Solidarity Lowell 3rd Annual Summer Barbecue
Sunday, July 21st, 2-5pm, Christ Church United, 1 Bartlett St, Lowell
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 note that the location has changed to Christ Church United due to the forecasted extreme heat. Because of this, the Coordinating Committee will provide fixing for sandwiches (including vegetarian and gluten-free options) instead of burgers and dogs. Please sign up for an appetizer, side, or dessert. We hope to see you there!
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR THE POTLUCK HERE: https://www.mealtrain.com/potlucks/k21060
RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/869111123445962/
Help Solidarity Lowell Spread the Word about Progressive Causes at Folk Fest
Saturday and Sunday, July 27th-28th, noon-5pm, Merrimack Street, Lowell
Join us at our table at Lowell Folk Fest! We’ll be encouraging folks to sign postcards to their representatives about the Safe Communities Act, as well as the Driving Families Forward initiative. And as usual, we’ll help folks register to vote! Please sign up for a shift to help out!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/MQ751JXsmLAJJxu87
Sanctuary Volunteers Ice Cream Social
Tuesday, July 23rd, 7:30pm, Christ Church United, 1 Bartlett St, Lowell
Calling all volunteers of the sanctuary network to Christ Church United in Lowell for an ice cream social! Come enjoy some sweet summer treats and re-organize ourselves to better support Marius, our asylum seeker. We’ll hear from Marius about what he needs now and going forward and, as volunteers, sign up to help provide that support. 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 attend! 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
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
Local Events and Actions
Share Your Priorities with Lowell Votes
Please fill out the Lowell Votes survey to help them create the 2019 voter guide to the Lowell City Council and School Committee candidates! Who knows, maybe a question you submit will end up in the guide!
Respond here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2iztj_hLPGeQaygyETnuLunSBKiSNLekcqIEYoLTaeB3pPg/viewform
State- and National-Level Events and Actions
100% Renewable Energy Lobby Day
Tuesday, July 23rd, 1pm, Room B1, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston
The committee hearing for the 100% Renewable Energy Act has been scheduled for next Tuesday 7/23 at 1 PM in room B1 at the State House. If you’re able to show up, that would be awesome. And submitting testimony is also great if you’re unable to attend.
More information: jrfcohn@gmail.com
Driving Families Forward Lobby Day
Wednesday, July 24th, 9:30-11am, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston
Encourage our state legislature to pass a driver’s license for all law. Attend the DFF Lobby Day!
More information: https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/01/23/undocumented-immigrants-drivers-licenses-bill
Demand Our Representatives Support the Safe Communities 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 ←-thank him for co-sponsoring!
Sen. Michael Barrett 617-722-1572 ←-thank him for co-sponsoring!
Sen. Barry Finegold 617-722-1612
Sen. Jamie Eldridge 617-722-1120 ←-thank him for co-sponsoring!
Sample Script: “Hello, I’m [Name] from [Address] and Solidarity Lowell. The Safe Communities Act — not ripping families apart — is what true public safety looks like. The Safe Communities Act protects documented and undocumented families, particularly women, from abuse and brings us all together in opposition to the immoral policies of the Trump administration. Please co-sponsor this bill immediately! Thank you!”
More information: http://miracoalition.org/safe-communities
Tell Trahan to Impeach!
Representative Lori Trahan: 978-459-0101
Sample Script: “Hello, I’m [Name] from [Address] and Solidarity Lowell. Trump’s racism started long before his time in the presidency, but his actions during the past week, especially at his campaign rallies, is inexcusable. The time has come to support measures to impeach him! Please do everything in your power to stand against racism and get Trump out of office!”
More information: http://impeach.indivisible.org/