Minutes February 20'TH 2025

Salem Democratic City Committee Minutes

February 20, 2025

Notch Brewery

Meeting started at 6:00 p.m.

Attorney EmmyLou Manwill

Immigration lawyer EmmyLou Manwill gave a summary actions we can take to help immigrants under threat from ICE. 

1) Know your constitutional rights

The Fourth Amendment protects everyone in the country, not just citizens. It encompasses the right to not answer questions, protection against self-incrimination, and protection against unauthorized searches. “Red cards” which summarize these rights are being widely distributed by immigrant aid groups. Red Cards in multiple languages including English and Spanish  can be accessed at this link.

https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/commissiononimmigrantrightsandcitizenship/knowyourrights/redcards

Know your rights trainings are being conducted by Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). Find more information at https://miracoalition.org/

2) MIRA Immigrant Help Line

Refer immigrants who are in need of help to MIRA Immigrant Help Line at (508) 293-1871. As immigrants encounter prolonged wait times for legal support, many unwittingly turn to notarios, unlicensed practitioners of law. By sharing resources, the Help Line helps prevent notario fraud by educating vulnerable immigrants about their rights and resources.

3) Lobbying

Attend MIRA Lobby Day at the State House on March 19.

Kyle Davis

City Counselor

Kyle Davis gave an overview of progressive housing ordinances currently being considered in City Council. SHINE would enable the city to have more multi-tenant housing. A feasibility study iis currently being conducted in partnership with SSU policy lab, who will then make recommendations to City Council.

Community benefits ordinance would require that any large development project to form a community benefits committee. The committee would engage in negotiations with developers to provide benefits such as workforce diversity, labor protection commitments.

Kyle noted currently 87% of Salem’s housing is in R1 districts, making it very hard to build multifamily housing. Kyle and some of the city council would like to move in the direction of making some R1 areas R2 allowing denser housing in certain areas. If you want more housing in Salem, make your voice known at a City Council meetings, which are the second and fourth Thursday of the month\

New business

Justin Bates is chairing new membership committee to brainstorm on ideas to build membership.

Lydia King of Solidarity Rising, which works on labor rights, housing, immigration, education, gave an update

The organization has prioritized affordable housing and launched a web site (neighborsformoreneighbors.org)

provides education on affordable housing issues 

Former Marblehead Town Democratic Committee president Kathy Hempel is leading Trump resistance protest every Thursday from 4:00-6:00 at Swampscott Monument.

Beverly is having a special election for an open legislative seat. Two Beverly city counselors, Hannah Bowen and Todd Rotondo, are running as Democrats. The primary is April 15 and election is May 13.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Minutes taken by Bruce Cohen, Secretary.