Solidarity Lowell

March Movie Night Series
2021-03-06 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Sunday nights at 7pm ET
First one March 7
Learn. Discuss…spur conversations on our future as a cooperative society
CommunityBridge.com presents – An engaging series of films to spur conversations on our future as a cooperative society. March is Rebellion and Cooperatives month on CommunityBridge. This series of documentaries and films focuses on the United States history of uprisings that are left out of our school curriculum.
In US culture, these topics are usually framed to raise guilt and further repression, preventing positive dialog and actions to change the future. These films are presented as an opportunity for discussion, not blame, for building a movement towards an enlightened future and finding our part in the process as loving caring people working together to build a cooperative and inclusive economy for all.
We will share our thoughts on solutions and actions we can take as individuals and organizations working towards positive change and cooperative lives.
PRIMER: A link to a 4 minute video description of worker-owned cooperatives: https://youtu.be/pKN-gxmVRUc

March 7th – Double Feature:
1. Freedom or Death – 15mins
The Louisiana Slave Revolt of 1811, also known as: The German Coast Uprising: In January 1811, five hundred slaves of south Louisiana rose in active rebellion against their masters in the largest slave revolt in American history. This film is a bit sanitized and that presentation will be a part of our discussion. What to do about sanitized history…
2. Own The Change – 30mins
Building Economic Democracy One Worker Co-op at a Time. A short, practical guide for those considering worker owned cooperatives, made by GRITtv & TESA, the Toolbox for Education and Social Action. Featuring conversations with worker-owners from Union Cab; Ginger Moon; Arizmendi Bakery, Anti-Oppression Resource and Training Alliance
Movie trailer: https://youtu.be/h5p6PBgiL3o

Invite your friends to Movie Nights by sending them this link to sign on to the Movie Nights Invitation List:
https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/movienight

Symposium on Resisting New Norfolk County Women’s Prison
2021-03-07 13:30 - 17:00
Join Building Up People Not Prisons (BUPNP) in a virtual symposium to stop the construction of a new women’s prison in Norfolk County! Norfolk County residents are especially encouraged to attend, since the new prison is being planned for their community, though everyone is welcome.
At the Symposium, you’ll have the chance to hear directly from Families for Justice as Healing, comprised of formerly incarcerated women and their loved ones, about plans to build a new $50M women’s prison in Norfolk County. Here’s an article on how the state is trying to hide the process from the public: https://tinyurl.com/y78y2t67. You’ll have the chance to hear how to take action against the new prison, as well as a broader vision for how we can shift resources going to prisons to support work that can truly create safe and healthy communities for everyone.
Register for the symposium today! Sunday, March 7, 1:30pm
Meredith, SURJB Prison Abolition Action Partnership (edited)

Resilience and Regeneration: A Racial Justice and Feminist Recovery
2021-03-08 11:30 - 13:00
Monday, March 8, 2021, 11:30am – 1:00pm
The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts is hosting a virtual brunch to celebrate International Women’s Day featuring remarks from Congresswomen Katherine Clark and Ayanna Pressley and a panel discussion with State Rep. Chynah Tyler, Nia Grace, and Jynai McMcDonald. Register for this free event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boston-area-iwd-virtual-brunch-tickets-143212581687

Elders Climate Action Massachusetts
2021-03-09 11:45 - 17:00 | Zoom
Tuesday, March 9, 11:45am
https://www.facebook.com/events/129607782302602
Chapter regular, Second-Tuesday-Afternoon-of-the-Month Chapter Meeting is held remotely thru Zoom. Join at 11:45 for time to socialize a bit and maybe have lunch together and make sure you’re all set on Zoom.
Then the meeting starts promptly at noon. The topic for this month is: “Laying the Groundwork for the Legislative Work Ahead”
The presentation will cover How a bill becomes law, The priority for bills in the Massachusetts Legislature this session, an overview of the Biden Administration’s climate program and the work of Elders Stand for Democracy on protecting voting rights.
To join the meeting click this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/735454252
Meeting ID: 735 454 252
Passcode: [REDACTED] (You may have to try more than once) (edited)

Dr. Esther Choo on Equity, Health and Well-Being
2021-03-09 18:00 - 20:00
March 9, 2021 06:00 PM

Racism is embedded in nearly every aspect of the health and well-being of our population, affecting everything from risk for disease, access to healthcare, and health outcomes of all kinds. Using her expertise in public health, emergency care, substance use disorders, and women’s health, Dr. Choo highlights the challenges to health equity in the 21st century.
https://wgbh.zoom.us/webinar/register/7816136183730/WN_HC7liErFT6u_sPNWWH2wWQ

Indivisible Mass Coalition (IMC) Statewide Call
2021-03-10 19:30 - 21:30
Wednesday March 10, 7:30 – 9pm
To register: https://tinyurl.com/3uaja583
Join the Indivisible Mass Coalition (IMC) Statewide Call for a unique and exciting Panel Discussion with MA Activists. Listen, learn from and dialogue with this diverse and passionate panel of local activists that will inspire you with the stories of their journeys in activism. Learn what’s next on the 2021 activist agenda and how you can help make a positive difference to help reform our democracy!”

Congresswoman & Latino Coalition Meeting
2021-03-20 12:00 - 17:00
Topic: Congresswoman & Latino Coalition Meeting Time: Mar 20, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84470515455?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 844 7051 5455 Passcode: [REDACTED]

Support Bills Introduced by the Massachusetts Renews Alliance
2021-03-22 18:00 - 20:00
Advocacy training March 22 6-8pm
For years, 350 Mass has been working to build a wide coalition of labor, youth, climate justice, Indigenous, disabled, and class justice organizers to build Green New Deal inspired policy in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Renews Alliance is the culmination of these efforts.
350 Mass and partners in the Mass Renews Alliance have introduced three bills into this legislative session: The Building Justice with Jobs Act would retrofit one million homes and create thousands of jobs across the state. The Food Justice with Jobs Act and Food Justice Frontline Act would create farm jobs for those in need, establish community land trusts to run community farms, and subsidize home gardening.
To pass these bills, we are going to need cosponsors statewide. With their node structure, 350 Mass is uniquely suited to organize advocacy meetings with representatives across the state. See their advocacy guide at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WMamQfs8Lz8tLBtHQ7chZFAqPuKCIW1YuUUK9AB-2dw/edit?usp=sharing
Sign up for Advocacy Day training at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepK_4Xlj-8n-21OAidnNc6lb9QWJXGiMXLw6VLJ9uGxbnLYg/viewform
(If you can’t make it to the live training on March 22 6-8pm, you can request a recording.)

Help Get "For the People Act" Passed
2021-03-23 08:00 - 18:00
Want to learn how you can help get the For the People Act passed?
Register to Join this Activist call

Organized by The Declaration for American Democracy Coalition (https://dfadcoalition.org/), which includes many organizations you will be familiar with (list on website).
Join U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and movement leaders this Tuesday for an activist call to discuss our path to reforming our democracy through urging the Senate to pass the For the People Act and for a training on actions all of us can take during the April Congressional recess. This is with an actual Senator, who will be able to speak to how to work with the Senate. I’ve also heard him speak and was very impressed with his knowledge and approach.
Mar 23, 2021 06:00 PM EDT

Race Amity
2021-03-30 19:00 - 21:00 | On line
Lecture and Media Presentation
By Award-Winning Race Relations Media Producer, Writer, Author and Documentarian William H. “Smitty” Smith, E.D.
Sponsored by the Goodnow Library Sudbury CARES Series and the Sudbury Committee for Racial and Social Justice
Tuesday, March 30, 7:00-8:30pm
To register: www.tinyurl.com/goodnowraceamity

Indivisible CD-03 Town Hall with Rep. Lori Trahan
2021-04-08 08:00 - 17:00
Indivisible CD-03 Town Hall with Rep. Lori Trahan
Wednesday, April 14, 5:30-6:30pm
To register & submit questions: https://www.mobilize.us/cd3/event/381473/

Indivisible Acton Forum
2021-04-12 18:00
Indivisible Acton Forum
Monday, April 12, 6:15-7:45
To register: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisibleacton-area/event/380799/
On the agenda: 1) For the People Act (H.R.1/S.1) and 2) Reforming the State House

Voices for Justice - "John Lewis: Good Trouble" Roundtable
2021-04-13 19:30
Voices for Justice – “John Lewis: Good Trouble” Roundtable
Tuesday April 13, 7:30pm
To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bqIQ421jSlOffs2bAT3RDg
This virtual roundtable conversation is a continuation of the Cambridge Public Library Foundation’s Voices for Justice series.
On April 13th, Callie Crossley (WGBH) will moderate a discussion about “Good Trouble” today with panelists Prof. Danielle Allen (James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University), Elijah Booker (Activist and current Legislative Aide at the MA House of Representatives), Shirley Mark, (Director of Community Partnerships, Tufts University), and Rev. Ray Hammond (Co-Pastor, Bethel AME Church). For more information about these featured guests, please visit www.cplfound.org/goodtrouble.
PLEASE NOTE: On April 10th, registered attendees will receive a link to screen the documentary film “John Lewis: Good Trouble.” The event on April 13th will consist ONLY of a roundtable discussion of the film and is not a film screening. Attendees are strongly encouraged to view the film prior to the roundtable using the link provided. The film will be available for screening through April 16th.

Act On Mass texting for the People's House campaign
2021-05-18 17:30, 2021-05-19 17:30
Weekly Tuesdays and Wednesdays
May 18 and May 19
5:30 PM for beginners training
6:00 PM for experienced
7:30 PM end
Join volunteers to text voters and build the movement for State House reform to improve transparency. Have fun while taking effective action in support of improved democracy.
Sign up here: https://secure.everyaction.com/p/O114QFmSd0qUkDCj0odNSA2

Combatting Anti-Asian Racism and Misogyny: What is our Local Community Doing?
2021-05-24 09:30 - 17:00
Monday, May 24, 9:30 – 10:30 am ET
To register: https://ash.harvard.edu/event/combatting-anti-asian-racism-and-misogyny-what-our-local-community-doing
This public discussion will highlight key challenges of racism, misogyny and other discrimination faced by our Asian and Asian-American community, the responses of local organizations who have long sought to address such challenges, and what more needs to be done in our own communities. Speakers represent perspectives from the Harvard Kennedy School’s staff, faculty, and student groups, as well as leading local non-profits.

Join ActOnMass’s The People’s House Campaign
2021-06-22 17:30
The People’s House Textbanking, Co-hosted by Sunrise Boston
June 22, 2021 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Join volunteers of the People’s House campaign to text voters and build the movement for State House reform.
*Please note* Training for newcomers is at 5:30. The text bank begins at 6:00.
https://secure.everyaction.com/Hg-5tnpkJEeVme1tQUCDkA2

Public Hearing on the Work and Family Mobility Act
2021-06-23 14:00
Wednesday, June 23 2:00pm – 4:00pm
The state legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation (https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J27) has scheduled a virtual public hearing for the Work and Family Mobility Act on Wednesday, June 23 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. The Work and Family Mobility Act will enable all qualified state residents to apply for a Massachusetts driver’s license regardless of immigration status.
Details on the bill and to sign up to testify (deadline June 23) can be found at https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/3752 .

The People's House Textbanking
2021-06-23 17:30
June 23, 2021 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Join volunteers of the People’s House campaign to text voters and build the movement for State House reform.
*Please note* Training for newcomers is at 5:30. The text bank begins at 6:00.
https://secure.everyaction.com/OlGnch6OOkKaA16iYSF-lQ2

Massachusetts Housing Justice Forum
2021-06-23 19:00
June 23, 7PM
To register: bit.ly/homes4mass
Sponsored by Mass Call2Action and over a dozen Democratic committees across Massachusetts.
Speakers will touch upon the topics of social housing, community land trusts, tenants’ rights and protections, and current pieces of legislation at the state level. We’ll end the night with a brief Q&A.
All registrants will receive a follow-up email including a link to the recorded event, additional information from our speakers, and other ways to get and stay involved in pushing for more equitable housing policy in Massachusetts.
Via News-MAGIC

The People's House Virtual Art Build
2021-06-24 18:30
June 24, 2021 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
What’s a rally without eye-catching and clever signs? Join The People’s House staff as we break out arts and crafts supplies to make signs in anticipation of our rallies across the state on Sunday 6/27. Feel free to pop in to brainstorm, hang out with us, or just say hi!
https://secure.everyaction.com/qXgJ99OTJUidCmSi2nKIDQ2

Freedom to Vote Rally
2021-06-26 14:00
Saturday, June 26, 2-3:30pm, Boston Common
To sign up: https://tinyurl.com/473xpz99
Join one of many rallies around the country organized to support passage of S.1, the For the People voting rights act. This date was chosen because it coincides with the arrival in DC of the Black Voters Matter Freedom Ride for Voting Rights Bus Tour.
Join Indivisible Mass Coalition, Swing Blue Alliance, NAACP-Boston, Common Cause MA, Progressive Mass, JALSA, Act on Mass, Free Speech for People, Mass Peace Action, TPS Alliance, Indivisible Acton Area & others at the Rally.
Please consider volunteering to help, including as event marshals and peacekeepers, water stations, medical support and setting up the fully equipped stage with a state of the art sound system. If you can volunteer, please email debi.cpaul@gmail.com.

Rally for The People's House - Beacon Hill
2021-06-27 14:00
June 27, 2021 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133
With only a week or two until the House Rules vote, it’s time to show Beacon Hill that the people of Massachusetts believe in democracy, and won’t settle for anything less. Join hundreds of people across the state as we show our support for common-sense rules reform. Bring signs, water, sunscreen, and of course, your friends! Location: the State House steps.
https://secure.everyaction.com/nLlu5_VqFUCXxua1siOxZg2

Redistricting Hearing for MA CD3
2021-07-08 18:00
Thursday, July 8, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/3744
The State Legislature’s Special Joint Committee on Redistricting will hold a virtual hearing for residents of the 3rd Congressional District (CD3). This hearing provides an opportunity for area residents to offer their opinions on local and community interests that the Committee should consider on the division of the Commonwealth into 9 Congressional Districts, 40 State Senate Districts, 160 State Representative Districts, and 8 Councillor Districts.
There is a link on the above page to sign up If you want to provide oral testimony.
If you only want to view the hearing, it will be broadcast on Malegislature.gov and there is a link to that on the above page as well.

Redistricting Hearing for MA Congressional District 3
2021-07-08 18:00
Thursday, July 8, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/3744
As we learned from Marissa Dupont in our last general meeting, the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting will hold a virtual hearing for residents of Congressional District 3, which includes Lowell, on Thursday July 8 at 6pm. Tanekwah Hinds (she/her/hers), Racial Justice Community Advocate, American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, also reminded us of this.
As Marissa explained during the meeting, district lines are redrawn every ten years, based on the Census. As Ms. Hinds explained, “How district lines are drawn influences who runs for public office and who is elected. Elected representatives make decisions on issues that are important to our lives. We [need to] advocat[e] for a transparent redistricting process that equitably represents BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of color) communities, low-income people and immigrants in Massachusetts. 10 years ago, the community-based redistricting process created the first majority BIPOC Congressional District which Ayanna Pressley now represents. We can create more opportunities for people who reflect Massachusetts demographics to represent our needs.”
The state legislature is holding hearings to get input from community members on this process. The hearing for our district is on July 8 (see above). You can get involved and even testify.
Testify virtually and provide live testimony during the hearing. Use the Sign Up Form at https://tinyurl.com/pd8c8hmp.
To submit written testimony, use the Contact the Committee form on the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting website: https://malegislature.gov/Redistricting/Contact.
Attend the hearing through the livestream on the Legislative Website https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/3744.
Check out the sections below for a testimony template https://tinyurl.com/a6t25bbf and talking points; Drawing Democracy Coalition’s instructions and suggested talking points https://tinyurl.com/s8fzvjd3.
Contact Tanekwah Hinds (thinds@aclum.org), the Racial Justice Community Advocate at the ACLU of MA, for questions on how to give testimony and redistricting advocacy.
For questions on the logistics of the hearing, contact committee staff with any questions at (617) 722-2014. Please be advised that the schedule and agenda are subject to change at the discretion of the Chairs.
