Solidarity – Page 2 – NAACP New Bedford

Where do we stand?

The leadership of the NAACP New Bedford Branch has joined with SouthCoast Faith Leaders, UIA, and the ICC in supporting this reflection on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As so many of us are still reeling from the spectacle of the shocking event that took place on January 6th in our nation's capital — and its unfolding drama — it is easy to forget the annual observance of the national holiday on January 18, 2021 honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many of our SouthCoast faith communities typically honor King's life and legacy at this time of year, reflecting...

NAACP New Bedford Branch opposes sabotaging U.S. Postal Service

On Saturday, August 22nd, the NAACP New Bedford Branch joined rallies all over the country in support of saving the U.S. Postal Service. Unionists, activists, and others met on the steps of the downtown New Bedford post office to condemn Trump's politically-motivated sabotage of postal service — 75 days before a national presidential election taking place during a global pandemic in which absentee ballots will be critical to both democracy and safety. Last June Donald Trump appointed Louis DeJoy to the position of Postmaster General. It soon became clear that Trump had appointed a fox to guard the chickens, as...

Urgent call to support MA Indigenous Civil Rights bills

NAACP New Bedford Family, I'm writing to you to seek your support for three important Indigenous civil rights bills that are before the Massachusetts State Legislature and need to be voted on before the end of July. The three bills seek to ban Native American sports mascots, redesign the racist Massachusetts state flag and seal, and protect Native American heritage (more details below my signature). I know that you and your organization will understand the urgent need to address racial justice issues and symbols of white supremacy now. Here are two steps we are asking you to take: Please go...

Solidarity

Massachusetts Association of School Committees weighing support for anti-racism resolution

But will school districts actually vote for it? The Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) Board of Directors has recommended two resolutions to be forwarded to its Resolutions Committee for consideration by the organization's membership. The resolutions address funding for COVID-19 related expenses, and ask member School Committees to to commit to change on issues of racism, equity, and diversity that have finally seized the nation's attention. The resolutions will eventually be considered by MASC's 2020 Delegate Assembly this Fall (last year's Assembly took place on November 8th). This is the wording of the anti-racism language in the MASC resolution:...

Solidarity

Defund White Supremacy in Bristol County

The Bristol County Sheriffs Department is a human rights horror show. The suicide rate at the jail is the highest in the state. Prisoners receive substandard food and, recently, a riot occurred after prisoners had been demanding cleaning and safety equipment to protect themselves from COVID-19. If this were not enough, Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson has numerous links to White Supremacist and milita groups, and he spends most of his time lobbying for Trump's anti-immigrant policies in conjunction with a group set up by White Supremacist John Tanton. While the Bristol County Sheriff is an elected position and funding...