A calendar of protests, discussions and other events that aim to improve the world.
Updated Jan. 8. 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.
Monday, Jan. 2
7 p.m. “Standing Up for Ourselves: Self-Care for Activists.” Hands To Heart Center hosts this class. “Using Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons, we will explore fresh ways of holding ourselves, standing, and breathing.” At City Pop Egleston, Boston.
Tuesday, Jan. 3
6 p.m. Progressive Politics South Shore Meet and Greet at Union Brewhouse, Weymouth, Mass.
7 p.m. “MLK March 4 Justice planning meeting.” Mass Action Against Police Brutality meets to plan the Jan. 16 event. At ROXSE Homes community room, Roxbury, Boston.
Wednesday, Jan. 4
9:30 a.m. “A People’s Agenda Rally, Concord’s State House.” Rights & Democracy NH meets at the at the New Hampshire State House to remind legislators that “despite everything that’s happened over the course of these last few months, we will not be forced on the defensive and we’re going to continue to proactively pursue our People’s Agenda.”
3 p.m. “Fighting Poverty with Faith Vigil at the State House.” Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty meets at the Rhode Island State House in Providence.
5:30 p.m. “Boston student coalition meeting.” Organizers invite students to “network with Boston students, discuss plans for J20 in Boston and DC, and help raise awareness on your campus.” At 565 Boylston St., Boston.
6 p.m. “APIs for Black Lives Direct Action/Support Meeting.” At Asian American Resource Workshop, Dorchester, Boston.
6:30 p.m. “Massachusetts Citizen Uprising Launch.” American Promise hosts a meeting to “join the effort for a 28th Amendment to reclaim our American democracy from big money.” At Trinity Episcopal Church, Concord, Mass.
7 p.m. “The Obsolete Oil Industry.” Boston Austrian Economics Group discusses “the impact of alternative energies on the oil industry, predicted to be obsolete in the near future.” At Papagayo, Somerville.
7 p.m. “Boston Hands Off Syria Coalition organizing meeting.” At Encuentro 5, Boston.
7 p.m. “What’s next for reproductive freedom in RI?” Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island hosts this discussion at Temple Habonim, Barrington, R.I.
7:15 p.m. “Direct Action Skill Share.” Hosted by the Democracy Center in Cambridge, Mass.,
Thursday, Jan. 5
2 p.m. “40 Days & 40 Nights_Art Show/Art Exhibit.” Organizers aim “to promote understanding of Islam through the means of traditional _and contemporary Islamic art.” At Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, Boston.
5:30 p.m. Vigil in support of Black Lives Matter. At First Baptist Church, Jamaica Plain, Boston.
5:30 p.m. “Climate Strategy in the Age of Trump.” Boston Climate Action Network hosts a discussion at First Baptist Church, Jamaica Plain, Boston.
5:30 p.m. “Social Emergency Response Center Planning Meeting.” At Design Studio for Social Intervention, Roxbury, Boston.
5:30 p.m. “Confronting Systemic Racism.” Anti-Racism Collaborative offers this course. In Cambridge, Mass.
5:30 p.m. “ISIS: What we know about the Attacks in the West.” A talk by Boston University Professor Jessica Stern. Hosted by Boston University Alumni Association. At Downtown Harvard Club, Boston.
5:45 p.m. “Tree Advocacy Discussion.” Worcester Tree Initiative hosts this conversation about “Worcester’s policies for the protection and planting of street trees and to share your experiences of Worcester’s urban forest with tree lovers from all around the city.” At Main South Community Development Corporation, Worcester, Mass.
6 p.m. “IfNotNow Boston January Hive Meeting: Join the JewishResistance.” IfNotNow Boston hosts this meeting to plan their efforts to resist “the Trump Administration,” “end the American Jewish community’s support for the occupation and fight for freedom and dignity for all.” At Arlington Street Church Unitarian Universalist, Boston.
6 p.m. “ResistARTS at JP First Thursdays.” Includes Resistioke! “live-band, group karaoke with a twist: We’ll be singing (with you!) pop tunes that respond to our politically divisive times.” At J.P. Licks, Jamaica Plain, Boston. “Re-Read Me A Story: Socially Conscious Storytime for Adults” at City Feed and Supply. And performance by violinist and singer-songwriter Aisha Burns at On Centre.
6 p.m. “A Step Beyond | 26.5N, 77.8W.” Exhibition of photographs of Havanah, Cuba, by Eileen McCarney Muldoon at Leica Gallery Boston.
6:30 p.m. “White Privilege and How to Leverage It.” Natalie Perry of Northeastern University and Elizabeth Baldwin of Knapsack Boston lead a discussion of “what white privilege is and how to use it to intervene in situations and challenge racism.” Hosted by Boston Girls’ Leadership, Organized Women (GLOW) at Hennessy’s, Boston.
7 p.m. “Social Justice Movements in the Era of Trump.” South Shore Peoples Network hosts this discussion at Church of the Presidents, Quincy, Mass.
7 p.m. “Climathon – Imagining local action.” Metro West 350MA hosts this planning session about “working locally for a just and sustainable energy future.” At First Parish of Sudbury, Mass.
Friday, Jan. 6
4:15 p.m. “Artist Talk: Photography as a Trojan Horse for Social Change.” Salvadorian-American photographer Mario Quiroz speaks at Lesley University-UHall, Cambridge.
7 p.m. “Author Event: Alexandra Chasin.” The New School Professor speaks about her book about America’s first “drug czar”: “Assassin of Youth: A Kaleidoscopic History of Harry J. Anslinger’s War on Drugs.” At Harvard Book Store, Cambridge.
7 p.m. “Talk: Volunteering in the Revolution in Rojava.” Boston Friends of Rojava and Syria host a “livingroom chat in Dorchester about supporting the revolution in Rojava through international volunteerism.” In Dorchester, Boston.
Saturday, Jan. 7
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Blanket drive for the Homeless.” By the Elsie T. Joseph Missionary Society Of Grant AME Church. At Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Boston.
NOTE: Earlier time due to forecast snow: 10 a.m. “Scarf Bombing!” Chase the Chill will hang donated clothing outside Lifebridge homeless shelter in Salem, Mass.
11 a.m. “Student Organizer Training.” Providence IWW hosts. At 375 Smith St., Providence, R.I.
Noon. “Democrats: Looking Back and Moving Forward.” A discussion at Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center, Holyoke, Mass.
Noon. “Solidarity Lowell weekly visibility.” To “say Trump’s agenda of hate has no place in Lowell,” Solidarity Lowell protests at the corner of Chelmsford and Plain streets, Lowell, Mass.
POSTPONED due to snow forecast: 12:30 p.m. “National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum Monthly Potluck.” The Boston chapter meets to “make flower garlands for our ReclaimSafety public art action, hear about NAPAWF national efforts, and discuss opportunities to participate, and plan for a presence at the Women’s March on Washington on Jan. 21.” In Jamaica Plain, Boston.
1 p.m. “Planning Meeting for Boston Socialists Unity Project Spring Conference.” At MIT, Cambridge.
1:30 p.m. “Cosecha Boston Allies Meeting.” The immigrant rights group plans pre-Inauguration actions. In Jamaica Plain, Boston.
1:30 p.m. “Addressing Crisis Pregnancy Centers.” Boston Feminists for Liberation hosts this meeting for “women only.” At Somerville Public Library.
2 p.m. “ARTalk: Patriotic Landscapes with Alan Chong.” Currier Museum of Art Director Alan Chong talks about European and American “artistic expressions of national identity and their sense of being unique.” At the Currier, Manchester, N.H.
4 p.m. “Us Darkskins Launch Party.” To launch the “organization focused on showcasing the beauty of dark-skinned Black men, women, and children in order to combat colorism, denounce skin bleaching, and promote self love.” At City Pop Egleston, Boston.
6 p.m. “Take Back The Night March.” Starz Peer Leaders hosts this “march for everyone who feels unsafe at night and everyone who wants to help people feel safe.” At Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Cambridge, Mass.
7 p.m. “The Phoenix: Arise from the ashes.” Fund-raiser concert for families affected by the devastating Dec. 3 fire in Cambridge. At Cambridge Community Center.
7 p.m. “18th Annual Haitian Independence Day Gala.” Haitian-Americans United Inc. hosts this party to “celebrate the triumph and the great impact of the 1791-1803 Haitian Slave Revolution,” At Lombardo’s, Randolph.
8 p.m. “This Is Ladies Night: Winter Clothing/Food Drive.” Women-fronted bands perform at this benefit and clothing and food drive. At Cantab Lounge, Cambridge.
8 p.m. “Scoops for Syria.” Parlor Ice Cream Co. offers “Syrian inspired scoops” and RTT plays music to raise funds for Aleppo aid. At ONCE Lounge, Somerville.
Sunday, Jan. 8
11 a.m. “Andrew Bacevich: America’s War for the Greater Middle East.” A talk at Community Church of Boston.
11 a.m. “Advocacy Practice: Conflicts of Interest.” International Vegan Association hosts a discussion of the problems of conflicts of interest in “any form of advocacy or charitable work.” At Ver-Tex Experience Center, Boston.
1 p.m. “Fiber Hive: Come Make Stuff!” The drop-in group for “fiber arts projects, craftivism, skill sharing, and community building” is encouraging people to particpate in the “Pussyhat Project,” which invites people to knit hats with cat ears for people to wear at the “Women’s March D.C. as a means to make a unique collective visual statement which will help activists be better heard.”nAt Washington Street Art, Somerville.
1:30 p.m. “What Next: Practical Ways to Resist Trump.” The Dead Parrot political blog hosts this event at which “representatives of progressive organizations will describe their missions and plans.” At Milton Hoosic Club, Milton, Mass.
2 p.m. “The Life and Legacy of Emily Greene Balch.” The Jamaica Plain Historical Society celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Emily Greene Balch with a talk by Kristen Gwinn-Becker on the “life and legacy of this prominent American economist, sociologist, internationalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner (1946).” At First Church in Jamaica Plain Unitarian Universalist, Boston.
3 p.m. “Civil Rights Sundays! Oppose Sessions Confirmation!” Occupy New Hampshire Seacoast stands at Market Square, Portsmouth, N.H., “to say NO to Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions nomination to be the United States’ Attorney General.”
3 p.m. “Boston Workmen’s Circle Cosecha House Party.” Boston Workmen’s Circle Center for Jewish Culture and Social Justice’s Acting for Racial and Economic Justice and the Young Adult Committees host a houseparty to support the immigrant rights group Cosecha. At Jamaica Plain, Boston.
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. “Local Government 101: How you can make a difference.” Yes for Natick hosts this talk on how to get involved in local government. At the Morse Institute Library, Natick, Mass.
3 p.m. “Sacred Conversations on Race.” Church of Our Savior in Milton, Mass., hosts this “interfaith discussion series on racial dialogue and reconciliation.”
5 p.m. “Solidarity Lowell General Meeting.” At Mill No. 5, Lowell.
5 p.m. “Reuse Documentary / Deek Art & Tiny House Talk.” Screening of the documentary “Reuse. Because You Can’t Recycle The Planet.” At talk by Derek “Deek” Diedricksen “about building tiny houses with reclaimed materials and his reuse art.” At ReStore South Shore Habitat, Hanover, Mass.
6 p.m. “Black and Pink monthly mail sorting & hangout.” Black and Pink Pvd—“an open family of LGBTQ prisoners and ‘free world’ allies who support each other” and “work toward the abolition of the prison industrial complex”—meets at PrYSM, Providence.
Monday, Jan. 9
Noon. “Day Against Denial.” Speakers, music and skits tell US Senators to “reject Donald Trump’s reckless climate denying cabinet nominees.” At Park Street MBTA Station, Boston.
6 p.m. “So Trump’s Been Elected – Now What?” Progressive Worcester meets at Educational Association of Worcester, Mass.
6 p.m. RI National Organization of Women holds its annual meeting at Social Enterprise Greenhouse, Providence.
6 p.m. “We’re With Them: Building the Bench of Democratic Women.” Emerge Massachusetts hosts this fund-raiser, saying, “In Trump’s America, it is even more vital that we have the voices of Democratic women at the table.” At UMass Club, Boston.
6:30 p.m. “2016 Election: Where Does The Democratic Party Go From Here?” Worcester Democratic City Committee holds this discussion. At Neighborhood Homeownership Center of Central Massachusetts, Worcester, Mass.
6:30 p.m. “Cultivating Compassion Training.” Compassion Camp offers this free class: “Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) is an eight-week program designed to develop the qualities of compassion, empathy, and kindness for oneself and for others.” At Democracy Center, Cambridge.
7 p.m. “Author Event: Keramet Reiter.” The University of California, Irvine, professor speaks about her new book: “23/7: Pelican Bay Prison and the Rise of Long-Term Solitary Confinement.” At Harvard Book Store, Cambridge.
7 p.m. “David Niose on ‘Mobilizing for Humanism in Trump’s America.’” Humanists of Rhode Island host this talk by the author and attorney. At Rochambeau Community Library, Providence, R.I.
7 p.m. “Black Lives Matter VT Action Meeting.” In Burlington, Vermont.
Tuesday, Jan. 10
Morning. “Dakota Access Pipeline Protest.” Students from Somerville’s Parts and Crafts protest TD Bank’s support of the project. At 1270 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge.
Noon. “So-called ‘Right to Work’ Hearing.” New Hampshire AFL-CIO asks “allies, affiliates, leaders, members, and labor activists to attend the ‘Right to Work’ hearing at the State House this coming Tuesday. This is our one chance to show up in force and let our representatives know that ‘Right to Work’ is wrong for New Hampshire working families.” At New Hampshire State House, Concord, N.H.
6 p.m. “Natasha Lamb: Pushing the Envelope of Shareholder Activism.” Boston Area Sustainability Group hosts this talk by the managing partner of the investment firm Arjuna Capital. At Cambridge Innovation Center, Mass.
6 p.m. “Race, Ethnicity, and Life.” The Fostering Racial Justice Group invites people to tell their stories “about how you experience race, ethnicity, and life in your community. … This focus group will be used to inform the development of upcoming trainings, and community workshops.” At Sargent Memorial Library, Boxborough, Mass.
6:30 p.m. “Soup’ed Up Poetry Slam.” Society of Urban Poetry hosts its “LAST poetry slam with a BLACK PRESIDENT in office.” At Dudley Café, Roxbury, Boston.
7 p.m. “Panel discussion on Activism.” At Hera Gallery, Wakefield, Rhode Island.
7 p.m. “AG Maura Healey’s Post- Election Town Hall.” The Massachusetts attorney general speaks at Newburyport City Hall Auditorium, Mass.
7 p.m. “Foreign Policy Evening Discussion Group Begins.” Free, eight-week discussion group at Portsmouth Public Library, N.H.
7 p.m. “Our Revolution Happy Hour.” At Cambridge Common restaurant, Cambridge.
10 p.m. “Industry Gives Back: Pink Party For Planned Parenthood.” Musical fundraiser for Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. At Trophy Room, Boston.
Wednesday, Jan. 11
2 p.m. “Pack the courtroom for Ali Hodges! Drop the charges!” Mass Action Against Police Brutality invites people to join it in condemning “the Cambridge police for the unlawful detainment of 21-year old Cleon Ali Hodge on Oct. 13.” At Cambridge District Court, Mass.
3 p.m. “Rally Against Overzealous Political Prosecution.” A rally “to stop the use of political power used in prosecuting.” On the third anniversary of Aaron Swartz’s suicide. And in opposition to the prosecution of Martin Gottesfeld. At Joseph Moakley Courthouse, Boston.
5:30 p.m. “Electoral Strategy Convo.” Rhode Island Working Families Party plans efforts for “safeguarding immigrant rights, protecting reproductive freedom, or ensuring that the social safety is not torn apart” in the 2017 and ’18 elections. On Gano Street, Providence.
6 p.m. “Together North Shore Monthly Meeting.” Meet-up of progressive activists. At Acapulcos restaurant, Beverly, Mass.
6 p.m. “APIs for Black Lives Direct Action/Support Meeting.” Including “information on how to get involved with an inauguration day event.” At Asian American Resource Workshop, Boston.
6 p.m. “An Evening with Equal Exchange: The Citizen-Consumer Dilemma.” Talk and discussion “about who controls our food system and how we can organize ourselves as “citizen-consumers” to create a more just, sustainable, and democratic food system that works for farmers, workers, and consumers.”At Equal Exchange Café, Boston.
6:30 p.m. “The Urban Male: Millennials & Mentoring.” Epicenter Community hosts this discussion as part of its series on “men of color within our city and our investment in their success.” At Dudley Dough, Roxbury, Boston.
7 p.m. Richard Sobel talk. Sobel speaks about his book “Citizenship as Foundation of Rights: Meaning for America.” At Harvard Coop, Cambridge, Mass.
7 p.m. “Racing the Tide: Nesting Ecology and Conservation.” New Hampshire Audubon hosts this talk about how “rising sea levels and climate change add an additional threat to tidal marsh birds throughout the Northeast.” At Seacoast Science Center, Rye, N.H.
7 p.m. “Moving Forward: let’s move forward together in solidarity!” Marblehead Racial Justice Team hosts this discussion of ways to “create communities of solidarity and resistance to support those who are targeted and to sustain vigilance in the difficult days ahead.” At Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead.
7 p.m. “From Institution to Independence – The Donna Jay Story.” Donna Jay discusses “self-advocacy and self-determination for persons living with disability.” At Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, Burlington, Mass.
7 p.m. “The History of Drought In New England.” The North and South Rivers Watershed Association host this event in which “climate scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will put this year’s drought in perspective for us by reviewing the history of drought in New England.” At South Shore Natural Science Center, Norwell.
7 p.m. “The City Talks: Movements.” Discussion on “How is Boston Working towards Progress? … Boston-area thinkers, entrepreneurs, activists, city officials and artists” discuss the topic “inspired by the political and social movements of Martin Luther King Jr. and current exhibitions at the museum. At Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
7 p.m. “Queens Talk.” Discussion, guided meditation, story-telling, etc. “Creating stronger bonds among phenomenal women in Boston and beyond.” At City Pop Egleston, Boston.
7 p.m. “Normalizing Denial: Cambridge Forum with Bill McKibben, Tim DeChristopher.” Climate change panel discussion. At First Parish Church, Cambridge.
7:30 p.m. “ProvDSA January Meeting: #DisruptJ20.” Providence Democratic Socialists of America discusses “coalition-building with other progressive political and grassroots organizations around inauguration weekend demonstrations and protests.” At Gano Street, Providence.
Pictured at top: Phoebe Gardner, a volunteer organizer with Cosecha, rallies about 200 protesters for the “Salsa Shutdown” organized by Movimiento Cosecha Boston on Dec. 3, 2016. (Greg Cook)