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
Congratulations to ALL Our Endorsed Candidates
We look forward to the new voices and new ideas that the seat-winners (*) will bring to our city government. We look forward to working with you for change in the city.
And we are grateful to and proud of those who were disappointed in the results, but nevertheless ran good campaigns that forced incumbents and opponents to really think about what they were promising to deliver. We are especially grateful to Tooch Van, who was part of the lawsuit that brought historic change to the city.
City Council
*At Large: Vesna Nuon
*District 2: Corey Robinson
*District 4: Wayne Jenness
District 5: Tooch Van
District 6: Justin Ford
School Committee
*At Large: Jackie Doherty
*District 1: Stacey Thompson
District 2: Hilary Clark
District 3: Susie Chhoun
Urgent Support Needed for Asylum-Seeker Marius
Marius has a new apartment and needs urgent assistance with rent money. If you are able to contribute, please send donations to Marissa Dupont.
Donations via:
CashApp – $gollygee17
Venmo – @owlnerd
Please put “Marius” in the notes.
Save the Date: Solidarity Lowell November General Meeting
Sunday, November 21, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Topic: A representative of the International Institute of New England in Lowell will speak about the Afghan refugees who will be resettled here.
Other Events
The Future of Hydrogen for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Tuesday, November 9, 9:00am-12:00pm
Hybrid event – In person and online
A discussion of the recently released white paper from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the AIM Foundation. Following a discussion by the paper’s authors, a panel of state officials, including Lowell’s own Representative Thomas Golden, will react to the study’s findings. The study was funded by the gas companies through an industry group and regards putting hydrogen in the gas lines – a bad idea for many reasons.
For tickets ($50):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-future-of-hydrogen-for-the-commonwealth-of-massachusetts-hybrid-event-tickets-170162726295
Freedom to Vote – Time to Act Rally
Tuesday, November 9, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Sponsor: Indivisible Mass Coalition
Lexington, MA
Join local activists in the fight to reform the filibuster and protect voting rights at this standout in Lexington Center by the Minuteman Statue on the Battle Green.
The Filibuster Ban Van will visit the standout! Participants can sign a super-sized letter to President Biden printed on a banner, asking him to join the fight to reform the filibuster and transform our democracy. The Filibuster Ban Van will then continue to Washington, DC where, on November 17, we’ll deliver the giant, signed letter to the White House along with hundreds of other activists.
Bring a sign showing your support of Voting Rights or an end to the Filibuster, if you have one, but don’t worry if you don’t. Join us even if you only have time to stop by and sign the banner.
RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/426727/
h/t Lisa Baci, News-MAGIC Team
Freedom to Vote – Time to Act Rally
Saturday, Nov 13, 10:30am – 12pm
Haverhill, MA
Extremist politicians have spent the year putting up barriers to voting in one state after another and are now drawing districts to benefit themselves, carving up communities and attempting to drown out the voices of millions of American voters for the next decade.
The American people have responded by coming together to demand Congress act. The House already passed sweeping legislation to protect our freedom to vote and realize the promise of democracy for all.
Now, we’re working together to ensure that the Senate delivers for the American people so all our voices are heard and we can elect people who will deliver for us.
That’s why we’re mobilizing during the Senate’s next recess in November when lawmakers will return home (Nov 8th – Nov 13th) for a Freedom to Vote: Time to Act week of action.
Join us for our Freedom to Vote: The Time is Now event to urge the Senate to act swiftly to pass robust national standards for federal elections, and to use every lever of power and influence to get this done.
https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/426465/
Rally to Support the Common Start Act
Sunday, November 14, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Ladd & Whitney Memorial in front of City Hall
Affordable childcare, early childhood education, and afterschool care. The Common Start coalition has a plan for all of that. We need to help them convince legislators to pass the bill.
A Livable Future: How Can Massachusetts Lead on Climate?
Sunday, Nov 14, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Register for link: http://bit.ly/massclimateaction
Our State House has been slow to pass the sweeping changes we need. To make matters worse, our governor has vetoed critical legislation. When his veto was overridden, he slowed the implementation of the law. That’s why Call2Action, along with over thirty Democratic Town Committees and supporting organizations, invite you to join a virtual forum this November 14th at 7:00pm on “A Livable Future: How Massachusetts Can Lead on Climate?” Space may be limited, so please register soon.
Hear:
- A word of welcome from US Senator Ed Markey, our climate champion in Congress, on the current budget battles that will determine our national future
- A report from Bill McKibben, the world-famous founder of 350.org, on what he observed at the UN meeting – and what it means for us
- An analysis by Cabell Eames, political director for A Better Future Project, on how the governor is slow-walking the new climate law – and what we must do
- The Rev. Vernon Walker, director of Communities Responding to Extreme Weather, on how the connections between the climate crisis and the injustices to low income communities and communities of color must be met by a unified response
Safe Communities Act Town Hall
Thursday, November 18, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
18 months into the COVID-19 pandemic and 9 months into a new federal administration, the passage of the Safe Communities Act is more important than ever. Ending police and court involvement in deportations remains an urgent public health and public safety priority in Massachusetts.
Join the Safe Communities Coalition for a virtual town hall discussion to hear from immigrant workers, immigrant survivors of domestic violence, and advocates about why the passage of the Safe Communities Act is essential and what you can do to take action. Interpretation in Spanish and Portuguese will be provided.
RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/safe-communities-act-town-hall
h/t Lisa Baci, News-MAGIC Team
State-Level Actions
Submit Written Testimony in Support of An Act To Apply the Public Records Law to the Legislature
Deadline: 5pm November 12
There is still time to submit written testimony in support of An Act to Apply the Public Records Law to the Legislature (H.3239, S.2048). If you believe that Massachusetts should join the other 46 states that subject their legislatures to public records law, make your voice heard! Submit your testimony by emailing it to jordan.latham [at] mahouse.gov or mary.wasylyk [at] masenate.gov, and don’t forget to check out our sample testimony for inspiration at https://tinyurl.com/5kyuvabd!
h/t Act on Mass
Encourage Same Day Voter Registration
Ask the House Ways & Means Committee to be sure to include same-day voter registration in the bill it will report to the House floor. No Lowell Reps are on the committee, but you could write to the chair, Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (Aaron.M.Michlewitz [at] mahouse.gov).
Sample email
I am writing to you in your capacity as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee to urge that you include same-day voter registration when reporting House Bill H.805 out for a vote in the House. Because of the college population in Massachusetts, too many people move in September. The deadlines for voter registration and registration changes effectively disenfranchise those people with regard to primaries. It is possible to handle the logistics of implementing the change, and important to avoid disenfranchising people as much as possible.
Thank you.
Support Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence!
Immigrants in Massachusetts who suffer intimate partner violence are twice as likely to be killed by their abusers as are the native born. The Massachusetts Safe Communities Act would end voluntary police and court involvement in deportations, so that all victims feel safe reporting abuse and getting help and protection. Urge your state legislator to support the Safe Communities Act today!
Please let your state rep and senator know you support the Safe Communities Act. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/support-immigrant-survivors-of-domestic-violence/
h/t Jeannine Wood, via News-MAGIC
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Our State Legislators’ Info
Contact your state representative and state senator
(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
October meeting (Endorsed Candidates Showcase) recording:
https://youtu.be/5cGYD0TykS4
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Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute