SURJ Boston
Actions & Updates
September 29, 2019
Get Educated
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
Anti Racism Collaborative
Confronting Systemic Racism
Tuesdays, Oct 8-Nov 5, 6:30-8:30pm
Back Bay - location not wheelchair accessible (released upon registration)
$90 for the whole course, inquire about sliding scale/scholarships at information@antiracismcollaborative.org
This course will focus on bridging a deep understanding of personal and systemic racism and oppression into commitments and a solid action plan! This is a powerful 5-week course facilitated by multi-racial team of 2 local facilitators. All are welcome and it is important to note that the course takes an explicit view that transforming both ourselves and our society to be racially just implicates a responsibility in white and privileged folks to engage in this work more robustly. To register please complete the following 2 steps:
1) Purchase your ticket for the course from Eventbrite
2) Complete your registration form for Confronting Systemic Racism by clicking here
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
Community Change, Inc.
CCI IS HIRING!
CCI is looking for a part time office coordinator. Contact Shay at shay@communitychangeinc.org.
Confronting White Supremacy
Ongoing Solidarity with Victims of Operation Clean Sweep
Check out Boston Users Union's demands on Twitter, and contribute material aid - arrange pick up/drop off by direct messaging @classymscassie on Twitter
- Gift cards: Dunkin' Donuts, 7-11, McDonalds, Panera, CVS, Target
- Back packs
- duffel bags
- sleeping bags
- adult sized hoodies
- new socks
Keep the Conversation Going: Police Brutality is Every Day
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests confirmed this week that Capt. Danilecki of the Boston Police Department, responsible for much of the violence against those counterprotesting Straight Pride, was also involved in operation clean sweep. Read more about Danilecki's role in Operation Clean Sweep.
We continue to call on the anti racist, anti fascist community to emphasize that the violence of 8/31 is something that Black and brown communities, poor people, people who use drugs, homeless people, and LGBTQ+ people experience every day. Disarm, defund, disband the police!
Housing Justice
TAKE THE RENT CONTROL PLEDGE - WE CAN BRING RENT CONTROL BACK TO BOSTON!
- Communities of color, immigrants, working families - we all deserve affordable, healthy housing.
- Renters, homeowners and small landlords across the country are rising up and winning rent regulation.
- In Boston, real estate giants and their friends at the state house banned rent control 25 years ago. Rents - and property taxes - have spiraled out of control ever since, pushing families and whole communities out of our city
- We need to place limits on big corporate greed in order to protect our neighborhoods.
Sign to Support Dorchester Rooming House Renters
Developers want zoning variances for nearby projects while trying to force out tenants in another property (6 Humphreys Place) the own nearby. We say people over profit! Read more about the fight against zoning variances.
Fight for a stronger Inclusionary Development Policy!
Join us in demanding true affordability in private developments! Make the Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) match Community Need and Boston Residents’ Real Incomes to truly tackle the affordability and displacement crisis. Sign the petition and join us in putting pressure on city government on:
Wednesday 10/16, 3pm
Boston City Hall
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
Drag the ICE Machine Outta Here: Ft. Naomi Chomsky
Thursday, October 10, 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Jacques Cabaret, 79 Broadway Street
Join the Justice4Siham Campaign for a fun night of drag and musical performances to raise funds to help permanently reunite a family that was torn apart by ICE. For more information about the Justice4Siham Campaign, check out @FreeSiham or www.justice4siham.com.
REFUGEE RESISTANCE: RALLY TO STOP CAMBODIAN RAIDS NOW!
Monday, Sept 30, 11:30 am
JFK Federal Building
Cambodian immigrants are being targeted here in MA! We hope you join Asian American Resource Workshop, Greater Boston Legal Services and Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association. Also, SAVE THE DATE for October 3rd in Burlington, MA at the regional ICE Office, timing TBD. Please sign up to give or receive a ride by clicking here.
MANIFESTACIÓN/RALLY: LICENSES CAN'T WAIT! ¡SE ACABÓ LA ESPERA!
Thursday, Oct 3, 5-6:30pm
MA State House
The undocumented community has been fighting for drivers licenses for 15 years and have STILL not seen lawmakers deliver on promises to grant access to licenses to all residents regardless of immigration status. Join the immigrant community and allies outside the State House to demand that legislators follow through on their promises to protect immigrants in the state of Massachusetts!
Prison Abolition
COLLECT SIGNATURES FOR MASS POWER CAMPAIGN TO RESTORE THE #Right2Vote
The signature collecting for the Mass POWER campaign has begun! We have 100,000 signatures to get by November 20th, so we need all hands on deck. To sign up to canvas, please fill out this form. Additionally, the SURJ Prison Abolition Action Partnership is hosting two trainings for folks who want to learn how to be “signature captains” – AKA, people who help organize other people to collect signatures:
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SURJ Brunch Signature Captain Training
Sunday, October 6th, 12:30-2:30pm
Jamaica Plain (address released upon RSVP!)
The SURJ Prison Abolition Action Partnership will be hosting a special SURJ Brunch that is equal parts brunch (it’s a potluck - bring a dish!) and a how-to training on how to collect signatures -- and help organize others to collect signatures! RSVP for the brunch training opportunity here. This brunch training is also on facebook! -
Can't make the brunch? No sweat! We have another training on October 10th, 7-9pm. (Cambridge, exact location released upon RSVP.) RSVP to this signature captain training here. You can find this signature captain training on facebook.
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
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!
- 1st/3rd 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.
Movement for Black Lives
BLM Vigil at First Baptist JP
Thursday, October 3, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
633 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Monthly Vigil in Support of Black Lives Matter at First Baptist JP.
Fundraiser for Black Youth Organizing
in support of ReThink
Friday, Oct 18, 6-8pm
65 Burroughs St, Jamaica Plain
Be sure to RSVP to this fundraiser via Eventbrite! Meet Rethink's Executive Director, karen "kg" marshall, and learn more about Rethink's vital work. After hearing from karen, we encourage you to donate at the following levels:
- DREAMER - $120 or $10/month
- SEEKER - $240 or $20/month
- ADVENTURER - $600 or $50/month
- VISIONARY - $1,200 or $100/month
Feeling overwhelmed?
Commit to doing just one thing this week.
We can do this.