SURJ Boston

Housing Justice

WHEN WE FIGHT, WE WIN: Victory for Roxbury tenants!!

Tenants at Waverly Street in Roxbury organized and fought back to stop unjust eviction! On short notice, tenants pressured the property manager, Greenville Real Estate Group, with a publicly-circulated letter and a public protest, and after negotiating a deal in court, the tenant at risk WON HER FIGHT TO GET HER EVICTION CANCELLED!! Even more, she and her family will be moved to a newly renovated unit in the same building in January at no cost. When we fight, we win! Thanks to everyone who signed the petition. You can read more about the case here.

PHOTOS from CLVU HALLOWEEN MARCH TO END DISPLACEMENT

Thanks to everyone who came out!

Support renters at 6 Humphreys Place in Dorchester

Help get the petition to 500 signatures! On Friday 10/5, City Life held an amazing rally with musicians from HONK! in solidarity with the courageous Dorchester rooming house renters fighting no-fault eviction. Greg Joseph McCarthy wants to "clear out" the entire building! #BackOffMcCarthy! Please sign the petition to support the renters here and see photos from the event here.

SUPPORT WOMEN FACING EVICTION AT OUR LADY'S GUILD HOUSE

Keep calling and signing the petition! It’s at over 1200 signatures so far; help it get to 1500! CALL realtor Marc Roos's office at (617) 236-8600 and ask him to stop the unjust evictions of these elders. Simply ask Roos to stop the pending no-fault evictions at Our Lady's Guild House. Fill out this form to let CLVU know you called. Use the hashtags #StopRuthlessRoos and #KickTheEvictionHabit in your social media. Support women facing eviction at Our Lady’s Guild House.

Immigration Justice

#ICEOutofSuffolk call-in campaign to Sheriff Tompkins

On Tuesdays, call Sheriff Tompkins 617-704-6655 or Tweet @stevenwtompkins.

As part of Suffolk County’s contract with ICE, there are about 190 immigrants jailed in the South Bay Detention Center. Yet Boston has a city ordinance for sanctuary protections of undocumented immigrants. Tell the sheriff’s office that they have the ability to cancel the contract and the responsibility to ensure that all detainees are promptly released.

Please sign the #ICEOutOfSuffolk Petition

#JUSTICE4SIHAM: ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ACTION

Nov. 7 marks a year since Siham Byah was deported and separated from her son, Nassem. The Justice4Siham campaign stands in solidary with all immigrants and condemns the brutal and inhumane policies of the US. Join us to demand justice for this family!

Wednesday, 11/7, 6:30 pm, March from Villa Victoria to Peter's Park

We demand:

1. Speedy reunification with Naseem
2. DCF take action to oppose deportations by ICE, in order to protect children and families as stated in its mission
3. Jails in Massachusetts end their contracts with ICE
4. An end to deportations and the abolishment of ICE
5. An investigation into the legality of Siham’s deportation and the abuse she went through while in ICE custody

JP PROGRESSIVES: IMMIGRATION POLICY & ACTION FORUM

November 13, 7-9pm, Curley School Auditorium at 493 Centre St, JP
This forum will provide updates on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) repeal, non renewal of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the Muslim travel ban, and the newly announced public charge policy. Speaker will discuss how these policies are affecting our neighbors and how we can work together to push a state wide progressive immigration agenda.

Speakers:
--Jose Palma, Coordinator, Massachusetts TPS Committee
--Lily Huang, Massachusetts Jobs with Justice
--Shannon Erwin, Muslim Justice League
--Heloisa Galvao, Brazilian Women’s Group
--Individuals and/or families from affected communities

STOP CVE BOSTON - SIGN THE PETITION

The Youth and Police Initiative Plus (YPIP) is a CVE (Countering Violent Extremism) program funded by the Department of Homeland Security that targets Somali youth (age 13-17) in Boston, unfairly viewing and treating them as susceptible to “extremism.” Targeting Somali youth is racist, anti-Muslim, and must end! Read more at the link above.

Jericho walks in burlington mA

Burlington Area Clergy 4 Justice(BAC4Justice) organizers Jericho Walks, silent interfaith prayers and acts 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. Join them on these Tuesday afternoons outside the ICE Field Office in Burlington, MA:
• November 20
• December 18

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

NO BUSINESS WITH ICE - SIGN THE PLEDGE

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.

Centro Presente: Volunteer ESL & CitizenSHIP Teachers

Email Meredith Gamble at mgamble@cpresente.org to volunteer!

Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network

• Sign up to support those caught up in the harm of our racist immigration system.
• Donate and share this fundraiser to help our community members fight their deportations and stay connected to their families.

Prison Abolition

JUstice for Roger Herbert #DeeperthanWater

Roger Herbert, a Black West Indian immigrant, died of cancer contracted at MCI Norfolk on October 19. He endured medical neglect and abuse, and his niece, Sophia, was repeatedly denied multiple visits in the weeks preceding his death. His loved ones inside prison, in a staggering show of solidarity, raised $2000 to cover his funeral costs - when they themselves make at most $3/day.

• Read and share Roger Herbert's story on facebook.
• Attend #DeeperThanWater's Vigil & Speakout Against DOC Medical Abuse
  • Sunday, November 11, 1-3:30 pm, starting at Davis Funeral Home at 89 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury

HOST A BLACK & PINK HOLIDAY CARD PARTY

Every year, Black & Pink volunteers send thousands of holiday cards to our incarcerated LGBTQ family. Host a card party for your friends, family, congregation, workplace, or community! "Most importantly, the holiday card party you are organizing is about planting a seed of hope. There is strength in hope, and when we fight together, we can win."

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

Public Education

Take action against BPS school closures!

• Community discussion on the Build BPS plan, which prioritizes land values over education. Click here for the schedule and show up to defend public schools!
• Read School Yard News' coverage of school closures
• Read Bay State Banner's coverage of BuildBPS discussions

Community discussion with Eve ewing

November 17, 6-9pm, location TBD

BEJA, Quest, and SURJB are planning an event to discuss Chicago's school closures and the subsequent political fallout for Chicago's mayor. They need a space that can accommodate 50-100 people with a large screen to project Eve Ewing's skype call. Email tonyatedesco@gmail.com if you can help! Learn more about Eve Ewing here.

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!

Movement for Black Lives

BLM Boston Giving Campaign

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.