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
Fourth Annual Solidarity Lowell Summer Barbecue and Fundraiser for Marius!
Sunday, July 25, 5:30pm
205 10th Street, Lowell
This is a potluck event. Please sign up on Meal Train: https://www.mealtrain.com/potlucks/62m10d
The Solidarity Lowell Coordinating Committee will supply burgers, hot dogs, veggie options, and buns.
This is also a fundraiser for Marius, the Togolese asylum-seeker we are supporting as part of the Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network. Marius has recently signed a lease on an apartment and though he is getting financial assistance from RAFT, he needs additional help from us for food and furniture, as well as continued legal aid. Anything you can contribute would be greatly appreciated! We will accept cash at the event or you can Venmo @owlnerd or CashApp $gollygee17
Many thanks to Win Flint for hosting!
Support for Asylum-Seeker Marius
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)
Local Events and Actions
Climate Cafe
Wednesday, July 14, 7pm-8:30pm
Register here for the link: https://350mass.betterfutureproject.org/climate_cafe_kick_off
Are you concerned about climate change? Are you concerned for your kids’ future? Would you like a safe place to talk over your concerns with like-minded people? The Lowell chapter of 350 Massachusetts is holding a “climate cafe” where you can do just that.
State-level Events and Actions
Urge your legislator to support new bill addressing racism through education
Racism has existed for hundreds of years in our society. If we want to fight racism at its fundamental level, we must educate our children early.
MA bills S365 and H584: “An Act relative to anti-racism, equity, and justice in education” were proposed to address the incomplete education in our public school system that perpetuates historical racial inequities which have profoundly harmed the physical and mental health of BIPOC communities and threaten our democracy. To advance the bills, we need a majority of the 160 state representatives and of the 40 state senators in the MA State Legislature to vote yes in this legislative session.
Please take a few seconds to simply send a pre-written email to your legislator to ask him/her to support these bills today.
Click here to email your legislator Ethnic studies and Anti-Racism in K-12 Education – Action Network
For a summary of the bills, please read
Summary Fact Sheet of bill
Please follow bill sponsors on FaceBook fb.com/care4aapi.
Email coalition.care.aapi@gmail.com to stay informed on this issue.
H/t Shaw Yang Indivisible Acton – News Magic Team
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Please contact your state representative and state senator (email preferable at the moment)
(Find yours here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator)
House Speaker Ronald Mariano: Ronald.Mariano@mahouse.gov 617-722-2500
Senate President: Karen E. Spilka: Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov 617-722-1500
Rep. Thomas Golden Thomas.Golden@mahouse.gov 617-722-2263
Rep. Vanna Howard Vanna.Howard@mahouse.gov 617-722-2800 x7302 / Google Voice: 978-272-9078
Rep. Rady Mom Rady.Mom@mahouse.gov 617-722-2460
Rep. Colleen Garry Colleen.Garry@mahouse.gov 617-722-2380
Rep. Tram Nguyen tram.nguyen@mahouse.gov 617-722-2425
Sen. Edward Kennedy edward.kennedy@masenate.gov 617-722-1630
Sen. Michael Barrett Mike.Barrett@masenate.gov 617-722-1572
Sen. Jamie Eldridge James.Eldridge@masenate.gov 617-722-1120
Sen. Barry Finegold Barry.Finegold@masenate.gov 617-722-1612
Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133
National Events and Actions
Urge businesses to support S.1, For the People Act Senate Version
In June, over 90 companies, including Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s, signed a letter to Congress in support of the For the People Act. Please ask other businesses that you patronize or work for to join them by sharing this link: https://forthepeopleact.support/ that includes a copy of the letter and a form they can fill out to indicate their support.
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 June meeting: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LzPJupD5TZmWn3saGi2iwkxIEVPbTwZP_NVAnqewkyI/edit?usp=sharing
Watch the video from our June meeting: https://youtu.be/Qx3YWeCtBNw
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Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute