Saturday, March 8, 2025

Sixty Years Ago Today: "Bloody Sunday" in Selma

“When You Pray, Move Your Feet.” Charles White(?), photographer, Selma, Alabama, March 7, 1965. Photo courtesy of Representative John Lewis. John Lewis (on right in trench coat) and Hosea Williams (on the left) lead marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
 
On Sunday March 7, 1965, about six hundred people began a fifty-four mile march for African American voting rights from Selma, Alabama to the state capitol in Montgomery. After crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge, in plain sight of photographers and journalists, state and local police attacked the marchers with billy clubs, whips, and tear gas.
*In these times of disappearing information and important content being wiped from government websites, finding resources like the Library of Congress and Smithsonian Museums still (so far) providing information about our history is a rare bit of good news. Let's hope these resources will still be there next year.

Friday, February 28, 2025

Today! February 28 Economic Blackout


A new grassroots movement calling for a 24-hour, nationwide consumer "Economic Blackout" of large and online retailers on February 28 has been gaining traction and a fair amount of media attention. Arising from
a series of Instagram videos, the organizer recently launched a new website (The Peoples Union). Plans have also been announced for follow-up boycotts of Amazon from March 7-14, Nestle from March 21-28, and Walmart from April 7-13.  

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Sen. Jake Oliveira, a strong voice for western MA

Today's newsletter continues our series about those elected in November to represent and serve South Hadley. Jake Oliveira was re-elected to his second term as State Senator, representing twelve towns in Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester Counties. Jake is advocating for western Massachusetts every day. We congratulate Jake on his re-election and appreciate all he does for South Hadley and the communities in his district. 

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

A Dire Distress Call

Yosemite National Park rangers recently unfurled an upside-down American flag atop El Capitan. As a symbol of distress signaling extreme danger, it highlighted the cruel threats to National Parks nationwide, as well as to important government services and workers across the country.

New York Times, February 24, 2025 (no paywall):
Protesters display upside-down flag at Yosemite

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

We the People Rally for Democracy in Springfield

On Presidents Day people across the country turned out in all 50 states in support of democracy and against actions by the new Trump regime and "advisor" Elon Musk. Despite wind and bitter cold in Massachusetts, crowds gathered in Boston, Framingham, and Springfield (above). The nationwide action was initiated by the 50501 movement and other organizations. See: Rise Up Western Mass Indivisible on Facebook

Dan Carey, our new Clerk of Courts

Today's newsletter continues our series about those elected in November to represent and serve South Hadley. Dan Carey is well-known to residents as South Hadley's state representative, but beginning in January, he took on a new role serving as Hampshire County's Clerk of Courts. In this issue Dan describes his new position and duties.

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Welcome Mark Ames

This is the second in our series on those newly elected to represent South Hadley at the district and statewide levels. This newsletter is by Mark Ames, our new Register of Probate. Join us in welcoming Mark and thanking for providing this information about his new office and his work to serve our community.

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Protest Art Strikes Back

 

Bright red posters with the face of Elon Musk and the words "I am stealing from you" began popping up on the streets of Washington, DC yesterday. The artwork credited to street artist "Absurdly Well' has started appearing on social media, too, and was featured by Rachel Maddow on her Friday night show. One person who shared the art on BlueSky has suggested making a whole oligarch series.

Tracking executive orders and litigation

Some resources for keeping track of executive orders and some of the resulting litigation, as well as the efforts of Elon Musk:

Thursday, February 6, 2025

A new voice in Boston

Our 2nd Hampshire legislative district has a new state representative. Read our latest SHDTC Updates newsletter to learn more about Rep.Homar Gómez of Easthampton.