Dear Greylock Together,
There are only a few days left before the Georgia runoff elections that will decide control of the Senate. It is — shockingly, unbelievably, amazingly — nearly a tossup. Do you want to be a part of this? Do you want to help change things? Spend an hour making calls. You can make a difference. Right here, right now.
Latinos helped turn Georgia blue in November, so we’re doing everything we can to make sure they feel empowered for these Senate races. NOTE: This opportunity is for very proficient Spanish speakers. If you feel very comfortable speaking Spanish, please make calls to mobilize the Latino vote during a time that works for you all the way through Election Day on January 5.
Dates: Multiple times available from January 2 to January 5 — Register here.
Black voters turned out in record numbers for the general election, and we’re eager to see how far their momentum takes them for the runoffs. Join Color of Change to make calls to Black voters (and have some fun in the process!). All allies and members are welcome.
Dates: Multiple times available starting tonight through January 5 — Register here.
Make calls in the final hours before Election Day with our special guest — Alyssa Milano! Talking directly to voters is the most effective way to increase voter turnout. Join our Indivisible community to help get out the vote.
Date: January 4 at 6 pm EST — Register here.
DeLeo. The Speaker of the Massachusetts House has resigned in favor of a teaching position. His lieutenant and chosen successor, Majority Leader Ron Mariano, has already taken control. There was virtually no chance of a different outcome in the House; for his dozen years in power, DeLeo’s motto seemed to be that he wished to avoid difficult votes as much as possible, working to duck any issue unless it could attain the support of nearly the entire Democratic caucus. This made him a moderate roadblock to some important change; it took until 2018 for the passage of a law that will increase the minimum wage to $15 in 2023, for example. We need to continue to work for structural change to the rules of a chamber that permit one moderate to restrain policy changes that have supermajority support. The Massachusetts Democratic Party is not an idol, and we shouldn’t sacrifice good policy on its altar.
Roe Bill & Police Reform. The state legislature has expanded access to safe abortion and put a backstop behind the principles of Roe v Wade, overruling Governor Baker’s veto and preparing for possible restrictions from the conservative Supreme Court majority. They have also finally passed a police reform bill, watered down first by the House and then by Governor Baker, successively. The biggest wins in the bill are public disclosure of police misconduct records and a new database to keep track of police violence.
Restorative Justice Book Group. Bridget S passed on this message from First Church Williamstown:
As part of our ongoing discernment process as to how First Church Williamstown embodies the Not in Our County Pledge, we invite you to participate in a book study of “The Little Book of Restorative Justice” by Howard Zehr. The group will meet via Zoom on Thursdays, January 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
The group will be facilitated by Michael Rich, family law attorney of Arlington, MA, and Brenda Nolan, chairperson of the Restorative Justice Task Team of the UCC’s Southern New England Conference, along with Reverend Mark Seifried. All three helped educate and lobby legislators for the Commonwealth’s 2018 omnibus bill for Criminal Justice Reform, which includes Restorative Justice as a tool for prosecutors, police and sheriff’s departments, and judges.
Please sign up here by December 25th deadline: https://forms.gle/hcUJGMNFRwSssktH7
Books are available for purchase at the Williams Bookstore ($5.99 each) and there is also a copy available to read online: https://www.unicef.org/tdad/littlebookrjpakaf.pdf
“Eulogy.” Bette Craig passes on this free video of a recent performance by Shaun Leonardo in North Adam’s MASS MoCA, called “Eulogy.” It’s a half-hour long, memorializing through song and word the “generations of Black lives lost to police violence in America, giving voice to the essence of powerlessness and vulnerability evoked by systemic oppression.”
Check out more news from this week at Muckraker Farm.
Events (GCal,iCal)
No events scheduled.
CONTACT INFO FOR GT TEAM ACTION:
- Book Group – Greg
- Newsletter – Alexander/Jess
- Antiracism/Racial Justice – Jess
Alexander