Solidarity Lowell

Merrimack Valley Project House Party
2021-06-24 19:00 (America/New_York) | MA
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 | MA
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 | MA
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 | MA
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 | MA
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 | MA
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 | MA
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 | MA
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 | MA
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 | MA
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!

Solidarity Lowell Rally for Reproductive Rights
2022-05-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Ladd and Whitney Memorial (island outside City Hall), 309 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA, United States
Saturday, May 7, 2-4pm
Ladd & Whitney Memorial, Lowell, MA. (in front of City Hall)
Frustrated at the proposed Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade? Come make a visible statement standing up for your right, and the right of others, to bodily autonomy.
If the Supreme Court decides that rights must be determined at the state level, rather than the national, it will affect more than the right to make decisions about pregnancy.
See you Saturday! Bring friends and family and signs!

Special End of Legislative Session Action List
2022-06-28 08:00 - 17:00 | MA
With the legislative session ending in a little over a month, we are being bombarded with last minute requests to push for passage of progressive legislation that will die if it isn’t passed by the end of July. So many requests, in fact, that we’ve collected them here, to avoid burying the dated items in our regular newsletter.
Some of it, like the Indigenous Peoples’ Day legislation we’ve written about, has been through the process several times. If these bills are not passed by the end of July, sponsors must start the process all over from scratch in January.
350MA Legislative Update & Help Needed
In March, the House passed a bill to promote the development of offshore wind energy. In April, the Senate passed a broader climate bill (S.2819) that has some good elements—although not all we hoped for. The final bill is expected no later than the week of July 11, and 350MA needs your help. Contact your state representative and ask them for a strong bill that addresses buildings, transportation, the electric grid, and social justice. See here for specific top priorities identified by 350 Mass and many coalition partners: https://tinyurl.com/3hwn29ch
See the end of this message for information on contacting your legislators.
Here’s what folks can do:

Easy: Send an email (sample text is here: https://tinyurl.com/e9226br8 ) and cc our Political Director Cabell Eames, Cabell@betterfutureproject.org
Better: Call and follow up with an email (sample script is here: https://tinyurl.com/e9226br8 )
Best: Call to schedule a live meeting and make the same request. Even better, invite others to join you! Then email Cabell (Cabell@betterfutureproject.org) to tell us how it went, since she’s meeting regularly with legislators on our behalf.

Help get a bill passed that begins to address affordable child care crisis
There is a child care crisis in this country, as outlined by Huffpost https://tinyurl.com/4mp2bkha .
But at least Massachusetts has the chance to do something about it.
In early 2021, the Common Start Coalition drafted legislation, originally filed by Reps. Gordon & Madaro and Senators Lewis & Moran, that would make early education and child care more affordable for families, raise pay for early educators, and provide stable funding to providers. On May 18, the Legislature’s Education Committee approved a landmark bill, H.4795/S.2883, titled An Act to Expand Access to High-Quality, Affordable Early Education and Care.
Major sections of the Education Committee’s legislation are heavily based on the Common Start bill, and it strongly reflects many of the coalition’s core principles and proposed solutions to the childcare crisis. But H.4795/S.2883 must pass before the end of the current legislative session on July 31 in order to achieve those goals. (Read more about the bill here https://tinyurl.com/3wzy48f4).
Please take two seconds to send a message to your state legislators urging them to pass H.4795/S.2883, as well as two modest additions regarding parent affordability and provider grant formulas that are supported by the Common Start Coalition and outlined here https://tinyurl.com/4xuhpvsz .
Editable message form found here: https://tinyurl.com/2p9eufzf
Mass. Reproductive Rights Legislative Call for Action
from Mystic Valley Action for Choice
Support these Reproductive Rights and Access Bills!
When the legislative session began in January 2021, when most bills to be considered were brought forward, the end of Roe v. Wade was not imminent. Our legislators have recognized that our state’s guarantee of reproductive rights here place providers sought out by patients from more restrictive states in a legal gray area. A number of bills have been proposed recently to protect our providers. They need our help to move more quickly than usual through the process.
The Mass. legislative session is fast coming to a close on July 31st. Let’s urge our legislators to support and pass these priority bills!
It’s as easy as 1,2,3!
#1
Senate Amendment #388 – “Provider Protection Bill”
This critical bill would block other states’ laws from interfering with legally protected health care activity in Massachusetts. It protects those who provide and assist in providing reproductive and gender-affirming health care services in the Commonwealth. It also ensures that Massachusetts agencies and institutions will not assist in the enforcement of draconian laws passed by other states that attempt to regulate healthcare services that are legal in Massachusetts.
The Senate passed this as part of its budget bill. Now it goes to the reconciliation committee deliberations. We need to make sure it gets included in the final budget bill!
Email or call:
House Speaker Ron Mariano (Ron.Mariano@mahouse.gov or (617) 722-2500)
Senate President Spilka (Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov or (617) 722-1500)
and urge them to make passage of Amendment 388 a priority
Your State Rep. See the end of this message for contact information.
SAMPLE TEXT: https://tinyurl.com/2p8cwmfx
#2
Medication Abortion on Public College Campuses
This bill would mandate that state colleges and universities provide medication abortion on campus to ensure that those seeking this service do not need to travel long distances to receive it. This bill was polled favorably out of the Public Health Committee and moved into the Health Care Financing Joint Committee. We need to push our Representatives to flag it as a priority.
Email or call:
House Committee Chair on Health Care Financing – John.Lawn@mahouse.gov or 617- 722-2430
House Speaker Mariano (Ron.Mariano@mahouse.gov or (617) 722-2500)
Senate President Spilka (Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov or (617) 722-1500)
Your State Rep.: See the end of this message for contact information.
SAMPLE TEXT: https://tinyurl.com/yjbxv752
#3
Full Spectrum Pregnancy Care
An Act Ensuring Access to Full Spectrum Pregnancy Care (H1196, S673) filed by Representatives Lindsey Sabadosa and Ruth Balser, and Senator Cindy Friedman, would mandate insurance coverage for all pregnancy-related care, including abortion care, prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care, without any kind of cost-sharing. Please click here to find out more about the bill: https://secure.everyaction.com/4jYzIzrXu0iXn3Y4oj_OJw2
and call/email your representatives to urge them to prioritize this bill for passage this session.
Your State Rep.: See the end of this message for contact information.
SAMPLE TEXT: https://tinyurl.com/yjbxv752
BONUS BILL:
S192,H690 – Free Period Products Bill
The MA Menstrual Equity Coalition has been fighting since 2019 to pass the I AM bill, a bill that would ensure that menstrual products – a basic human right – are provided for free in prisons and jails, shelters and schools across Massachusetts. On March 3, 2022 the Senate unanimously voted to pass the I AM bill and it now has moved to the House Ways and Means Committee. The House bill, H.690 An Act Concerning Disposable Hygiene Products in Schools, introduced by Representative Roy, was ordered to a third reading.
Join us in urging our representatives to get this bill passed!
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/bring-a-comprehensive-period-bill-to-vote-in-the-house-2022
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H2354/Cosponsor
H/T Lisa Baci, IndivisibleLAB, News-MAGIC Team

Reform Civil Asset Forfeiture in Massachusetts
Restore The Fourth’s Boston chapter—Digital Fourth—has been working hard to reform civil asset forfeiture in the state of Massachusetts. We’re very close to getting bills passed that will make important changes to civil asset forfeitures in this state, that will require increased transparency in civil asset forfeitures. We just need senators to pass two particular amendments—Amendment #7 Forfeiture Tracking Database and Amendment #8 Transparency in All Forfeitures. These amendments will require the district attorney and each police department to file an annual report detailing how seized assets were utilized and establish and maintain a case tracking system and public website that details what forfeitures took place. These bills will make important changes and cut back on the corrupt practice that is civil asset forfeiture. It’s time to make law enforcement answer for these thefts, instead of writing them a blank check to steal citizens’ property. Please take a moment to call your senators asking them to please support the amendments to S2944.
The VOTES Act is now law!

Right to Counsel Bills Sent to Study
In spite of strong support (90 co-sponsors) the Right to Counsel bills (H. 1436 and S. 874) have been sent to study, This means they are dead in the current legislative session. Supporters will need to resubmit and start the process again in 2023.
If you were one of the many who wrote to legislators about the bills, thank you! Organizers have not given up. Stay tuned.
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
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.comFor more events not listed here, visit the full Events calendar: https://solidaritylowell.com/events/June meeting notes:https://tinyurl.com/2p9ke9h4June meeting recording:https://youtu.be/BKXwSQB0UFoSee recordings of past Solidarity Lowell meetings in our YouTube channel at:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCohwMIkVdabQdDHsVTLIGsQFor positive news visit Solidarity Lowell Upbeat on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/326202548419687Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Join at: https://www.progressivemass.com/donate/

Mill City Messaging
2024-07-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Lala Books, 189 Market Street, Lowell, MA, 01852, United States
Join us at our next postcarding event, hosted by our friends at Lala Books. Come join fellow activists as we write postcards for select candidates and causes. Bring your own refreshments, favorite pen, and good conversation!
Note: If you are able, a suggested donation of $15 to go towards supplies is appreciated, but not mandatory.
For questions or to RSVP, please email amy@solidaritylowell.com so we can be sure to have enough materials on hand.
