ll mostly be focused on removing floating litter and windblown debris from the water as well as a few toys that accidentally ended up in there. Hope you can join us.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1088482541335712/
African Festival: Our Culture is Our Gift to Cherish
Saturday, June 15th, 11am-7pm, Sampas Pavilion, 160 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell
Live music, dancers, performers, arts & crafts, food, info, and much more!
More information: http://www.africanfestivallowell.org/festival-flyer.html
Sign up to volunteer: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeO9_Sm20Ww8xaTYuctOsP-a_qDiWdHZ_YEpjgvWiY_WqiUeg/viewform?fbclid=IwAR1IbRwo1HhXvuTWRoiRENu0y7W4B8mB2XOiUCdqO0-LrqmQmZgqlVxM0_k
Decoding LGBTQ+ History in Lowell
Sunday, June 16th, 3pm and 6pm, Lowell National Historical Park, 246 Market St, Lowell
This is a special two-part program taking place on Sunday, June 16. Our 3pm walk will focus on some figures from the 1800s, and how we can understand LGBTQ+ history of Lowell in this era. This walk will end with some time to explore our Mill Girls and Immigrants Exhibit (40 French St). Our 6pm program will explore local LGBTQ+ in the twentieth century. We will discuss the nightlife of the 1950s and 1960s and more recent history in Lowell. This talk will also address the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall raid and riot of 1969. Both are free & open to all.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/366418074001990/
Immigrant Justice Strategy Session
Tuesday, June 18th, 6-8:30pm, Christ Church United, 1 Bartlett St, Lowell
Join a growing group of allies as we continue organizing our communities for dignity and justice. The meeting will cover several topics, including The Driver’s License Campaign (Work and Family Mobility Act H.3012 Farley-Bouvier & Barber & S.2061 Crighton), The Safe Communities Act (H.3573, Balser & Miranda & S.1401 Eldridge), and The Fair Share Amendment (Amendment to the Constitution: H.86 O’Day & S.16 Lewis)
Backpack Stories: World Refugee Day
Thursday, June 20th, 6-8pm, First United Baptist Church, 99 Church St, Lowell
For World Refugee Day, the New American Center in partnership with Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries hosts Backpack Stories. Global journeys shared by those who took them.
For more information or to volunteer, call Richard at (978) 710-9034
State- and National-Level Events and Actions
Town Hall with Rep. Lori Trahan
Saturday, June 15th, 10am, Parker Damon Building, McCarthy-Towne and Merriam Schools, 11 Charter Rd, Acton
This will be a great opportunity to hear Congresswoman Trahan’s update on her work so far in Washington, and for her to hear from us as her constituents.
Meet with Rep. Trahan about the We The People Amendment
Saturday, June 15th, noon, Parker Damon Building, McCarthy-Towne and Merriam Schools, 11 Charter Rd, Acton
Join We The People at their meeting with Congresswoman Lori Trahan to discuss their efforts at ending Citizens United and getting money out of politics. The We the People Amendment (H.J. Res 48) is the only effective amendment proposal filed for overturning Supreme Court decisions that have undermined our democracy.
RSVP to Info@WtPMass.org
Boston Rally to Impeach Trump
Saturday, June 15th, 1pm, Boston Common (across Beacon Street from the State House), 9 Beacon St, Boston
Join March For Truth: Boston and other patriotic citizens to unite in calling for Congress to #ImpeachTrump! Impeachment can wait no longer, given the criminal actions of this lawless president and his corrupt administration. At this rally, we intend to: clearly recap the case for impeachment, why it’s time, and why it’s necessary; amplify voices of some of those hurt most badly by Trump’s criminal actions, such as communities of color, LGBTQIA+ people, immigrants, women, the poor, and others; and encourage and empower attendees to pressure members of Congress to #ImpeachTrump.
More information: https://www.impeach.org/event/impeachment_day_of_action_june15/124946/signup/?akid=&zip=&source=MFT
Hearing on the ROE Act
Monday, June 17th, 1pm, Gardner Auditorium, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston
Bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right. And it’s at risk. With the appointment of anti-choice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, President Trump and his allies have the best chance in a generation to end legal abortion. In such a climate, it’s important for states like Massachusetts to shore up and expand the protections granted in Roe vs. Wade. Next Monday, June 17, the Joint Committee on the Judiciary will hear testimony on the ROE Act (S.1209/H.3320). Parents, providers, young people, and advocates agree—no one should be forced to cross state lines for care. If you can’t attend, you can submit written testimony.
More information: https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocacy-fund-massachusetts-inc/issues/roe-act
Jericho Walk at the Burlington ICE Office
Tuesday, June 18th, 1-2pm, 1000 District Ave, Burlington
Join us for our monthly Jericho Walk at the ICE office in Burlington, MA. 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/590428254697623/