Month: August 2021

Aug

2021

RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR AUGUST 24, 2021

Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions

Next Solidarity Lowell General Meeting

Sunday, September 26, 5:30pm – 7pm

We’ll be hearing the results of our survey of candidates involved in the general election whose races did not have preliminary elections and considering possible additional endorsements for the general election.

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 via:
CashApp – $gollygee17
Venmo – @owlnerd

Local Events and Actions

VIRTUAL SCREENING: “Contradictory Place”

Thursday, August 26 7:00-8:30pm
https://tinyurl.com/f8dnxvx8
40 min. documentary followed by discussion led by film collaborators

The film covers “the extraordinary anti-slavery efforts that took place in the mid-19th century in Lowell. Prof. Robert Forrant of the University of Massachusetts Lowell and local historian and community educator Maritza Grooms visited several sites that still exist in downtown Lowell where the abolitionist activity occurred and where freedom seekers operated businesses.

Do you need to register to vote, or update your existing registration?

The deadline to register to vote for the preliminary election is Wednesday, September 1.

If you are not registered to vote where you currently live, you should submit a voter registration form now. You will not be automatically registered to vote until you apply for/renew your driver’s license or state ID, or apply for health insurance through MassHealth or the Health Connector. You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person at any city or town hall.

The Preliminary will be September 21 and will be for City Council Districts 2, 3, 4, and 7.

State-level Events and Actions

Help Pass Common Start Childhood Care Bill

Phonebank
Tuesday, August 24, 5-8pm
Wednesday, August 25, 5-8pm

Common Start and CSJ are hosting a series of phone banks aimed to identify voters who support the principles behind the Common Start bill – achieving high quality, affordable, and accessible early education and child care for families in Massachusetts.

To RSVP or for more information please email Diana at diana@coalitionforsocialjustice.org

Can’t make the dates this week? Not to worry! These phone banks will take place weekly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5pm – 8pm – make sure to sign up for one of the upcoming weeks! There will be trainings on how to use the dialer, the script, and someone to help troubleshoot or answer any questions that you might hear from voters.

Testify on the importance of affordable childcare

Is childcare important to you? Did you know there is a bill to establish early childhood and afterschool care? You can help get the bill passed by sharing your story of how important childcare is for you.

Per Jonathan Cohn of Progressive Massachusetts, you can share your story on video as follows:

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS
Videos should be under 2 minutes long and can be shot from your cell phone. Please email videos to james@field-first.com and include the spelling of your full name and the city where you live in the email. This will help us determine the legislator for your district.

Outline for Video Testimony
Hi, I’m [name] from [city or town].
If it applies: I’m a [parent/family member/guardian]. I’m also [an essential worker, a childcare provider, a family care worker, working from home, unemployed, a business owner, an early educator, etc].
Child care is important to me because [fill in the blank].
When you have the opportunity to fund early education and childcare in Massachusetts, please remember my story because there are many others like me. Please invest in access to safe, high-quality, affordable child care.

Or follow this link to email your story to legislators: https://tinyurl.com/6eaejr3h

Fair Share Amendment Pledge Drive

Raise Up Mass is kicking off the Fair Share Amendment campaign early with a pledge card drive! The Fair Share Amendment, which has already secured its spot on next year’s ballot, would create a surtax of 4% on income above $1 million to create a dedicated fund for education and transportation spending. You can sign a digital pledge card at: https://raiseupma.us/solidaritylowell.

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute information for tenants facing eviction

We are urging tenants facing eviction not to move out and to seek rental assistance and legal aid.

For rental assistance, call 2-1-1 or find your local housing agency at http://masshousinginfo.org/.

For legal help and information, call 2-1-1 or visit the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project site at evictionlegalhelp.org/find-legal-help/.

To connect with grassroots organizations in your area, call or text the Homes for All Massachusetts hotline at 617-819-0188 in English or Spanish or visit http://homesforallmass.netlify.app/help/.

Information is available on the website at: https://evictionlegalhelp.org/legal-rights/tenants/

LAC “Meet a Specialist: Criminal Justice”

August 25, 7PM
Register here for Wednesday, August 25, at 7 p.m. https://tinyurl.com/93xdba9z

LWVMA Criminal Justice specialists Nancy Bettinger and Lucy Costa will discuss these bills:

H.2504/S.1578: An Act to provide criminal justice reform protections to all prisoners in segregated confinement. This bill curtails use of solitary confinement.
H.1797: An Act to reduce mass incarceration. This bill establishes the right to a parole hearing after 25 years in custody.
H.1826/S.920: An Act to promote public safety and better outcomes for young adults. This bill structures the juvenile justice system to include people from 18 to 20 years of age.

Posted in News-MAGIC #criminal-justice (edited)

LAC “Meet a Specialist: Elections & Voting”

August 26, 4PM
Register here for Wednesday, August 26, at 7 p.m. https://tinyurl.com/43565r5k

LWVMA Elections and Voting specialists Nancy Brumback and Linda Freedman will discuss these bills

H.805/S.459 An Act fostering voting opportunities, trust, equity, and security (VOTES Act). Comprehensive voting reform bill.
H.769/S.475 An Act supporting parents running for public office. Allow candidates to use campaign funds for child care.
H.3547/S.2261 An Act to establish free access to ride to elections in Massachusetts (FARE Act). Make public transit free on Election Day.

Posted in News-MAGIC #democracy-massachusetts (edited)

– – – –

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 August meeting:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18G9Q5mDu3Cctv1Wj88Xerau4lG9b-_jhi9dCvF3-J0s/edit?usp=sharing

Watch the video from our August meeting:
https://youtu.be/wueFeELxcV0
—-

Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute

Aug

2021

RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR AUGUST 10, 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

Local Events and Actions

Climate Action

FRIDAY Aug. 13 – Bank of America’s Unlucky Day
11:00 to 12:30pm
Join 350MA at the Lowell Bank of America Banking Center
724 Chelmsford St.
Lowell (next to Lowes)

Big banks are still funding big pipelines – like Line 3, a major pipeline expansion to carry tar sands oil. In addition to trampling on Indigenous peoples’ treaty rights, Line 3’s oil is equivalent to about 50 coal power plants, or 38 million vehicles on our roads/ year.

Native groups and activists from across the country are protesting right now in Minnesota. On Friday, Aug. 13 there are local protests across the country. We can help here in Lowell by telling Bank of America to stop funding Line 3.

Please RSVP at the following link, so we know how many signs to bring. Bring your own if you wish!
https://actionnetwork.org/events/stop-the-money-pipeline-9/

State-level Events and Actions

LAC “Meet a Specialist: Women’s Issues”

August 11, 12PM
Register here https://tinyurl.com/3ruk7a2f

LWVMA Women’s Issues specialists Jan Soma and Susan Loffredo will discuss these bills:

H.2020/S.1196 An Act relative to transparency in the workplace—bill addresses pay equity by gender and race
H.2399/S.1470 An Act to require public universities to provide medication abortion
H.1196/S.673 An Act ensuring access to full spectrum pregnancy care—bill would require health insurance coverage for all pregnancy-related care

Posted in News-MAGIC #womens-rights (edited)

Change the Democratic Party Platform

Info from posts from Jeanne Krieger, Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts
Larry Pareles, Indivisible Massachusetts

As you know, the MA Legislature does NOT currently operate in a democratic and transparent manner. The concentration of power in the hands of leadership produces a closed, hierarchical organization that disempowers rank-and-file Members and the public. But this August we have an organizing opportunity available only once every four years: we can change the official platform of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Progressive Democrats of MA (PDM) and others are proposing adding a plank to the Democratic Party platform calling for reform of the Legislature. Testimony advocating for this plank can be presented in writing or at hearings being held between Aug. 2 and 14. You can find proposed language, draft testimony, and a link to the Democratic Party site for registering to participate in a hearing and for submitting written testimony on the Progressive Democracts website at https://www.progressivedemsofmass.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PDM_Dem_Platform_Change_Flyer_v3.pdf

The goal is to get the good governance reforms at the center of The People’s House campaign explicitly included in the Party platform. This would be great leverage in the battle for State House reform – if the MA Democratic Party explicitly supports transparency measures, it becomes much harder for the Democrats in the State House to oppose it.

We encourage you to submit testimony to the platform process. You may also want to advocate for keeping the last 2 bullets in the 2017 platform’s Ethics and Transparency section that address the operation of the Legislature, pages 7-8, https://massdems.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-Platform-Massachusetts-Democratic-Party.pdf

All registered Democrats may testify. If you’re not registered as a Democrat, but would like to be, you can register or revise your registration at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/ .

Never testified before, or even attended a Mass Dems meeting? No worries! Here is a handy Platform Testimony Toolkit https://tinyurl.com/yzuacf4f. This has everything you need to make your voice heard in this process, including the official recommended platform “planks” and a sample script you can use to testify orally.

If you do testify, in writing or at a virtual hearing, please let Progressive Democrats know so they can track the number of supporters for use in advocacy later in the process. Please email them at info@progressivedemsofmass.org email to let them know that you testified.

You can submit testimony in two ways:

Attend a virtual Platform Hearing and testify orally. All hearings are during the first two weeks of August. Check out the hearing dates and times below. Lowell is Congressional District 3.
Submit written testimony (i.e. a PDF of this document https://tinyurl.com/3558wfbk) through this form https://tinyurl.com/nj33wt33. Note: the deadline to submit written testimony is August 14th. Even if you can’t attend any of the hearings, please take a minute to submit written testimony.

This effort is all about volume. If dozens of people show up at these hearings asking for the exact same planks, it will make a splash that they can’t ignore.

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

Fair Share Amendment Pledge Drive

Email Transportation Committee to vote out favorably the Work and Family Mobillity Act

This bill would make it easier for our immigrant neighbors without status to get drivers’ licenses.
In June, the committee heard over 50 speakers speak in favor of the bill, which has earned the support of over 100 elected officials, over 150 labor, faith, and community groups, the head of the MA AFL-CIO, the mayor of Boston, as well as the unanimous support of MA Major Cities’ Chiefs of Police Association. This legislation would not only right a wrong but would also bring in nearly $2 million to the state from various registration and licensing fees and has the potential to lower healthcare costs for millions of Massachusetts residents. The question isn’t why should we pass this bill, the question is why haven’t we passed it already!

Please join the Merrimack Valley Project in emailing members of the Transportation Committee to ask that they advance this bill for a floor vote as soon as possible. The time is now for immigrant justice!

1. Click on the link below.
2. Fill out your name and address, etc.
3. Hit send. [Your email goes to 14 committee members at once!]

Remember, staffers generally are the ones who keep track of the YESES and NOS for a particular piece of legislation. The letter text doesn’t have to be original; there just need to be LOTS OF EMAILS in support.

I wrote. It took all of 20 seconds!!

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/email-the-joint-transportation-committee?clear_id=true

COVID-19 Housing Equity bill

Hearing Thursday, August 12, 1:00pm
https://mailchi.mp/margolis/avert-evictions-in-this-moment-of-crisis?e=ee7c9c9fd6

Send and email or call your legislator: https://www.homesforallmass.org/act/

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute information for tenants facing eviction

We are urging tenants facing eviction not to move out and to seek rental assistance and legal aid.

For rental assistance, call 2-1-1 or find your local housing agency at masshousinginfo.org/.
For legal help and information, call 2-1-1 or visit the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project site at evictionlegalhelp.org/find-legal-help/.
To connect with grassroots organizations in your area, call or text the Homes for All Massachusetts hotline at 617-819-0188 in English or Spanish or visit homesforallmass.netlify.app/help/.

Information is available on the website at: https://evictionlegalhelp.org/legal-rights/tenants/

Help Pass the Anti-Bullying Dignity at Work Act

Massachusetts bill numbers: S1185/H3843

Here are the actions you can take in order of effectiveness based on how much effort the action requires and how much the effort can’t be ignored or is disruptive. We want to ask state legislators to both co-sponsor the bill AND to ask the committee chair to move the bill forward (Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development)

Meet with your own state legislators in a group in-person or over Zoom to share your story and insights.
Meet with your own state legislators individually.
Call your state legislators. Simply ask them to sign onto the bill using the bill numbers above.
Email your state legislators a custom email. Share your story.
Email your state legislators using a handy customizable form: https://tinyurl.com/55exjzha
Join a team meeting on Zoom this month:
Monday, August 16, 7pmET
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89217626874?pwd=Q0h2VzJEV0ZFWXB4d0REdW5jck13QT0
Dial-in only: 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 892 1762 6874
Passcode: 6721241

– – – –

Contact your state representative and state senator (email preferable at the moment)
(Find yours here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator)

Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133

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
—-

Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute

Aug

2021

RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR AUGUST 3, 2021

Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions

Next Solidarity Lowell General Meeting

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

Support for Asylum-Seeker Marius

Local Events and Actions

Deadline for candidates to file signatures

August 3, 5pm
City Council and School Committee candidates have until Aug. 3 at 5 pm to return their 150 signatures.

State-level Events and Actions

Change the Democratic Party Platform

Info from posts from Jeanne Krieger, Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts & Larry Pareles, Indivisible Massachusetts

All registered Democrats may testify. If you’re not registered as a Democrat, but would like to be, you can register or revise your registration at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/ .

You can submit testimony in two ways:

Attend a virtual Platform Hearing and testify orally. All hearings are during the first two weeks of August. Check out the hearing dates and times below. Lowell is Congressional District 3.

Submit written testimony (i.e. a PDF of this document https://tinyurl.com/3558wfbk) through this form https://tinyurl.com/nj33wt33. Note: the deadline to submit written testimony is August 14th. Even if you can’t attend any of the hearings, please take a minute to submit written testimony.

This effort is all about volume. If dozens of people show up at these hearings asking for the exact same planks, it will make a splash that they can’t ignore.

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.

Fair Share Amendment Pledge Drive

Raise Up Mass is kicking off the Fair Share Amendment campaign early with a pledge card drive! The Fair Share Amendment, which has already secured its spot on next year’s ballot, would create a surtax of 4% on income above $1 million to create a dedicated fund for education and transportation spending. You can sign on to the Solidarity Lowell digital pledge card at: https://raiseupma.us/solidaritylowell.

– – – –
Contact your state representative and state senator (email preferable at the moment)
(Find yours here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator)

Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 0213

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

Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute