Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions

Lights for Liberty: Westford, MA

Friday, July 12th, 6-8:05pm, 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. Featured speakers include Representative Jamie Eldrige and Rev. Kathleen Hepler. 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/

SAVE THE DATE: Solidarity Lowell 3rd Annual Summer BBQ

It’s time for the 3rd annual Solidarity Lowell Summer Barbecue! Featuring Baby Trump balloons, an SL slideshow, and more, this is sure to be a fun event! PLEASE SIGN UP FOR THE POTLUCK HERE: https://www.mealtrain.com/potlucks/k21060 The Coordinating Committee will provide burgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers and dogs. We will also provide the buns and rolls, with gluten-free versions of each. Please sign up for an appetizer, side, or dessert. We hope to see you there!

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/869111123445962/

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)

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

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

Ranked Choice Voting Lobby Day

Tuesday, July 16th, 11am-2pm, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston

Join hundreds of supporters from across the Commonwealth to mobilize for Ranked Choice Voting. Two bills are currently working their way through the State House. We need supporters like you to show Beacon Hill that Massachusetts is #ReadyToRank. At #RCVLobbyDay, you’ll have the chance to visit your State Senator and Representative’s offices to tell them why you support RCV, hear remarks from superstar supporters in the State House and across the Commonwealth, and participate in a mock ranked choice voting election to see RCV in action! No lobbying experience is required! We’ll train you and provide everything you need to effectively lobby for RCV. Refreshments will be provided.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/724530021295934/

July Jericho Walk at the Burlington ICE Office

Tuesday, July 16th, 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/462908424282285/

Support the Work and Family Mobility Act

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):

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