SURJ Boston
Actions & Updates
February 23, 2019
SUPPORT PARTICIPATORY DEFENSE
SURJB is working to partially fund meals for Families for Justice as Healing's Participatory Defense weekly sessions. At these sessions, court-involved community members work together to defend themselves against the racist court system! Please note your donation is for Participatory Defense in the "additional info" line. Ongoing need is $75 per week, and any amount helps!
SURJ BOSTON 2019 BUDGET FUNDRAISER
We are now fundraising to cover our 2019 internal expenses (meeting space, accessibility, childcare, etc.). Donations can be made through Network for Good and our parent organization CCI. Be sure to write “SURJ” in the “purpose of donation” box so that funds can be properly attributed to SURJ. Please donate to SURJB out of funds separate from what you would give to POC-led partner organizations and campaigns or CCI; we don't want to take any resources away from these groups!
Prison Abolition
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 LGBTQ/HIV+ prisoners' letters, learn about their struggles, and help out the Black and Pink family!
- Saturdays in Lower Allston: from 12 -3pm at Swissbäkers. Contact Eli at eli@newgreyhair.com or Facebook page; wheelchair accessible. Note: this drop in's last day will be May 25.
- Wednesdays in JP: 7-9pm at First Baptist Church, 633 Centre Street Jamaica Plain, MA. Contact Annie at Annieatwater@gmail.com; wheelchair accessible.
- Sundays in Cambridge: 3-6pm at Democracy Center, 45 Mt Auburn St in Cambridge; partially wheelchair accessible, no accessible bathroom.
Movement for Black Lives
BLM Boston Campaign 21
At the end of 2018 BLM Boston, SURJ Boston, and other local organizations raised $2,500 to support a Black woman and child fleeing domestic violence getting settled in a safe situation. Become a monthly donor to BLMB to help them create a pool of resources for urgent needs! PAYPAL for one-time donations is m4blmboston@gmail.com.
Housing Justice
For Teens: Gentrification & Displacement
Thursday, February 28, 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Grove Hall Branch of the Boston Public Library
41 Geneva Ave, Dorchester, Boston 02121
Join us for a conversation about gentrification and displacement, hosted by City Life Vida Urbana.
Food will be provided by Haley House Bakery Cafe. For teens, ages 12-18.
VICTORY: A Chinatown salon owner, facing eviction, will remain in his shop after all
Press release: “The Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) announced today that the Mr. Yan Chi Chen expects to settle the commercial eviction case against him and A Salon, which operates in the heart of Boston Chinatown’s row house district.” Thanks to everyone who took action and emailed landlords to keep Mr. Chen’s business in the neighborhood!
Immigration Justice
Call-in to Support ICE Detainee Hunger Strike
On Friday, February 15th approximately 70 I.C.E. detainees at the Suffolk County House of Correction launched a hunger strike calling for an end of abuse and for more humane conditions. Four people are currently being held in solitary confinement in direct retaliation for participating in this hunger strike.
Join us for this Call-in Day by contacting the Suffolk County House of Correction and call for better conditions at the facility and for all detainees to be immediately released: 617-635-1000, extension 6510# or 2030#
PLEASE READ the full list of grievances sent from the detainees at Suffolk County: http://thefangcollective.org/suffolkletter
Community Intake Training
2/25 at 6 PM. This is a training on how to do a community intake specifically for vulnerable and impacted Southeast Asian community members threatened by detention and deportation. While open to everyone, we are looking for folks who would be interested in a follow-up community dinner and immigration legal clinic in the near future. Please RSVP here (dinner will be provided): https://bit.ly/intaketraining
Jobs with Justice Sip and Stitch Fundraiser
3/29 at 6:30 PM. Join Jobs with Justice for a "Stitch and Sip": we'll teach you the basics of cross stitch, then show you how to use it to create a radical work of art. All materials provided; no experience necessary.
Activist and detainee support
The Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network stands with our friends at No More Deaths, who were recently found guilty of misdemeanor charges in Tucson for leaving food and water in a part of the desert where 155 border crossers are known to have died since 2001 and where countless more have gone missing. No More Deaths is asking everyone who believes that people have the right to receive food, water, and medical care regardless of their documentation status to sign onto their Public Statement of Support, which will be published in a print newspaper ahead of the second round of trials beginning in late February.
Join our network of members fighting the injustice of detention and deportation through rides, donations, letters, advocacy, home hospitality, and much more.
Join: bit.ly/joinBIJAN | Donate: beyondbondboston.org
Share: bit.ly/BIJANflyer | Host: bit.ly/BIJANhousing
MJL Anniversary Party: Be Seen, Not Watched
February 23rd at 8 PM! Muslim Justice League is 4 years old this month and we'd love for you to unplug and celebrate with us! There will be light refreshments, a room with art supplies, and an open mic for anyone who wants to perform music, poetry, or share a story - just let us know ahead of time. If you have visual art or materials you'd like to share (or sell) let us know! Tickets are $20 but free for members! Once you sign up for membership, you'll receive the discount code for your free ticket!
Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network
Public Ed
learn more about the disparities in the Exam schools
Final community forum on these disparities is February 28. Find more information and attend the hearing here.
HERSTORY: BLACK WOMEN IN BOSTON HOSPITALITY
2/25 at 6 PM. Join worker-owners at Tanám for a conversation and celebration of black women in Boston food and beverage, featuring a tasting menu of cuisine across the African Diaspora, and cocktails honoring our roots past and present (tickets required).
RACIAL JUSTICE BRUNCH
SURJ Brunch on Sexual Violence, #MeToo Movement, Cavanaugh hearings and confirmation
Sunday, March 10, 12:30 pm at Amelie's home in JP
This is a follow up to a conversation we had in January on the same topic. We will dive deeper into these subjects with Peggy Barrett, former Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Community Awareness and Prevention Services Director. There will be a particular focus on racial issues and disparities raised. Potluck with hot and cold beverages provided.
RSVP to amelie.ratliff@gmail.com
Community Change Inc.
SURJ Boston is a project of Community Change Inc (CCI), a Boston-based organization shining a spotlight on the roots of racism in white culture with the intention of dealing with racism at its source.
Knapsack Anti-Racism Group
Join Knapsack for more information:
White People Challenging Racism
Moving From Talk to Action: Find classes and Sign up on the WPCR website
Feeling overwhelmed?
Commit to doing just one thing this week.
We can do this.