RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR JULY 27, 2021

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

Next Solidarity Lowell General Meeting

Sunday, August 22, 5:30pm – 7pm
Save the date!

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

VIRTUAL 350 MA Climate Change Forum

Thursday, July 29, 7-8 pm 
Register for a link to attend at: https://pollardml.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/virtual-climate-change-program/

The Pollard Library is holding a virtual climate forum featuring members of 350 MA of Greater Lowell.  350MA of Greater Lowell is a Chapter of 350 Mass, A Better Future Project. Chapters work together to organize their communities, mobilize their friends and neighbors, and hold their elected officials accountable in the fight for 100% renewable cities and a fossil free future. Lowell chapter members work locally to end the dependence on fossil fuels and foster a clean energy future! The group is open to all residents of the greater Lowell area interested in fighting climate change.

Chapter members Win Flint, Bob Wald, Jay Mason and Bern Kosicki will share about ongoing efforts and ways that you can get involved! You can be an activist even if you don’t carry a sign.

State-level Events and Actions

MassDems CD-2/CD-3 Platform Hearing

Wednesday, August 4, 6:30 PM
Register to attend remotely
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclduisqTkrGdHfrFAyzoaPpLWJih9ulsY3

Registered MA Democrats may offer testimony on the 2021 MDP Platform.

MassDems All Districts Platform Hearing

Saturday, August 7, 10 AM
Register to attend remotely
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYld-uorT0pGdPnj44q1ccj8iRWxOhFz2Qu

Registered MA Democrats may offer testimony on the 2021 MDP Platform.

Anti-Racism, Equity, and Justice in K-12 Education

Forum hosted by Senator Jamie Eldridge

Thursday July 29, 2021, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
Racism has existed in our society for hundreds of years.  If we want to fight racism at its fundamental level, we need to educate our children early. Recognizing the history, culture, and contribution of our ethnic groups is key in addressing racial equity in our society.

MA bills S365 and H584: “An Act relative to Anti-racism, Equity, and Justice in Education” would create a Commission to develop this K-12 curriculum.

Please join this forum hosted by Senator Eldridge to learn about the bill and to hear from students, educators, legislators, and community leaders. Interact with expert panelists from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Please RSVP:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0l-0ubJDS8qOKVNmpKaTpA

For a summary of the bills, please read the Summary Fact Sheet of the bill:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XK0OwhfsHpM_db8WEXK2acW7X6GlHlf1/view

Also please follow bill sponsors on Facebook fb.com/Care4EduEquity and email  Care4EduEquity@gmail.com to stay informed on this issue.

Email your legislators to support alternative emergency services

This is the bill that will fund alternatives to law enforcement response to 911 calls. The ACES bill — An Act to Create Alternatives for Community Emergency Services (S.1552 / H.2519), filed by Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz and Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa — would direct the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish and oversee the Alternatives for Community Emergency Services Grant Program (A.C.E.S.) to increase the availability of non-law-enforcement, unarmed community-based response options for calls to 911.

More information: https://progressivemass.com/aces2021

Sample script
Too often, armed police officers are called in to respond to situations that they are not equipped to handle, situations that are better handled by someone with an expertise in social work or mental health or someone from the community itself. Shifting such calls away from police and towards alternative response programs ensures that situations do not escalate and that people can best be connected to the services that they need.

I urge you to co-sponsor S.1552/H.2519: An Act to Create Alternatives for Community Emergency Services (ACES), filed by Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz and Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa.

Fortunately, the American Rescue Plan recently passed in DC provides new funding for states to set up such alternative crisis response programs. Massachusetts should embrace the opportunity.

Thank you.

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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

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

Posted by Caroline Snow