SURJ Boston

Housing Justice

speak out: end evictions of fenway women!

TAKE ACTION! Over a dozen older women are facing eviction from Our Lady Guild House (OLGH), a rooming house in the Fenway. OLGH is owned by an order of Catholic nuns called Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception. It was originally part of the order's mission to create homes for single women, especially mature women. About 5 years ago, the mission apparently changed. Older women were told they had to get out. In response to the evictions and the apparently clear age discrimination, residents are organized and defending themselves in court.

1. SIGN THE PETITION in solidarity w/ the renters here!

2. SHOW UP on Saturday, 8/25 at 10 AM!

Two of the women face forcible removal in the first week of September. Another is in the middle of an eviction case. Five or more women expect a court summons at any moment. City Life/Vida Urbana and Fenway CDC are pledging resistance. Local coverage here.  #DontMakeAHabitOfEvictions

FIELDS CORNER COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY HOSTED BY DORCHESTER NOT FOR SALE

From 1PM-4PM on Sunday August 26, come to the Doherty-Gibson playground at 1545 Dorchester Avenue for a community celebration. This will be a youth-centered gathering where we will share stories, music, and food. DN4S is building a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-generational REAL resident-led community process that centers Dorchester residents most at risk of displacement in decision-making about the future of our neighborhood. We need ongoing financial support. Please make a donation today! Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/DotNot4Sale

Immigration Justice

jericho walks in burlington, ma

Jericho Walks are a silent interfaith prayer and act of solidarity. The walks draw inspiration from the Battle of Jericho, in which the community marched around the city of Jericho seven times, causing the city walls to fall. The Jericho Walk of today is a silent, peaceful, and prayerful walk to bring down the walls of our unjust immigration system and is open to people of all or no faiths. These walks are planned by Burlington Area Clergy 4 Justice (A.K.A. BAC4 Justice... don't you love it!?) and take place at the ICE Field Office in Burlington, MA. They will be happening on the following Tuesday afternoons, including this Tuesday, August 21 at 1 PM:
• August 21
• Sept. 25
• October 16
• November 20
• December 18

Contact Laura Wagner at lwagner@uumassaction.org for more information.

"Delete your account" Podcast

Muslim Justice League had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Kumars Salehi on a “Delete Your Account” podcast about why CVE (“Countering Violent Extremism” program) is dangerous, how we don’t want equal opportunity surveillance by expanding CVE to white supremacists, how CVE is not meant to truly address the roots of violence and so much more! Check it out here – https://deleteyouraccount.libsyn.com/countering-cve

no business with ice

ICE is terrorizing immigrants at the border and in our communities. We can fight back by refusing to be complicit with institutions that cooperate with ICE. Sign the pledge here.

Beyond Bond & Legal Defense Fund

More than 1,000 people are held by ICE every year in South Bay House of Correction in Boston. Some are from our local communities, others are sent to South Bay from the border and have no family or friends in Boston, but everyone in ICE jail is cut off from community support, legal recourse, and basic human rights. The new fund bonds our neighbors out of detention so they can be reunited with their families and have a chance to fight deportation. Please help us raise $100,000 over the next two months. Organized by the Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN, pronounced "Beyond"). Donate and get more information.

Centro Presente needs volunteers

Centro Presente needs volunteer ESL and Citizenship teachers. Email Meredith Gamble at mgamble@cpresente.org to get involved!

Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network

Support those caught up in the harm of our racist immigration system. Sign up. Please join us in taking action by ensuring members of our communities have the resources they need to fight their deportations and stay connected to their families. You can donate and share.

Prison Abolition

PRISON STRIKE SOLIDARITY!

#DeeperThanWater has endorsed the National Prison Strike. On Thursday, August 23 at 7 PM we will rally in solidarity and project the voices of our loved ones inside. This action will call for the end of prison slavery and the end of solitary confinement. Meet at 125 Nashua Street, Boston MA (near Science Park) to rally at the Suffolk County Jail. Contact Elizabeth Rucker at deeperthanwater@protonmail.com for more information.

Court Watch

We're looking for court watchers who want to challenge culture of white supremacy and punishment in our courts. Court Watch MA is a collective effort led by Families for Justice as Healing, ACLU, National Lawyers Guild, Massachusetts Bail Fund, and MA Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Register for a training & find information.

Stop CMR483: Keep Families/Friends in Touch With Incarcerated Loved Ones

The Massachusetts DOC has implemented a new regulation limiting the number of visitors and only if they are on a pre-approved visitor list. Sign the Petition Against Visitation Rights Restraints.

Black & Pink Volunteer Drop In

Times are drop in/drop out, so come for as long or little as you'd like. You will need a laptop. Come read prisoners' letters, learn about their struggles, and help out the Black and Pink family!

• Saturdays in Lower Allston: from 12 noon - 3 PM at Swissbäkers. Contact Eli at eli@newgreyhair.com or Facebook page
• Wednesdays in JP: 7PM-9PM at First Baptist Church, 633 Centre Street Jamaica Plain, MA.  Contact Annie at Annieatwater@gmail.com
• Sundays in downtown Boston: from 3PM-6PM at encuentro 5, 9a Hamilton Place, Boston, MA.

Movement for Black Lives

BLM Boston Giving Campaign

BLM Boston is in need of funds to assist real folks (3 families) who have emergency needs and are displaced right now. "We can help them into permanent housing but need your help. Our need is $3,675.00 (total to help these 3 families)." PAYPAL for donations is m4blmboston@gmail.com. For longer range, recurring support join Campaign21 which moves us from emergency, crises driven giving to solidarity sustained giving.

Standout for Black Lives Matter

Thursday, August 23, 5:30 PM, Ashmont T station
Organized by Dorchester People for Peace. Spread the Word! All are welcome! Hold our banner and Black Lives Matter signs and hand out fliers.

Public Education

Petition to demand PILOT Payments

A petition calling for our mayor and city councilors to demand our institutional neighbors contribute to the future of ours schools and community. Institutions such as Harvard, Northeastern, BC, BU which together neglected to pay $36 million in PILOT payments and continue to underpay. Sign the petition!