Solidarity Lowell

Postcarding for Progress
2021-04-11 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Postcarding for Progress
Sunday, April 11, 3:00pm
Bridge the new and the old by Postcarding for Progress. Join Solidarity Lowell this Sunday, April 11th for a virtual gathering where we will write postcards in support for progressive legislation. We will provide the topic and script. You provide the postcards, stamps, pens, and creativity.
Email caroline@solidaritylowell.com for the Zoom link.

Interfaith Summit: Healing, Helping, and Building Resilience
2021-04-11 14:00 - 16:00
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE TOGETHER, BUT WE CAN HEAL TOGETHER!
Event date: Sunday, April 11th
Event time: 2:00-4:00pm EST
Zoom registration: https://bit.ly/3unW2ob
QUESTIONS? CONTACT VERNON@CLIMATECREW.ORG

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

City Council Meeting
2021-04-13 18:30
City Council Meeting
(2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm)
Tuesday, April 13, 6:30pm
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. Requests must be received by 4 pm the day of the meeting. (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 is posted at http://lowellma.gov/agendacenter the Friday before a meeting. 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.
For more details, keep an eye out for the April 9 RRTCCR post by Lisa Arnold.

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.

350MA of Greater Lowell, A Green Better Future Project - SoJust Speaker Series / One Book
2021-04-26 19:00 - 20:00
350MA of Greater Lowell is a Chapter of 350 Mass, A Better Future Project. The best way to get involved in 350 Mass is by attending a meeting held by your local volunteer group which 350 Mass calls a “node!” Members of 350 Mass nodes work together to organize their communities, mobilize their friends and neighbors, and hold their elected officials accountable in the fight for 100% renewable cities and a fossil free future. Lowell ‘node’ members work locally to end the dependence on fossil fuels and foster a clean energy future! The group is open to all residents of the greater Lowell area interested in fighting climate change.
Node members, Win Flint, Bob Wald, and Jay Mason will share about ongoing efforts and ways that you as a community member can get involved!
To contact Jay Mason, one of the node leaders, email Lowell@350ma.org.
For related resources, reading lists, and additional local organizations take a look through our Environment & Climate Change Civic Engagement Guide.

May Day Virtual Concert Honoring Essential Farmworkers
2021-05-01 18:00
On Saturday, May 1st at 6pm EST, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Alliance for Fair Food invites friends and allies to join our virtual May Day Concert, as we both uplift the work of essential farmworkers and call upon Wendy’s to do the right thing and join the Fair Food Program! We’re thrilled to announce performances from artist-activists from around the world, including longtime allies Tom Morello, Amy Schumer and Olmec, as well as new compañeros Los Altepee and Mare Advertencia Lirika.

The past year has been one of hardship and great sacrifice for farmworkers and consumers alike. Please join us as we celebrate the extraordinary labor that makes our food possible, and do our part to demand that Wendy’s makes the simple choice to guarantee the human rights of workers in their supply chains!
We’ll be livestream straight from the event page, you won’t want to miss it!

March for Moses
2021-05-15 12:00 - 17:00
Saturday May 15, 12:00-2:00pm (rain or shine)
850 Lawrence Street, Lowell
Demand justice for Moses Harris, who disappeared during an encounter with the police. No police report has been made public as of publication date. Although Moses’ body has been found, there are still a lot of questions that have not been answered. Deaths involving police should be investigated by an independent body, not the police department involved in the incident. Meet near where Moses went missing and march to the Lowell Police Headquarters (JFK Plaza/Arcand Drive).
For more information, contact CAJE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAJE.LowellMA

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.

Lowell Votes seeks volunteers to help register and educate voters and find candidates
2021-05-25 14:00
Next meeting: May 25, 2:00pm
To register for future announcements: https://tinyurl.com/LowellVotesAnnouncements
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 help them register to vote.
Shape Tomorrow, Vote Today

1st Annual Juneteenth Flag Raising
2021-06-19 09:00 - 17:00
Join Mayor Leahy and other city officials along with the community in celebrating Lowell’s 1st Annual Juneteenth Flag Raising!
9am City Hall Plaza

Juneteenth Celebration
2021-06-19 13:00 - 21:00
Community Advocates for Justice and Equality, for their Juneteenth Celebration with Spoken Word, Kids activities, double-dutch, DJ music sets, Food, and good times!

This Saturday, June 19th
1-9PM
Shedd Park
453 Rogers St.
Lowell, MA

For more info, to sign up at the open mic, pls email: caje.lowell.official@gmail.com

All power to the people!

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

Merrimack Valley Project House Party
2021-06-24 19:00
Thursday, June 24, 7pm
Fundraiser in support of all the work MVP does!
For more information: https://www.merrimackvalleyproject.org/
To attend:
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98088588722
Meeting ID: 980 8858 8722
One tap mobile +13126266799,,98088588722# US (Chicago) +16468769923,,98088588722# US (New York)

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

Solidarity Lowell General Meeting THIS SUNDAY
2021-06-27 17:30 - 19:00
Sunday, June 27, 5:30pm
Marissa Dupont will present an update on “Drawing Democracy” State Redistricting (redrawing election districts based on the 2020 Census data). There will also be a presentation on the Fair Share Amendment (a proposed additional tax on incomes above $1 million).
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83962190050?pwd=[REDACTED]

Community Vigil for Those Lost to COVID-19
2021-06-29 18:00
Tuesday, June 29, 6:00pm
Outside City Hall
The City of Lowell is hosting a community vigil to honor Lowell residents who passed away due to COVID-19. The ceremony will take place outside of City Hall on Tuesday, June 29 at 6:00 PM. 319 flags will be placed in the lawn of City hall to symbolize each life lost in Lowell.

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.

SAVE DEMOCRACY: ACT NOW!
2021-07-10 10:00 - 17:00
Rally with Concord Indivisible Saturday, July 10, 10:00 a.m.
Monument Square, Concord
Concord Indivisible, Indivisible Acton Area, and multiple partner organizations will rally in Concord Center July 10 to support the For the People Act and the freedom of all eligible citizens to vote. Democracy is in the crosshairs, as states across the nation brazenly pass laws that will keep many eligible citizens from voting — especially citizens of color. Recent Supreme Court decisions have only made federal election reform more urgent. If we do not protect every citizen’s freedom to vote, the democratic institutions we cherish will not stand, and there will be little hope of moving forward on racial justice and other key progressive issues.
The rally, part of Indivisible’s Deadline for Democracy project, will take place in Concord’s Monument Square. Key activists – including Deb Paul of Massachusetts Indivisible and ACLU Massachusetts Executive Director Carol Rose – will give updates on the fight to protect our vote. There will be opportunities to sign up to write postcards, make phone calls, text, and post on social media. Plan to bring signs and MAKE SOME NOISE!
Partner sponsors for this event include Solidarity Lowell, Swing Blue Alliance/Swing Left Greater Boston, Indivisible Acton Area, Reclaim Our Democracy, the Concord Democratic Town Committee, and the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee. An RSVP (https://tinyurl.com/raz33rhc) is encouraged to enhance planning. Please share information about the rally widely with others who may be interested. Democracy cannot wait!

Make your voice heard on polling location plans!
2021-07-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA, United States
Make your voice heard on polling location plans
Thursday, July 22, 6:00pm
City Council Chambers
A special City Council meeting has been called to review the plan for 16 or more polling locations so that we can keep polling locations open and not create any undue barriers to voters in this year’s election. We need you there!
Please call the Clerk’s office by 3pm Thursday to register to speak: 978-674-4161. The meeting will be in chambers. Please come in person if you can. Please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated.
Agenda for tomorrow’s meeting is here: https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07222021-2035?html=true
There’s a Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/183753713773530
Updates are here:
Lowell Sun 7/20/21: https://www.lowellsun.com/2021/07/20/lowell-election-commission-seeks-to-hire-expert-to-subdivide-districts-for-2021-election/
Lowell Sun 7/19/21: https://www.lowellsun.com/2021/07/19/lowell-election-commission-adopts-common-cause-roadmap-proposal-on-voting-locations/

Next Solidarity Lowell General Meeting: Summer Barbecue and Fundraiser
2021-07-25 17:30
Sunday, July 25, 5:30pm 205 10th Street, Lowell
Join us for the 4th Annual Solidarity Lowell Summer Barbecue and Fundraiser for Marius!
This is a potluck event. Please sign up on Meal Train: https://www.mealtrain.com/potlucks/62m10d
The Solidarity Lowell Coordinating Committee will supply burgers, hot dogs, veggie options, and buns.
This is also a fundraiser for Marius, the Togolese asylum-seeker we are supporting as part of the Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network. Marius has recently signed a lease on an apartment and though he is getting financial assistance from RAFT, he needs additional help from us for food and furniture, as well as continued legal aid. Anything you can contribute would be greatly appreciated! We will accept cash at the event or you can Venmo @owlnerd or CashApp $gollygee17
Many thanks to Win Flint for hosting!

Solidarity Lowell Endorsed Candidate Showcase
2021-10-24 17:00 - 19:00
Date: Sunday, October 24
Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm
Join us this Sunday at 5:00pm as Yun-Ju Choi hosts an interview-style showcase of all Solidarity Lowell’s endorsed candidates for City Council and School Committee. Attendees will be able to submit questions during the event.
City Council
At Large: Vesna Nuon (https://www.facebook.com/vesnaforlowell)
District 2: Corey Robinson (https://www.coreyforlowell.com/)
District 4: Wayne Jenness (https://district4lowell.com)
District 5: Tooch Van (https://www.votetooch.com/home)
District 6: Justin Ford (https://justinford.nationbuilder.com/)
School Committee
At Large: Jackie Doherty (https://www.facebook.com/electjackiedoherty/)
District 1: Stacey Thompson (https://www.staceyforlowell.com/)
District 2: Hilary Clark (https://www.clarkforprogress.com/)
District 3: Susie Chhoun (http://www.susieforlowellschools.com/)
Learn why these progressive candidates deserve your vote!
