SL Members voted and decided we need a break! Have a happy and safe August. We will resume our meetings on Sunday September 27th, with a presentation from PFLAG.

Local Events and Actions

Join a phonebank for Lisa Arnold, who is running for State Rep in the 17th Middlesex district. No special equipment or software is required, just a computer with microphone and speakers (though a headset is helpful).
Phonebanks happen every Thursday from 6pm to 9pm and Saturday from 1pm to 4pm.
RSVP to volunteer@lisaforstaterep.com to sign up!

MillTown Helping Hands is a community give-back program. Each month, from all nominations received, MillTown will select 3 – 4 well-deserving local charities that could use a little help. Voting takes place throughout the month, and the nominee with the most votes will receive $1,000 donation.
August’s nominees include 2 Lowell groups, Coalition for a Better Acre and Project Learning.
To vote for one, go to: https://milltownplumbing.com/milltowns-helping-hands/

Sunday, Aug 23, 10am-1pm
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/thefarmmarket/

Merrimack Valley Project is looking at ways to engage our communities and has approached us to do targeted voter outreach in Greater Lowell. We are assessing members’ interest. It would take the form of a combination of phone and text banking, along with traditional door-to-door canvassing for those who are willing and able to do so. The goal of this outreach would be to engage some of those harder-to-reach communities in Lowell and to make sure that these community members are registered to vote and willing to participate in the 2020 election. The campaign would start after the Primary and continued through Election Day.

If you would be interested in participating in a voter outreach effort, please contact Dee Halzack at dee@solidaritylowell.com.

Public access to City Hall is limited to Tuesdays from 8AM – 8PM and Thursdays from 8AM – 5PM.

Tuesday, August 25, 6:30pm
At the beginning of the emergency, the City Council voted to meet every 2 weeks to facilitate safe distancing. 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.
The agenda will be posted at http://lowellma.gov/agendacenter by the Friday before, August 21.Watch for Joe Boyle’s reports on the last meeting and on the agenda for the next meeting
Open Meeting Law Complaints have been filed regarding the July 14 City Council meeting and the way the motions on racism were handled. The City had 14 days to respond to the complaints but filed for, and was granted by the Attorney General, an extension on the response time.

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

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