June 19, 2020/Dispatch

DISPATCH: Juneteenth Events, Meetings, & More!

By Allison Mitchell

Dear Democrats,

155 years ago today, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, the most remote area of the Confederacy, and announced that Confederate forces had surrendered in Appomattox, Virginia. The Civil War was over, and although the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued two years prior, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865 that the enslavement of Black Americans finally ended in the United States.

This year, Juneteenth comes in the midst of uprisings demanding racial justice happening across the country. It’s spurred a greater conversation about how America has failed to come to grips with our racist history. Juneteenth should be a time for that–a time to recognize our past, rededicate ourselves to justice, and honor the Black Americans that brought an end to this national shame and those that continue to fight for equality and opportunity.

That’s why the MassDems office is closed today. For many of us however, especially those that have benefited from racial bias, this shouldn’t be a day off. The MassDems have compiled a list not only of celebrations happening across the state, but of ways each of us can take action to promote equity and justice on Juneteenth. Details and resources are listed below, and personally, I’m especially looking forward to How To Build An Anti-Racist Movement with Ibram X. Kendi, a discussion presented by the Boston Globe today at 2p.

I hope you’ll join us in celebrating, protesting, or educating yourself, not just today, but everyday, until we finally fulfill the promise of our nation: liberty and justice for all.

As always, send your events to events@massdems.org and have a safe and healthy weekend.

All the best,

Allison Mitchell
MassDems Communications Manager

 

Ideas for Committees

Forward this list to members of your committee and encourage folks, especially allies, to join you in celebrating, protesting, or learning about Juneteenth or racial justice this weekend:

Celebrate

  • Boston’s 10th Annual Juneteenth Emancipation Observance 2020: Fri. 6/19, 1-2p & 8-9p, remote. Speeches from community leaders, historical readings, and musical performances. Streaming on BNN (Comcast 23, RCN 83, Verizon 1960), register to stream online. 
  • Juneteenth: A Celebration of Resilience: Fri. 6/19 & Sat. 6/20, remote, hosted by the National Museum of African American History. Presentations, stories, and performances. Learn more. 
  • Songs of Freedom with Darryl’s Corner Bar and Kitchen: Fri. 6/19, 12-10p, remote. Musical performances from Darryl’s Corner Bar and Kitchen. Buy tickets. 
  • The Front Porch Arts Collective: Juneteenth 2020: now through Sun. 6/21, remote. Readings, workouts, and musical performances from Black and POC artists. View details. 
  • Freedom Fête: A Virtual Juneteenth Celebration (ICA): Fri. 6/19, 8p-12a, remote. Virtual dance party celebrating contributions made by musicians across the African diaspora. Learn more.
  • Juneteenth: MFA Community Celebration: Fri. 6/19, 4-7p, remote. Panels, talks, performances, and workshops. Streaming online.
  • Concert with Dzidzor: Freedom as an Act of Practice presented by the Boston Public Library: Fri. 6/19, 12:30-1:30p, remote. Presented by BPL, musical performance by African folklore artist Dzidzor. Streaming online.

Speak Out

  • Funk the Police: Juneteenth Edition: Fri. 6/19, 5-8p, Ronan Park, Dorchester. Organized by Mass Action Against Police Brutality, musical performances and rally. RSVP.
  • Black Lives Matter Rally, Dorchester: Fri. 6/19, 2-5p, Town Field, Dorchester. Mult-culutral, lingual, ethnic, and class rally in support of the Black community. RSVP.
  • MA Defend Black Lives Events, 6/19 Weekend of Action: Fri. 6/19 through Sun. 6/21, various locations. Organized by Movement for Black Lives, protests, rallies, and stand outs happening across MA. Find an event near you.
  • Father’s Day Prayer for Justice: Sun. 6/21, 2p, 1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston. Join local pastors, reverends, and bishops to pray for justice. View the flyer.
  • Juneteenth For Rayshard Brooks: Mon. 6/22, 2-5p, Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, Roxbury. March from RCC to MA State House demanding justice for Rayshard Brooks. RSVP.

Learn

  • History of Juneteenth: Learn more about Juneteenth and how it’s celebrated on Juneteenth.com. Visit the site.
  • So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth?: Learn about Juneteenth and celebrations this year in the midst of a national reckoning on race. Learn more.
  • Commonwealth Series Juneteenth Lunch and Learn, “The Odyssey of the Rosa Parks/MBTA Tribute”: Fri. 6/19, 12-1p, remote. Learn about process of getting the Rosa Parks MBTA Tribute legislation passed. RSVP.
  • Irish Community Conversation on Black Lives Matter: Fri. 6/19, 12p, remote. Organized by Irish Network Boston, and the Rian Immigration Center, join elected officials and Irish community leaders for a conversation about race. RSVP to msmith@riancenter.org.
  • How To Build An Anti-Racist Movement with Ibram X. Kendi: Fri. 6/19, 2-2:45p. Presented by the Boston Globe, webinar about the future of anti-racism. Sign up.
  • An Antiracist Reading List by Ibram X. Kendi: Books to help America reckon with its history of racism. View the list.
  • “Talking About Race” from National Museum of African American History: Educational web portal from the NMAAH for educators, parents, and people committed to equity. Learn more.

Support

Event details:

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 Eastham Democratic Town Committee Meeting
Saturday, June 20, 10 AM
Remote
Contact easthamdems@gmail.com to request an agenda and meeting access information; Democratic candidates may speak briefly with prior approval; will discuss topics including election practices during COVID and the BLM movement 

6/20/2020 Somerville Democratic City Committee, Ward 3 Meeting
Saturday, June 20, 11 AM
Remote


RSVP: https://bit.ly/2XWWH1P; email Chair Michael Grunko at mgrunko1@gmail.com for Zoom link 

6/20/2020 Wellfleet Democratic Town Committee Zoom Meeting
Saturday, June 20, 11 AM
Remote


 

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/ 

*6/20/2020 Senator Jamie Eldridge’s Re-election Fundraiser*
Saturday, June 20, 4 PM
Remote
A fundraiser in Support of Senator Jamie Eldridge, donate online at: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/20200620acton# 

6/20/2020 Cape and Islands Victory 2020 Fundraiser
Saturday, June 20, 6:30 PM
Remote
Reserve: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/cidcsummer20 ($25 minimum donation requested); headlined by Senator Markey, encouraging other local elected officials to join. 

6/21/2020 Somerville Democratic City Committee, Ward 2 Meeting
Sunday, June 21, 11 AM
Remote
RSVP: https://bit.ly/2XTXlNp; email Chair Michael Carlson at mic.carlson@gmail.com for Zoom link; Q & A with 27th Middlesex State Representative Candidate, Catia Sharp 

*6/21/2020 Virtual Stoughton Meet and Greet for 8th Norfolk Candidate, Andrew Flowers*
Sunday, June 21, 8 PM
Remote
Email info@andrewflowers.com for Zoom link 

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. 

*6/22/2020 Virtual Town Hall with Candidate for the 29th Middlesex District House Seat, Steve Owens, and Former Transportation Secretary, Jim Aloisi*
Monday, June 22, 7 PM
Remote
Join 29th Middlesex Candidate, Steve Owens, and Transportation Expert, Jim Aloisi, for a virtual conversation on issues surrounding transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Event information: https://www.facebook.com/events/3804157319600645 

*6/24/2020 Andrew Flowers for State Rep. 8th Norfolk District Conversation on Racial Justice*
Wednesday, June 24, 7:30 PM
Remote
Andrew will be joined by Audrey Grace, Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Chief Diversity Officer, Regis College and Vivian Webster, Social Worker, Executive Director & Founder of SheFuego Inc., Candidate for Mansfield School Committee to discuss his plans for racial justice Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/andrew.flowers.ma 

*6/25/2020 Norfolk Democratic Town Committee Meeting*
Thursday, June 25, 7 PM

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/2643388285988153 

*6/25/2020 South Shore Virtual Event for Congressman Bill Keating*
Thursday, June 25, 7 PM
Remote
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/256049462365656

Tickets: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/southshorevirtualevent 

*6/25/2020 Virtual Sharon Meet and Greet for 8th Norfolk Candidate, Andrew Flowers*
Thursday, June 25, 7 PM
Remote
Email info@andrewflowers.com for Zoom link 

*6/27/2020 Bring Your Own Chair (BYOC) Meet and Greet for Andrew Flowers, Candidate for State Rep. 8th Norfolk District in Sharon*
Saturday, June 27, 4 PM
Remote
RSVP by emailing info@andrewflowers.com. 

*6/30/2020 Virtual Fundraiser for Paul DePalo for Governor’s Council*
Tuesday, June 30, 6 PM
Remote
Special guests include Jimmy Tingle, Quentin Palfrey, and Rep. Natalie Higgins. RSVP: https://facebook.com/events/s/pauls-birthday-fundraiser-with/1203006356711018 

6/30/2020 27th Middlesex Candidate Forum, Somerville Democratic City Committee, Ward 6 Meeting
Tuesday, June 30, 6:30 PM
Remote
RSVP: https://bit.ly/2YqQeve; forum with candidates for State Representative, Erika Uyterhoeven and Catia Sharp 

7/1/2020 File Your Letter of Intent with the MassDems
Wednesday, July 1, 7 PM
Remote
Currently, there are two vacancies to be filled on the State Committee: two male seats, one caucus seat in the Hampden Senate District and a ballot seat in the First Essex and Middlesex Senate District. To run for either of these seats, candidates must file a letter of intent by 7pm on July 1st by emailing Executive Director Veronica Martinez at veronica@massdems.org. 

*7/1/2020 8th Norfolk District Debate Night Hosted by Democratic Town Committees*
Wednesday, July 1, 7:30 PM
Remote
Debate hosted by DTCs of Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, and Mansfield; Guests include candidates Andrew Flowers and Ted Philips. RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/646562305929768/ 

7/8/2020 Somerville Democratic City Committee, Ward 5 Meeting
Wednesday, July 8, 5:50 AM
Remote
RSVP: https://bit.ly/2XWWrzG; email Chair Joe Lynch at hendersonhouse10@gmail.com for Zoom link 

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 

*7/12/2020 Acton Democratic Town Committee Meeting*
Sunday, July 12, 6:15 PM
Remote
Contact Chair Ellen Valade at actondtc@gmail.com for the link 

7/14/2020 Wrentham Democratic Town Committee Meeting
Tuesday, July 14, 7 PM
Remote
Join special guests State Representative for Ninth Norfolk District candidate, Brian Hamlin; MA-04 Congressional candidate, Becky Grossman; County Commissioner candidate, Richard Staiti; and Register of Probate candidate, Colleen Brierly. Information to RSCP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1180067129012588/  

8/8/2020 Holliston Democratic Town Committee Monthly Meeting
Saturday, August 8, 10 AM
Remote
Contact Chair Lisa Kaplan at lisabbk@verizon.net for details 

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