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Friends,

This is the story of how we got arrested.

Two weeks ago, members of the 350 Mass Boston Node took part in an action in solidarity with the FRRACS struggle against the compressor station in Weymouth. This compressor station will be a lynchpin in the export of fracked gas to Europe, and it's a direct threat to the health of local residents in an already polluted area. The current site work involves removing over a thousand dump trucks full of soil contaminated with arsenic, other heavy metals, and probably asbestos. Enbridge plans to dump the contaminated soil in Maine and New Hampshire.

So, we joined dozens of activists from FRRACS and Extinction Rebellion to delay construction by Enbridge at the worksite in Weymouth. We blocked a cement truck and delayed work on the site for several hours. Nine people were arrested, including four of us from the Boston Node.

After spending about four hours in jail, we were released with charges reduced to civil infractions with no fines. The experience left us encouraged. We felt a deep solidarity with all those involved, and we'll continue to stand up for the health of our communities and our world.

In solidarity,
350 Mass Boston Node

Support a Strong Senate Climate Bill

The Massachusetts State Senate has developed a climate bill that doesn't include all of our legislative priorities. Contact your State Senator and urge them to support our amendments. Learn about the amendments and read a helpful phone script.

Report Back from the Chase Bank Action

Last Saturday, 350 Mass' Climate Courage members took action at the Chase Bank branch in Jamaica Plain to highlight Chase's role in profiting off of the climate crisis. To learn more about the Stop the Money Pipeline campaign and take direct action with 350 Mass, join Climate Courage here.

Other 350 Mass News

Talk and discussionReducing Emissions by Changing the Electric Grid: How can we rapidly transition away from fossil fuel energy while increasing democratic control of the energy grid? Larry Rosenberg, an activist with Elders Climate Action and 350 Massachusetts, will talk about what we need to  do to make 100% renewable energy possible. See the Facebook event. TOMORROW,  Wed, Jan 29, 7-8:30 pm, Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge.

Mass Power Forward 2020 Feb Leadership Teach InSetting the Stage for a Green New Deal: Join us to get to know your fellow community leaders, deepen your knowledge of equity and anti-racism frameworks in MPFs policies, and gain tools to bring back to your group. Sign up here. Sat, Feb 1, 10 am-3 pm, Drumlin Farm Life Center, 208 S Great Rd, Lincoln.

Local Environmental Action 2020 Conference: 350 Mass is a lead sponsor of this annual gathering of community leaders and activists. Sharpen the skills you need to make change, learn more about the problems facing our world today, and be inspired to keep up the fight. Learn more and register here. See the Facebook event. Sat, Mar 7, Northeastern University, Curry Student Center, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston.

Screen FRRACS' Documentary in Your 350 Mass Node: Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station (FRRACS) has made a documentary about their movement to stop Enbridge (here is the trailer). We want to screen the documentary far and wide across the state (our goal is a screening in EVERY community we're active in!). Sign up here if you’re interested in hosting a screening. Also, enjoy a new video about the Weymouth Compressor Station, Governor Baker's Toxic Legacy.

Write a Letter to the Editor: 350 Mass members write lots of letters to the editor, many of which get published! Here are some recent letters:

Want to join the team? Email Vignesh Ramachandran to find out more!

Other Better Future Project News

Calling All Librarians: Last September, Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) helped Massachusetts librarians offer over 90 programs as part of the annual Climate Preparedness Week. If your library participated in Climate Preparedness Week—or even if it didn’t—read here to find out more about how you can incorporate climate resilience programming!

Host a Boston-area Divest Ed Fellow Next Summer: Divest Ed, Better Future Project's national campus divestment program, will be hosting an in-person Boston summer fellowship for up to 15 student divestment leaders. If you live in the Greater Boston Area and have a spare room in your home, please consider hosting a fellow and fill out this form!

Divest Ed is Hiring a Director: Better Future Project is looking for a Divest Ed director to start in 2020! We need someone with a vision for the student fossil fuel divestment movement, a passion for student and youth organizing, a commitment to climate justice, and experience working with young people and partnering with other movements. See here for the job listing.

Other Climate Movement News

Make a Social Media Post to Support Renewable Energy: Massachusetts can be a national leader in the fight against climate change by passing the Decker/Garballey 100% Renewable Energy Act (H.2836). Show your support by posting to Facebook and Twitter! See the guide here.

WebinarAffordable Housing as a Climate Solution: Are you interested in learning from experts about why sustainable housing is a key part of the climate solution? Join this webinar, the third of a four-part series hosted by MCAN, LISC, and the Smart Growth Alliance. Learn more and RSVP here.  TODAY, Tue, Jan 28, 7-8 pm.

RSVP for the Massachusetts Youth Lobby Day: Join Our Climate, Sunrise Boston, Boston Climate Strikes, The Roosevelt Institute, MASSPIRG students, Citizens Climate Lobby, Clean Water Action, Mothers Out Front and more as we hold our representatives accountable for the legislation that will protect our future, such as Equitable Carbon Fee and Rebate Bill H.2810 and the 100% Renewables Bill (H.2836). Learn about our policy priorities, see the agenda, and RSVP here. TOMORROW, Wed, Jan 29, Massachusetts State House, Boston.

Tell Stop and Shop to Cut Ties with Cargill: Cargill has driven the destruction of millions of acres of grasslands and rainforests to grow soy in South America. Join us for a campaign kickoff meeting to discuss the future of sustainable agriculture and how to harness collective power that can shift the power dynamics between corporations and people. TOMORROW, Wed, Jan 29, 6:30 pm, Egleston Public Library, 2044 Columbus Ave, Roxbury.

Electric FuturesPractical Approaches to Regulation and Implementation: Brookline was the first municipality on the East Coast to ban fossil fuel combustion in new construction and gut renovations. Similar initiatives are gaining momentum in other communities. Join the Boston Society for Architecture, Green Ribbon Commission, and Massachusetts Climate Action Network for a forum to learn from Brookline's experiences. Register here. Tue, Feb 4, 8:15 am-noon, BSA Space, Fort Point Room, 290 Congress St, Boston.

Book LaunchA Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal: Hear co-authors Drs. Alyssa Battistoni, Daniel Aldana Cohen, and Thea Riofrancos read from their book and lead a discussion. Books will also be signed, and refreshments will be served. The venue is ADA-accessible. See the Facebook event. Fri, Feb 7, 7 pm, Porter Square Books, 25 White St, Cambridge.

Visions of Justice Forum: Come to this second annual forum of speakers, visual arts, music, and conversation on social justice issues. This year’s program focuses on the disproportionate impact of environmental changes on marginalized communities. Speakers include Sonja Spears of Boston Health Care for the Homeless, Susan Church of Demissie & Church, and Craig Altemose of Better Future Project. Sat, Feb 8 (snow date Mar 7), 9:30 am-2:30 pm, Unitarian Universalist Area Church (UUAC), 11 Washington St, Sherborn.

Climate ChangeA Course for Everyone: This free and open course is intended to promote climate change education, resilience, and action. We'll examine the basic science of climate change, its local and global impacts, and strategies for preventing its worst outcomes while preparing for those we can no longer avoid. Learn more here and see a live stream here. Ongoing through Wed, April 8, 6-8 pm, Northeastern, 40 Leon St, Boston.

Solidarity Opportunities

Make Schools Safe from ICE: Reports from Boston Public Schools are ending up in the hands of ICE, jeopardizing young people’s futures. The Boston Teachers Union and the Student Immigration Movement are taking action. Sign a petition to curb this information pipeline.

Support Corporate Fair Share: After years of underinvestment, Massachusetts’ transportation systems are at a crisis point. We need significant new revenue for investment in transportation. At the same time, far too many large corporations pay only minimal taxes here by exploiting loopholes, tax breaks, and offshore tax havens. Here's how to help:

Support the MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda: There are five bills in the 2019-2021 legislative session that would benefit Indigenous Peoples. Learn more about the Massachusetts Indigenous Peoples Legislative Agenda here and support it here.

Is this newsletter a helpful resource? Help us make it possible by donating today! 

About Better Future Project and 350 Mass


Better Future Project (BFP) builds grassroots power to advance a rapid transition beyond fossil fuels. 350 Mass is Better Future Project's volunteer-led climate action network. 

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Questions? Email Alan Palm, [email protected]
Upcoming Node Meetings
All are welcome!
 
Allston-Brighton
Mon, Feb 10, 6:15-7:45 pm
Brighton Branch of the Boston Public Library
40 Academy Hill Rd, Brighton

Berkshires
Wed, Feb 19, 6-8 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church
175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield

Boston
Tue, Jan 28, 7-8:30 pm
First Church in Jamaica Plain
6 Eliot St, Jamaica Plain

Cambridge-Somerville
Tue, Feb 4, 6:30-8:30 pm (orientation for new members at 6 pm)
First Church Cambridge
11 Garden St, Cambridge

Cape Cod
Thu, Feb 13, 7-8:30 pm
Sturgis Library,
3090 Main St, Barnstable


Charles River
Wed, Feb 19, 7-8:30 pm
Westwood Public Library
660 High St, Westwood

Greater Franklin
Thu, Feb 6, 7-9 pm
First Universalist Society in Franklin
262 Chestnut St, Franklin

Lowell
Wed, Feb 5, 7-8:30 pm
Mill No. 5
250 Jackson St, Lowell

MetroNorth
Wed, Feb 5, noon-1:30 pm
Unitarian Church
478 Main St, Winchester

MetroWest
Tue, Feb 6, 7-9 pm
Peace Lutheran Church
107 Concord Rd, Weyland

Mystic
Wed, Feb 12, 7-8:30 pm
Medford High School, Rm V220
489 Winthrop St, Medford

Newton
Tue, Feb 18, 7-9 pm 
First Unitarian Society in Newton
1326 Washington St, Newton

North Shore
Tue, Feb 4, 6:30-8:30 pm
Beverly Farms Library
24 Vine St, Beverly

South Coast
Tue, Jan 28, 7-8:30 pm
First Parish Church in Taunton
76 Church Green, Taunton

South Shore
Tue, Feb 4, 7:30-9:30 pm
Old Ship Church Parish House
107 Main St, Hingham

Upper Charles
Mon, Feb 24, 7-9 pm
Sherborn UU
11 Washington St, Sherborn

Watertown
Sun, Feb 2, 4:15-6 pm
The Residence at Watertown Square
20 Summer St, Watertown
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