Campaign for Human Rights--Organizing Notes #1

A reportback--  I am here in Chelmsford, MA to attend a bail hearing for a man detained by ICE 82 days ago--a week since the co-owner of small business filed my letter of support along with Senator Pat Jehlen's letter.

Please donate www.ElectSpicer.com I raised funds for signage and doorknockers $1800 from 15 donors last Friday. According to Senator Pat Jehlen, new law allows me to put your campaign support to pay for childcare so I can campaign. Thank you in advance!

At Finance Committee of the Whole, I spoke up regarding the Mayor’s proposed budget that would cut the Racial and Social Justice Department funds by $200,000 and increase the Police Budget an additional $5-9 million. The Cambridge-Somerville 350.org node organized me, and I spoke to the need to provide environmental justice protections from pollution to impacted neighbors--crediting the pilot project of Ward 1 City Councilor Matt McLaughlin--which would bring air filtration units to homes already most likely to be low income and families of color. This was the sole opportunity of the public to have an opportunity to engage and critique the budget.

 A year ago, in May, the Vulnerable Persons Subcommittee held a public hearing about the rising sewer rates with outragous impacts. I investigated this and raised it with Human Rights Commission and wrote my Trull neighbors about the impending gas rates time to submit testimony and complaints last fall, four months before Councilor Sait in February brought forward a resolution along with the State Delegation to try and push back against the Gas Monopoly. If elected as City Councilor At-Large I will continue the fight of the Council over the past six years to push back against the ever increasing price hikes--fully demand that the proposed programs to support abatement to vulnerable peoples are implemented--and keep you informed.

Love Needs a Home!

Last week, I led a chant “Love Needs a Home” following my wife Emily Hankle, PTA President calling on the Mayor to make a decision about the fate of Winter Hill that we can rally around. With a crowd of 30 parents attending the 8:30 coffee at Edgerly housed Winter Hill Community Innovation School. The Director of Planning Brad Rawlson said that the open door date would be 2031 and working backwards, a debt vote to come before the public in 2027

At Connexion, All She Wrote Books, and Councilor Willie Burnley Jr MC’d a conversation with Alec Karakatsanis discussing Copaganda: How Police and the Media Manipulate Our News which ends on a note of encouragement That we get involved in collective spaces and action such as: “mutual aid that helps vulnerable people in our communities; reading and study groups; volunteering with a community bail fund or participatory defense hub; or joining a library, school board, or CourtWatch program.” (339)

A daily vigil outside the Somerville High School is holding the record for longest solidarity standout. See Coverage last year in the Cambridge Day. This morning I stood a second time with folks 7:15-7:45am. 

Gaza Fast participant, 72 year-old Kathy Kelly of international renown, marked day-16 of fast  interviewed across from the UN Headquarters in NY by Bar Crawl Radio here. 

The UN fasters are limited to 250 calories per day, recently reported as the average intake for people in Gaza. Yesterday, UN Humanitarian Chief, Tom Fletcher, said 14,000 babies could die in Gaza within the next 48 hours.

Meanwhile, International activists were seized on peace flotilla NPR reports arresting the travel by boat to Gaza. I encourage you to write an Op-Ed--and if you're wondering how to write an Op-ed read this David Shipley piece from NYT . The Institute for Middle East Understanding has a call out for Congress to Block the Bombs to Israel. The Press Conference of the Bill's Sponsor's available here.

ICE 

Last week, I received at least two alerts. ICE was seen at Target in Somerville, apparently ready to target shoppers, while also sending alarm through community. A alert went out that they were intending to be near the Somerville High School. And then later in the week another alert that they were seen in East Somerville streets. 

Friday morning, I took my campaigning to the Cross Street Offices of Immigration Advocacy, SomerViva. 

A Boston City Hall rally this afternoon--see below.

Following up from the event hosted by Connexion a couple Saturdays ago for act to create an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the special legislative commission on structural racism in correctional facilities of the Commonwealth H.2636 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2636 

Toward Abolition read Truthout article here about last year's bill for a prison construction moratorium.

Today at 1pm Chelmsford Immigration court appearance of Zaruma co-owner, apprehended on Woodbine St, unloading to store 82 days ago.

https://www.justice.gov/eoir/find-immigration-court-and-access-internet-based-hearings

A#216-491-823

https://acis.eoir.justice.gov/en/caseInformation

Not too late to submit testimony (deadline June 11) in support of MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda bills H.3292/ S.2113 (Barber/Comerford) which calls for Massachusetts to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day. Fourteen states currently celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, including Maine and Vermont.https://actionnetwork.org/letters/we-need-your-help-to-get-an-indigenous-peoples-day-bill-passed-in-ma/