Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions
Unpacking Whiteness Dialogue Group – Last Chance!
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 this group is filling up quickly! Please note that you will be expected to attend all six sessions.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/ZBEwvrvwRCa5KBgq9
Support for Marius: $400 Needed for August Living Expenses
First, some great news about Marius (the Togolese asylum seeker whom the Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network (MVISN) is sponsoring). With generous support from people like you and MVISN member groups like ours, Marius has retained an immigration lawyer, filed an application for asylum, and successfully moved his case to the Boston immigration courts from El Paso, exponentially increasing his possibility of ultimately winning his case. He will be eligible to apply for a work permit in the beginning of November. Until Marius receives legal authorization to work, our network has committed to financially supporting him with $500/month. July is covered, but having fully paid his lawyer, we currently have just $100 available for living expenses in August and onward. Can you chip in towards the $400 we need to meet our commitment to him? Any amount will be gratefully accepted. Consider becoming a “sustaining supporter” by making a recurring monthly donation, no size too small!
Donate here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “asylum” in the “special notes” part of the donation form)
Lights for Liberty: Westford, MA
Friday, July 12th, 5:30-8:30pm, Westford Town Common, Westford
Attend this Lights for Liberty event organized by Indivisible Westford and co-sponsored by Solidarity Lowell to support an end to human detention camps and learn more about ways you can support the human rights of immigrants, children, and adults being held in inhumane conditions at detention centers across the country. At 8pm a candlelit moment of silence will honor those who are suffering in detention and families who have been separated by current immigration policies. At 9pm you may light a candle in your window at home to join thousands across the nation.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2159132997497937/
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
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).
More information and to sign up for training: marissa@solidaritylowell.com
Local Events and Actions
Show Up for Green Energy in Lowell
Tuesday, July 9th, 6:30pm, Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack St, Lowell
As you know, 350MA of Greater Lowell has been pushing the city to provide more renewable energy to National Grid electricity users in Lowell. A few weeks ago, the City Council agreed to request prices for adding varying amounts of additional renewable energy to its aggregated supply. We hear that this information may be provided and discussed at the next City Council meeting on July 9. If that happens, it will be important to have people there to show support for more green energy in Lowell’s energy supply. Please come if you can. The meeting starts at 6:30. We won’t know for sure whether this will be on the agenda until the agenda is posted on Friday 7/6. We’ll let you know. But plan on being there if you can. Let’s help Lowell move closer to 100% renewable energy!
For more information, please email Jon Grossman at jgrossman@seiu509.org
Climate Change Forum Featuring Sen. Marc Pacheco
Wednesday, July 10th, 6-8pm, The Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center, 240 Central St, Lowell
Senator Edward Kennedy hosts his colleague Senator Marc Pacheco, Chair of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change for a forum discussing the issues and policy initiatives surrounding climate change.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1103882446666884/
Lowell Talks: Living Black in Lowell in the 21st Century
Sunday, July 14th, 2-3:30pm, Boott Cotton Mills Museum, 115 John St, Lowell
During July’s Lowell Talks, join Maritza Grooms, co-host of Kindred Conversations: Living Black in Lowell and History in Lowell (LTC) for a conversation on local black history. Maritza will share her knowledge about the experiences of African Americans living in Lowell in both the 20th and 21st centuries. Come with your questions, comments, and histories of your own!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/439765036865576/
State- and National-Level Events and Actions
Shaking Ass for the Werking Class Drag Brunch
Sunday, July 7th, 12-3pm, The Burren, 247 Elm St, Somerville
Capitalism is Burning! Join us for a drag brunch to benefit Massachusetts Jobs with Justice and Progressive MA. Hosted by our best comrade in heels Naomi Chomsky! Featuring all your fave troublemaking queens: Just JP, Missy Steak, Ally P. Sha, Kirbie Fullyloaded & Ramona Mirage!
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2301365736609886/
Support Driving Families Forward
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. 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. Allowing Bay Staters to apply for driver’s licenses regardless of their immigration status is common sense public policy that benefits everyone. We therefore ask you to pass An Act Relative to Work and Family Mobility (H.3012/S.2061) this legislative session. This legislation would enable all qualified Massachusetts drivers, regardless of immigration status, to apply for a standard license, which could only be used for driving, not for benefits, boarding a plane, or voting. Thank you!”
More information: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/dff-petition
Pass a Face Surveillance Moratorium
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. 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. As your constituent, I’m asking you to please support S.1385/H.1538 to establish a moratorium on government use of face surveillance and other remote biometric tracking technologies in Massachusetts. Left unregulated, remote biometric surveillance technologies enable government agencies to identify and track ordinary people wherever we go. I do not want this dangerous technology to be used like this in my community. Thank you!”
More information: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-face-surveillance-moratorium
Stand Against Concentration Camps
There are many things you can do and this document is a good start.
Stop Body Size Discrimination
Please contact your state representative and state senator (find yours herehttps://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator):
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: “Hi, I’m [Name] from [Address] and Solidarity Lowell. Massachusetts has been known to protect people’s individuality and respect people’s identities. MA must again be a leader in the nation by enacting a law to finally prohibit discrimination based on a person’s body. It’s time to conclusively say no to #BodySizeDiscrimination. Please co-sponsor S.1012, An Act making discrimination on the basis of height and weight unlawful. Thank you!”
More information: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/weight-discrimination-is-rampant-yet-in-most-places-its-still-legal/2019/06/21/f958613e-9394-11e9-b72d-d56510fa753e_story.html OR https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S1012?fbclid=IwAR38lOQ3YErULSKn47VMDqZe2MVlHmdi7RnXEfZoL4QCgzzeWXOLCSN2ybc