Dear Democrats,
The murder of George Floyd was not an isolated incident. Too many times, Black lives have been taken by police officers sworn to defend them. The just protests unfurling across the country show the hundreds of years of pain, anger, and grief resulting from systematic racism and violence against Black Americans.
Dismantling institutional discrimination will take a consciously anti-racist effort, particularly from those who’ve been beneficiaries of bias. We can, and must, continue to vote and volunteer for candidates committed to racial justice–but we must do more than vote. We must center Black voices and follow their lead in demanding justice and accountability. We must take concrete and actionable steps to effect swift and lasting change, and support the work the Black activists and organizers have been doing on the ground for years.
As activists, organizers, and allies, we know that direct and immediate action is the best way to make real change. So, we’ve put together a list of things you can do right now, including splitting a donation between Reclaim the Block, Movement for Black Lives, Black Visions Collective, and Violence in Boston if you’re able.
Sincerely,
Allison Mitchell
MassDems Communications Manager
Ideas for Committees
Ask your committee to join you in completing some of the actions below to demand justice for victims of police violence and promote racial justice:
- Sign a petition. Black Lives Matter has an extensive list of petitions that take only a few minutes to sign, including one calling for the firing of the officers who killed Breonna Taylor in her own home.
- Make calls. Call the Louisville Mayor at 502-574-2003 and urge that the officer responsible for Breonna Taylor’s murder be held accountable.
- Support local and national activists. In addition to donating to the organizations listed above, support other local groups calling for justice, sign on to Color of Change’s platform of structural demands or the NAACP’s ‘We Are Done Dying’ Campaign‘ to support reforms to criminal justice, economic, health, and voting policy.
- Support Black-owned businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected communities of color. If you live in Boston, check out this list of Black-owned businesses to support.
- Educate yourself. Many organizations have compiled anti-racist resources like this one from Ibram X. Kendi. Add some anti-racist literature to your reading list this summer.
Event details:
*6/6/2020 Joe Biden for President Virtual Organizing Event: Massachusetts Takes Action*
Saturday, June 6, 1 PM
Remote
Field Organizer Ryan Russell will be leading the Saturday virtual organizing training to go over organizing tactics, strategies, and practices: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/276097/
6/6/2020 Young Democrats of Massachusetts 2020 Convention
Saturday, June 6, 5 PM
Pipefitters Local 537, 40 Enterprise Street, 4th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02125
Stay tuned for more information on speakers, panels, social events, and more: https://www.facebook.com/events/1068707146812805/
6/6/2020 Young Democrats of Massachusetts Convention Happy Hour
Saturday, June 6, 5 PM
Remote
Join YDMA convention (virtual) happy hour! RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/243449300064037/
6/6/2020 Medway DTC Meeting
Saturday, June 6, 7 PM
Remote
Contact Email@medwaydemocrats.org for more information.
*6/6/2020 Meg Wheeler for State Senate (Plymouth & Norfolk) Movie Watch Party: 13th*
Saturday, June 6, 7 PM
Remote
Using the Netflix Party Chrome Extension, attendees will watch “13th,” a groundbreaking documentary describing the history of systematic racism in America, and find out what allies can do to help. RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/245778589856242/
*6/7/2020 Acton DTC Meeting*
Sunday, June 7, 6:15 PM
Remote
Contact Chair Ellen Valade at actondtc@gmail.com for the link.
6/7/2020 Force Multiplier: Meet Gov. Steve Bullock (MT) and Help Flip the Senate!
Sunday, June 7, 7 PM
Remote
Join Force Multiplier for a virtual event with Montana Governor and candidate for U.S. Senate Steve Bullock: https://bit.ly/2XwMtUq
6/9/2020 Greater Taunton MA High School Democrats Conversation with MA-04 Congressional Candidate Becky Grossman
Tuesday, June 9, 7 PM
Remote
Join Greater Taunton MAHSD’s weekly meeting and conversation with MA-04 Candidate Becky Grossman! RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/654200898749911/
6/9/2020 Wrentham DTC Meeting with MA-04 Congressional Candidate Ihssane Leckey
Tuesday, June 9, 7:30 PM
Remote
Join Wrentham DTC’s monthly meeting and conversation with MA-04 Congressional Candidate Ihssane Leckey. RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/829410607583016/
6/10/2020 Arlington DTC Meeting
Wednesday, June 10, 7 PM
Remote
All interested Democrats are cordially invited. For information about signing up to attend, visit https://arlingtondems.org/ and click the link for the meeting and event schedule.
*6/11/2020 A Virtual Conversation with Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, & Senator Ed Markey *
Thursday, June 11, 5 PM
Remote
The link for the event will be available upon RSVP. Please contact Sam Padavic at (847) 744-0224 or at Samantha@edmarkey.org with any questions.RSVP here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fondatomlinzoom
*6/11/2020 Rep. Kathy LaNatra’s Virtual Campaign Kick-Off & Fundraiser, 12th Plymouth District*
Thursday, June 11, 5:30 PM
Remote
Hear from Kathy on why she’s so committed to serving her district and learn some tips for grilling up gourmet pizza from her special guest grillmaster. Reply to teamlanatra@gmail.com for the link. All donations support her re-election effort: www.kathylanatra.com/donate
*6/13/2020 Grafton Dems Virtual Coffee Hour*
Saturday, June 13, 9 AM
Remote
Casual event to chat about politics and other topics with fellow Democrats. RSVP to chair@graftondemocrats.com for Zoom meeting link.
6/13/2020 Holliston Democratic Town Committeee Monthly Meeting
Saturday, June 13, 10 AM
Remote
Contact Chair Lisa Kaplan at lisabbk@verizon.net for details
*6/13/2020 Malden Democrats Monthly Meeting*
Saturday, June 13, 10 AM
Remote
To learn how to access the Zoom meeting or ask any other questions, email maldendemocrats@gmail.com.
6/15/2020 Greater Taunton MA High School Democrats Conversation with MA-04 Candidate Alan Khazei
Monday, June 15, 8 PM
Remote
Join Greater Taunton MAHSD’s weekly meeting and conversation with MA-04 Candidate Alan Khazei! RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2932492970121581/
*6/16/2020 Wellesley DTC Meeting*
Tuesday, June 16, 7 PM
Remote
Including a legislative forum with Representative Alice Peisch, Senator Cindy Creem, and Senator Becca Rausch. More information TBA.
6/17/2020 Bellingham DTC ‘Summer Kick-Off’ Fundraiser
Wednesday, June 17, 6 – 9 PM
TBD
Join the Bellingham DTC for their ‘Summer Kick-Off’ fundraiser to support the committee and its scholarship fund. Hot & cold appetizers, cash bar. Tix: $20, contact Chair Kevin Tagliaferri at kevlaw2@verizon.net
6/18/2020 Virtual Women for State Senator Becca Rausch with Special Guests Attorney General Maura Healey and Auditor Suzanne Bump
Thursday, June 18, 7 PM
Remote
Join State Sen. Becca Rausch for a virtual event in support of her re-election campaign. RSVP for the link: https://secure.ngpvan.com/jjiX_Y5ALkWbJGbNb7A-6A2
*6/19/2020 An Evening of Music to Support Meg Wheeler for State Senate (Plymouth & Norfolk)*
Friday, June 19, 7 PM
Remote
Join Meg Wheeler for State Senate for a virtual concert fundraiser, featuring acts such as is Dr. James Gibson, concert pianist. Be on the lookout for the announcement of the other acts! Reserve tickets at: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/meg-wheeler-concert-fundraiser
*6/20/2020 Yarmouth DTC Meeting*
Saturday, June 20, 1 PM
Remote
Contact Bob Isadore at velore20@gmail.com for more information.
6/20/2020 Bay State Stonewall Democrats Virtual Pride Summit
Saturday, June 20, 3 PM
Remote
Stonewall Democrats, in conjunction with other Democratic LGBTQ+ organizations, will be hosting a Virtual Pride Summit featuring LGBTQ+ activists, elected officials, and allies coming together to rally our community for November. To sponsor this event, please email info@baystatestonewalldems.org or go to secure.actblue.com/donate/virtualpride. RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/557889215121381/
*6/22/2020 Milford DTC Meeting*
Monday, June 22, 7 PM
Remote
Anyone interested in joining the meeting can email milfordmadtc@outlook.com for the login information.
7/11/2020 Holliston Democratic Town Committee Monthly Meeting
Saturday, July 11, 10 AM
Remote
Contact Chair Lisa Kaplan at lisabbk@verizon.net for details