Dear Safe Communities Act Endorsing Organizations,
In all the news on a national and state level concerning immigration, the Safe Communities Act Action Committee wants to bring to your attention a local fight for immigrant rights with major implication: the Salem is for Everyone campaign.
Salem is in a heated fight to protect their Sanctuary for Peace Ordinance which was passed in March 2017 and codifies existing Salem City and Police Department policies that protect the rights of all Salem residents, regardless of immigration status.
Anti-immigrant forces want to repeal, and have successfully put the Ordinance on the November 7th ballot and are marshalling their forces to convince voters to repeal it.
The Safe Communities Act Action Committee believes that a positive, Yes on 1 outcome in support of the Ordinance is critically important not just for Salem, but for the passage of the Safe Communities Act, as well as trust/welcoming/sanctuary policies across the state. If we can’t show that there is strong public support for these policies, we will face an even greater challenge in the State House.
Please alert your networks and invite your members to join our coalition effort in Salem!
Safe Communities Coalition Canvassing for Salem
As a coalition, we are organizing 2 canvassing days with Yes on 1 Salem: Saturday, October 7, and Saturday, October 21 from 1pm-5pm.
October 7 Safe Communities Canvass for Salem
1pm-5pm
First Church, 316 Essex St. in Salem
We will be joining Yes on 1 to canvass North Salem on this date. Join forces with Salem locals to knock on doors! All routes will be walkable or you will be paired with someone with a car.
Parking: Leave extra time. Parking is challenging in Salem in October. You can try for street parking on parking is available a few blocks away at the MBTA garage. Taking the Train: First Church is just a few blocks away from the MBTA station.
The Campaign has invited all volunteers to meet at Mercy Tavern, 148 Derby St. for drinks/bites to eat after and enjoy October in Salem!
RSVP to the Action Committee for September 7th.
October 21 Safe Communities Canvass for Salem
1pm-5pm
First Church, 316 Essex St. in Salem
We will be joining Yes on 1 to canvass South Salem on this date. Join forces with Salem locals to knock on doors! All routes will be walkable or you will be paired with someone with a car.
Parking: Leave extra time. Parking is challenging in Salem in October. You can try for street parking on parking is available a few blocks away at the MBTA garage. Taking the Train: First Church is just a few blocks away from the MBTA station.
The Campaign has invited all volunteers to meet at Mercy Tavern, 148 Derby St. for drinks/bites to eat after and enjoy October in Salem!
RSVP to the Action Committee for September 21.
Carpooling: Sign up to request a ride or to offer rides for both dates!
Can’t make these dates? Sign up for canvassing on other days here.
Follow Yes on 1! Salem is for Everyone to stay up to date on their entire campaign and ways that you can support their work.
Other action opportunities from Yes on 1:
Spanish Day of Action:
October 14 10:00 am and 1:00 pm – North Shore CDC, 96 Lafayette St. (upstairs) Salem
Yes on 1 will be canvassing The Point neighborhood (Salem’s primarily Latino neighborhood) in two shifts, 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. Opponents went into this neighborhood to get residents to sign their referendum petition, misleading people that it was “for Sanctuary.” We need to combat that. If you speak Spanish, that is great! Feel free to come even if you don’t.
Parking: Street parking should be available in the surrounding blocks. The routes will be walkable.
Phone Banking: If you are looking for remote support, the Yes on 1 Salem campaign is working to set up remote phone banking! Contact salemsanctuarynow@gmail.com to work out how you can set up a phone bank for your group.
This is an opportunity we cannot pass on. Thank you for your continuing support for the Safe Communities Act.
SCA Action Committee:
Progressive MA
Indivisible
JALSA
MIRA
ACLU
32BJ