We need get ICE out of Massachusetts. There are 3 key things we can do in Massachusetts to protect our neighbors from ICE.
1. Stop MA police, courts, prisons, and jails from helping ICE
2. End the surveillance state from targeting us
3. Hold ICE agents accountable for breaking state laws
Join @luce_hotline : /take-action
MASSACHUSETTS: WE WON STATE HOUSE TRANSPARENCY!
Unlike other states, cities and towns across Massachusetts require State House approval to pass legislation affecting their local community. With the immense power the State House has over our material realities, it makes it all the more important for organizations and movements to know what’s going on — so we can more effectively fight for the changes our communities deserve.
For too long, lack of transparency has stonewalled effective organizing. But today — all that changes.
This win belongs to the coalition of climate, labor, and community organizations who organized 1-1 advocacy sessions with 100+ legislators, as well as legislators on the inside! We demanded a removal of old barriers to ensure the transparency needed for good government and effective inside-outside organizing. And after years: it’s been delivered.
But it’s not over: the fight for a more democratic, transparent, and effective State House continues. Join State Rep. @electerika & @statereptarahong for a State House power building session on Tuesday, July 22nd from 6-8pm. RSVP at: linktr.ee/StateHousePower
Did you know that paras in Somerville were only getting paid $20,000 / year until 2020? Paras (or Education Support Professionals, ESPs) work with students with disabilities and special needs. Their work is vital to ensuring equity in our schools and yet they are often severely underpaid for their labor.
That’s why we are so proud that Somerville Educators Union negotiated a contract paying paras a starting salary of $50,000 / year. They won this, higher salaries for teachers, paid parental leave and other massive wins by bargaining for the common good and deeply engaging our community.
But our work isn’t done. Paras across the state are still paid horribly underpaid wages and deserve better. That’s why I filed H.733 / S.370 with @statereptarahong and @adamgomezma to set the minimum salary at $55,000 / year for paras and $70,000 / year for teachers.
Thank you @luisaforschoolcommittee for running for Cambridge school committee!!! Remember to vote on November 4 and vote for Luisa if you live in Cambridge !
When you call for state programs or benefits in Massachusetts, AI is listening. It records your name, your address, your situation, and saves it to your case file.
I demanded to see the procurement documents for this OpenAI contract.
What I found: the state scored AI safety at zero percent. No bias evaluation. No accuracy check. No data protection review.
The procurement process funneled through a company the FBI raided in 2024 for bid-rigging, a company that also holds a $5.7 million contract with ICE.
A promise is not a safeguard. We need real oversight at Beacon Hill.
Read more in my newsletter ⬇️
/newsletters/zero-percent/
Join us for office hours this Saturday, from 10AM-12PM with @senpatjehlen , @naimaforsomerville , and Ward 5 School Committee Laura Pitone at Zaruma Gold Coffee at 37 Woodbine Street!
REMINDER! Join me, @votejivan , and @luisaforschoolcommittee this Saturday, May 16 at 1:30 in Lou Ann David Park to build the movement that wins on September 1.
We're fighting for affordable housing, fair energy bills, fully funded schools, and a government that actually works for you. But we can't do it without you! 💜
RSVP here — https://bit.ly/erika516
Monday was another beautiful evening for the Ward 1 Slice of the City! It was great to meet with constituents to discuss issues like affordable housing, the climate crisis, and funding our public education.
Thanks to all those who made it out and for @somervillecity for putting on these great events!
I was one of two Democrats to vote against the social media ban bill (H.5349). I support getting phones out of classrooms and protecting kids from addictive algorithms. But this bill does something different: it forces every user in Massachusetts to upload a government ID to a third-party company just to log on. Federal courts have struck down nearly identical laws in other states on First Amendment grounds. We should be regulating the companies, not surveilling the kids.
Read more in my newsletter ⬇️
/newsletters/they-just-took-a-blow-torch-to-your-privacy/
It was such an honor to be in community for the third annual Free Palestine Mother’s Day Potluck, co-hosted with incredible mothers from Palestine organizing groups across Boston. 💚 We came together to both honor and mourn the weight of motherhood in Palestine under genocide and apartheid. Thank you to everyone who showed up with food, grief, love, and solidarity. 🍉
