From: Housing, Organizing, & Movement Empowerment Society
Date: March 31, 2025
Subject: HOMES - 03/31 Newsletter


Hi, everyone!


Good morning, and happy Monday! First thing's first:

One great way to get involved and stay connected is by joining City Life/Vida Urbana at their weekly tenant organizing meetings. City Life is a 50+ year-old grassroots organization fighting for racial, social, and economic justice through direct action, coalition building, education, and advocacy. They hold meetings every Tuesday (in English) in Jamaica Plain and every Wednesday (in Spanish) in East Boston to build community and inform people about their housing rights. 

Let us know if you have any transportation concerns, and we can help. The BU Public Interest Law Society pro bono transportation reimbursement form can be found here. If you'd like to attend a meeting with members of HOMES this week, please fill out the Google form below!

Weekly Sign Up for City Life/Vida Urbana Meetings

Also, Project No One Leaves has posted the canvassing sign-ups for the Spring 2025 semester. Click here to sign up to get involved! 

HOMES ARTS SHOWCASE - A NIGHT OF RESISTANCE AND RESILIENCE

Join HOMES for a night of community and creativity on Monday, April 14 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in Room 103! Sign up to read out works or share artwork that you feel embodies the theme of “Resistance and Resilience.” This night aims to remind all of us that advocacy exists outside of the motions and briefs we file with the court—art is advocacy! In the times that we live in, this reminder is more important than ever. Registration for both audience members and participants is available here.


LEXIS IS SELLING YOUR INFORMATION TO ICE
For more information, check out the linked article by The Intercept. For more information on the disappointing results of a recent lawsuit against Lexis for unjust enrichment upon selling customer data to ICE, click here. Further, click here to review an article by the University of Colorado Law School Law Review that investigates the basis of unjust enrichment claims for Lexis's cooperation with ICE.


OUTLAW X MTPC X LGBTQIA+ CENTER: NAME CHANGE CLINIC
"Looking to make a difference? Volunteer with OutLaw, Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, and the LGBTQIA+ Student Center at our Name Change Clinic! As a law student, you will have the opportunity to provide pro bono legal support to transgender and nonbinary individuals navigating the name change process. Gain valuable, client-facing experience while giving back to the community. Your help matters!" Find more information here!

BU WALKOUT FOR A SANCTUARY CAMPUS
"This Thursday at 3pm, we will walkout and rally at Marsh Plaza to establish Boston University as a sanctuary campus. We join the nationwide call to action from both YDSA and SJP. Bring flags, bring signs, and most importantly bring your voice and spirit. We implore people to assess their own risk when attending any future rallies. Please wear a mask and take any other precautions needed to keep yourselves safe.

We understand the hesitation all students are feeling about rallying and organizing but the university will not stand up for us. We must stand up for ourselves. We must put pressure on administration to protect its community regardless of immigration status. We call upon all our comrades in the Greater Boston community to join us. We keep us safe." Find more information here!

PARTY FOR SOCIALISM & LIBERATION CELEBRATES: WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
"A woman’s place is in the struggle! Celebrate Women’s History Month with the PSL!

  • International Working Women’s Day Study of “Breaking the Chains: The Woman Worker” at @inhousecafeboston
    • Sat, March 8
    • 2-4PM
    • In-House Cafe, 132 Chestnut Hill Ave Unit 309, Brighton
  • Film Screening & Crochet Night: “Bread & Roses”
    • Thur, March 13
    • TBD
    • Cambridge (address TBD)
  • Liberation Open Mic ft. Brynna Boyd @brynna_boyd
    • Fri, March 14
    • 7-10pm
    • Boston Liberation Center, 194 Blue Hill Ave, Roxbury
  • Community Forum: Women & the Struggle for Welfare Rights at @bostonliberationcenter
    • Fri, Mar 21
    • 6-8PM
    • Boston Liberation Center, 194 Blue Hill Ave, Roxbury
  • Reading for Revolution: Bury the Corpse of Colonialism at @justbook_ish
    • Wed, 3/26
    • 6-8pm
    • Just Book-ish, 1463 Dorchester Ave
  • Women’s History Month Poetry & Collage Night at @bostonliberationcenter
    • Fri, 3/28
    • 6:30-8:30pm
    • Boston Liberation Center, 194 Blue Hill Ave, Roxbury

Check our page for additional details & events happening this month!" Find more information here!

MAURA HEALEY: MAKE MASSACHUSETTS A SANCTUARY STATE
"Gov. Maura Healy said in December that Mass. is 'not a sanctuary state.' She doubled down on these comments the week of Donald Trump’s Inauguration after intensified ICE raids had already begun across the country, including in Mass. Healey has done nothing but parrot Trump and his racist anti-immigrant agenda while cutting housing access for all working-class families. These are pro-billionaire attacks on the whole working class — and Healey is siding with the billionaires.

It is up to us, as working people of Massachusetts, immigrant and non-immigrant alike, to stand together to demand the governor does everything in her power to protect our communities.
We Demand:
❌ No state or local law enforcement collaboration with ICE!
❌ Stop the racist demonization of immigrants!
❌ No new restrictions on housing assistance!
❌ No ICE in Massachusetts public schools or other public institutions!
Add your name, or endorse as an organization.
SIGN THE PETITION: SanctuaryStateMA.org"

TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY CELEBRATION AND FUNDRAISER

Come celebrate our trans community at BU! We will be hosting drag bingo, holding a silent auction, and showcasing artwork by trans and nonbinary artists! Proceeds from this event will support youth programming at Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, particularly the annual Trans Youth Summit. Most artworks will be available for sale!

We were lucky to receive several donations for our bingo prize and silent auction pool. In addition to other exciting items, these items will be available thanks to kind donations from local businesses!

Here are some more upcoming events that might be of interest to you all:

Take care!

In solidarity,

BU HOMES
Boston University School of Law
Greg Bowe, Co-President
Danna Lopez-Flores, Co-President
Angel Yi, Treasurer
Chloe Buck, Secretary
Zoie Valencia, Community Liaison
Thomas Hontz, Education & Training Lead
Will Kleisner, Substantive Law Specialist
Eliza Thorpe, Outreach Chair

Have you joined our GroupMe?
If not, click here to stay updated on important events and communications.


Sign up for City Life/Vida Urbana’s Action Alert emails!
Stay up-to-date with City Life’s organizing by joining their mailing list here. City Life sends out emails in both English and Spanish with time-critical event information.

Do you know who your landlord is?
If not, click here for more information on how to find out.

Want to check your landlord's housing code compliance?
Or do you just have some free time on your hands? Check out the following Housing Code Checklist. If you notice any issues, remember you have a right to unionize.

For more information on unionizing (either joining a pre-existing tenants union or building one with your neighbors), check out the Greater Boston Tenants Union here.

Job Resources!
The UCLA Prison Law and Policy Program has created a very helpful list of organizations and open positions for students interested in working with and advocating for incarcerated folks. Find the job search guide here. In addition, the Immigration Law and Policy Society has compiled a list of immigration employment and internship opportunities. You can access the running list here, and they will be updating the list throughout the semester. The OutLaw Summer 2025 Job Search Supplement can also be found here, and the Women's Law Association 1L Handout can be found here! We will make sure to send more resources your way as they become available. Make sure to stay on top of deadlines for the summer public service funding application. We recommend you apply for funding even if you have not acquired a job yet, as outside funding can make a potential intern more appealing to some PI employers (reach out to them directly, even if there are no listed openings, and introduce yourself!).

HOMES Arts Showcase - “A Night of Resistance and Resilience” on Monday, 14 April 2025 At 4:30 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

HOMES Arts Showcase - “A Night of Resistance and Resilience”

clock Monday, April 14, 2025
4:30pm - 7:00pm
Location pinPrivate Location (sign in to display)
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Join Homes for our Arts Showcase to mingle and celebrate the creative works of our peers on Monday, April 14 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. We invite you to sign up to read out works or share artwork that you feel embodies the theme of “Resistance and Resilience.” Register using the following link: https://forms.gle/whPicaU7KA9i6SqX6
REGISTER
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