RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR AUGUST 24, 2022

 

 

Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions

Media help needed

We would like to find someone who can help to produce occasional videos for TikTok and local access TV. If you are interested, please email contact@solidaritylowell.com.

Marius Needs Assistance

From: Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network (MVISN)
Unfortunately, Marius has had some bad luck this month. The truck that he had been using for work caught fire and was a total loss. He is currently seeking employment so if anyone has any leads, please pass them along to marissa@solidaritylowell.com. He will also need financial assistance until he is able to find another job. And with the baby coming, he and Lillian need all the help they can get! Please donate through the GoFundMe. Any assistance is appreciated!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/47gvz-marius

Lowell Events

Meet and Greet with Dr. Tami Gouveia and Lowell City Councilor Corey Robinson

COMMUNITY EVENT
Sunday August 28, 2022 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
McPherson Park, 984 Bridge St, Lowell, MA 01850
Rally Link: https://secure.ngpvan.com/9MMSKfAi0UuXI19sD8RN3g2 

There will be a canvass after the rally. Join the canvass to help elect Tami.

Canvass Link: https://secure.ngpvan.com/341qVPzAZkuU9tiBkD3mLA2

With the Sept. 6th primary election right around the corner, come meet Dr. Tami Gouveia, Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, on Sunday, August 28 at 1pm in Lowell at McPherson Park on Bridge Street. Tami is proud to have grown up in the neighborhood of Centralville, and is grateful to have Centralville City Councilor Corey Robinson hosting this meet and greet in her home turf. All are welcome!

Lowell Litter Krewe

The LLK is in full swing helping to beautify our area.
To connect with them: https://linktr.ee/lowelllitterkrewe
Sign up to volunteer, check out their schedule and more.

Next events
Saturday, August 27 at 8am-11am
River Meadow Brook Invasive Removal
Meet at Lincoln St under the Connector

Cleanups every Thursday 3:30pm-6pm with Life Connections’ Jump Start Jobs Program

Other Events

Help Get Out the Vote-When More People Vote, More Progressives Win

Wednesdays, August 24, 31   12pm-3pm
Join a Mass Voter Table phone bank encouraging folks to vote by mail.
https://actionnetwork.org/campaigns/2022-mvt-phone-banks

Write Pro-Choice Postcards to Voters

Wednesday, August 31 10:30 -11:30am
RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblelab/event/495675/

Join IndivisibleLAB outside at the visitor center in Lexington to write postcards to pro-choice voters in PA.

Join the movement to elect pro-choice Democrats! The extremist Supreme Court has taken away our freedom and right to abortion. Activate America is writing to voters in swing states who are likely pro-choice with a simple message: your freedom is being curtailed, fight back and vote. For this event, we will be writing for Chris Deluzio (PA 17). Chris is a Pittsburgh-area native, an Iraq War Veteran, and a voting rights attorney. Packets contain everything you need to write 20 postcards; the cost is $10. Please mail postcards as you complete them, and by September 10 at the latest.

Meet us outside at the visitor center in Lexington. Feel free to bring a friend, just stop by to say hello, or pick up postcard packets even if you can’t stay. You’ll find us at the picnic tables in front or the porch in the back (depending on weather). We spread out tables but feel free to bring a mask; we can also create a mask-only table if there is demand.

If you want a drink or snack, check out Via Lago, which is just across Meriam Street. There is parking on the street or in the lot on Meriam Street. There is a water refill station inside the Visitor Center so bring your own water bottle!

(edited)
H/T Lisa Baci

Democracy Corner

For information on groups working to protect democracy across the country
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OQQz8X8oH4xT_KIxKXnqBRW_2HyTfYeQF8S2Hxq-kG0/edit

Don’t miss your chance to vote in the primary

Deadline to Register to Vote (or change your address): August 27
Deadline for Mail-in Ballot Application: August 29
Early voting: August 27-September 2

Applications to vote by mail have been sent out. If you haven’t received yours, or if you moved and haven’t changed your registration, check with the Elections Department at City Hall on the best way to get that done. 978-674-4046

Drop boxes are in place on Merrimack Street in front of City Hall and at the door to City Hall from JFK Plaza.  Applications for mail-in ballots may be mailed or dropped in a drop box.

Lowell Needs Poll Workers

The City of Lowell employs approximately 225 poll workers per election, including Wardens, Clerks, Inspectors and translators. All poll workers are paid, and subject to very specific rules/guidelines/policies. Early voting begins August 27, so hiring must be done before then. Just a few weeks away.

Poll workers are essential to running an election. If you have the time, please consider signing up. For more information, see  https://www.lowellma.gov/317/Election-Workers.

Our Endorsed Candidates for State Representative Welcome Volunteers

Our endorsees in contested races have also been endorsed by Progressive Massachusetts! Below are contacts for our members and endorsed candidates running for local state representative. If you are interested in helping our endorsed candidates running for statewide office, or efforts to elect more reasonable candidates in other states, you will find links to organizations here: https://tinyurl.com/ycxysmhw

Zoe Dzineku, Lowell 16th Middlesex
https://www.govotezoe.com/

  • Volunteers for Saturday doorknocking would be greatly appreciated. Choose from two shifts.
  • Field captains are needed to be responsible for checking people in for a shift, providing training as necessary, and checking them back out.

Tara Hong, Lowell 18th Middlesex
https://www.tarahong.com/

  • Volunteers needed for phonebanking and canvassing. Volunteer on the site.
  • Phonebanking every Wednesday 6-7PM and on your own as comfortable.

Teresa English, Billerica
https://www.voteteresaenglish.org/

Support Progressive Candidates

Progressive candidates get elected when progressive folks do the work to support them. Whether you like phonebanking, texting, or doorknocking, there’s something you can do. Pick a campaign and volunteer.  They ALL have environmental chops.

Daily Opportunities in support of Dr. Tami Gouveia
PM Endorsee for Lieutenant Governor
Almost daily through September 6, 10am-8pm (times vary)
Phonebanking every Sunday.
https://www.tamigouveia.com/events/

Canvassing and Phonebanking for Tanisha Sullivan
PM endorsee for Secretary of State
Almost daily through September 6, 5-8pm (times vary)
https://tanishasullivan.com/join-us/

Support Quentin Palfrey’s Campaign for Attorney General
https://www.quentinpalfrey.com/

Support Chris Dempsey’s Campaign for Auditor
https://dempseyforauditor.com/

Act on Mass Endorsed Candidates for State Representative in Greater Lowell
https://actonmass.org/endorsements-2022

ActOnMass has endorsed both Vivian Birchall and Teresa English. Act on Mass works for greater transparency in state government. At the link you will find links to the campaigns of endorsed candidates.

Demcast’s Mobilize for Midterms page

https://demcast.com/midterms/
Identifies key races for protecting democracy, maintaining Democratic majority in the House, and adding to Democratic majority in the Senate to end stalemates so that folks can volunteer to help campaigns.

State-level Actions

Help Get the Fair Share Amendment Passed – Canvass and/or Phonebank!

This amendment, a priority of Progressive Massachusetts, would add an additional 4% tax on incomes over $1 million, with revenue to be directed to improve our transportation systems (roads, bridges, and public transportation) and our schools. It is estimated that it would raise $2 billion per year. For years, Massachusetts has skimped on its transportation system and the maintenance and upgrades now required amount to billions of dollars. We saw another example of the cost of ignoring that last week when an Orange line train caught fire during rush hour and 200 passengers had to walk to safety from a bridge. Clearly it can’t wait any longer.

The amendment is Question #1 on the ballot this November. But getting it passed means a lot of voter education through door-knocking and phonebanking. If you’d like to help, you can sign up at  https://tinyurl.com/bdcwp7xa

Sign the petition for Youth Mental Health Access

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-a-petition-for-youth-mental-health?source=direct_link&

America has an urgent youth mental health crisis. In 2019, more than one in five high school students seriously considered suicide and one in three reported feeling persistent sadness. The pandemic has only made that worse.  An estimated 67,000 children in Massachusetts suffer from major depression. Of those, some 44,000, OVER HALF, do not receive treatment.

Every young person should be able to get the help they need to be safe, happy, and healthy. Sign the petition to urge legislators to take action by passing legislation that expands mental health care in our schools.

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

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 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 at solidaritylowell.com

For more events not listed here, visit the full Events calendar: https://solidaritylowell.com/events/

June meeting notes:
https://tinyurl.com/2p9ke9h4

June meeting recording:
https://youtu.be/BKXwSQB0UFo

See recordings of past Solidarity Lowell meetings in our YouTube channel at:
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. Join at: https://www.progressivemass.com/donate/