RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
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Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions
Solidarity Lowell – No August General Meeting
Local Events and Actions
Phonebank for our endorsed candidate Lisa Arnold
Phonebanks happen every Thursday and Saturday.
RSVP to volunteer@lisaforstaterep.com to sign up!
Mill City Nonprofits Nominated for Donations by MillTown Helping Hands
August’s nominees include 2 Lowell groups, Coalition for a Better Acre and Project Learning.
To vote for one, go to: https://milltownplumbing.
The Farm Market at Mill No. 5
250 Jackson St, Lowell
The Farm Market is outside. The building is also now open with safety rules, including masks and social distancing.
https://www.facebook.com/
State-level Actions and Events
Phonebank for Census and Vote by Mail
People in communities hit hardest by COVID-19 need a voice in what resources are needed for recovery. That’s why MA Voter Table and Masscounts are calling residents and voters in communities of color, working-class neighborhoods, and more to participate in the 2020 Census and to make a plan to vote safely this fall.
http://bit.ly/vbm-signup
Massachusetts Against Solitary Confinement Coalition Action Request
If you succeed in getting a response, please send it to lwagner@uumassaction.org
We are gathering all responses, positive or negative.
Thank you for taking part in this action!
Cassandra Bensahih, MASC statewide coordinator and Senior Organizer, UU Mass Action
Laura Wagner, Executive Director, UU Mass Action
Sample email ask:
Dear [Senator or Representative – send an email to both]
I am deeply disturbed by the state sanctioned violence of solitary confinement. The United Nations has declared solitary confinement after 15 days to be torture, and yet Massachusetts Correctional facilities routinely hold people for much longer than this – sometimes as long as 30 years. The 2018 Criminal Justice Reforms Act mandatory Solitary Confinement reforms have yet to be fully implemented. In fact, imprisonment in solitary has drastically increased during the pandemic.
I am writing to you to ask that you respond to me in writing and state your position on the use of solitary confinement in Massachusetts prisons and jails. Solitary confinement is torture. There is no documented evidence that this practice has any redeeming value, and in fact, where states have drastically reduced the practice, incidents of violence in the general population have declined. (The Last Days of Solitary). (6/23/20 MASC press Release)
Solitary is a tortuous, barbaric practice that must end. Black, Latinx and LGBTQI prisoners are disproportionately impacted by extended solitary confinement imprisonment. I am committed to ending Solitary Confinement in Massachusetts and I’d like to know if you are, as well.
Sincerely,
(Name)
State Legislator contact information:
Rep. Thomas Golden Thomas.Golden@mahouse.gov 617-722-2263
Rep. Rady Mom Rady.Mom@mahouse.gov 617-722-2460
Rep. David Nangle David.Nangle@mahouse.gov 617-722-2520
Sen. Edward Kennedy edward.kennedy@masenate.gov 617-722-1630
Sen. Michael Barrett Mike.Barrett@masenate.gov 617-722-1572
National Actions and Events
Speak out against attempt to undo HUD protections for transgender people
The current administration is looking to remove critical protections meant to ensure the safety of any trans person in need of Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) funded programs – especially homeless shelters! We have until September to comment on the proposed new rules to try to fight them. You’ll find guidance on the page on the link for writing a message. The government has to read every unique comment they receive, so the more people write, the more they have to pay attention.
http://housingsaveslives.org
Speak out against proposed new asylum rules designed to bar almost everyone
We have until August 9 to comment on proposed new rules designed to make almost every asylum-seeker ineligible! (E.g., no one coming from a country where there are any COVID-19 cases will be accepted!) The government has to read every unique comment. Please tell them what you think. All the information you need to take acton is at the link.
https://www.hias.org/take-
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.
Solidarity Lowell is a volunteer group of community members of Greater Lowell working toward social justice by defending the human rights, dignity, and equality of all persons against all forms of hate and discrimination.
Visit the Solidarity Lowell website at solidaritylowell.com
For more events not listed here, visit the full Events calendar: https://solidaritylowell.com/
For volunteer opportunities, visit our Volunteer page: https://solidaritylowell.com/
View the notes from our July meeting here:
https://docs.google.com/
Recording of our July meeting:
https://youtu.be/OOF3wIb6hwM
Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.