RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR JUNE 5, 2020

Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions

Next Meeting will be Sunday, June 28 at 5:30

 

We are proud to endorse Lisa Arnold for State Rep!

The results are in and the members of Solidarity Lowell have voted to endorse Lisa Arnold for State Rep of the 17th Middlesex District!

Now Lisa needs our help to win! Her campaign is looking for people to help with phone banking, text banking, writing postcards to friends and neighbors, and posting on social media. If you can volunteer some time for any of these, please send an email to volunteer@lisaforstaterep.com.

Local Events and Actions

Peaceful Protest Against Racial and Social Injustice on Littleton Common

Saturday June 6, 10am-1pm
Bring signs, wear masks, be respectful

Next City Council Meeting

Tuesday, June 9, 6:30pm
At the beginning of the emergency, the City Council voted to meet every 2 weeks to facilitate safe distancing. City Hall is closed to the public. Watch the meeting on LTC (Channel 99 or https://www.ltc.org/watch/channel-99/). Members wishing to speak regarding a specific agenda item shall register to speak in advance by sending an email to the City Clerk indicating the agenda item and a phone number to call so that they may be conferenced in to the meeting.  Email address is MGEARY@LOWELLMA.GOV.  If no access to email you may contact City Clerk at 978-674-4161.

State-Level Actions and Events

Mass Power Forward Virtual Lobby Day June 12

When: Friday, June 12, approx. 1:00 – 4:00 PM, on Zoom
It’s time to build some momentum behind our Environmental Justice & Climate Action legislative priorities – and you are needed! The Mass Power Forward Planning team is setting up Zoom meetings with State Legislators, by county. Participants will have an opportunity to meet ahead of time and organize their meetings (instructions will be provided). Then, participants will meet with their legislators, both Senator and Representatives, by County. More specifics will be sent out soon.
Register by Sunday, June 7th to receive more details.RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/CCmmPyVL8fr7bXox9
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/241887410433798/

National-Level Actions and Events

House Resolution Condemning Police Violence

Ask your representative to co-sponsor the Omar-Pressley resolution. Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN-5) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-7) have introduced a resolution in the House condemning police violence. Call your representative and demand that they co-sponsor the resolution and speak out publicly about the need for the House to pass it without delay.
Representative Lori Trahan: 978-459-0101 /  202-225-3411 (thank her, she’s in favor)
Representative Seth Moulton: 978-531-1669  / 202-225-8020

Contact Congress TODAY to stop police departments from buying weapons of war.

Senator Brian Schatz (D–HI) has announced that he will introduce an amendment that will prevent local police forces from getting tear gas, drones, armored vehicles, and high-caliber weapons of war from the military. This important amendment – in addition to initiatives to defund police departments and hold police officers accountable for committing crimes against the public – will help combat systemic police brutality in the U.S.
Arming police forces with military weapons doesn’t reduce crime or protect law enforcement officers from violence. In fact, police forces that are equipped with weapons of war are more likely to kill civilians.Even worse, militarized police forces often target Black and minority-majority communities, where getting killed by the police is among the leading causes of death. Local law enforcement agencies have bought billions of dollars worth of guns, explosives, helicopters, and more from the military. Senator Brian Schatz (D–HI) wants to end this practice by passing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. This important amendment will prevent the transfer of military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, but only if more members of Congress support it.
Contact your Senators and Representatives now and tell them to support the Schatz amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.
Use this form: https://tinyurl.com/yabpgmyb
Or call them directly:
Senator Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170
Senator Edward Markey: 617-565-8519
Representative Lori Trahan: 978-459-0101 /   202-225-3411
Representative Seth Moulton: 978-531-1669  / 202-225-8020

Tell Congress to Support the Natural Disaster & Emergency Ballot Act 2020 (NDEBA)

Ongoing Solidarity Lowell Initiatives

Support for Asylum-Seeker Marius
Marius is 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. Until Marius receives legal authorization to work, our network has committed to financially supporting him with $500/month. Can you chip in towards the $500 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! We are also looking for folks who are interested in helping in an ongoing basis, in any of these three committees: Legal, Fundraising, and Housing. If you’re interested, please email mvisn@solidaritylowell.com
Donate here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “asylum” in the “special notes” part of the donation form)