Social Justice Calendar of Western Massachusetts

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Events for October 6, 2020

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Week of Action for housing stability Stop mass evictions & foreclosures in MA!

Take action to stop mass evictions and foreclosures in Massachusetts. Join the push for the Housing Stability Act, and help organize to resist displacement. Join an event that's already organized or plan something in your own area. Please see this document for examples of actions, printable flyers and signs, etc: http://bit.ly/hfamawa2020

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8:00 am

Black Abolitionist Futures – Reading & Discussion Group

October 6 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

This reading group is for black folks only.

Following the success of our reading groups over the summer we are running session one to four again, this time monthly!

Recently we have seen a huge uptake in interest in abolitionist ideas as abolitionist discussions enter more mainstream conversations. Particularly in response to the killing by police of George Floyd, global solidarity and protests of Black Lives Matter and the violent police responses to these.

More people are questioning whether prisons are the best response to harms in society and whether the police actually function to bring about a safer society. But how might we need to alter our thinking, practices and social institutions to build a world without prisons and policing?

We have put together this reading list to introduce you to abolitionist ideas via short, accessible and introductory texts, podcasts and videos. We hope they spark informed discussions of abolitionist ideas to take with you to work places, campaign meetings, and conversations with friends and family.. They have been updated to include more UK resources.

This movement is building - let's image together the world we want.

Access the Reading List

We recognize that these discussions can be difficult—either triggering our traumatic experiences or challenging long-held beliefs. As facilitators, we vow to be in the struggle together, providing support and guidance through these moments.

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5:00 pm

Interfaith Opportunities Network Racial Justice Vigil

October 6 @ 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every week that begins at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, repeating until October 22, 2020

Intersection of Main St. & S. Pleasant St. Amherst, Intersection of Main St. & S. Pleasant St.
Amherst,

Interfaith Opportunities Network Racial Justice Vigil Every Tuesday 5-5:30pm Intersection of Main St. & S. Pleasant St. Amherst

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7:00 pm

Defending the Election and Our Democracy

October 6 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Constitutional democracy is on the line as we approach the November 3 election.

President Trump and his enablers are doing what they can to undermine the perceived legitimacy of the election: lying about the integrity of mail-in voting, undermining the ability of the U.S. postal system to deliver ballots in time to be counted, purging voter rolls, using the Covid-19 crisis to limit polling places – especially in communities of color, preventing Congressional briefings about foreign intervention to impact the vote, and urging Trump voters to illegally vote as many times as possible.

President Trump himself has refused to state that he will leave office in a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the election, and has threatened swift repression of post-election protests.

This event will help us to better understand what is happening, provide support for a free and fair election, and prepare to respond to a potentially disputed election result.

Speakers will include community leaders working to get out the vote in Massachusetts and beyond, speakers with expertise in Republican voter suppression, leaders of the movement to defend postal services and the vote, and nonviolent trainers and movement leaders who are preparing for massive nationwide protests to defend the election outcome, should they be needed.

Confirmed speakers:

Joseph Gerson, Mass. Peace Action & Campaign for Peace, Disarmament & Common Security

Brett Edkins, Political Director, Stand Up America; co-founder, Protect the Results

Beth Huang, Executive Director, Mass. Voter Table

Kristina Mensik, Assistant Director, Common Cause Massachusetts

Breakout sessions will provide opportunities to deepen our understandings and collaborations.

A Mini-Conference sponsored by Massachusetts Peace Action, 350 MA, Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security, and Mass. Alliance of HUD Tenants

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