July 13, 2010

For three weeks last month, members of the Mass Hope 2010 Coalition occupied the steps of the State house, protesting the anti-immigrant amendments proposed in the State budget, known collectively as SA 172.1. The shifting but constant group of students, activists and community members held this post day and night, braving weather and hecklers.

The amendments included the establishment of a hotline to report people suspected of being undocumented, with the state legally obligated to follow up on all calls. Additionally, the amendments would have re-emphasized denial of in-state tuition to undocumented students, as well as reducing or limiting access to services such as food stamps and unemployment benefits for documented as well as undocumented immigrants. Read more...

July 8, 2010

By TJ Hellmann, Vice Chair, ACE Board of Directors

This article is appearing in our upcoming T Riders Union (TRU) Newsletter in Spanish

From June 22 to June 26, ACE Members involved with our T Riders’ Union (TRU) program traveled to Detroit, Michigan to participate in the United States Social Forum (USSF), along with more than 10,000 other people from around the country. The slogan of the forum was “Another World is Possible, Another US is Necessary.”

As people who depend on public transportation, we already know that the system has left us behind, without the resources we need to get ahead and, in many cases, frustrated at the difficult situations faced by our communities. Every time I board a 111 or 116/117 bus – overcrowded, behind schedule, and driven by someone who doesn’t respect the passengers – I know that I can’t sit back with my arms crossed and wait for change. That’s why I joined TRU five years ago. Read more...

June 21, 2010

More than 40 ACE members and organizers will be attending the US Social Forum (USSF) in Detroit this week to connect with people across the country working on issues like improving public transit, youth organizing and green jobs. The USSF is an incredible opportunity to share knowledge and strengthen a national movement for social and environmental justice.

Over the next five days, we will be participating in workshops and events, and holding spaces to foster dialogue and learning. REEP Youth will lead a workshop on transit justice at the Youth Space organized by the National Youth Working Group. Right to the City, a coalition that includes ACE, will hold an Urban Forum and a People’s Congress to discuss gentrification and displacement. We’ll also be connecting with other groups organizing for first class public transit to collaborate and share information on our campaigns.

The ACE crew is part of a 250 person contingent, including 150 youth, representing 32 organizations traveling together by bus to Detroit. Over the past few months, we’ve been preparing for our collective work and combining fundraising efforts to send folks to the forum. Read more...

June 14, 2010

Two weeks ago, we lost a beloved member of our community, Ivol Brown. Ivol was many things: A son and a brother. A parishioner and a student. An artist, a guide and an organizer. He was a questioner. He was an Ella and a Malcolm to be. He was 17.

Ivol’s life and death is a story of redemption cut painfully short. At age 14, he was thrown out of school for selling drugs. Shortly after, he was approached by a youth worker who offered him a job. He took the opportunity.

Three years later, he was working three jobs to help support his family, was active in his church and had taken a leadership role in the youth jobs campaign. Ivol believed deeply that every young person should have the opportunity to work for something they believed in, to turn their lives around the way he had.

ACE stands with Ivol, his family, his pastor, the Campaign to Save Youth Jobs and our partners (and his employers) YouthAim! and The City School. Our elected officials need to know that the time to fund youth employment is now, before any more lives are lost!

Read more...

June 11, 2010

Two weeks ago, Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) reform passed the House thanks to the tireless efforts of the Commonwealth CORI Coalition (CCC), an alliance of over 90 organizations working to end limitations on public housing, loans and employment for people with a CORI.

The reforms also received broad support from law enforcement agencies and Governor Patrick, who said in 2008, "CORI was never intended to turn every offense into a life sentence."

Passing these reforms means reduced crime, increased revenue and a second chance for many people. State spending on prison, probation and parole has been increasing while repeat offenses have also been rising. CORI reform is a departure from the "tough on crime" attitude to a "smart on crime" attitude. In both the House and Senate version of the bills (the Senate passed a reform bill in November), CORIs will now be sealed after five years for misdemeanors and after 10 years for felonies, reduced from 10 and 15 years respectively. Read more...

June 9, 2010

Check out this new video, from Brockton and West Bridgewater residents in the campaign against a proposed power plant. The plant would be located in a lower income community with one of the highest premature mortality rates in the state. Running on fossil fuel, it would spew toxic pollutants in the air that can lead to health problems such as asthma, birth defects, heart attacks, lung cancer and contribute to global warming. Read more...

June 8, 2010

A big thank you to everyone who came out to make last month's game night a huge success! ACE members, staff, and supporters of all ages joined in on the food and the fun. Along with board games, Panther and video games, there was even an epic karaoke battle between TRU and REEP. Check our calendar for more events and watch out for the next game night!

See more pictures...

June 4, 2010

You're invited to come out to our Super Huge Yard Sale in Jamaica Plain tomorrow! We are teaming up with Project HIP-HOP to raise funds to send members to the US Social Forum in Detroit this month.

Saturday, June 5, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

At the Forest Glen Cooperative
93 Forest Hills Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

We'll will be at the Corner of Forest Hills Street and Glen/Green Street, one block from E13 Police Station, and three blocks from Green Street Station on the Orange Line.

Come check out hundreds of items donated by our network of supporters! We have furniture, housewares, clothing, kid's stuff and even homemade food! Read more...

May 28, 2010

We are so happy and grateful to all of you for coming out to Jammin' for Justice on Wednesday and being part of this wonderful community of people supporting environmental justice.

Thank you members, sponsors, volunteers and guests for filling the evening with camaraderie, laughs and even a "forward stance" or two!

May 26, 2010

Finally, what we've all been waiting for: Jammin’ for Justice is tonight! We hope you’ll join us at Hibernian Hall (184 Dudley Street, Roxbury) from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

In case you need some convincing...

Free admission! If you feel moved to donate, we'll be passing a hat around during the program for your convenience. Food and drinks are provided and free parking is available on-street or in nearby lots. We'll also be right by Dudley Station, with multiple bus lines and connections to the Silver Line Bus on Washington Street. Check out more detailed directions.

Delicious food! Caribbean-style eats will be provided by Ethnica Catering, from Jerk Chicken Wings to Red Beans & Rice to Fish & Black-Eyed Pea Fritters. Come on, your mouth is watering just thinking about it! Read more...