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 March 27 at 5:30pm, on Zoom
Topic: TBD

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. 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.

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

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. 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

Cambodian American Community Meeting

Thursday, March 3,5:30-7:00pm
Olympic Restaurant, 454 Chelmsford St, Lowell
Presenter: Senator Ed Kennedy

Learn about the campaign for Bill S.2406, Sponsored by Senator Ed Kennedy and Co-Sponsored by Representative Vanna Howard. The legislation condemns political oppression and encourages free and fair elections in Cambodia

More information on the bill at http://malegislature.gov/bills/192/S2406

Free event. Appetizers will be served.

Take Action Forum: Marching to the Ukrainian Beat – Let’s all stand up for Democracy

Wednesday, March 9, 6:45- 8 PM on Zoom
Group: Indivisible Acton Area
RSVP for Link: https://actionnetwork.org/events/indivisible-acton-area-take-action-forum?source=direct_link&

Special Fundraiser for Kids In Need of Defense KIND’s Ukraine Aid
The Steering Committee will donate $5 per attendee to KIND and Christine will give a bonus $5 for every pet in the zoom call!

We have two exciting ballot measures coming up in Massachusetts

Act On Mass – Transparency
Mass Care – Medicare for All

Plus it’s time to collect signatures for the candidate of your choice.

So excited to get outside and actually talk to people…in person!
Join us for some interactive fun while we learn tips to gather signatures.

Via Christine Brown Indivisible Acton Area – News-Magic Team

State-Level Actions

Progressive Massachusetts endorses Chang-Diaz and Gouveia

Progressive Massachusetts reached out in late December to gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates with a comprehensive policy questionnaire. In mid-February, they polled statewide membership about whom and whether to endorse, and the results were clear: Sonia Chang-Díaz for Governor and Tami Gouveia for Lt. Governor.

Each received a commanding 78% of the vote in the member poll, far clearing the 60% threshold required for endorsement.

Each has consistently and persistently demonstrated a commitment to PM’s fundamental mantra that “We all do better when we all do better.” They each bring a deep commitment to equity and justice and a proven track record.

Ban Trump and Insurrectionists from the Ballot

Demand enforcement of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment
Write to Secretary Galvin using sample letter

Dear Friends: You can help keep Donald Trump and other insurrectionists off ballots in every state by demanding enforcement of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars anyone who has sworn to defend the Constitution and then engages in insurrection from ever holding office. Any citizen can petition election officials and the candidate need not have been convicted of anything. As long as there is “reasonable suspicion” and evidence, election officials must investigate and it is then up to the candidates to prove they have not disqualified themselves.

Free Speech for People has written 5-page letters to every state, which you can find on their website under “14POINT3 Campaign” heading. It includes the entire relevant section 14.3 of the Constitution and numerous other citations.
https://freespeechforpeople.org/the-14point3-campaign/

Robin of Indivisible Worcester has written a one-page version of the letter. Please customize this sample letter to write or email (email address) Bill Galvin, Massachusetts Secretary of State. Just copy or download.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S3EHygUgx6JrGIKP9_ZavfO24D2VTnwD/edit

Here is a brief summary of Trump’s offenses.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h7dyVOuTcu8BZZXG1WydkCnn2FlhumOy/view?usp=sharing

And for all other state election officials (Secretary of State in some states, an election commission in other states), use the names and addresses you find on the Free Speech for People website. Focus on the states you consider most important.

Once we finish with Trump, we can move on to Phase II: work to bar over 200 insurrectionist candidates found on InsurrectionIndex.org with their offenses, listed by state. Stay tuned for more information on Phase II.

Contact RobinJVL@gmail.com with any questions.
Thank you, Indivisible Worcester.
h/t Shaw Yang Indivisible Acton Area – News Magic Team

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/

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/contribute