The RRT (Rapid Response Team) Action List compiles action items from the week and upcoming events into one place. If you would like to add anything to the weekly update, please send it to Dee Halzack at dee@solidaritylowell.com.
Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions
Local Events and Actions
Solidarity Lowell General Meeting THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, June 27, 5:30pm
Marissa Dupont will present an update on “Drawing Democracy” State Redistricting (redrawing election districts based on the 2020 Census data). There will also be a presentation on the Fair Share Amendment (a proposed additional tax on incomes above $1 million).
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83962190050?pwd=QTlva3J5T3VyeWlNeVdSUG9ya2tGdz09
Meeting ID: 839 6219 0050
Passcode: 548436
Dial in: 301 715 8592 or 646 558 8656
Support for Asylum-Seeker Marius — UPDATE
Marius, the Togolese asylum-seeker whom the Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network (MVISN) is sponsoring, is in need of housing. With the sanctuary space still under construction and the couple he is staying with starting a family, he needs another place to live. If you or someone you know has a spare room, please email marissa@solidaritylowell.com
Marius has retained an immigration lawyer, filed an application for asylum, and successfully moved his case to the Boston immigration courts from El Paso, but until he receives legal authorization to work, our network has committed to financially supporting him with $500/month. Please chip in towards the $500 we need to meet our commitment to him. Any amount will be gratefully accepted.
Donate here: http://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/donate-1/ (please write “asylum” in the “special notes” part of the donation form)
Community Vigil for Those Lost to COVID-19
Tuesday, June 29, 6:00pm
Outside City Hall
The City of Lowell is hosting a community vigil to honor Lowell residents who passed away due to COVID-19. The ceremony will take place outside of City Hall on Tuesday, June 29 at 6:00 PM. 319 flags will be placed in the lawn of City hall to symbolize each life lost in Lowell.
Merrimack Valley Project House Party
Thursday, June 24, 7pm
Fundraiser in support of all the work MVP does!
For more information: https://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/
To attend:
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98088588722
Meeting ID: 980 8858 8722
One tap mobile +13126266799,,98088588722# US (Chicago) +16468769923,,98088588722# US (New York)
State-level Events and Actions
Want to Help Get More Transparency in the State House?
Join ActOnMass’s The People’s House campaign
The People’s House Textbanking, Co-hosted by Sunrise Boston
June 22, 2021 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Join volunteers of the People’s House campaign to text voters and build the movement for State House reform. *Please note* Training for newcomers is at 5:30. The text bank begins at 6:00.
https://secure.everyaction.com/Hg-5tnpkJEeVme1tQUCDkA2
Public Hearing on the Work and Family Mobility Act
Wednesday, June 23 2:00pm – 4:00pm
The state legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation (https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J27) has scheduled a virtual public hearing for the Work and Family Mobility Act on Wednesday, June 23 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. The Work and Family Mobility Act will enable all qualified state residents to apply for a Massachusetts driver’s license regardless of immigration status. Details on the bill and to sign up to testify (deadline June 23) can be found at https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/3752 .
The People’s House Textbanking
June 23, 2021 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Join volunteers of the People’s House campaign to text voters and build the movement for State House reform. *Please note* Training for newcomers is at 5:30. The text bank begins at 6:00.
https://secure.everyaction.com/OlGnch6OOkKaA16iYSF-lQ2
The People’s House Virtual Art Build
June 24, 2021 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
What’s a rally without eye-catching and clever signs? Join The People’s House staff as we break out arts and crafts supplies to make signs in anticipation of our rallies across the state on Sunday 6/27. Feel free to pop in to brainstorm, hang out with us, or just say hi!
https://secure.everyaction.com/qXgJ99OTJUidCmSi2nKIDQ2
Rally for The People’s House – Beacon Hill
June 27, 2021 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133
With only a week or two until the House Rules vote, it’s time to show Beacon Hill that the people of Massachusetts believe in democracy, and won’t settle for anything less. Join hundreds of people across the state as we show our support for common-sense rules reform. Bring signs, water, sunscreen, and of course, your friends! Location: the State House steps.
https://secure.everyaction.com/nLlu5_VqFUCXxua1siOxZg2
Massachusetts Housing Justice Forum
June 23, 7PM
To register: bit.ly/homes4mass
Sponsored by Mass Call2Action and over a dozen Democratic committees across Massachusetts.
Speakers will touch upon the topics of social housing, community land trusts, tenants’ rights and protections, and current pieces of legislation at the state level. We’ll end the night with a brief Q&A.
All registrants will receive a follow-up email including a link to the recorded event, additional information from our speakers, and other ways to get and stay involved in pushing for more equitable housing policy in Massachusetts.
Via News-MAGIC
Redistricting Hearing for MA CD3
Thursday, July 8, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/3744
The State Legislature’s Special Joint Committee on Redistricting will hold a virtual hearing for residents of the 3rd Congressional District (CD3). This hearing provides an opportunity for area residents to offer their opinions on local and community interests that the Committee should consider on the division of the Commonwealth into 9 Congressional Districts, 40 State Senate Districts, 160 State Representative Districts, and 8 Councillor Districts.
There is a link on the above page to sign up If you want to provide oral testimony.
If you only want to view the hearing, it will be broadcast on Malegislature.gov and there is a link to that on the above page as well.
– – – –
To contact your state representative and state senator (email preferable at the moment)
(find yours here https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator):
(replace the “at” and extra spaces with “@”)
House Speaker Ronald Mariano: Ronald.Mariano at mahouse.gov 617-722-2500
Senate President: Karen E. Spilka: Karen.Spilka at masenate.gov 617-722-1500
Rep. Thomas Golden Thomas.Golden at mahouse.gov 617-722-2263
Rep. Vanna Howard Vanna.Howard at mahouse.gov 617-722-2800 x7302 / Google Voice: 978-272-9078
Rep. Rady Mom Rady.Mom at mahouse.gov 617-722-2460
Rep. Colleen Garry Colleen.Garry at mahouse.gov 617-722-2380
Rep. Tram Nguyen tram.nguyen at mahouse.gov 617-722-2425
Sen. Edward Kennedy edward.kennedy at masenate.gov 617-722-1630
Sen. Michael Barrett Mike.Barrett at masenate.gov 617-722-1572
Sen. Jamie Eldridge James.Eldridge at masenate.gov 617-722-1120
Sen. Barry Finegold Barry.Finegold at masenate.gov 617-722-1612
Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133
National Events and Actions
Freedom to Vote Rally
Saturday, June 26, 2-3:30pm, Boston Common
To sign up: https://tinyurl.com/473xpz99
Join one of many rallies around the country organized to support passage of S.1, the For the People voting rights act. This date was chosen because it coincides with the arrival in DC of the Black Voters Matter Freedom Ride for Voting Rights Bus Tour.
Join Indivisible Mass Coalition, Swing Blue Alliance, NAACP-Boston, Common Cause MA, Progressive Mass, JALSA, Act on Mass, Free Speech for People, Mass Peace Action, TPS Alliance, Indivisible Acton Area & others at the Rally.
Please consider volunteering to help, including as event marshals and peacekeepers, water stations, medical support and setting up the fully equipped stage with a state of the art sound system. If you can volunteer, please email debi.cpaul@gmail.com.
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: http://solidaritylowell.com
For more events not listed here, visit the full Events calendar: https://solidaritylowell.com/events/
To join our postcarding efforts to write to legislators on issues of interest , please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/h2V7gJ1e2WbY9dKU9
For volunteer opportunities, visit our Volunteer page: https://solidaritylowell.com/volunteer-opportunities/
For positive news visit Solidarity Lowell Upbeat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/326202548419687
View the notes from our May meeting: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11R4df87hbYo-QU4z2w9KfS6hKgIioap_ExnEi3cS7OE/edit?usp=sharing
Watch the video from our May meeting: https://youtu.be/L0drAWMW630
Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute