Month: September 2022

Sep

2022

RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR SEP 5, 2022

INFORMATION YOU NEED FOR TUESDAY’S PRIMARY

We’re publishing a day early so that you’ll have the information you need before you go to the polls.

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, September 6

Polls are open 7am to 8pm. If you haven’t voted yet, don’t miss your chance.

Haven’t mailed your mail-in ballot yet?
Drop boxes are in place on Merrimack Street in front of City Hall and at the door to City Hall from JFK Plaza. You may ALSO turn in mail-in ballots at polling places. Your editor knows from personal experience.

Not sure of your polling location?
https://www.lowellma.gov/322/Polling-Locations

Not sure whether you’re registered or registered under the correct address?
You can check your voter information by calling the Election & Census Office at (978) 674-4046 or online at the Secretary of State’s Elections and Voting page.
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx

It is too late to change your registration if it’s missing or incorrect to vote in the primary, but you still have time to do it before the general election on November 8.

Who’s running?
Lowell Votes Voters’ Guides
https://www.lowellvotes.org/2022guides/

Progressive Massachusetts Endorsees for Statewide Office

Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts, which has endorsed the following for statewide office.

Lieutenant Governor
Dr. Tami Gouveia, whose campaign is self-funded and not beholden to special interests. With a doctorate in public health, she is well qualified to tackle many of the crises affecting our state, including insufficient access to mental health care, opioid use, homelessness, reproductive rights, and youth issues.

Candidate’s website: https://www.tamigouveia.com/events/

Secretary of the Commonwealth
Tanisha Sullivan, committed to modernizing and eliminating the two forms of voter suppression still existing in our state, the arbitrary deadline to register BEFORE an election (no same-day registration) and felony disenfranchisement.

Candidate’s website: https://tanishasullivan.com/join-us/

Auditor
Chris Dempsey, wants to audit each department in the state government to ensure all are helping the state move toward its environmental goals.

Candidate’s website: https://dempseyforauditor.com/

(Note: The Progressive Massachusetts endorsees for Governor and Attorney General dropped out.)

Solidarity Lowell’s Endorsees for Lowell Offices

16th Middlesex
Zoe Dzineku brings experience with constituent services (in Senator Kennedy’s office) to the job, and concern for access to mental health care and transportation.

Candidate’s website: https://www.govotezoe.com/

Recording of Lowell Votes candidate forum for 16th Middlesex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fl4Da5oOho&ab_channel=LTCLowellMA

17th Middlesex
Representative Vanna Howard impressed us in her first term with her sponsorship of important legislation for our community, and with her tireless constituent advocacy.

Campaign website: https://vannahoward.com/

18th Middlesex
Tara Hong brings a commitment to transparency in government and constituent services along with support for many progressive issues, including the Fair Share amendment. The 3 candidates for 18th Middlesex running in the primary are all registered as Democrats, so THE RACE WILL BE DECIDED IN THE PRIMARY.

Candidate’s website: https://www.tarahong.com/

Recording of Lowell Votes candidate forum for 18th Middlesex:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPn6Qm32rM0&ab_channel=LTCLowellMA

Other Local Races

22nd Middlesex (Billerica)
Solidarity Lowell has endorsed Teresa English. So has Act on Mass, along with several other organizations.

Candidate’s website: https://www.voteteresaenglish.org/

14th Middlesex (Acton, Concord, parts of Chelmsford and Carlisle)
Solidarity Lowell did not endorse in this race. However, Progressive Massachusetts has endorsed Vivian Birchall. Act on Mass, which works for greater transparency in state government, has endorsed also endorsed her, along with a number of other organizations.

Candidate’s website: https://vivianbirchall.com

League of Women Voters Candidate Forum for 14th Middlesex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qsQ06ilR_c&ab_channel=ActonTV

Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions

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

Media help needed

We would like to find someone who can help to produce occasional videos for TikTok and local access TV.

Lowell Events

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 September 10, 9am-11am ~ Upper Merrimack/Market Sweep
Prior to Taste the Acre and Vibe Fest
Meet at Nibbana Café (12 Cardinal O’Connell Pkwy)

~Lunch provided by City Hall Café between events~

Saturday September 10, 1:30am-4:30pm ~ Recycling Team
Taste the Acre and Vibe Fest
JFK Plaza

Saturday September 17, 9am-2pm ~ Volunteer Your Support!
Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race
https://www.lowellkinetic.com/take-action

Saturday September 24, 9am-11am ~ Public Lands Day
With Canalwaters and NPS
Meet at Davidson St

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

Reproductive Rights

The good news is that abortion is still legal in Massachusetts, although there are a few things we could do to make access easier. But we will still be affected by the Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade. While there is no instant fix, there are ways we can help stand up to the decision, including working for pro-choice candidates in other states as noted above.

A full list of other actions you can take may be found at: https://tinyurl.com/4r568ack

Gun Safety

For those concerned about gun violence, we have compiled a list of organizations working on the problem that you could support and possible actions you can take. We urge you to check them out and see if one fits your values and activism style.
https://tinyurl.com/2xb2ma48

Democracy Corner

Information on groups working to protect democracy across the country

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OQQz8X8oH4xT_KIxKXnqBRW_2HyTfYeQF8S2Hxq-kG0/edit

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

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/

Sep

2022

SOLIDARITY LOWEL ANNOUNCES STATE REP ENDORSEMENTS (Reposted)

The Primary will be held this upcoming TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th! Remember to vote!

Solidarity Lowell announces endorsements in four State Representative races, by vote of their members.

All four endorsees have shown they embody the values that Solidarity Lowell fights for and will work to improve our cities and state for all. We are proud that all our endorsees reflect the diversity of our state and the progressive value of equity. Focused on their constituents, they want to give back to the community and ensure they communicate with and serve the people of their district transparently.

Zoe Dzineku for State Representative in the 16th Middlesex District: Zoe has a strong work ethic and is dedicated to improving the lives of all in her district. Zoe understands the varied needs of the district. She raised two girls as a single mother, moved through the ranks in the corporate world, built her own business, and transitioned to Constituent Services Director for Senator Edward Kennedy. As Chair of Lowell’s Election Commission, Zoe successfully fought plans to reduce the number of polling places. One of her main focuses is mental health awareness and support, which she believes affects all parts of our society.

https://govotezoe.com/

Vanna Howard for State Representative in the 17th Middlesex District: In just her first term, Representative Howard has impressed us with her sponsorship of important legislation for our community, and with her tireless constituent advocacy. She has co-sponsored more than a dozen Progressive Massachusetts priority bills. Representative Howard is a strong advocate on Beacon Hill for educating our kids, preserving and protecting women’s rights, addressing the needs of our refugee and immigrant communities, expanding the reach of healthcare and housing to all, childcare availability and affordability, social and economic justice, and protecting and preserving our environment and climate. She regularly meets with her constituents in her Lowell office and is a constant presence in community activities, including the Lowell Litter Krewe and Downtown Adopt a Street. Solidarity Lowell looks forward to working with Representative Howard to get even more done in her next term.

https://vannahoward.com/

Tara Hong for State Representative in the 18th Middlesex District: Tara earned a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice from UMass Lowell. He served as Civic Engagement Coordinator for the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and currently serves as a board member for both Lowell Litter Krewe and Mill City Grows. Tara’s platform includes a focus on adequate funding for schools, constituent services, affordable healthcare and housing, support for local business, and addressing climate change. Tara is a strong advocate for transparency in legislative work and will actively seek constituents’ opinions to help inform his decision making.

https://www.tarahong.com/

Teresa English for State Representative in the 22nd Middlesex District: Teresa’s experience as a veteran and a teacher have led her to develop leadership skills and become a force for change. She is passionate that each child receive the education that is best for that specific child. Teresa is also interested in protecting the environment and working for affordable healthcare and housing. Her platform specifically includes attention to the needs of seniors and veterans. Teresa was endorsed by Solidarity Lowell in 2020, when she earned an impressive 45% of the general election vote through a write-in campaign.

https://www.voteteresaenglish.org/