Monday, January 31 / 6:30 pm Virtual Program To register: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/cbh-talk-discovering-last-virtual-20220131
Month: January 2022
RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR JAN 26, 2022
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
Save the Date: Solidarity Lowell February General Meeting
Sunday February 27 at 5:30pm, on Zoom
Topic: TBD
Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network (MVISN)
Asylum-Seeker Marius now has employment, but is having issues with his employer. MVISN may need to extend assistance through Feb or March. Any amount will be gratefully accepted.
Donations via:
CashApp – $gollygee17
Venmo – @owlnerd
Please put “Marius” in the notes
For more information, email marissa@solidaritylowell.com
Other Events
Vigils For Racial Justice
February 27, 2022
March 27, 2022
April 24, 2022
2 to 3 PM
Littleton Common & First Baptist Church
Sponsored by The Greater Littleton Interfaith Council
If wind chill factor is below 32 degrees, this event will be canceled.
Common Start Roundtable Discussion
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 06:30-8:00 PM
https://bit.ly/commonstartroundtable
At this event, you will hear from educators and providers in the field, parents, and experts about the current state of the field of early education and child care and efforts to make affordable, accessible, high-quality education and care a reality for all Massachusetts families through passage of the Common Start bill.
The Gig is Up Film Discussion
Wednesday, January 26, 2022 05:30 PM
To register: http://www.bit.ly/gigisupjan
Want to learn how to stand against the gig job ballot question? Join us for a panel discussion with the Director of the documentary “The Gig is Up,” Shannon Walsh.
“The Gig is Up” uncovers the real costs of the platform economy through the lives of people working for companies around the world, including Uber, Amazon, and InstaCart. Last year in California, Big Tech spent $220 million on a ballot campaign, known as Proposition 22, which codified their exploitative and racially discriminatory practices into law. This fight has now come to Massachusetts and we must unite in order to prevent further erosion of workers rights.
After you register, you will be sent a link to view the film for free 48 hours prior to the discussion.
Climate Change Café
Wednesday, January 26, 7:00pm
To register: https://350mass.betterfutureproject.org/upcoming_events
Worried about the pace of climate change? Worried about COP26, the Thwaites Glacier, or lack of federal action? Come to the Climate Café. It’s a supportive gathering where no one has to put on a positive face, but can share openly with people who are experiencing similar emotions. Currently they are held virtually and led by two experienced activists from the Greater Lowell chapter of 350Massachusetts.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Virtual Book Drive
Donate a book or two before January 31
Two options for donating books:
- Visit the Amazon registry (https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/2K5KBYROZGV9N/)
- Drop off a gently used book at the “Little Free Library” on Bourne Street in Lowell’s Sacred Heart neighborhood
Donations end January 31, 2022. Books will go to Lowell community organizations, institutions and families.
Hosted by Lowell’s Black Coalition https://blacklowellcoalition.com
State-Level Actions
Unless an extension is issued, Joint Committees have until February 2nd to report out favorably the bills before it. Bills not reported out or extended will be dead for this legislative session. Following are a few we have a chance of seeing passed that need your support.
Next action in support of Safe Communities Act
The next step in the process of passing the act is coming up quickly. On February 2nd, each committee must decide the fate of the hundreds of bills before it – whether to continue consideration with a favorable report or end the process for this session.
Folks are being asked to email the Public Safety Committee now to make sure the Safe Communities Act receives a favorable report.
As the decision deadline approaches, we expect our opponents to ramp up their efforts to sway the Committee, as they did before the December hearing. We need to make sure our support drowns them out! Will you take a minute to email the committee right now using our easy tool, even if you contacted them in December? This will send a strong message of support.
If you’re able to, please try to personalize the template email we’ve provided with one or two reasons why you support the Safe Communities Act. This will ensure that your email stands out in the committee members’ email inboxes. Once you’ve sent your messages, make sure to share the email tool with your networks in order to amplify your support!
Email the Public Safety Committee members right now.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-the-public-safety-committee-report-the-safe-communities-act-out-favorably/
Support the Indigenous Legislative Agenda
The 2021-2022 Indigenous Legislative Agenda includes 5 priorities: Remove Racist Mascots, Honor Indigenous People’s Day, Celebrate and Teach Native American Culture & History, Protect Native American Heritage, and Support the Education and Futures of Native Youth. Join in calling for each of these bills to move out of committee!
Go to https://bit.ly/SupportIndigenousBills to Support Indigenous-Centered Bills in MA
PLEASE WATCH THIS POWERFUL ONE-HOUR VIDEO OF THE JANUARY 11 INDIGENOUS PANEL SPEAKING ABOUT THE NEED TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS-CENTERED BILLS IN MASSACHUSETTS!
And if you don’t have the time to be further re-educated and inspired…
THEN JUST TAKE THIS ACTION STEP:
-Go to https://bit.ly/SupportIndigenousBills and send an automated letter to the members of the legislative committees where the bills are currently sitting, asking that the bills be reported out of committee favorably. You can customize the letter if you want. Please share and get your friends and organizations to write, too!
-Learn more about the bills and get updates via http://maindigenousagenda.org/
Via News-MAGIC
Email your state rep today in support of the VOTES Act!
The VOTES act was passed favorably out of committee and will be brought to a vote this Thursday.
The House allowed the expiration of temporary reforms that made it safer to vote in the pandemic. Those reforms would also have ended disenfranchisement of people who find voting in person or on election day difficult or impossible. To restore those reforms, the House needs to pass the VOTES act, which the Senate passed last summer.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/we-need-to-strengthen-democracy-here-in-ma
Support the Work and Family Mobility Act by attending Law Enforcement Leaders for Drivers Licenses Virtual Briefing
Tuesday, January 25, 10:00am
http://www.facebook.com/DrivingFamiliesForward
Universal childcare can advance with the Common Start Initiative
Common Start Roundtable
Tuesday, January 25, 6:30-8:00pm
Register at: http://bit.ly/CommonStartRoundtable
With Special guest Congresswoman Katherine Clark
Massachusetts Power Forward Day of Action
Climate Justice can’t wait! Massachusetts needs decision-makers to act fast and move more climate justice policy now!
Join the Massachusetts Power Forward coalition this Thursday for a day of action.
9AM – 10AM : Action Hour, call your legislators
https://fb.me/e/1i7OF5oNc
12pm – 1pm: Action hour, take a selfie photo petition and post on twitter to push our legislators
https://fb.me/e/3lr4Lo33T
Our State Legislators’ Info
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
(… or find yours here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator)
Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133
National Actions
Our Federal Legislators’ Info
Senator Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
https://www.warren.senate.gov/contact/shareyouropinion
Senator Edward Markey: 617-565-8519
255 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
https://www.markey.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Representative Lori Trahan: 978-459-0101 / 202-225-3411
https://trahan.house.gov/contact/write-your-rep.htm
Representative Seth Moulton: 978-531-1669 / 202-225-8020
https://moulton.house.gov/contact
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/
January meeting notes:
https://tinyurl.com/39mkh38f
January meeting recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXXvIypE9Zc
See recordings of past Solidarity Lowell meetings on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCohwMIkVdabQdDHsVTLIGsQ
For positive news visit Solidarity Lowell Upbeat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/326202548419687
———–
Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute
Solidarity Lowell and Progressive Massachusetts Meetings THIS WEEKEND
Saturday
Progressive Mass 2022 Annual Member Meeting
Saturday, January 22, 1-4pm on Zoom
2022 is going to be an eventful year. Progressive Mass is kicking it off with their annual member meeting on Saturday, January 22. They will update us on their work from the past year as well as what’s in store for 2022. There will also be interviews with 2022 Gubernatorial and Lt. Gubernatorial candidates.
Gubernatorial candidates confirmed so far: Harvard professor Danielle Allen, State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz
LG candidates confirmed so far: Businessman Bret Bero, State Rep Dr. Tami Gouveia, State Sen. Adam Hinds
These interviews are going to be key because members will be voting on an endorsement shortly thereafter.
RSVP today! Zoom info upon RSVP.
https://tinyurl.com/mtb2jfdh
Sunday
Solidarity Lowell January General Meeting
Sunday January 23 at 5:30pm on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83956839024?pwd=T1hYaHZYRlU4eXZWM1VnQWI3TkdDZz09
Meeting ID: 839 5683 9024
Passcode: 906589
Dial in: 301 715 8592 or 646 558 8656
This month we will hear from several local candidates running for State Rep in this year’s election. We will also have a chance to ask them questions.
RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR JAN 15, 2022
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
Save the Date: Solidarity Lowell January General Meeting
Sunday January 23 at 5:30pm, on Zoom
Topic: TBD
Other Events
MoveOn: The Plan to Protect Democracy
Tue 1/11 8pmET/5pmPT
RSVP: http://mvn.to/2xy/5u0idq
Join livestream w/ Elizabeth Warren & MoveOn ED Rahna Epting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
In 2022, we must prioritize:
- Ending the filibuster
- Protecting voting rights
- Expanding the Supreme Court
We need your help to press our elected officials to support these steps to secure our democracy against Republicans’ attempts to entrench minority rule.
Via News-MAGIC
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Virtual Book Drive
Donate a book or two before January 31
Two options for donating books:
- Visit the Amazon registry and search for “Lowell 2022 MLK Book Drive”
- Drop off a gently used book at the “Little Free Library” on Bourne Street in Lowell’s Sacred Heart neighborhood
Donations end January 31, 2022. Books will go to Lowell community organizations, institutions and families.
Hosted by Lowell’s Black Coalition https://blacklowellcoalition.com
“Racial Justice and Communal Safety: Cultivating MLK’s Legacy” with distinguished guest speaker U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins
Monday, January 17, 2022, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
via Zoom
Register for link: https://tinyurl.com/zser6zeb
20th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute, hosted by Na’aseh the social justice group of Congregation Beth Elohim, Acton
The Black Alliance for Peace: Human Rights from an Anti-war and Anti-imperialist Perspective
Tuesday, January 18, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm EST
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwscOCprzkvH9TBdgotV92ZdCAbdmrSMH3B
A webinar discussion with Ajamu Baraka, the National Organizer for the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP). BAP was founded on April 4, 2017, 50 years after Martin Luther King, Jr’s historic Riverside Church anti-war speech. Baraka stated then that BAP’s purpose is ” to recapture and redevelop the historic anti-war, anti-imperialist, and pro-peace positions of the radical black movement.”
h/t Susan Labandibar – News-MAGIC team
Learn more about S.2030/H.1905, An Act Establishing A [5-year] Jail and Prison Construction Moratorium
Thursday, January 20, 7pm
To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlc-yppjgiHNf-SZUkZazf3GQUvgnA0L4Z
Speakers will discuss what this bill does and doesn’t do, how it would be implemented, and what it would mean for Massachusetts to invest $50 million into communities, instead of incarceration.
Via News-MAGIC
Progressive Mass 2022 Annual Member Meeting
Saturday, January 22, 1-4pm
2022 is going to be an eventful year. Progressive Mass is kicking it off with their annual member meeting on Saturday, January 22. They will update us on their work from the past year as well as what’s in store for 2022. There will also be interviews with 2022 Gubernatorial and Lt. Gubernatorial candidates.
Gubernatorial candidates confirmed so far: Harvard professor Danielle Allen, State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz
LG candidates confirmed so far: Businessman Bret Bero, State Rep Dr. Tami Gouveia, State Sen. Adam Hinds
These interviews are going to be key because members will be voting on an endorsement shortly thereafter.
RSVP today! Zoom info upon RSVP. https://tinyurl.com/mtb2jfdh
Climate Change and Nuclear War: What We Can Do About the Twin Existential Threats
Saturday, January 22, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm EST
Group: Mass Peace Action
Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpfuqgqz8jE92b1mFuTg8r4Lg3dFyop00T
The webinar will focus on how climate change increases the danger of nuclear war and how a nuclear war would cause further catastrophic climate disruption. This case study of South Asia will show the way the twin existential threats of climate and nuclear risks interact in a way that threatens us all. Solutions such as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and the Green New Deal that enable us to confront the threats will also be addressed.
State-Level Actions
MA Needs Bold, Equity-Centered Action on COVID
With the onset of a new COVID-19 variant, we are seeing a frightening rise in Covid-19 cases, including growing hospitalizations and deaths. We need decisive action and communication at the State level to prevent much more avoidable illness and death. Thankfully, we have a range of public health tools, including vaccines, that can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and enable us to have a safer New Year. Stopping the spread of COVID is essential to the safe and consistent functioning of our schools and businesses.
Please use your voice to support a comprehensive public health approach — along the lines of the Massachusetts Covid19 Action Plan delivered Last month, Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) and a dozen state legislative colleagues delivered to Governor Baker in a letter urging the adoption of a slate of data-driven public health policies set forth in a Massachusetts COVID-19 Action Plan, crafted and endorsed by a coalition of over 100 public health and medical professionals and 36 community organizations.
We need quick action from the Governor and the Legislature. This includes: Funding and staffing daily mobile vaccination clinics in frontline communities and school-based vaccine clinics Making testing widely available and distributing free rapid tests Implementing a county-based mask mandate according to CDC recommendations Providing free high-quality masks, like KF94, KN95, and N95, to frontline communities Applying safety standards in the workplace that mitigate aerosol transmission through ventilation and/or air filtration, appropriate distancing, and masking Applying and enforcing federal and state occupational safety standards and guidelines. Protecting against foreclosures, evictions, and rent increases to decrease home crowding using the measures in H.1434 and S.89 Adhering to CDC guidance for universal masking in schools regardless of vaccination status Making remote learning options available so infected or ill children do not get left behind.
Use this form to write:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/ma-needs-bold-equity-centered-action-on-covid
Sign a Letter of Support for the Indigenous Legislative Agenda
The 2021-2022 Indigenous Legislative Agenda includes 5 priorities: Remove Racist Mascots, Honor Indigenous People’s Day, Celebrate and Teach Native American Culture & History, Protect Native American Heritage, and Support the Education and Futures of Native Youth. Join us in calling for each of these bills to move out of committee!
Sign here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/move-our-bills-out-of-committee-before-the-deadline
Email your state rep today in support of the VOTES Act!
The House allowed the expiration of temporary reforms that made it safer to vote in the pandemic. Those reforms would also have ended disenfranchisement of people who find voting in person or on election day difficult or impossible. To restore those forms, the House needs to pass the VOTES act, which the Senate passed last summer.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/we-need-to-strengthen-democracy-here-in-ma
Our State Legislators’ Info
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
(… or find yours here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator)
Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133
National Actions
Our Federal Legislators’ Info
Senator Elizabeth Warren: 617-565-3170
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
https://www.warren.senate.gov/contact/shareyouropinion
Senator Edward Markey: 617-565-8519
255 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
https://www.markey.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Representative Lori Trahan: 978-459-0101 / 202-225-3411
https://trahan.house.gov/contact/write-your-rep.htm
Representative Seth Moulton: 978-531-1669 / 202-225-8020
https://moulton.house.gov/contact
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/
November meeting notes: https://tinyurl.com/fxzzbnzw
November meeting recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQYfI7C4vdA
See recordings of past Solidarity Lowell meetings on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCohwMIkVdabQdDHsVTLIGsQ
For positive news visit Solidarity Lowell Upbeat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/326202548419687
———-
Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/contribute
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