Actions

Events this month!

November 24, 7:00-9:00 pm: October POP Huddle meeting. Swing by for an informal meeting to write some postcards, do some actions, and meet some like-minded people. 24 Bay State Road, in the room above the garage.
December 7, 4:00 p.m.: Save the date for the 13th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence will take place at the Woburn United Methodist Church, located at 523 Main Street in Woburn. Show support for families and honor victims and survivors who have been impacted by gun violence. This is part of a nationwide series of candlelight vigils across the country.

Help collect signatures (or even just sign)

For a future ballot question regarding the Massachusetts legislature’s system of “leadership stipends,” which is an outlier among the 50 states. Out of 200 state senators and representatives, 149 receive ‘leadership stipends.’ Stipends can go upwards of $119,000 on top of a legislator’s base salary (currently $82,044). Since 2013, the legislature has quadrupled the amount of taxpayer money spent on stipends to $5.4 million.

See the attached document to learn more.

Email John Lippitt for more details on how to support this effort.

Want a T-shirt to help spread the word about our efforts?

As we grow, we’re working on ways to be more cohesive and organized in conveying our message. To show our solidarity and shared beliefs, we’d love to wear the same T-shirts at events, activities, and around town. Please fill out this survey about our possible T-shirt sale.

Protect RCTV

RCTV is up for renewal in the coming weeks. There has been some talk by some members of the Select Board of not renewing their contract. It is a fantastic, unbiased resource of information for Reading. I urge you to reach out to support it. RCTV is up for renewal in the coming weeks. There has been some talk by some members of the Select Board of not renewing their contract. It is a fantastic, unbiased resource of information for Reading. I urge you to reach out to support it.

How to take action!

Email Select Board Vice Chair Melissa Murphy, who is leading contract negotiations for the Select Board.
Email Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, who is leading contract negotiations for the Town.
Email the entire Select Board.
Write Letters to the Editor and submit to The Reading Post, The Reading Observer.
Speak up at public comment during the next Select Board meeting.
Share this information with local friends and neighbors.

Fill Out The Member Survey

Attend a Protest

Bearing Witness holds a standout on Wednesdays from 11-1 in Burlington across from the ICE facility at 1000 District Ave, Burlington. If you make your own sign, make it specific to the issues with ICE, e.g., “Families Belong Together”, “Abolish ICE”. They may have supplies onsite to make signs there. There is an orientation meeting at 11 for newcomers. Park in the overflow lot at Macy’s. This is a non-violent, non-confrontational event.
Wakefield and Friend Protest holds a weekly standout in Wakefield every Saturday from 11-12. on the corner of Main and Water Streets This is a non-violent, non-confrontational event with friendly, like minded people. Bring your own sign if you wish, but signs are also provided.
Melrose Wakefield Indivisible holds a standout every Wednesday evening from 5:30-6:30 at the corner of Tremont Street and Lynn Fells Parkway, Melrose.

Call Your Representatives

Use the 5 Calls app!

Make phone calls to your federal legislators with the 5 Calls app. It provides names, numbers, scripts, and legislation to support or oppose, making it so easy to do a little action every day!

Support libraries!

Check out the national Library Advocates’ Engagement Guide: Check out this guide to learn how you can help libraries, museums, and the freedom to read on the federal, state, and local level.

Join the Recruitment and Activation Team!

Do you have outreach or marketing experience? Or do you just like to talk to people? We have some fantastic ideas about how to make the POP Huddle grow. The wonderful Ilka Walkley has agreed to take the leadership role on this existing team, but we need more people to fulfil our vision! Email Ilka here.

STAY INFORMED!

We will use our social media accounts a lot more for time-sensitive actions. Check us out @pophuddle on Instagram, Facebook, and Blue Sky.
If you are a Reading resident, check out the new local news website, the Reading Observer Like and Follow on Facebook if you are on there too. Share articles as issues come up!

Several of you mentioned you would like a way to hear about time-sensitive actions so we can respond in real-time as events unfold. The admins of our Signal chat will post time-sensitive actions, and if you are able, you can respond right away. First, download the free Signal-Private Messenger app. Once you have the app installed, scan the QR code to get the invite. (No top-secret military plans included.)

Help with our postcarding efforts in THREE ways!

We have written over 100,000 postcards in our 8 years at the POP Huddle. These cards help register new voters or get out the vote across the country.

Donate to our national postcarding efforts! All those cards and stamps add up! Please consider Venmoing Paula at @PTucci (Confirmation: 7597)

Write some postcards now! All the materials are right here. Give it a try.

Join our postcarding team! Sign up below or mail Paula Tucci at pltucci@comcast.net.

Join the grant writing team!

Do you have any experience with grant writing? We are trying to find and apply for grants for our grassroots work and Pride Parade and Celebration. Email me at pophuddle.reading@gmail.com if interested.