RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ACTION LIST FOR APRIL 4, 2023

Solidarity Lowell Events and Actions

Sign the Petition and Attend the City Council Meeting on April 11th!
We’ve decided to extend the deadline for signing the petition for better treatment of unhoused persons to April 11th! Sign here: http://bit.ly/unhoused-petition

NOTE: We will be presenting it formally to the City Council at their meeting next week, April 11th. PLEASE ATTEND! You can also sign up to speak if you feel so inclined, but we want to pack the house! Be at City Hall by 6pm on April 11th.

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Next Solidarity Lowell Hybrid Meeting
Sunday, April 23, 5:30-7pm
In person at Christ Church United, 10 Arlington St, Dracut
Online link to be announced
Featured speaker: TBD

We will be preparing to vote on Coordinating Committee members. Two-year terms for half of our Committee are up. We also encourage our members to run! If interested, email contact@solidaritylowell.com.

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Support for Asylum-Seeker Marius
Marius is an asylum-seeker from Togo who we have assisted since he arrived here in 2018.

He and Lillian, an asylum-seeker from the Dominican Republic, had a baby last year. The baby, Yayrah, is in need of clothing (size 9mos) and diapers (size 6.)

Clothing, diapers, and gift cards can be given to Marissa Dupont.
Email marissa@solidaritylowell.com to coordinate drop-off

Cash donations may be made through GoFundMe.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/47gvz-marius

Marius will be part of an immigrant discussion panel speaking at Andover Library’s Courageous Conversations series on Thursday, April 13.
https://mhl.libnet.info/event/8182538

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Lowell Events & Actions

Next City Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 4 at 6:30pm, at City Hall and online

Meetings are held weekly in Council Chamber Tuesdays at 6:30pm with public welcome. Attend in person or by using remote participation as follows: Members of the public may view the meeting via LTC.Org (Online; Live Streaming; Or Local Cable Channel 99).

See agenda for details:
https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04042023-2673?html=true

To speak, you must register by 4pm the day of the meeting. Those wishing to speak regarding a specific agenda item must register to speak in advance of the meeting by sending an email to the City Clerk indicating the agenda Item and a phone number to call so that you may be issued a Zoom link to the meeting. Email Address is MGEARY@LOWELLMA.GOV. If you have no access to email you may contact the City Clerk at 978-674-4161.

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Lowell Litter Krewe
The LLK is starting up regular cleanups.
To connect with them: https://linktr.ee/lowelllitterkrewe
Sign up to volunteer, check out their schedule and more.

Next events
Saturday, April 8 at 9am-12pm
Rotary Park Restoration and Repainting
Meet at Rotary Park, 38 Richmond Ave
With Mill City Grows

Saturday, April 15 at 9am-12pm
Sheehy Park Cleanup
Meet at Sheehy Park, 499 Pawtucket St
With UML School of Education

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Other Events

Early Educators Roundtable on Early Education and Care
Co-hosted by Common Start Coalition, MAAEYC & Jumpstart
Wednesday, April 11, 6pm on Zoom

From late March through April, members of the Common Start Coalition will host a series of virtual roundtable discussions to examine the state of early education and care in 2023 and discuss exactly how the Common Start agenda would help address the state’s ongoing child care crisis. This will be the first one.

RSVP: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtcOiprTgiG9WQpjPeUdT4GoE1igkhV6zi

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State Level Actions

Protect new Fair Share Amendment and state revenue in the FY24 Budget
Write to your state legislators: Let them know that it’s not okay to undermine Fair Share by giving big tax cuts to the rich. Massachusetts voters were clear: we want the rich to pay their fair share so that we can invest in public education and infrastructure.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/rum-fy24-budget/thankyou?delivery_id=85220630

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Abundant Housing Massachusetts Call to Support Affordable Housing Bills
An Act to promote yes in my backyard (HD.3252 & SD.2006)
Sponsors: Representatives Andy Vargas & Kevin Honan & Senator Brendan Crighton
Restrictive land use policies across Massachusetts have created a paper wall of zoning that limits creation of new homes. This legislation proposes innovative statewide solutions through zoning to create new homes by:

Setting a statewide affordable housing production goal;
Allowing accessory dwelling units, or small apartments, to be built in every municipality;
Allowing duplexes, triple-deckers, and other family-friendly housing around public transportation;
Making it easier to pass inclusionary zoning bylaws;
Repurposing vacant commercial properties like strip malls and offices into affordable homes;
Prioritizing state-owned land for affordable homes.

ADU is a self-contained apartment in an owner occupied single-family home/ lot that is either attached to the principal dwelling or in a separate structure on the same property.

Use this pre-written editable form to write your legislators:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-your-legislators-to-support-h3252s2006-this-session

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Progressive Mass Lobby Day
Thursday, April 13, 10am
Massachusetts State House, Room 428

Progressive Mass has scheduled a lobby day on Thursday, April 13 to advocate for the bills on their legislative agenda.

RSVP to join: https://actionnetwork.org/events/progressive-mass-2023-lobby-day/. More info soon!

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To Contact the Governor
Governor’s Office of Constituent Services (617) 725-4005
Call between 9am and 5pm and leave a message.

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Our State Legislators’ Info
Speaker Ronald Mariano Ronald.Mariano@mahouse.gov | 617-722-2500 | Rm 356
Senate President Karen Spilka Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov | 617-722-1500 | Rm 332
Rep. Rodney Elliott Rodney.Elliott@ma.house.gov | 617-722-2000 x7313 | Rm B1
Rep. Vanna Howard Vanna.Howard@mahouse.gov | 617-722-2060 | Rm 33
Local office: 25 Central Street, ground floor, Lowell
Rep. Rady Mom Rady.Mom@mahouse.gov | 617-722-2637 | Rm 544
Rep. Colleen Garry Colleen.Garry@mahouse.gov | 617-722-2380 | Rm 238
Senator Edward Kennedy edward.kennedy@masenate.gov | 617-722-1630 | Rm 109-E
Senator Michael Barrett Mike.Barrett@masenate.gov | 617-722-1572 | Rm 109-D
Senator Jamie Eldridge James.Eldridge@masenate.gov | 617-722-1120 | Rm 511-C
Senator Barry Finegold Barry.Finegold@masenate.gov | 617-722-1612 | Rm 511A
(… or find yours here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator)

Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133

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National Actions

Looking for someone who’s trying to do something about gun violence?
Check out Everytown for Gun Safety
https://www.everytown.org/actions/

Join a local chapter, donate, help elect candidates who WILL work for sensible gun safety measures.

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Our Federal Legislators’ Info

Representative Lori Trahan
https://trahan.house.gov/contact/write-your-rep.htm
2439 Rayburn HOB | Washington, DC 20515 | 202-225-3411
126 John Street | Lowell, MA 01852 | 978-459-0101

Representative Seth Moulton
https://moulton.house.gov/contact
202-225-8020 | 978-531-1669