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
Solidarity Lowell General Meeting SUNDAY!
Sunday March 27 at 5:30pm, on Zoom
Speaker: Jonathan Cohn, Progressive Massachusetts
Topics: Candidate Endorsement Process, PM Legislative Agenda
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82068819438?pwd=WXRQb0tDdlBYZy8wQ3cxc1lSa1NPQT09
Meeting ID: 859 9209 4175
Passcode: 566523
Dial in: 646 558 8656 or 301 715 8592
SLCC Elections Coming Up
In April, we’ll be voting on Coordinating Committee members. Half of the seats are up for re-election/election each year. Anyone interested who has questions is welcome to contact any of the Coordinating Committee members (Amy Baranoski, Caroline Snow, Chris Offerman, Dee Halzack, Joseph Boyle, Lisa Arnold, Win Flint) or email the Committee at contact@solidaritylowell.com.
To help you decide whether you’d like to run, here is what the by-laws say about the Coordinating Committee:
- 3. Coordinating Committee members are invited to a two-year term or until they resign (either in person at a meeting or in the official Coordinating Committee Facebook Messenger conversation), or until they are voted out. At least ⅔ of the Coordinating Committee can agree to vote a Coordinating Committee member out. Terms will be staggered with 50% of the committee up for reelection in any given year. There are no term limits.
- 4. Coordinating Committee Meetings:
- 4.1 The Coordinating Committee will meet twice monthly. Decisions of the Coordinating Committee will be made by a vote of 50%+1 for motion to pass. A quorum of ⅔ of the Coordinating Committee must be present to hold a meeting.
- 4.2 Action by Consent. Any action by the Coordinating Committee may be taken without a meeting if consent is given by ⅔ of the Coordinating Committee online (by email or in the official Coordinating Committee Facebook Messenger chat or Slack). Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote at a meeting
- 5. The responsibilities of the Coordinating Committee include:
- 5.1. Record the minutes of the Coordinating Committee meetings and distribute them in a timely fashion to the Coordinating Committee members.
- 5.2. Communicate on a regular basis with the SL membership through use of, and maintenance of, an email list and at monthly general meetings.
- 5.3. Maintain an up-to-date list of chapter members including name, address, phone number and email address as well as date of membership and meetings attended.
- 5.4. Prepare the agendas for the General Meetings, record the minutes of the meetings, and distribute the minutes to all members.
- 5.5. Conduct any voting at General Meetings.
- 5.6. Develop and maintain the appropriate social media avenues as needed.
- 5.7. Recommend, implement, and evaluate program activities, including but not limited to public forums, debates, and legislative and electoral campaigns.
- 5.8. Encourage SL members to join PM or SL committees needed to carry out the responsibilities and/or the program activities of the organization.
- 5.9 Organize tabling and the promotion of the group at local events.
- 6. The nominating and voting process for election of the Coordinating Committee is as follows:
- 6.1. Members may make nominations from the floor at the April meeting. Individuals who are nominated must accept or decline the nomination, or, if not in attendance, otherwise have signified their response to such a nomination.
- 6.2. The members will vote by secret ballot or online. The top vote-getters equaling the number of open seats will be elected.
- 6.3 Persons nominated for the SLCC must not currently be in or running for Lowell city office.
Assistance urgently needed for our asylum-seeker
From: Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network (MVISN)
Asylum-Seeker Marius now has employment, but has had issues with his employer and is struggling to pay the rent. MVISN needs to extend assistance through 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
Commission on Clean Heat public meetings
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) invites you to attend public meetings focused on the work of the Commission on Clean Heat and related policies for building decarbonization. The meetings will be virtual and include a short presentation, followed by a period for public comment. There will be two sessions on each date with the same presentation, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.
Public Meeting #2: Thursday, March 24, 2022
OPTION 1: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Join by computer: https://zoom.us/j/99690459766
Join by phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 996 9045 9766 Passcode: 030122
OPTION 2: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Join by computer: https://zoom.us/j/93847362753
Join by phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 938 4736 2753 Passcode: 030122
Additional meeting to be held April 14.
Accommodations: Accessibility accommodations and language services will be provided free of charge to those who request them and subject to availability. Requests must be either submitted during registration or via email a minimum of two business days prior to the meeting. Services include documents in alternative formats, translated documents, assistive listening devices, and interpreters (including American Sign Language). For more information or to request reasonable accommodations and/or language services, please email GWSA@mass.gov.
Immigrants’ Day (virtually) at the State House
Tuesday, March 29, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Virtual event
Register HERE. https://tinyurl.com/424cdtws
Please join Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) at the State House on March 29 to support immigrants’ rights and advocate for related budget items and legislation. For 26 years MIRA has brought together hundreds of immigrants and refugees to hear from public officials and advocate for their communities’ legislative and budget priorities.
The virtual event includes a speaking program with built-in digital advocacy opportunities, followed by regional “roundtables” with legislators co-hosted by MIRA member organizations. It will focus on the Safe Communities Act, the Work and Family Mobility Act, the Language Access and Inclusion Act, the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Act, and several budget line-items.
45-minute speaking program with built-in digital advocacy opportunities, followed by 45-minute regional “roundtables” with legislators co-hosted by MIRA member organizations.
This year, we are privileged to announce that former Boston Mayor Kim Janey – the first Black woman to serve in that office – will be one of our keynote speakers. Our legislative hosts are Senator William N. Brownsberger, Senate President Pro Tempore, and Representative Ruth Balser, Second Division Chair. Featured speakers will include Gabriel Camacho, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1445, and Dalida Rocha, Political Director, Service Employees International Union Local 615, among others. Our priorities include ensuring the equitable distribution and availability of the vital COVID-19 vaccines, which are desperately needed in the immigrant and BIPOC communities hardest-hit by the pandemic. We will also continue to also push forward on longstanding priorities like the Safe Communities Act.
State-Level Actions
Support the MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda
The Massachusetts Indigenous Peoples Day Bill has been extended in committee until April 14th.
That means the bill is still alive and there is hope for it this legislative session. We need everyone’s help!
Please contact the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee and tell them you want the Indigenous Peoples Day bill voted out favorably.
Email
Click this link to send an automated email to Committee members: https://tinyurl.com/bdf2dxrx (Feel free to add your own language.)
Call
Phone calls to committee members make a huge difference! You do not need to be an expert on the bill to let them know you support it. You will most likely get voicemail. Contact info and short script are below.
Script:
“My name is [insert name], and I’m from [insert town]. I urge you to help ensure that the Indigenous Peoples Day bill (S.2027/H.3191) is called to a vote and reported out favorably before the April 14th deadline extension. I support this bill and want to see it passed during this legislative session.”
JOINT COMMITTEE ON STATE ADMIN AND REGULATORY OVERSIGHT
CALL LIST IN ORDER OF PRIORITY
Senate Chair, Sen. Marc R. Pacheco, (617) 722-1551
House Chair, Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral, (617) 722-2017
Senate Vice-Chair, Sen. Rebecca L. Rausch, (617) 722-1555
House Vice-Chair, Rep. Christine P. Barber, (617) 722-2060
Sen. John J. Cronin, (617) 722-1230
Sen. Walter F. Timilty, (617) 722-1643
Sen. John C. Velis, (617) 722-1415
Sen. Bruce E. Tarr, (617) 722-1600
Rep. Carmine Lawrence Gentile, (617) 722-2810
Rep. Maria Duaime Robinson, (617) 722-2140
Rep. Christopher M. Markey, (617) 722-2676
Rep. Michelle L. Ciccolo, (617) 722-2210
Rep. Mary S. Keefe, (617) 722-2017
Rep. Paul J. Donato, (617) 722-2180
Rep. Paul A. Schmid III, (617) 722-2017
Rep. Steven G. Xiarhos (617) 722-2100
Rep. F. Jay Barrows, (617) 722-2488
Go to MaIndigenousAgenda.org to find out how to support the following bills also pending:
- Ban Native Mascots
- Teach Native Culture and History in Public Schools
- Protect Native Heritage
- Change the Flag and Seal
To make sure your town or city is on record on record in support of changing the racist state flag and seal, and to receive regular updates on the work of the Special Commission Relative to the Seal and Motto of the Commonwealth, go to: changethemassflag.com
Eight months away to Election Day! A good opportunity to plug EDR
Link: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/edr/
Late last month, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted in favor of the VOTES Act, pledging their support to making permanent critical electoral reforms like mail-in and early in-person voting. However, the House chose to leave out the heart of the VOTES Act: Election Day Registration (EDR). Now, because the House and Senate versions of the VOTES Act differ, a small group of legislators are finalizing the bill in conference committee.
While this is a disappointing development, the fight for EDR is far from over. EDR has been proven to make elections more equitable and efficient in 20 states. By reducing voter registration barriers, EDR boosts voter turnout for all, especially BIPOC, low income, immigrant, and young voters. It also decreases administrative burdens of running elections by allowing election workers to update registration information on the spot.
As we continue to make our voice heard on EDR, we ask for your support by doing so too. Contact your state representative NOW and urge them to include EDR in the final version of the VOTES Act. By doing so, you’ll help make our democracy a more equitable and efficient one.
From Jonathan Cohn, Progressive Massachusetts, via News-MAGIC
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
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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/
February meeting notes: https://tinyurl.com/ywzh67s3
February meeting recording: https://youtu.be/1GvTa_J6LTg
See recordings of all 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
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Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Click here to join: https://www.progressivemass.com/donate/