A calendar of protests, discussions and other events that aim to improve the world.
Updated Dec. 19. To submit events to the list, email details and links to Weloveyoursubmissions At Gmail. Note: Event times and places sometimes change. Please follow the links to confirm details. Also we are unable to vet all of these events. And some trolls have been announcing fake events. Be careful.
Saturday, Dec. 17
8 a.m. “Bike Advocacy Boot Camp.” MassBike hosts leaders in statewide transportation policy for a daylong forum on bicycle advocacy. At Fresh Tilled Soil, Watertown.
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. “Take What You Need & Share Something Positive – SubwayTherapyBOS.” Invites people to “share something positive and inspiring on a post-it note and stick it to the subway wall.” At Downtown Crossing MBTA Station, Boston.
CANCELLED: 10:30 a.m. “Canvassing for Housing Justice.” To go door-to-door to “talk to as many people as possible who are either at-risk or currently facing insurmountable rent increases, for-profit evictions and foreclosures to let them know that there is help.” At 28 Paris St., East Boston.
11 a.m. “Fidel Castro speaks to Harlem, 1995.” Mass Action Against Police Brutality screens a 1995 speech by Castro, then hosts a discussion on “his contributions to the struggle against racism, economic exploitation, and colonial oppression in Cuba and worldwide.” Parker Hill Branch of the Boston Public Library, Boston.
11:30 p.m. “Documental de Berta Caceres.” Screening of the documentary “Guardiana de los Ríos,” about Honduran environmental activst Berta Cáceres, who was murdered earlier this year. At Vine Street Community Center Council, Boston.
1 p.m. “Rally for Chelsea Manning.” Stand-out to ask for a presidential pardon for “whistle blower Chelsea Manning, who is serving a 35-year sentence for having leaked many documents about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2010.” At MBTA Park Street Station, Boston.
2 p.m. “NH Marches for Humanity #TurnOut.” New Hampshire Unites for Humanity protests “the president elect’s discriminating words, actions, decisions, and policies.” At Manchester City Hall, New Hampshire.
2:30 p.m. “Bystander Training: How do I show up in the face of harassment?” At Providence Community Acupuncture, Providence.
4 p.m. “WWP Tribute to Fidel/J20 DC CounterInaugural Mobilizers Mtg.” Workers World Party-Boston meets to remember, reflect, recall experiences, learn from Fidel Castro. Then discussion of mobilizing “to stop the Trump agenda of racism, discrimination, union-busting and war.” At Workers World Party-Boston, Jamaica Plain.
5 p.m. “Prayers for Syria-A Humanitarian Gathering.” Rhode Island Council for Muslim Advancement hosts this event to “honor in prayer the great loss of human life, and find solace in scriptures with intentions for peace and ease for the suffering throughout the world.” At Rhode Island State House, Providence.
6 p.m. Closing reception for the exhibition “Against the Wall: Artists Respond to Police and Policing.” At Make Shift Boston.
7 p.m. “Art/Politic Open Mic.” Event for musicians, dancers, poets and visual artists “to present works related to politics.” At CityPop Egleston, Boston.
7 p.m. “Red Holiday Party.” International Socialist Organization Boston celebrates in Codman Square, Dorchester. As a fundraiser for the Center for Economic Research and Social Change.
7:30 p.m. “From The Blue Hills to Standing Rock Benefit Concert.” Song Keepers, the Mashpee-based nonprofit for the “preservation and continuation of traditional and contemporary music of Native American people,” hosts this fund-raiser. At Hibernian Hall, Roxbury, Boston.
Sunday, Dec. 18
11 a.m. “Sing Carols for Racial Justice.” Showing Up for Racial Justice leads anti-racist caroling using revised versions of familiar carols. At Harvard Square, Cambridge.
11 a.m. “Matt Dumont M.D. – Thinking On The Precipice.” A talk about the “effects of apocalyptic capitalism on us Americans.” At Community Church of Boston.
11 a.m. “Stand Up For Racial Justice Arts-based Anti-Racist Organizing group.” At Wenham Street, Jamaica Plain, Boston.
11 a.m. “Women & Allies Protest and Strikeout II.” To protest “the normalization of sexual assault, racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, unconstitutional behavior, cronyism, and hate promoted by Trump and his cohorts.” At Rhode Island State House, Providence.
11:30 a.m. “Sandy Hook Remembrance Service.” Service honoring the 26 victims of the 2012 school shooting. At Calvary United Methodist Church, Arlington.
Noon. “Protest against Racism, Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, & Hate at Cambridge Public Schools.” A response “last week’s graffities in Cambridge Public Schools.” At 449 Broadway, Cambridge.
Noon. “Old North Bridge Liberty March.” Organizers write: “If you believe that liberty and democracy are at risk in the United States today, come march with like-minded citizens across Old North Bridge to Concord Center to share solidarity, inspiration and strategies in protection and defense of these values.” At Old North Bridge, Concord, Mass.
1:30 p.m. “Anne Bernays: Feminism & Publishing.” The Cambridge novelist speaks about “maneuvering through the thickets of a patriarchal culture. Some of the topics will include publishing in the fifties, Betty Friedan and the tempest caused by the second wave of feminism.” At Humanist Hub, Cambridge.
3 p.m. “Black&Pink Downtown Volunteer Drop-In.” Black & Pink—“an open family of LGBTQ prisoners and ‘free world’ allies who support each other” and “work toward the abolition of the prison industrial complex”—writes correspondence to “our incarcerated family.” At Encuentro 5, Boston.
3 p.m. “Civil Rights Sundays.” Occupy New Hampshire Seacoast organizes “a stand for Civil Rights. We need to prepare to act to insure that our marginalized brothers and sisters are safe and that we don’t move backwards.” At Market Square, Portsmouth, N.H.
5 p.m. “Stop Trump: Poster Making Event.” In preparation for Dec. 19 Defend Democracy Protest. At Encuentro 5, Boston.
6 p.m. “Vigil for America.” Unite for America hosts this “vigil outside the Massachusetts State House before electors cast their ballots to ask them to stop Trump.” At Massachusetts State House, Boston.
7 p.m. “Black Lives Matter Cambridge Dinner Benefit for Standing Rock.” To support BLM “travel to Standing Rock to support the Water Protectors and to secure the critical food and supplies they will need to sustain the encampments in the upcoming winter.” At Brassica Kitchen and Café, Jamaica Plain, Boston.
7 p.m. “Candle Light Vigil For Aleppo.” At Veterans Memorial Park, Manchester, N.H.
9 p.m. “Planned Parenthood Benefit” concert at Great Scott, Allston, Boston.
Monday, Dec. 18
9 a.m. “Massachusetts: Stop Trump. Defend Democracy.” “We the People will come together at every state capitol across the United States to call on the Electors of the Electoral College to refuse to cast their ballots for Donald Trump.” At Massachusetts State House, Boston.
9 a.m. “Rhode Island: Stop Trump. Defend Democracy.” “We the People will come together at every state capitol across the United States to call on the Electors of the Electoral College to refuse to cast their ballots for Donald Trump.” At Rhode Island State House, Providence.
9 a.m. “RI Electoral College Public Proceedings -It’s Your Right to Join.” “Together, we can stop Donald Trump when the Electoral College votes on December 19th. Electors across the country are pledging to put America first by voting for a responsible alternative who can unify our country and we can all call our President. These brave Electors need our support. So we need you join us at your State House on the day that the Electoral College meets.” At Rhode Island State House, Providence.
2 p.m. “Strengthening our Social Safety Net all year long.” George Wiley Center invites people “to create your own ornament, and at 3pm we will hang the ornaments, share our concerns, and sing social justice holiday carols.” Inside Rhode Island State House, Providence.
5:30 p.m. “Community Forum Know your rights.” The Chelsea Collaborative hosts this forum about immigrant rights. At Williams Junior High School, Chelsea, Mass.
5:30 p.m. “Phonebank to Protect Immigrant Families.” Coalition for Safer Rhodes invites people to help them make “calls to constituents who have expressed an interest in organizing around immigrant rights.” At Progressive People Here co-working space, 118 Gano St., Providence.
6 p.m. “Metz hosts After Work Bingo to benefit Cambridge Fire Fund.” Jason Metz hosts this benefit for those affected by the 10-alarm fire in East Cambridge on Dec. 3. At Atwood’s Tavern, Cambridge.
6:30 p.m. “Making Art for Social Change: A Community Discussion.” Discussion “about the role of art and performance in creating social change.” At Esh Circus Arts, Somerville.
6:30 p.m. “Next Steps: Political and Legal Resources for Trans Folks.” Panel discussion about services available and “legal and political concerns for the trans and gender non-conforming community.” At Fenway Health, Boston.
7 p.m. “Maine Democratic Socialists Meeting.” Nominating officers and “forming committees for social action in the coming year.” At Portland City Hall, Maine.
Tuesday, Dec. 20
4 p.m. “Candlelight Vigil for Public Sector Worker Safety.” Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health holds this event “to remember those who are no longer with us and to ask our lawmakers to finally pass equal workplace protections for equal work.” At Massachusetts State House, Boston.
5:30 p.m. “Creatives Coming Together: Post-Election Commitment Party.” Invites “Boston Creatives to take action and make post-election commitments for 2017 and beyond.” At Design Studio for Social Intervention, Roxbury, Boston. (Note: This and the following listing seem to have been combined.)
5:30 p.m. “SERC Meeting.” “To begin creating and contributing to Social Emergency Response Centers.” At Design Studio for Social Intervention, Roxbury, Boston. (Note: This and the previous listing seem to have been combined.)
5:30 p.m. “NeighborWorks Works book launch.” Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation offers this look at its Oasis on Ballou Urban Agriculture project, “a local food system in Dorchester that supports an agriculture based workforce program for formerly incarcerated community members, promotes healthy food access, and develops an emerging green economy in our community.” At Frugal Books, Roxbury, Boston.
6 p.m. “Somerville Commission for Women Meeting.” At Office of Somerville Commissions, Somerville.
6 p.m. “MBLLC Communities of Color Agenda.” State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz hosts this “listening tour” meeting. “As the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus prepares for the new two-year legislative session, we seek your participation in the development of a 2017-2018 Communities of Color Agenda.” At Hibernian Hall, Roxbury, Boston.
7 p.m. “Local Policy/Sanctuary Committee Meeting.” Solidarity Lowell hosts a meeting “to discuss local policy committee stuff, particularly the sanctuary/TRUST city movement for city council and preparations beyond.”At Mill No. 5, Lowell.
7 p.m. “Micah Memorial Show at ONCE.” Live performances, art, food, drinks and community, in memory of Micah Danemayer and other victims of Oakland’s GhostShip fire. At Once, Somerville.
7 p.m. “MLK Day March 4 Justice Planning Meeting.” Mass Action Against Police Brutality holds this event to plan the Jan. 16 march. At ROXSE Homes community room, Roxbury, Boston.
Wednesday, Dec. 21
10 a.m. “Sit-in to Oppose the DAPL.” Organizers plan to deliver a letter to Gov. Charlie Baker “politely requesting that he call” North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple” requesting support for “the protectors at Standing Rock. … We will bring our letter, signed with as many signatures as possible and keep him company until he calls Dalrymple.” At Massachusetts State House, Boston.
11 a.m. “The Books for Success Project: Campaign Drive.” Cambridge Youth Council and senior Cayley DeLancey invite people to donate SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Test and AP exam prep books to students. At Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.
Noon. “27th Annual Interfaith Homeless Memorial Service.” Music, prayer, candle lighting, and stories to remember “those unfortunate enough to be un-housed whom we have lost in the past year.”
At Church on the Hill, Boston.
4 p.m. “The Longest Night.” Rally to bring attention to winter homelessness. At Boston City Hall Plaza.
5 p.m. “Chanukah Solidarity March Against Islamophobia.” Jewish Voice for Peace Boston organizes this “march from the State House to say no to Muslim registries, no to state surveillance of the Muslim community, no to more immigration restrictions, no to racist hate speech and hate crimes, no to Neo-Nazi anti-Semitism, and no to racial and religious profiling.” At Massachusetts State House, Boston.
5 p.m. “Homeless Vigil.” “On the longest night of the year, we remember those we have lost who struggled to find shelter.” At Main Street Methodist Church, Nashua, New Hampshire.
5:30 p.m. “Homeless Memorial Candlelight Vigil.” “In remembrance of people in our community who have died without stable housing.” At Market Square, Portsmouth, N.H.
6:30 p.m. “Showing Up For Racial Justice Worcester Meeting.” At YMCA Central Massachusetts, Worcester.
7 p.m. “Boston Student Organizing Meeting.” An effort “to bring together as many organizers in Boston and continue to work towards direct action, defense, and organization” in opposition to “Trump and his racist, homophobic, white supremacist team.” At Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston.
7 p.m. “Maura Healey Post-Election Town Hall.” The Massachusetts Attorney General and Congresswoman Katherine Clark host this meeting to discuss “moving forward” and “working together.” At Greater Framingham Community Church, Framingham, Mass.
7 p.m. “12th Annual Boston Christmas Cavalcade for the Homeless.” Musical shindig. “All proceeds go to the Somerville Homeless Coalition.” At Once, Somerville.
Thursday, Dec. 22
5:30 p.m. “Good Jobs and Our Revolution Somerville Holiday Party.” Somerville For Our Revolution meets to “celebrate the holidays and get ready for the challenges that we face ahead.” Including “updates from guests on local campaigns and plans for next year.” At Redbones, Somerville.
6 p.m. “Ghost Bike Dedication for Bannon Williamson.” Memorial for man killed while bicycling in late November. Corner of Colchester and Chapel Streets, Brookline.
6 p.m. “MBLLC Communities of Color Agenda.” State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz hosts this “listening tour” meeting. “As the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus prepares for the new two-year legislative session, we seek your participation in the development of a 2017-2018 Communities of Color Agenda.” At Lawrence Public Library.
6:30 p.m. “Boston Worker’s Circle Radical Chanukah Party.” “Latke frying, Klezmer Jam-ming, Socialist dreidel in the tradition of our organization’s founders, and the classic biblical mitzvah of human-menorah building.” At Boston Worker’s Circle Center for Jewish Culture and Social Justice, Brookline.
7:30 p.m. “Celebrations: An African Odyssey.” Performance about an “African princess coming of age in her homeland when she is when she is kidnapped and sold into slavery. But in the New World plantation on Christmas day, she finds that the humanity and courage of her people has survived even the Middle passage.” At Mixed Magic Theatre, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Photo at top: “Let It Snow! Santas Against Global Warming!” group in Malden’s annual Parade of Holiday Traditions, Nov. 26, 2016. Photograph copyright Greg Cook.