April 5, 2020
We are Earthseed
The life that perceives itself
Changing.
The Book of the Living, verse 20 (Octavia Butler)
We hope you, your loved ones, and your beloved communities are staying well and finding ways to stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis exposes the magnitude of violence caused by white supremacy, capitalism, and ableism - and we know the answer lies in our ability to shape the moment, in collaboration with working class Black and brown folks, to bring about liberation for all.
The SURJB COVID19 Emergency Fundraising Team has curated this list of fundraisers to highlight.
We are thrilled to announce that we have collectively raised $22,228! We have closed the pool for now and will provide a full update on the distribution next week (we sent an update mid-week on the google group, too).
If you are materially secure and/or expecting to receive a stimulus check, please consider pledging all or part of your check (or equivalent amount). SURJB will connect with you and help you match your money to an organization or individual.
Massachusetts UnDocufund: Massachusetts Jobs with Justice has partnered with One Fair Wage and the Matahari Women Worker’s Center to create the MassUndocufund, which will collect donations and provide direct assistance to undocumented folks struggling through this crisis.
Autistic People Of Color Fund: this fund has existed since 2018, they are inundated with need since the COVID19 crisis.
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Offer your time and resources
If you are not an active member and haven't already filled this out, complete our SURJB community offers survey and we will contact with you opportunities as they arise.
✊ Action Hour!
Wednesday, 4/8, 12-1 pm
Please register here
We are continuing our weekly one hour virtual lunch breaks to connect across physical distance with social solidarity! SURJB facilitators guide participants through calls and emails to electeds, petition signing, and registering for volunteer opportunities.
☎️ Get Resources 2 Neighbors Phonebanks!
SURJB has mobilized dozens of people to make hundreds of phone calls! These virtual phone banks focus on calling our elderly neighbors in Dorchester, Roxbury, and (this coming week) Mattapan to connect them to available resources.
We provide a quick training, materials, and encouragement! The registration links change weekly so double check here or SURJB facebook page.
This week we will be calling Boston's District 5 in partnership with City Councillor Ricardo Arroyo and the 5th Suffolk in partnership with State Rep Liz Miranda.
🎁Donate Critical Supplies
We're working with the Cape Verdean Association of Boston and the 12th Baptist Church in Roxbury to collect:
We are collecting on porches and doing runs periodically. Email surjbemergencyresponse@gmail.com for Cambridge, Belmont, Dorchester, Roxbury, and West Roxbury drop off information.
🚗 Deliver Meals to Seniors in Dorchester
Dorchester Not for Sale, Pho Hoa Restaurant, and Vietnamese American Initiative for Development will be providing prepared meals to ~90 seniors on Tuesdays and Fridays, along with a bag of groceries on Fridays.
Please sign up to deliver by clicking here!
🚗 💵 Deliver Meals to BPS Students
Violence in Boston Inc and Food for the Soul Grove Hall are providing lunch and dinner for Boston Public Schools students (lunch 12-2pm, dinner 5-8pm). They are also accepting donations of funds and needed items (toiletries, paper towels, tissues, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper). For more information, call 617-652-0151.
🚗💵Join the Delivery Team for Solidarity Supply Distro
email your availability to bostonsolidaritysupplydistro@protonmail.com or donate funds.
✊ Neighborhoods are starting their own mutual aid systems where people can offer resources and request support. There are opportunities to volunteer, donate, and offer/request support at the links below.
Resources
Huge thanks to both the Asian American Resource Workshop and Massachusetts Jobs with Justice who have compiled Boston and MA specific resources in response to COVID-19. This includes everything from grassroots demands around COVID-19, how to teach an accessible online class, and local resources for supplies and support.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the very tribe that welcomed the Pilgrims in the 1600s, is at risk of losing what is left of their homelands due to a determination made by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. Sign the petition today: tell Congress to protect Mashpee Wampanoag reservation land!
Boston Education Justice Alliance (BEJA) is asking that folks sign a petition supporting teachers, families, and students due to a new partnership with the state, a form of receivership that takes away local power. Learn more and sign the petition here.
The Boston Teachers Union (BTU) has helpful information on how COVID-19 is impacting Boston Public Schools (BPS). For the latest information and to learn about their Volunteer Corps, click here.
Make 3 calls to decision-makers to pass HD.4935 for a state-wide, full eviction moratorium:
The week of action is building momentum toward a car-based action on Friday, calling for the release of women, girls, and everyone we can from MA prisons and jails. Please stay tuned for more details and hold the day if you have a car!
Sign this petition to demand a retrial for Raymond Gaines who was wrongfully convicted of 1st degree murder and armed robbery in 1975. He has been wrongfully imprisoned for 44 years, stolen from his family, loved ones, and community.
Now GE workers in Lynn are standing up for their right to safety and the safety of our communities – will you stand with them?
Asian American Resource Workshop, along with their community partners, is raising funds to directly benefit Asian immigrants who are not otherwise eligible for public assistance and many government resources.Donate to their emergency relief fund! If you can donate over $750, there is a matching donation effort - make larger donations here.
In response to COVID-19, the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network calls for the following demands. Please amplify, share, and make calls to your elected officials as possible! #ReleaseThemAll
GBCC supports local racial justice and intersectional organizing by providing free childcare during meetings, events, and actions so that caregivers and children can fully participate. We provide care for groups being led by folks most impacted by oppression and who are on the front lines of their movements. Find out more information about GBCC here and on Facebook.
The GBCC Planning Team is looking for people who want to volunteer as a carer and for those interested in volunteering as a member of the GBCC Planning Team. The Planning Team does all the behind-the-scenes work of partner relationship building, care coordinating, and future planning. As we enter our fourth year of existence, we want to grow our network, Planning Team, and sustainability. Join us if you are invested in racial justice and enjoy caring for kids!
Fill out our Volunteer Interest Form if you'd like to become a volunteer carer.
Contact Morgan at morganch93@gmail.com if you'd like to learn more about joining the GBCC Planning Team or with any questions.
May 8th and 9th
Looking to build your anti-racist organizing skills?
Committed to working with white people on racial justice?
Want to take action towards racial justice but not sure how?
Want to learn how to talk with other white folks about racism?
This 2.5 day training program is designed to help you become a better organizer for racial and social justice in your community. For more information and to register, contact Fran at fran@communitychangeinc.org
Sunday, May 3, 12:30 PM
Save the date! Community Change Inc. trainer Donna Bivens has been leading educational sessions on the history of racism in Boston for decades. She's looked particularly at the Busing Crisis and she'll engage with us in unpacking the history of that era and what it means for us today.
Contact Amelie Ratliff to RSVP and for zoom info at amelie.ratliff@gmail.com.
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.
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.