Solidarity Lowell

Outdoor Art Market
2020-07-11 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Western Art Studios and Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, United States

The Farm Market
2020-07-12 11:00 - 14:00 | Mill #5, 250 Jackson Street, Lowell, MA, 01852, United States

Lowell: Declare Racism a Public Health Crisis
2020-07-14 16:30 - 18:00 | JFK Plaza
On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, the City Council will vote on a motion to declare racism a public health crisis in the City of Lowell. There is an alternate motion that commits to no actual change in business as usual.
Join the DE:I Consortium at 4:30pm to hear community members call on the city of Lowell to declare racism a public health crisis. Be heard!
Please wear masks and practice social distancing. Rain or shine.
For more information, please contact the DEI Consortium-Lowell at dei.lowell.ma@Gmail.com or 978-364-3738
bit.ly/RacismIsAHealthCrisis

City Council Meeting
2020-07-14 18:30 - 21:00 | LTC Livestream or Local Access TV Channel 99

Rally to Change State Flag and Seal
2020-07-16 10:30 - 12:00 | State House steps
Attend the rally and speak out in support of changing the state flag and seal to remove white supremacist symbolism.
Masks will be worn, and appropriate distancing maintained.

Solidarity Lowell General Meeting
2020-07-26 17:30 - 19:00 | Zoom
Main focus will be on housing

March Movie Night Series
2021-03-06 08:00 - 17:00
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

March for Moses
2021-03-06 12:00 - 14:00
Saturday March 6, 12:00-2:00pm (rain or shine)
850 Lawrence Street, Lowell
March to Lowell Police Headquarters (JFK Plaza/Arcand Drive)
Demand justice for Moses Harris, who disappeared during an encounter with the police. No police report has been made public as of publication date.

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

City Council Meeting
2021-03-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Zoom
At the beginning of the emergency, the City Council voted to meet every 2 weeks to facilitate safe distancing. Watch the meeting on LTC (Channel 99 or https://www.ltc.org/watch/channel-99/). Members wishing to speak regarding a specific agenda item shall register to speak in advance by sending an email to the City Clerk indicating the agenda item and a phone number to call so that they may be issued a Zoom link into the meeting. Email address is MGEARY@LOWELLMA.GOV. If no access to email you may contact the City Clerk at 978-674-4161.
(Note: they will keep you in the waiting room until it’s your turn to speak, so in order to follow the meeting you need to listen on TV, but turn that off when you speak because there’s a delay on the speakers.)
The agenda will be posted at http://lowellma.gov/agendacenter by the Friday before, March 5. Look under City Council, look for the date of the meeting of interest, click on Download, and select the version (HTML, PDF, or packet, which includes background) you want to see.

March Move Night Series
2021-03-10 19:00 - 21:30 | On line
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
The Haitian Revolution – Documentary – 1hr
A successful anti-slavery and anti-colonial insurrection that took place in the former French colony of Saint-Domingue that lasted from 1791 until 1804. It affected the institution of slavery throughout the Americas. Self-liberated slaves destroyed slavery at home, fought to preserve their freedom, and with the collaboration of mulattoes, founded the sovereign state of Haiti. It was the greatest slave uprising since Spartacus’s unsuccessful revolt against the Roman Republic nearly 1,900 years prior. The Haitian Revolution was also the only slave uprising that led to the founding of a state free from slavery and ruled by non-whites and former captives.

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

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!”

LLAMA Housing Advocacy Meeting
2021-03-11 17:00 - 18:00
Thursday, March 11, 5pm (now meeting bi-weekly)
Concerned about the eviction crisis in Lowell? Would you like to join a group working on ways to address it? This is the group. Current plans include publication of a resource booklet, a simple flier with steps for folks facing eviction, and neighborhood organizing.
978-222-7877 lowellhousingaction@riseup.net
Watch for an announcement of the next meeting, with Zoom link at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2658623527701727/.

Citizens Advisory Council
2021-03-11 17:30 - 20:30
Members of the public wishing to speak regarding a specific agenda item shall register to speak in advance by sending an email to mmanzi@lowellma.gov indicating the agenda item and a primary/secondary (backup) phone number to call to be conferenced into the meeting. If no access to email, call 978-674-1903 to register to speak.
Meetings held second Thursday of the month. Agenda posted the Monday before.

Lowell Votes - Volunteer to Register and Educate Voters and Find Candidates
2021-03-16 14:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
Now that we’ll actually have a more equitable electoral system in the city, we need to help voters understand that their vote will matter in this election, help them understand the system and register to vote.
Next meeting: March 16, 2pm

School Committee Meeting
2021-03-17 18:30 - 20:30
Wednesday, March 17, 6:30pm
Agenda due the Monday before (March 15)

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]

Disinformation and Democracy: Soros and the Fight for Open Societies
2021-03-21 13:00 - 17:00
Monday, Mar 22, 2021 01:15-02:15 PM
To register: https://tinyurl.com/m8p32daf
For decades, philanthropist George Soros has been dogged by conspiracy theories and disinformation. A new documentary from filmmaker Jesse Dylan shows how his opponents—from Glenn Beck to the Proud Boys—have leveraged racist, anti-Semitic tropes to smear not just Soros but those who’ve benefitted from his support for open societies globally. Now, with disinformation posing a direct threat to democracy, stemming the tide of lies has never been more crucial. Join the Brennan Center for Justice and PEN America for a conversation about truth, lies, and how to support open societies at a fractured historical moment. In advance of the conversation, participants will have a chance to watch for free the film Soros.
SPEAKERS:

Mark Malloch-Brown, President of the Open Society Foundations.
Michael Waldman, President of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law; Author, The Fight to Vote
Suzanne Nossel, Chief Executive Officer of PEN America; Author, Dare to Speak: Defending Free Speech for All
Andre Banks, Founder and CEO, A/B Partners and Win Black
Arisha Hatch, Vice President and Chief of Campaigns, Color Of Change
Jesse Dylan, Director, Soros

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law provides reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Requests for accommodations for events and services should be submitted at least two weeks if possible before the date of the accommodation need. Please email adrienne.yee@nyu.edu or call 646-925-8728 for assistance.

Inspiration and Gratitude: Winter 2021 Experiences from Marius
2021-03-21 17:30 - 18:30
Inspiration and Gratitude: Winter 2021 Experiences from Marius
Sunday, March 21st, at 5:30pm
At this event, Marius will give an update about his harrowing visit to Arizona in January, where he was unexpectedly detained by ICE. He will also discuss an upcoming project and answer questions. Presented by The Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network (MVISN), Merrimack Valley Project, and Solidarity Lowell.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiration-and-gratitude-winter-2021-experiences-with-marius-tickets-14623922846

March Movie Night Series
2021-03-21 19:00 - 20:00
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.
PRIMER: A link to a 4 minute video description of worker-owned cooperatives: https://youtu.be/pKN-gxmVRUc
March 21st Sunday nights at 7pm ET
Fred Hampton Documentary – 30mins
COINTELPRO Black Panthers William O’Neal
Fredrick Allen Hampton (August 30, 1948 – December 4, 1969) was a black activist and revolutionary socialist. He came to prominence in Chicago as chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party (BPP), and deputy chairman of the national BPP. In this capacity, he founded the Rainbow Coalition, a prominent multicultural political organization that initially included the Black Panthers, Young Patriots, and the Young Lords, and an alliance among major Chicago street gangs to help them end infighting and work for social change.
Context on Fred Hampton: 3mins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpnJv_89G1M
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

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

Be an Agent of Change: Achieve Health Justice
2021-03-23 19:00 - 20:30
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2021 07:00 PM
Join A Faith That Does Justice and Healthcare for All for a conversation about the actions you can take as an individual to work towards justice, equity, and inclusion in health care. We learned at our most recent community meeting how disparities are impacting the health of communities of color. Now join us for a hands-on discussion about how you can put your faith into action to be an agent for change.
The workshop will be led by Peter Gyves, SJ, MD with Chris Noble, Health Justice Campaign Organizer at Health Care for All.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkcO-gqT4vE9EWDx-PThfBCGCLdCOVVpIo?_x_zm_[…]13573390272.a278a05283bf27fe1e02e9750954adc8&_x_zm_rhtaid=976
(edited)

Monthly Sustainability Council Meeting
2021-03-25 18:30 - 20:30
Monthly Sustainability Council Meeting
Thursday, March 25, 6:30pm Save the UMASS Lowell Labor Education Program
Over the years, the Merrimack Valley Project has been proud to work alongside an amazing team of labor leaders on multiple winning campaigns. Many of these labor leaders have been a product of the UMASS Lowell Labor Education Program, a program rooted in organizing principles designed to challenge the status quo. Many students and faculty members have been active MVP members and continue to participate to this day. It has been a mutually beneficial relationship that has enhanced real-world student learning by way of organizing campaigns throughout the Merrimack Valley.
Unfortunately, the program is now in serious jeopardy. The director of the program, Dr. Elizabeth Pellerito, has been furloughed since last August, meaning the program has ceased operations. Despite having more than adequate funding to restart the program, the administration at UMASS Lowell has refused to do so. This is unacceptable and shows exactly why the program is needed: to provide well-organization advocacy against a community injustice. Dr. Pellerito has started an online petition and MVP is asking its members to sign on as a gesture of solidarity. The petition can be found at:
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/save-the-umass-lowell-labor-education-program/

Housing Learning Collaborative: Eviction Prevention 2.0
2021-03-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
What is it? An opportunity to hear updated on the COVID-19 eviction moratorium, rental assistance, and housing resources for people with opioid use disorder. We will be joined by Judge Irene Bagdoian, the Tenancy Preservation Program, and regional housing agency representatives.
Who is it for? Anyone working directly with individuals who have a substance use disorder and housing needs. Please share among your networks in the Wave 1 HCS-MA communities.
Email Roxanne Anderson, HCS Housing and Community Benefits Specialist: roxanne.anderson@bmc.org.

Solidarity Lowell General Meeting
2021-03-28 17:30 - 19:30
Sunday March 28, 5:30pm, via Zoom
Main Topic: Solidarity Lowell’s Annual Election of Coordinating Committee members
Watch for more information, link TBD

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
