Dear Greylock Together,
“I knew then and I know now that, when it comes to justice,
there is no easy way to get it.”
– Claudette Colvin
118 Days to the General Election. But who’s counting?? Let’s CELEBRATE the victories we are having as we continue to build momentum!
No faithless electors: The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the presidential electors who make up the electoral college are not free agents: they can be compelled legally to vote for the winners of the popular vote in that state. While this rule does not favor any political party, it was critical that the issue be settled in advance of November, thus eliminating the risk that “faithless electors” might decide the next president. (Next step? Let’s eliminate the Electoral College, please). Join the coalition of voters ready to mobilize if #45 refuses to accept the results of the 2020 presidential election. Thank you, Indivisible! Protect the Results
Vote-by-Mail passes in Massachusetts: A new law temporarily allows Massachusetts voters to cast their ballot by mail without specifying a reason. The law applies to both the September 1 primaries and the November 3 general election. It is set to expire at the end of the year.
Facebook feels the heat: More than 750 companies — including major corporations like CocaCola, Unilever, Best Buy, Ford, Starbucks, and Hershey’s — have suspended advertising on Facebook to protest the platform’s tolerance of hate speech and disinformation. Feeling the heat, Facebook met with civil rights leaders from the N.A.A.C.P., the Anti-Defamation League, and Color of Change, all of whom remained unpersuaded.
GOP senate candidates are getting sweaty, too: A new poll spells trouble for GOP senate candidates in Arizona, Michigan, and North Carolina. Meanwhile, Susan Collins appears to be in trouble, too. (Which swing-state senate candidate are you helping to elect? Let’s flip that senate!)
#MorseForce (Thanks to GT member, Samantha Page!)
What: Join friends and neighbors in support of Alex Morse and his campaign for Congress! We’ll be holding signs, waving at cars, dancing, and celebrating a candidate who will work for our community. THIS EVENT WILL PRACTICE SAFE SOCIAL DISTANCING PRACTICES.
When: Saturday, 7/11, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Where: Field Park roundabout, Williamstown
What to Bring: A mask, a friend, water/snack, hand sanitizer, charged phone, homemade sign—showcase your #MorseForce Artwork
What the Campaign Will Provide: Beautiful Morse for Congress signs! Extra Masks, water, hand sanitizer
Register here:
https://www.mobilize.us/alexmorseforcongress/event/286184/
#TeamMarkey (Thanks to Kristen Elechko!)
…will be hosting a Berkshire County Organizing Extravagnza and phone bank kickoff for Ed!
Wednesday, July 8, from 6 – 7:30 pm over Zoom. If you would like to attend, please RSVP at this link, and the Zoom info will be sent to you: https://secure.ngpvan.com/A0Rti2PaMU26By9We9NirA2
We are energized to be building momentum in Berkshire County with chances to volunteer occurring every week. Be sure to join us for this informative opportunity as we kick off a Summer of campaigning! You might even get the chance to win a coveted Ed Markey lawn sign!
#VoteForward
Help us reach our goal of sending 1000 letters to less-likely registered voters! Write or text jeanne.marklin@gmail.com or 413-672-1766, or Bernadine bhw1@williams.edu or 781-956-6622 to join in!
#TeamGideon
Join Team Gideon for a Greylock Together GOTV Zoom phone bank on July 11 at 3 pm. No experience necessary! Want to get involved to defeat Collins in Maine? LOTS of other opportunities!
Email Maddy at maddyzart@gmail.com. Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/saragideon/event/283889/
Black Lives Matter Signs — WOW!!
The terrific #BLM sign crew has gotten 700 BLM signs into our local communities! Their donation this week to the Berkshire County NAACP is over $1,600 directly from sign sales. Bravo!! We are grateful for our partner, Elinor Goodwin at The Print Shop Williamstown at 30 Spring Street for taking over sales duties. The signs will now be available for consistent hours and days/week at her business. It takes a village to change the world, and we are thrilled to see this tremendous effort magnify the visibility of our commitment and support of #BLM. Thank you, Janine, Julie, Janie and Liza for this remarkable team accomplishment. May we continue to go forth and MULTIPLY!! Words matter. Signs matter. Black Lives Matter.
GT Book Group— Gather around our pre-pandemic March Book Pick…what could be more timely and critical? Thursday, July 16 at 7 PM we will discuss Ibram X. Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist. Email gdoench@gmail.com for more info.
#BLM Weekly Vigils — We continue our weekly vigils at Field Park. Join us in solidarity as we recommit to the daily work of dismantling systemic racism Together, and pay tribute to the countless Black lives lost to police brutality and other white supremacist violence. RSVP on Facebook or just come by. Please wear a mask; social distancing practices observed.
GT MONTHLY MEETING via ZOOM – THIS SUNDAY!
It is months like these that we are ever grateful for the team and community we have built Together. Join us during this time of upheaval and hope for updates on all fronts, including the critical and urgent work being done in Williamstown and N. Adams around Race & Equity.
Special Guest(s) Mayor Tom Bernard and/or Ben Lamb will join us for updates on North Adams Racial Justice and diversity initiatives.
Remember that hope is an action. So many incredible folks doing the WORK of justice. (Zoom Link in Calendar Events below)
This week’s HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST RESOURCES – from Jess:
READ
- These Cities Are Stopping Police From Responding to Homelessness, Drug Use, and Mental Health Issues – Vice News, 6/17/20
- Yes, We Mean Literally Abolish the Police: Because reform won’t happen. NY Times, Op-Ed, 6/12/20
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Women, Race and Class, Angela Davis
LISTEN
- On Being with Krista Tippett Jason Reynolds Fortifying Imagination – 6/25/20
- Angela Davis on Abolition, Calls to Defund Police, Toppled Racist Statues & Voting in 2020 Election – 7/3/20
WATCH
- How to deconstruct racism, one heading at a time – TedTalk, Baratunde Thurston, April 2019
- Harriet – Netflix
GIVE
FOLLOW & SHARE
- @michaeldtubbs—Stockton, CA Mayor, #StocktonOnMyMind premieres July 28 on HBO
- @rachel.cargle #DoTheWork
LEADERS TO FOLLOW
RAISING ANTIRACIST KIDS
- Talking Race With Young Children – NPR podcast
- How to Raise an Anti-Racist Kid – NY Times, 6/24/20
- Here Wee Read web resources of diverse and inclusive books for all ages
- What white parents get wrong about raising antiracist kids — and how to get it right – WAPO, 6/25/20
Greylock Together Meeting via Zoom
July 12 @ 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Guest: Tom Bernard/Ben Lamb
Zoom link here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84160751696?pwd=dGZwSW8vZ1hKbHlUN1Buczdvc1FWdz09
Meeting ID: 841 6075 1696
Password: 852759
GT Book Group via Zoom
July 16 @ 7:00 pm
How to Be an Antiracist
Greylock Together Meeting via Zoom
August 9 @ 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Resist and persist!
Ali & Jess