Progressive Mass

IndivisibleLAB, a Progressive Mass Chap. Holiday Gathering
2024-12-18 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Join us on December 18 for an informal get-together and invite friends! Share some holiday refreshments and your thoughts on actions we can take together in 2025.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to maintain our connections with each other and not lose sight of the power of our community. Starting in January, we will resume having Action Hour meetings.
As usual, we will be meeting at an indoor location in Lexington near Route 2. Please RSVP to get location details and parking information.

Progressive Watertown Winter Party
2024-12-15 15:00 - 17:00 | 18 Winsor Avenue, Watertown, 18 Winsor Avenue, Watertown, MA
Progressive Watertown Winter Party
Join our annual winter party and rejoice in our activist community.
Potluck. Please bring a savory or sweet.
December 15, 3 pm, 18 Winsor Avenue
RSVP: nicole.n.gardner@gmail.com

NOT ONE MORE! Action to Defend Our Communities from Deportation and Criminalization!
2024-12-13 15:30 - 16:30 | JFK Federal Building, 15 Sudbury Street, Boston, MA, United States
NOT ONE MORE! Action to Defend Our Communities from Deportation and Criminalization!
When: Friday, December 13 starting at 3:30pm
Where: Rally at JFK Federal Building, 15 Sudbury Street, Boston – next to Government Plaza and Bowdoin T stations.
RSVP: bit.ly/dec13rally
In the wake of Trump’s election, we’re facing a critical moment where deportation and criminalization policies will ramp up, putting our community at risk. Though we need to prepare for Trump’s term, there is so much that current political leaders can be doing. This is our moment to push for policies that go beyond fear and punishment and offer real, tangible support for immigrants and refugees. This action is a direct call to MA Governor Healey and President Biden before January – we need their action NOW!

What's Next?: A Discussion
2024-11-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
What’s Next?: A Discussion
This past week has been one of conflicted emotions for most of us: mourning the loss of hope for a more peaceful and just future, anger and fear at what’s likely to come from the second Trump administration, and a strengthening of our resolve and determination to keep fighting for a better future for all.
Through persistence and shared commitments to building collective power and persistence, wins are possible.
To get ready for the next four years, join us next Wednesday, November 20, at 7 pm for an open meeting.
During this meeting, you will

Connect with other activists across the state
Learn some more about Progressive Mass
Hear from issue advocates about the key fights in the next legislative session to protect Massachusetts from the Trump Administration
Learn how you can take action
Get energized

As we said last week:
When Donald Trump and his right-wing allies in Congress try to enact an agenda of hate and greed, we need to be ready to fight back, and we need our elected officials in Massachusetts to be willing to do so as well.
But the next few years are not just about blocking a harmful federal agenda. They are about advancing a progressive agenda here. We need to model what a successful alternative looks like: a government committed to reducing inequality, empowering workers, protecting the rights of all, fostering inclusion, tackling the climate crisis, investing in our schools and infrastructure, tackling the high cost of living, and so much more.
When we build an equitable, just, democratic, and sustainable commonwealth, we not only improve the quality of life here at home but also set the bar for other states and the country as a whole. We show that progressive policies exist and that they work.

Neighbors Against Hate
2024-11-17 12:00 - 13:00 | 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA, 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA
Neighbors Against Hate
When prominent elected officials try to scapegoat marginalized communities, we need to speak out.
Please join us and other groups tomorrow in a celebration of the trans and queer community on the North Shore. This is a time where we need local leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.
The rally will gather between 21 Front Street and Washington Street at 12 pm tomorrow — Sunday, the 17th.

10/24: Progressive Mass "Vote Yes" Phone Bank
2024-10-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
10/24: Progressive Mass “Vote Yes” Phone Bank
Join fellow activists to call voters in support of a YES on all five ballot questions. No past phone banking experience necessary!

10/28: Progressive Mass "Vote Yes" Phone Bank
2024-10-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
10/28: Progressive Mass “Vote Yes” Phone Bank
Join fellow activists to call voters in support of a YES on all five ballot questions. No past phone banking experience necessary!

Behind Closed Doors
2024-10-27 15:00 - 17:00 | Coolidge School Apartments Auditorium, 319 Arlington Street, Watertown, MA, United States
WHAT’S WRONG WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATURE
A FREE PUBLIC FORUM with JON HECHT & DANIELLE ALLEN
Join us to learn why our State Legislature passes so few bills, how to address the lack of transparency at the MA State House, and how to advocate for change.
Jon Hecht is on the leadership team of Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts and is on the steering committee of the Coalition to Reform Our Legislature. He served as state representative for Watertown from 2009-2021.
Danielle Allen is James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University and Director of the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation at Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.
This forum is sponsored by Progressive Watertown, a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts.

Indivisible LAB Community Happy Hour
2024-10-22 17:00 - 18:00 | Burton’s Bar and Grill, Burlington, MA, 01803
In this final sprint to Election Day, we need to keep our spirits up. Social events provide a way to connect with others, build community, and have fun!
On Tuesday October 22, we’ll be hosting a Community Happy Hour at Burton’s Grill in Burlington. This event is just social – no postcards or presentations. Thanks to Indivisible National, IndivisibleLAB will supply the appetizers / small plates. Attendees will be responsible for their own drinks. Mark your calendars and RVSP here!

Short Film Viewing & Discussion: Deciding Vote
2024-10-17 19:00 - 21:00
Over 50 years ago, New York State Assemblyman George Michaels cast a single vote that changed the course of American history and destroyed his political career. The documentary short film “Deciding Vote” tells the story of how Michaels cast the critical tie-breaking vote on a bill which legalized abortion in the state of New York, laying the groundwork for Roe v. Wade. The film is a moving tribute to an act of political courage. It was short-listed for an Oscar in 2023 and has been nominated for an Emmy in 2024.
In addition to the film, the event will include several speakers, including filmmaker Rob Lyons, film participant (and daughter-in-law of George Michaels) Sarah Michaels, Jesse Mermell, Carrie Baker, JD, PhD, and individuals working as patient escorts at Planned Parenthood clinics.
The event is free to attend. Light refreshments will be served, and there will be a cash bar.
This event is co-sponsored by Progressive Mass Western Norfolk County, the Middlesex-Norfolk-Worcester Democratic Alliance, and the Democratic Town Committees from Bellingham, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Norfolk, Plainville, Sherborn, and Wrentham.

Film Viewing & Discussion: Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty
2024-10-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Watertown Public Library, 123 Main Street, Watertown, MA
Environmental Justice film screening October 10
The film “Stewart Udall and the Politics of Beauty.” tells the inspiring story of Stewart L. Udall (1920-2010) and his legacy as an advocate of social and environmental justice. No American political figure is as relevant to the issues we face today as a nation – learning to work together, achieving racial and environmental justice, improving international relations, enhancing beauty and the arts, alleviating climate change and moving toward sustainability – as Stewart Udall, Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.
Udall was a pioneer in environmentalism; he was the first public official to speak out about global warming. He worked collaboratively with native communities and fought to win compensation for Navajo Indians and “downwinders” who got cancer from their exposure to radiation during the Cold War without being warned of the dangers. Today, in our now deeply partisan environment, the film reveals a time when Americans were not yet so polarized, when big ideas could still capture bipartisan attention, and when America awakened to the unfolding destruction of paradise and determined to stop it.
Race Reels, Progressive Watertown and Watertown Faces Climate Change are proud to be sponsoring this film in this season of celebrating Indigenous people and contemplating our national election. Join us at the Watertown Library on Thursday, October 10 for pizza at 6, film at 6:30 followed by discussion with Britteny Jenkins, Vice President of Environmental Justice at the Conservation Law Foundation.
Free to the Public. Sponsored by Race Reels, Progressive Watertown, and Watertown Faces Climate Change.

Parent Power Workshop
2024-10-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Parent Power Workshop
MEJA, BEJA, and LEJA are hosting a Parent Power Workshop on Tuesday, October 9, via Zoom. Massachusetts public school parents/caregivers will come together to learn about parent power, local schools and districts, and how to advocate for their student and school community around the issues that impact them.

Standing in Solidarity with the Haitian Community
2024-09-24 12:00 - 13:00 | 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA (The Embrace monument)

Join Mass Power Forward to Tell Gov. Healey Not to Kick the Climate Can Down the Road!
2024-09-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Massachusetts State House
Join Mass Power Forward to Tell Gov. Healey Not to Kick the Climate Can Down the Road!
Join Mass Power Forward at the State House to call on Governor Healey to not kick the climate can down the road. We must stop expanding the for-profit gas utility system, and right now Governor Healey is proposing a flimsy climate bill with no plan for ending the expansion.

WHAT: Press Conference and Action
WHERE: Meet at Nurse’s Hall, 2nd Floor of the Boston Statehouse
WHO: You and your friends
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 24th at 12pm
RSVP Here

2024 Ballot Questions Forum with JP Progressives
2024-09-17 19:00 | First Baptist Church, 633 Centre Street, Boston, MA, 02130, United States
2024 Ballot Questions Forum with JP Progressives

Join JPP on Tuesday, September 17 at 7pm for an in-person forum on this cycle’s ballot questions. We have confirmed speakers from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, SEIU 32BJ, and One Fair Wage, as well as MA State Auditor Diana DiZoglio!
The event will take place at the First Baptist Church at 633 Centre Street.

IndivisibleLAB September Social
2024-09-14 16:00 - 18:00 | First Parish in Lexington, 7 Harrington Rd, Lexington
Hope to see you at our September Social co-hosted with our partners, the Preserving Our Democracy Team at First Parish in Lexington!
Join friends and allies from Lexington and surrounding towns to enjoy some delicious pizza, find out what people have been doing over the summer, and share plans for what promises to be a very busy fall.
Drop in for a quick slice or stay for an hour or two to catch up with fellow activists. Feel free to share this invitation with your friends!
RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblelab/event/687451/

2024 Ballot Question Info Session
2024-09-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
2024 Ballot Question Info Session

Massachusetts voters will see at least five questions on the November ballot:

Question #1: Auditing the State Legislature
Question #2: Eliminating the use of the MCAS as a high school graduation requirement
Question #3: Enabling Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize
Question #4: Legalizing psychdelics
Question #5: Ending subminimum wages for tipped workers

Join us on Thursday, September 12, to learn more about the five questions and what they would do.

The Steward Crisis and the Future of Health Care in Massachusetts
2024-09-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
The Steward Crisis and the Future of Health Care in Massachusetts
The ongoing collapse of the Steward Health Care system came as a shock to many, with workers and patients stuck in limbo. However, this crisis is the culmination of longstanding forces and trends in the health care system in Massachusetts, in which financial extraction has increasingly taken precedence over the provision of care.
How did we get here, and, just as importantly, how do we chart a path out?
Moderator: Enid Eckstein, JP Progressives

Panelists:
Paul Hattis, Senior Fellow, Lown Institute
Katie Murphy, President, Massachusetts Nurses Association
Alan Sager, Professor, BU School of Public Health, Director of Health Reform Program
Bill Walczak, Founder, Codman Square Health Center, 42-year health care exec, Dorchester activist
Co-sponsored by Mass-Care

Yes on 5 Coalition Meeting
2024-08-14 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
YES on 5 Coalition Meeting
Join to learn ways to get involved with the Yes on 5 campaign this fall. Question 5 would ensure that all tipped workers get a full minimum wage.

Candidate Forum: 13th Norfolk District
2024-08-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Candidate Forum: 13th Norfolk District
This event will be on Zoom. Please contact Becca Kornet (becca_kornet@yahoo.com).

Progressive Mass End-of-Session Legislative Update
2024-08-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Progressive Mass End-of-Session Legislative Update
The formal 2023-2024 legislative session ended on July 31st for the Massachusetts State House with some important wins and a lot of unfinished business. At this legislative update, we’ll discuss the following:

What progressive victories should we celebrate?
What legislative failures need to be called out?
What happens next?

This event will be on Zoom.

Candidate Forum: Governor's Council District 2
2024-08-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Norfolk public library, 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA, 02056
Progressive Mass Western Norfolk County and area Democratic Town Committees host a forum of candidates in the District 2 Governor’s Council primary: Tamisha Civil, Muriel Kramer, and David Reservitz. Held at the Norfolk Public Library.

PWRR's annual summer potluck - July 30
2024-07-30 17:30 - 19:30 | Laura Gang’s house, Roslindale, MA, 02131
PWRR’s annual summer potluck – July 30
Join Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale for their summer potluck.

Solidarity Lowell Summer Barbecue
2024-07-20 12:00 - 17:00 | 46 Carlisle Street, Lowell, 46 Carlisle Street, Lowell, MA
Solidarity Lowell Summer Barbecue
Saturday, July 20, 12-5pm
RSVP to: bit.ly/SL-BBQ-2024
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/solidarity-lowell-summer-barbe/1502030957405871/
It’s time for the 7th annual Solidarity Lowell Potluck Summer Barbecue! The Coordinating Committee will provide burgers, hot dogs, vegetarian burgers and hot dogs, and rolls.
Park on both sides of the street. Please leave the spaces at the front of the house open for those with mobility challenges.
FYI this will happen rain or shine! We’re prepared to move inside the house if it’s too hot or it rains. We hope to see you there!

Climate Justice Can't Wait! Rally and March on Boston!
2024-07-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Boston Common Bandstand, 139 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 021111, United States
Climate Justice Can’t Wait! Rally and March on Boston!
Join the MA Youth Climate Coalition and Mass Power Forward coalitions to push for our planet and justice!

Rally at the State House to #FreeHer
2024-07-10 12:00 - 14:00 | Massachusetts State House
Rally at the State House to #FreeHer
Join Families for Justice as Healing for a rally at the State House to Pass the Prison Moratorium and Elder Parole! We’re just weeks away from the end of the session, so we’re showing up at the State House together to demand the legislature takes immediate action to pass the FreeHer policy priorities. Join us for a speaking program, rally, and then we’ll go inside the state house to drop off our petition (tinyurl.com/stopsheriffs) to the Senate President and Speaker of the House. Thank you for joining us in this historic moment!

Bigger than Dobbs: Concord
2024-06-23 13:00 - 14:30 | First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Rd., Concord, MA
June 24th marks two years since the Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated federal constitutional protections for abortion. As part of National Indivisible’s Weekend of Action, Concord Indivisible will join other Indivisibles across Massachusetts in hosting a Bigger than Dobbs rally on Sunday, June 23 at First Parish in Concord from 1:00 to 2:30 — rain or shine.
We seek to alert voters to the potential for a nationwide abortion ban and the end to many of our freedoms, as outlined in the Project 2025 manifesto promoted by the ultra-conservative Heritage Foundation. Abortion is just the “tip of the iceberg,” and Republicans are trying to “turn back the clock” with antiquated laws like the Comstock Act. Join us in the movement to save our democracy!
Co-sponsored by Progressive Mass Chapter, Indivisible LAB (Lexington, Arlington, Bedford)

Bigger than Dobbs Weekend of Action: Westford
2024-06-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Westford Town Common, Lincoln Street, Westford, MA
June 24th marks two years since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and federal constitutional protections for abortion. This weekend, Indivisible groups across the country are putting a spotlight on reproductive rights and MAGA extremism.
Westford standout co-sponsored by Progressive Mass Chapter Indivisible Westford.

Bigger Than Dobbs Weekend of Action: Franklin
2024-06-22 10:00 - 12:00
June 24th marks two years since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and federal constitutional protections for abortion. This weekend, Indivisible groups across the country are putting a spotlight on reproductive rights and MAGA extremism. The Franklin MA standout is being co-hosted by Progressive Mass Western Norfolk County.

6/20: Mass Power Forward Distributed Lobby Day
2024-06-20 11:00 - 17:00
6/20: Mass Power Forward Distributed Lobby Day

This Lobby Day is for Mass Power Forward Priorities only- please come prepared to lobby for Mass Power Forward priorities only. See our website if you have questions.

Virtual – Thursday, June 20th
Day of Agenda:
11AM – 12PM Kick Off – On Zoom
Throughout the day: prep time with your team, meetings with Reps and Senators
4:30 Closing and action for people with no meetings
RSVP here by June 6th

This is a DISTRIBUTED Lobby Day. Each district will decide if they want to meet in person in Boston at the statehouse, in district in person, or all on zoom.

Meetings are not guaranteed. Please consider taking on District Lead (to be the contact with your legislator, convene the constituents for preparation, and facilitate the Lobby Meeting).

We will host an Action Hour for participants without meetings to contact their legislators.
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Trainings:

Required (will be recorded): Lobby Day Prep Training!
-Option 1: Thursday, June 6th 12pm – 1:30pm
-Option 2: Tuesday, June 11th 6:30pm – 8pm
