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Check out the latest news from the Massachusetts climate movement!
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Friends,

My name is Dr. Nathan Phillips, and I'm on a hunger strike.

I'm a member of 350 Mass' Newton node and an ally of Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station (FRRACS). The new Weymouth natural gas compressor station is a public health and climate emergency. Seven days ago, I started my hunger strike because few media outlets seem to be paying attention. My objective is to push this emergency into the spotlight, urging Governor Baker and DEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg to take action.

As I enter Day 7 of my strike, Baker's office and Suuberg have acknowledged the action and are squarely in the public spotlight, which intensifies with each passing day. Their actions indicate a lack of urgency, or willful neglect for the welfare of one hunger striker, or the 3,100 children who breathe contaminated air. But they can't shake the resolve of FRRACS and this hunger striker to do whatever peaceful measures it takes to stop and shut down an egregious human rights injustice playing out before our eyes in the Fore River Basin.

Read my statement and my three demands here. ([link removed]) But we're not going to stop with these demands. We need to spark massive public outrage, to shut down the compressor operations forever, and to bring those perpetrators and enablers of this injustice to account.

You can support my hunger strike by calling:
* Gov. Baker’s office 617-725-4005 (tel:6177254005)
* DEP Commissioner Suuberg’s office 617-292-5500 (tel:6172925500)

You can say: "I am calling to urge you to meet the three demands that will allow the ongoing hunger strike of Dr. Nathan Phillips to cease." It's fine to leave a message.

In solidarity,
Dr. Nathan Phillips


** Support a Strong Senate Climate Bill
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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. ([link removed])


** Other 350 Mass News
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Fighting the Fossil Fuel Industry and Its Enablers on Our Own Turf: Come to a special 350 Mass Metrowest Node Meeting to hear about our ongoing actions targeting Chase Bank, the proposed Weymouth compressor station, and the last coal-burning plant in New England without a planned shut-down date. Learn how you can play a part. Thu, Feb 6, 7-9:30 pm, Peace Lutheran Church, 107 Concord Rd, Wayland.

Solidarity Working Group Call: On the next call, we'll be joined by one of the coordinators of the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition to discuss the Corporate Fair Share campaign. See the Zoom link. ([link removed]) Meeting ID: 705 812 285 Thu, Feb 13, 8 pm.

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. ([link removed]) See the Facebook event. ([link removed]) 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 ([link removed]) ). 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. ([link removed]) Also, check out this new video about the Weymouth Compressor Station, Governor Baker's Toxic Legacy.
([link removed])

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:
* Taunton Daily Gazette: Everyone must take action now to combat climate change ([link removed])
* The Boston Globe: Civic engagement drives us - climate advocacy is good example ([link removed])
* The Boston Globe: Yes to free bus service ([link removed])

Want to join the team? Email Vignesh Ramachandran (mailto:[email protected]) to find out more!


** Other Better Future Project News
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Interfaith Summit on Climate Change, Extreme Weather, and How To Respond: Save the date! Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) invites you to a summit that brings together various religious and spiritual communities from Boston and the surrounding area to engage in a discussion about climate change. Discover resources that will help us be prepared for extreme weather-related issues. Sun, Mar 29, 2-6 pm, North American Indian Center of Boston, 105 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain.

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! ([link removed])

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! ([link removed])

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. ([link removed])


** Other Climate Movement News
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Take Action on Climate and Carbon Pricing: The Senate has advanced carbon pricing mandates in its recent climate bill. The House needs to act before TOMORROW Wed, Feb 5. Take Action! Contact your state representatives today. See this form. ([link removed])

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. ([link removed])

Support Climate Action at a Community Conversation with Rep Thomas Golden: State Representative Natalie M. Blais invites you to an evening with Golden and Carolyn Dykema (chair and vice-chair, respectively, of the Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee). Golden is the gatekeeper for many climate/energy bills emerging from the House, and we need to turn out a huge crowd and demonstrate overwhelming public urgency for radical climate action. Sign up here. ([link removed]) Thu, Feb 6, 6:30-8 pm, Shea Theater, Turners Falls.

#OurFutureOurDebate: The DNC has refused to hold a climate debate, and so far the moderators have failed to make climate a priority. It's time to focus national attention on this Friday's (February 7) New Hampshire debate and demand that climate gets the attention it deserves. Learn more here. ([link removed])

Book Launch—A 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 ([link removed]) . 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, and learn about the 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, 11 Washington St, Sherborn.

Webinar—Stop the Money Pipeline:
Banks, insurance companies, and investors need to stop funding fossil fuels and deforestation and start respecting human rights and Indigenous sovereignty. Sign up here ([link removed]) to hop on the call and find out how you can join our National Day of Action during Earth Week in April. Sun, Feb 9, 8 pm.

Talk—Climate Change, Pentagon Fuel Use, and the Costs of War: Hear a talk from Professor Neta Crawford of Boston University and Brown University, plus a discussion of how peace and climate groups can work together, led by members of the Sunrise Movement and Extinction Rebellion. Tue, Feb 11, 6:30 pm, Central Square Library, 45 Pearl St, Cambridge.

Green New Deal Town Hall, Somerville: In February 2019, Senator Ed Markey and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced the historic Green New Deal resolution. Central to the resolution is ensuring a democratic, inclusive process for determining how we move forward. Ed invites you to join him in Somerville for a town hall discussion on the Green New Deal and more. See the Facebook event. ([link removed]) Thu, Feb 13, 6:30-8 pm, Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave, Somerville.


** Solidarity Opportunities
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Film Screening—1200+: See and support a film about a part of Canada where the Indigenous community has been tragically impacted by the murder of women and girls. This screening is part of a Dismantling White Supremacy Film Series sponsored by the Social Justice Action Committee of First Church in JP Unitarian Universalist. Proceeds benefit a trust fund for Cherisse Houle and the film's producers. Learn more and get tickets. ([link removed]) Fri, Feb 7, 7-9:30 pm, First Church JP, 6 Eliot St, Jamaica Plain.

Call for Rent Control Now: Voice your support for the Tenant Protection Act, which will lift the state-wide ban on rent control and allow cities and towns to protect residents from displacement. Call your state representative and your state senator. Learn more and report your call here. ([link removed])

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 ([link removed]) 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:
* Ask your legislator to support corporate fair share! ([link removed])
* Come to an Advocacy Day! Every Wednesday at 11 am, join us at the State House Cafe on the 4th floor. Email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to RSVP or if you have any questions. Our next one is TOMORROW Feb 5.

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 ([link removed]) and support it here. ([link removed])
Is this newsletter a helpful resource? Help us make it possible by donating ([link removed]) today!


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

We're on Facebook ([link removed]) and Twitter ([link removed]) . Did you receive this email from a friend? You can subscribe here. ([link removed])

Questions? Email Alan Palm, [email protected] (mailto:[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, Feb 11, 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, Feb 11, 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 16, 4:15-6 pm
The Residence at Watertown Square
20 Summer St, Watertown

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