Arise & Resist: Our Time to Act is Now

Saturday, March 15, 2025

1:00pm-5:00pm

St James Parish, 1991 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA 02140

Enter on Beech St.

masspeace.us/arise-resist-act

As the new regime rampages against us, we will forge new connections to empower ourselves to fight back with clarity and strength. It’s time to strategize – together.

From our January 19 conference, four different plans of action have emerged so far:  Fight Budget and Tax Cuts, Palestine Solidarity,  Concord 250 Protest/ Direct Action, and a Rapid Response Network. Join us on March 15  to strengthen these projects collectively. We intend to put our plans into action. Now, more than ever, we need to work better together!

The meeting will begin in the Sanctuary, then move to breakout spaces, and conclude with a final session in the Parish Hall.   Enter on Beech St which is closest to the Sanctuary.

Agenda

Opening Session – Sanctuary

Overview – political framing – 10-15 min

4 project reports  5-10 min each – total 45 min

1. Rapid response network
2. Budget and Taxes
3. Concord 250 Protest / Direct Action
4. Palestine Solidarity

Breakouts – 90 min

Rapid response network – Classroom 113

As the extremist right wing billionaire’s administration strips our government for parts, as I.C.E. hunts down our immigrant neighbors, as Israel keeps up its attacks on Palestine, we are seeing federally funded community support programs disappear. We know the suffering in our communities is just beginning. In response, Arise and Resist has been developing a Rapid Response network to protect our neighbors and mobilize opposition. We will share what we have accomplished so far and
strategize together on how to strengthen and broaden the network to reach across our state and involve more activist and community groups.

Fight Tax and Budget Cuts – Lounge

We know that there is a rising discontent with federal policies being inflicted by Elon Musk and other Trump appointees. People on the front lines in our struggles for affordable housing, decent health care, and food security need to advocate for a Budget for All to serve our needs. Arise and Resist has begun to develop such a peoples’ budget campaign. Join us to strategize how best to launch that campaign.

Concord 250 Protest / Direct Action – MAPA office (room 115)

On April 19th the town of Concord, MA will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution. (President Trump may – or may not – attend) Many voters are now alarmed by the Republicans’ billionaire enabling and anti-democratic acts. We plan to be in Concord to connect with their “Tax the Rich” sentiments and encourage individuals to sign on with local groups and organizations that are actively opposing Trump’s policies. We need support to make our presence large, mobile, and effective.

Palestine Solidarity – Parish Hall

We have a large and very diverse local Palestinian solidarity movement. If we could find ways to collaborate, we would become much more effective. Let’s focus on campaigns that would spark the most engagement. Join us to discuss what those campaigns would be.

Reportbacks – 30-45 min – Parish Hall

Directions and Parking: We are meeting at St James Church, 1991 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge 02140.   Enter from Beech St as shown on the floor plan.

The church is three blocks north of Porter Square.

By car, there are parking meters on Mass. Ave., which must be fed from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday.  Maximum time is 2 hours which costs you $2.50 in quarters or by app. To park for 4 hours, put in 10 quarters, note the zone number and time, and pay by app after 2 hours.

Arise & Resist Coalition:  Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine, CD8 for Palestine, Communist Party of Massachusetts, Green Rainbow Party, Jewish Voice for Peace Boston, Massachusetts Alliance of HUD Tenants, Massachusetts Peace Action, Northshore for Palestine.   All progressive groups invited to join!

Contact: arise-resist@masspeaceaction.org