SURJ Boston
Actions & Updates
September 15, 2019
KAVOD COMMUNITY SAFETY/DE-ESCALATION TRAINING
Thu, 9/19 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Location given upon RSVP
Sliding scale $0-$36
Kavod's Community Safety Team will be leading a training in community safety and de-escalation techniques. This training is designed to learn and practice how to serve in a community safety role at public events that do not rely on the police. Be sure to register for the de-escalation training.
FANG COLLECTIVE'S NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION TRAINING
Tue, 9/24, 6-9:30pm
Pawtucket, RI
Sliding scale $5-$50
This brief workshop offers an introduction to the history of Nonviolent Direct Action and its implementation as well as examples of intersectionality within our community/movements, affinity groups and their formation, security culture, consensus decision making, strategy, various tactics, and a discussion on self-care and community care. Registration required for the NVDA training.
DRIVERS LICENSES FOR ALL PHONEBANK
Thursday September 19th, 6-9 PM
145 Tremont St
Come phonebank with us in downtown Boston to help all Massachusetts residents, regardless of immigration status, access the basic right of a driver's license! Please bring a laptop/tablet/other Internet device, and sign up here so that we'll be able to contact you with more information.
Straight Pride Parade Synopsis
The counter demonstrations to Straight Pride drew over one thousand activists into the streets against white supremacy and fascism.
As usual, the police supported fascists and violently attacked counterprotesters, causing severe injuries and completing about 36 arrests. Read a statement about the protests and police response here.
As ever, we show up in solidarity with those arrested on 8/31 and ask our fellow white people to consider that this is a reality communities of color face every day. We amplify calls from SURJB partners in other groups:
- DA Rollins' office to drop the charges against all 8/31 protesters AND all victims of Operation Clean Sweep. Read more about the attack on Boston's homeless and drug using population from Courtwatch MA.
- Abolish money bail and do not replace it with surveillance technologies like ankle monitors, etc.
- Disarm, defund, disband the police and reinvest those monies in housing, schools, jobs programs, and healthcare.
- Grant clemency to women in MA who are elderly, chronically ill, enduring 10+ years in prison, and/or criminalized survivors of violence and release all girls in juvenile detention.
- Oppose Tim McCarthy's City Council legislation banning masks and hoods at protests.
THE WATERING HOLE, SEPTEMBER 26, 6-7:30PM
Hosted by Community Change Inc (CCI), this is a time to be in community with others who are fiercely committed to anti-racism work and the dismantling of white supremacy. This month our conversation will feature Project 1619. More details when you RSVP.
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.
2019 WHITE PRIVILEGE SYMPOSIUM
October 4-5, 2019
Lesley University, Cambridge MA
This high energy and caring community space goes deep with concepts of white supremacy, power, privilege, leadership, oppression and the impact of structural inequities. WPS/NE offers learning opportunities for building community, interactive learning and action planning. It is a safe and brave space to seek truth, speak truth and take action. This year's keynotes include:
- Exonerated Central Park 5 activist, Yusef Salaam
- Author, Robin DiAngelo
- Local Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant, Darnisa Amante
Knapsack Anti-Racism Group
Knapsack is a multiracial group hosted by Community Change Inc that is committed to challenging the system of racism in the United States and the world. We engage in dialogue, build community, and support the efforts of racial justice leaders and organizations. We are dedicated to the struggle for shared liberation.
White People Challenging Racism
Moving From Talk to Action: Find classes and sign up on the WPCR website
Prison Abolition
SUPPORT NEW BEGINNINGS!
New Beginnings Reentry Services is a Boston-based nonprofit that supports and empowers formerly incarcerated women and non-binary individuals as they navigate the challenges of reentering their communities. New Beginnings is starting a Women’s Voices Project/Movement that will focus on barriers women face once released. This fundraiser would allow New Beginnings to begin this program and further serve their community via counseling and support services. As they grow, they hope to establish a house for an 18 month residential program. Donate today to help us reach $1000 this month!
Donate Retired Cellphones!
Our friend Jude Glaubman is collecting retired cell phones for women leaving incarceration. If you have phones in usable condition to donate, get in touch with Jude at jglaubman@thecouncil.us
Call for Quilters!
Are you a quilter? We need quilter to support the national, state-by-state effort for women to receive clemency. The quilts will need to be completed by the end of September. Each quilt will feature the names of women seeking clemency in their state. If you’re interested, email Ashley (ashley.tartarilla@gmail.com).
SIGN UP TO BE A MEAL CAPTAIN FOR FJAH PARTICIPATORY DEFENSE!
Looking to feed the movement? Families for Justice As Healing is asking allies to provide meals to support their participatory defense meetings, where people fighting cases get together to plan their legal defenses and find community support. These meetings are based on the model of Mothers in Charge, a Black woman-led organization in PA.
SURJB is seeking meal captains to:
- coordinate a meal happening every 2 months (doesn't mean you DO everything, but you make sure everything HAPPENS)
- get groceries, cook for 15, deliver to FJAH in Roxbury
Interested? Fill out the form and if you have questions email Ray at rachelbish91@gmail.com.
BLACK & PINK VOLUNTEER DROP IN
Black and Pink’s mission is to abolish the criminal punishment system and to liberate LGBTQ+/HIV+ people through advocacy, support, and organizing.
These drop ins welcome any kind of abolitionist energy, whether reading and entering mail into the database, writing letters, playing cards, or chatting. Formerly incarcerated and court involved people especially encouraged to attend. Cis, straight and/or free world allies are welcome!
- 2nd/4th 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 Mount Auburn St in Cambridge; partially wheelchair accessible, no accessible bathroom.
Puerto Rican Solidarity
LOLITA: UN MONÓLOGO SOBRE LA VIDA DE LOLITA LEBRÓN
Saturday, 9/21, 7pm
Snowden Auditorium University Dr N, Boston, Massachusetts 02122
The monologue "Lolita" is a posthumous tribute to the revolutionary leader and former political prisoner Lolita Lebrón. Even though Lolita passed away only about three years ago, there are still many young people and adults who are unfamiliar with the revolutionary legacy this famous Puerto Rican and independence leader left us.
Housing Justice
RENTERS RISING! A TWO-WEEKEND LONG SERIES OF EVENTS TO BUILD BOSTON'S PEOPLE-POWERED MOVEMENT FOR RENT CONTROL!
A Farm-to-Table Dinner by Onsite Organics with a Performance by David Rovics Benefit Dinner and Music
Saturday, September 21st from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM - JP First Baptist Church, 633 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
Tickets between $100 to $250 (includes admission to afterparty & annual CL/VU membership)
Renters Rising! Benefit concert ft. Foundation Movement, David Rovics, Ghetto People Band & Uhynoo
Saturday, September 21st from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM - Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St, Jamaica Plain
$25 Suggested Donation
Renters Rising! Block Party
Saturday, September 28th from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM - The Brewery (upper parking lot), 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain
Free and open to all!
DONATE TO SUPPORT THE FIGHT AGAINST EVICTIONS
We are continuing to raise funds for the Grahams, who have been organizing with City Life/Vida Urbana to fight an unjust eviction. Our goal is now to raise a total of $10,000 to cover their attorney fees (which were higher than originally expected) as well as a donation they plan to make to City Life/Vida Urbana to support other families who are fighting displacement in Boston. We still need to raise around $2,600 for the Grahams' fundraiser, and your support is greatly appreciated! Please donate here if you can. Thank you!
Immigration Justice
Muslim Justice League
We continue to urge the Boston Police Department to end its involvement in CVE, including the Youth and Police Initiative Plus (YPIP) program that treats Somali Diaspora youth as potential "extremists." Raise Your Voice: Tweet or post a facebook message -- using #StopYPIP -- if you believe Boston should not treat our communities as national security threats based on religion, race, or where we're from.
Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network
Join our network of members fighting the injustice of our racist immigration system of detention and deportation through rides, donations, letters, advocacy, home hospitality, and much more.
Join BIJAN | Donate to BIJAN | Share BIJAN| Host someone thru BIJAN
Public Education
FUND OUR FUTURE PHONEBANKING!
Wednesday September 26th, 6-8 pm
Jobs With Justice, 375 Centre St, JP.
Participate in this phonebanking event to urge people to reach out to their legislators to support the PROMISE Act and the CHERISH Act. The PROMISE Act would ensure fair funding for K-12. The CHERISH Act deals with fair funding in higher education.
Please email Keri from SURJ Public Ed at kabonney@gmail.com with any questions!
make calls for the promise and cherish Acts
SURJ Public Ed's partner BEJA (Boston Education Justice Alliance) is requesting that folks call these reps to support the Promise and the Cherish Act if they live in their district. We need to fund our public schools and colleges by passing these bills this spring – in time for local communities to include the funding in the next academic year’s budget and in time for public college students to avoid tuition and fee hikes this fall. Students can’t afford to wait. More information is here and a phone script for calling is here.
Chyna Tyler of South End/Lower Roxbury
Chynah.Tyler@mahouse.gov (617) 722-2450
Michael Moran of Allston/Brighton/parts of Brookline
Michael.Moran@mahouse.gov (617) 722-2014
Aaron Michlewitz of Back Bay, Downtown Crossing, parts of Chinatown
Aaron.M.Michlewitz@mahouse.gov (617) 722-2990
Liz Miranda of Dorchester, Uphams Corner, Fields Corner
liz.miranda@mahouse.gov (617) 722-2430
*supports the Promise Act (k-12) but not the Cherish Act (higher-ed)
Kevin Honan, parts of Brighton
Kevin.Honan@mahouse.gov (617) 722-2470
*supports the Promise Act (k-12) but not the Cherish Act (higher-ed)
Organize for the Promise Act
Know anyone in Wellesley, Weston, or Wayland that is interested in equity in Public Education? Please have them contact Tonya Tedesco (tonyatedesco@gmail.com). In conjunction with BEJA & MEJA, we are doing suburban outreach to win support for the Promise Act.
Solidarity and Reparations
DONATE: WESTERN MASS SURJ REPARATIONS CAMPAIGN
Western Mass SURJ has been working on a cross-class reparations campaign in close partnership with a multiracial coalition of grassroots organizers. They are collecting reparations payments on behalf of and in coalition with Stickii Quest and ShaeShae Quest, who are Black queer and trans organizers living in Springfield. These payments will go towards the purchase of a house in Springfield in late 2019. Read more about this exciting campaign and DONATE.
Movement for Black Lives
BLM Boston Campaign 21
BLM Boston regularly works to coordinate financial support for Black women and children fleeing abuse and/or experiencing housing insecurity. 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.
Feeling overwhelmed?
Commit to doing just one thing this week.
We can do this.