October 2020 – NAACP New Bedford

UMassD webinar: Vote 2020 – What to Expect

On October 28th the UMass Dartmouth Student Government Association sponsored a Zoom webinar titled VOTE 2020: "What to Expect," hosted by Student Government Association President Elizabeth Anusaukas and Student Trustee Dakeyla Johnson, which asked a four-person panel for their thoughts on how the 2020 election might unfold. Kenneth Manning, UMassD Professor of Political Science; Dwight Duncan, UMassD Law School Professor; Dr. LaSella Hall, NAACP New Bedford President; and Alex Psilakis, Policy and Communications Manager at MassVOTE all offered their views. You can watch a recording of the webinar here.

Election Protection observers needed

Partnering for Election Protection The NAACP New Bedford Branch is partnering with the Urban League, MassVote and Lawyers for Civil Rights on the 1619 Project, a voter protection campaign to protect the right to vote. The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts has taken the lead on the project, a coalition of more than 30 Black- and brown-led organizations. It draws on the expertise of MassVote and Lawyers for Civil Rights for field operations, managing a statewide hotline, and watching social media threats. Massachusetts permits any citizen to be an election observer ("poll watcher"). This year, with the President directing supporters...

Vote like your life depends on it

This could be the most consequential vote any of us have participated in during our lifetime. The NAACP is encouraging everyone to come out on November 3rd — or earlier — to vote like your life depends on it. Because it does. Click on the links from the MA Secretary of State below for more information on voting Today is the Last Day for Early Voting If you are over 65, this could minimize the risk of standing in a long line on November 3rd Online Voter Registration is now closed! next time... Where do I vote? verify your polling...

Revenge of the Springfield PD

[caption id="attachment_1226" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Bishop Talbert Swan II, Mayor Domenic Sarno, PD Chief Cheryl Clapprood (MassLive)[/caption] Massachusetts representatives and police unions believe the Commonwealth's police forces are nothing like those bad ones in other states. What happened to George Floyd could never happen in Massachusetts, they say. But as we have seen in New Bedford and elsewhere, there are plenty of problems with unaccountable police. And that includes Springfield. So when Greater Springfield NAACP Branch President Bishop Talbert W. Swan II spoke out against police violence and impunity, he made an enemy of Police Chief Cheryl Clapprood, who eventually fired...

“Justice was the second casualty in this case”

On October 14th, the NAACP New Bedford Branch issued a press release referring to letters to state and federal prosecutors calling for independent investigations of the murder of Malcolm Gracia by New Bedford Police. One letter was addressed to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, the other to Eric Drieband, Assistant Attorney General for the USDOJ's Civil Rights Division. Here is what we called for: The NAACP New Bedford Branch urges your office to investigate the killing of Malcom Gracia in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 2012. Today, eight years later, this killing haunt our community and puts a pall over community-...

2020 Stand for Justice High School Graduate Scholarship Awards

Because of COVID-19 we were unable to hold our annual Freedom Fund Breakfast last June. Our backup date in August was a bit over-optimistic, so plan C was to hold an informal awards ceremony in the Fall. Thanks to our donors — many from the community who really stepped up this year — we were able to hold the 2020 Stand for Justice High School Graduate Scholarship Fund ceremony on October 10th. Despite clouds, chill, wind, masks and social distancing, the ceremony was joyous and successful. Ten students received awards in 2020: Yileisy Almada (New Bedford Voc), attending Bay Path...

Community March: Justice for Malcolm Gracia

NOTE:Due to erroneous media reports it is necessary to clarify that the NAACP New Bedford Branch is not the organizer of this march. BREATHE, whose name appears on the flyer, organized the march and we re-posted it in solidarity with their efforts to obtain justice for the Gracia family. Save the date: NOON - Saturday, October 24th Magnet Park Basketball Court - United Front (Temple Landing)

Schools

Looking at the race problem in NBPS hiring, school by school

In 2017, the Standard-Times ran an article, "New Bedford school officials pleased with job fair turnout," which covered the School District's 4th Annual job fair at Keith Middle School and described the District's hiring process: "The setup reflects the hiring process. Dr. Pia Durkin, the superintendent, has the legal mandate to hire personnel. First, Durkin has principals screen applicants and interview them. The one a principal recommends will be sent to the Human Capital office to be vetted and interviewed [by Heather Emsley]. Then the nominee is sent to the superintendent for approval... As the job fair wound down, Deputy...

Join the effort to support Safe Communities

On Tuesday, October 20th and Wednesday the 22nd the Episcopal City Ministry will be hosting a phone bank to support the Safe Communities Act. You can find a list of the bill's supporters here. You can help by participating in and promoting ECM phone banking on October 20th and October 22nd. Also consider endorsing the Safe Communities Act. For details, go to the Massachusetts Legislature's website for the text of H.3573 (Balser & Miranda) and S.1401 (Eldridge). The Safe Communities Act restores community trust in public institutions by avoiding entanglement in immigration matters and protecting due process for all: No...

Community Zoom to discuss evidence in Malcolm Gracia shooting

Community Zoom to discuss evidence in Malcolm Gracia shooting Wednesday, October 7, 2020 @ 6:00pm The New Bedford community is invited to attend and ask questions. Attorney Don Brisson, who has represented the Gracia family, will be on hand to answer questions on behalf of Malcolm and his family. Mayor Jon Mitchell, Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro, DA Thomas Quinn, Assistant DA Patrick Bomberg, and retired Massachusetts state trooper Sgt. Christopher Dolan have also been invited to discuss their role in the 2012 investigation. Register for Q&A by emailing: MalcolmGraciaEvidence@gmail.com