SCA: When Lawmakers Won't Make Laws
APRIL 1 - PRINTER FRIEINDLY - Here's more on the policies we'll be pushing via the budget process:
These 3 provisions have broad public support, and extend critical protections to all immigrants.
ALL are from the Safe Communities Act–and are endorsed by the two MA police chief associations.
ALL comply with federal law. Federal law prohibits limiting communications between local and federal agencies about immigration status. It does not require local law enforcement to collect this information.
Not Having It: Rep. Calter claps back at Mass Fiscal
Mass Fiscal is sending out postcards to voters designed to mislead and provoke a backlash against the Safe Communities Act. We were delighted to receive Rep. Calter's comprehensive and emailed response to his constituents.
Bravo and thank you Rep. Calter, for being a strong advocate for due process, keeping our communities SAFE, and rejecting xenophobic fear tactics.
The email is quoted in full below:
As you may be aware, Mass Fiscal Alliance sent out post cards to residents that misrepresents the substantive elements of House Bill 3269, The Safe Communities Act. Because Mass Fiscal Alliance has a total disregard for truths that do not support its radical political agenda, I now need to set the record straight.
The legislation I co-sponsored does not even address the issue of Sanctuary Cities. It is an act that ensures that our Massachusetts tax dollars are devoted to protecting our communities and not to the enforcement of Federal immigration laws that fall under the sole authority of ICE(Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
To learn more about what The Safe Communities Act does and does not do, please read below:
On January 23, 2017, the Trump administration introduced an aggressive immigration enforcement agenda that relies on the conscription of state and local law enforcement and facilities to identify and detain immigrants. This agenda is already having far-reaching consequences in our communities, and raises major public safety, public health, economic and civil rights concerns. A federal court has already ruled that such coercion is unconstitutional because-among other things-it violates the 10th amendment prohibition on commandeering state resources for federal purposes.
It is no coincidence that The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court was the first in the nation to find that state laws don't allow us to hold a person on an ICE detainer; doing so violates Massachusetts statute.
It's Not Just Trump: ICE, Deportation, Xenophobia in MA
Click thru for a review of the historic SJC Lunn decision, Gov. Baker's proposal to overturn it, Safe Communities Act and the foot dragging of Massachusetts Democrats.
Safe Communities: Calls to Your Legislators
UPDATE: Please use THIS ACTION SCRIPT-- PROGRESSIVEMASS.COM/TAKEACTION
NAVIGATE
- Get Ready! Numbers and Info
Getting Ready
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A: Know your State Rep. and State Senator's names (look up here)
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IT HELPS: Write down (Save in your contacts!) their phone numbers --
- or you can call the SWITCHBOARD (617) 722-2000 and ask to be connected to your legislators
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IT HELPS: Write down (Save in your contacts!) their phone numbers --
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B: Review the general script below
- EXTRA MILE: Check if they're CO SPONSORING the bill (check here--look for both your Rep and Sen!)
- C: Review the call reporting form below
Calling Script / General Outline
Mostly, today's calls are going to end up as Voicemails or short messages with aides.
For Legislator brief check-ins your message should be a version of:
"Hello, I'm ____ from ____ . I want REP/SEN to fight for passage of the Safe Communities Act this session. I am paying close attention and these issues of [DUE PROCESS] [PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES] [YOUR REASONS] are important to me. I will check back soon."
For calls to the Governor, the message is a version of:
"Governor Baker's Friday statement against Safe Communities was outrageous. I am calling to register my firm support for the Safe Communities Act. I am deeply disappointed in the Governor's position and I will be watching. It is unconscionable that he ally himself on the side of Trump against due process and dignity for all of our immigrant neighbors."
SCRIPT ADD ONs
Ask for In-District Meeting: We are encouraging organizers to schedule in-district meetings with your legislators -- the request for face-to-face conversation shows you're really serious and you're not going away.
ADD IN: "I would like to schedule an in-district meeting to discuss this with (REP/SEN ___ )"
Your Legislator Has Not Shown Support Yet: They have not yet co-sponsored, they have avoided making a commitment in the press or at forums.
ADD IN: "I would like to hear more about what the legislator's reservations are"..."And I'd like to schedule a meeting to discuss this in-district"
Your Legislator Is Against: They have actively stated their opposition.
ADD IN: "I know that the legislator is in opposition, and as a constituent I want him to know that I am in SUPPORT of the Safe Communities and I urge him/her to change her/his position. I would like to schedule an in-district meeting where we can discuss this issue in more depth."
Your Legislator is a Stalwart Advocate: They are out in front, and are pushing their colleagues to get on board.
ADD IN: "I am calling to express my gratitude for his/her leadership, and that members in our community support and appreciate it too."
RECORD YOUR CALL
Keeping track of our efforts is an important part of an effective grassroots issues campaign. Thank you for taking a minute to record your calls below. There are sections for your Rep., Sen., and Governor.
be sure to scroll down on the embedded inner frame
OR, open in a new window: progma.us/scacall
Safe Communities (190th, 2017-2018)
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please be patient while it populates here, or click to view in a separate window!
Make Massachusetts a Sanctuary: Pass the SAFE COMMUNITIES ACT this session.
>SIGN BELOW (CLICK HERE TO SKIP PETITION TEXT/go directly to signature). Share links: progressivemass.com/sign or /petition
To Massachusetts Legislators:
Massachusetts passage of the SAFE COMMUNITIES ACT is of the greatest moral imperative. We must assert our principles of equality and justice for all, and our deeply held value of being a SAFE haven for immigrants, including refugees from oppression.
That we have not passed such legislation prior to this moment is a failure of our collective morality. We must correct this now. We must gird ourselves against the coming economic, social, climate, and structural aggressions of President Trump’s immoral agenda.
Please support a bold 2017-18 Progressive Agenda, including the Safe Communities Act, by co-sponsoring and vigorously fighting for these bills and their objectives. (further info on these bills at ProgressiveMass.com/legislativeagenda)
❏ HD.3052/SD.1596: An Act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents (“Safe Communities Act”) (Matias-Eldridge)
❏ SD.1389: An Act to reduce the criminalization of poverty (Brownsberger)
❏ HD.2719/SD.984: An Act to improve the Commonwealth’s economy with a strong minimum wage and a strong tipped minimum wage (Donahue-Donnelly)
❏ Citizen’s Petition: An Initiative Petition for an Amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth to Provide Resources for Education and Transportation through an additional tax on incomes in excess of One Million Dollars (Fair Share Amendment)
>> SIGN BELOW: CLICK HERE TO SKIP PETITION TEXT/GO DIRECT TO SIGNATURE <<
❏ HD.2573/SD.1768: An Act establishing a paid family and medical leave insurance program (Gordon-Spilka)
❏ SD.1609: An Act promoting housing and sustainable development (Chandler)
❏ HD.3249/SD.698: An Act establishing Medicare for All in Massachusetts (Garlick-Eldridge)
❏ SD.1905: An Act modernizing the Foundation Budget for the 21st century (Chang-Diaz)
❏ HD.771/SD.945: An Act making public higher education in Massachusetts free for residents of the state (Gentile) / An Act promoting access to debt-free public higher education (Eldridge)
>> SIGN BELOW: CLICK HERE TO SKIP PETITION TEXT/GO DIRECT TO SIGNATURE <<
❏ HD.2714/SD.1128: An Act for justice reinvestment (Keefe - Chang-Diaz)
❏ HD.1794/SD.500: An Act to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences related to drug offenses (Carvalho-Creem)
❏ HD.450/SD.939: An Act relative to advancing contraceptive coverage and economic security in our state (ACCESS) (Haddad/Scibak-Chandler)
❏ HD.2500/SD.1791: An Act automatically registering eligible voters and enhancing safeguards against fraud (Kocot-Creem)
❏ SD.2049 An Act creating 21st century Massachusetts clean energy jobs (Pacheco)
>> SIGN BELOW: CLICK HERE TO SKIP PETITION TEXT/GO DIRECT TO SIGNATURE <<
❏ HD.2157/SD.1632: An Act relative to solar power and the green economy (Mark-Eldridge)
❏ HD.3204/SD.1727: An Act clarifying authorities and responsibilities of the Department of Public Utilities (Kulik-Eldridge)
❏ HD.1504/SD.1021: An Act to promote green infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs (Benson) /
An Act combating climate change (Barrett)