Attendees introduced themselves and welcomed Councilor Jackie Ryan from Southbridge; Ms. Ryan has accomplished a lot as a public servant and is running for re-election to the Southbridge Town Council in a competitive race. As Town Councilor she demonstrated her support for public safety, the need to invest in infrastructure, promoting transparency and providing quality education to all students. She has helped revitalize Southbridge while also decreasing the tax rate and delivering on the promise to develop a rail trail for residents. Councilor Ryan believes in granting everyone basic dignity and respect and enjoys meeting constituents face to face; her campaign will be focused on knocking on people’s doors; GCM is willing and able to help with the campaign; Ms. Ryan will put together a list of campaign actions that we can participate in. Fundraising is also needed. The election is set for June 13, 2023.
Action Updates
- The vote among our members on the Prison Moratorium was a unanimous yes, and GCM was added to the letter supporting that legislation.
- Postcards for the Wisconsin Supreme Court race: GCM and BFF committed to writing 900 cards! The date for these cards to be in the mail is March 22.
- Legislative breakfast with our state senators and representatives was canceled due to the snowstorm; this event will be re-scheduled.
Report from Indivisible Mass Coalition
- Please thank Representative McGovern, who signed onto a Medicare For All letter and call your reps about this issue. So far only Representative McGovern and one other rep have signed onto this from Massachusetts.
- Although we are a blue state, one of the main issues in Massachusetts is the lack of transparency in our state government; Diana DiZoglio plans to audit the State Legislature, particularly with respect to transparency.
- Patricia also stated that it is important to build robust relations with your legislators, and remember to thank them for what they do for us.
- Indivisible Northampton is having a Zoom event with Jim McGovern Monday, March 20 from 7-9, contact Patricia for the link.
- On another topic, Patricia noted that IMC grants will be available until Dec 23rd this year (note that two groups can’t get double the money requested but groups can split requests for funds for specific purposes).
- All are invited to attend IMC’s monthly Statewide meetings. These monthly meetings are usually the 4th Tuesday of each month. The next meeting – 28th of March at 7:00PM on the topic of voting rights and Michelle Tassinari from the Secretary of State’s office will be there – the link can be found on the IMC website. Please join this meeting to discuss such issues as municipalities being able to opt-out of mail-in ballots. Be sure to talk with your Town’s Selectboard members to ensure that your town will retain this right.
- Some IMC meetings are completely open and are listening sessions on the part of the board.
- There is now a strategic plan for this coming election developed by Indivisible that targets the Unrepresented 18 – namely districts that voted for Biden for President but a Republican for their Congressperson. The goal is to win back those districts in 2024. Karen highlighted the fact that Ezra Levin was on Rachel Maddow recently and talked about these 18 districts in which the MAGA candidates are vulnerable.
- Also, IMC will hold a Book Conversation meeting on April 4, discussing David Pepper’s Laboratories of Autocracy.
- Karen attended IMC’s Feminist Action Subcommittee meeting and learned there will be coordinated standouts on Sat, May 13th (Mother’s Day weekend) protesting what are called “crisis pregnancy centers” or “fake clinics” because of their deceptive and anti-abortion practices. One of these clinics is in Sturbridge now – the slogan for this mobilization against such clinics is “Mothers By Choice.”
Grassroots Central Mass Calendar
- Climate Committee Meeting: March 23, 4:30PM
- Racial and Social Justice Committee Meeting: April 2, 10:30AM
- Trees are Treasures: April 22, 11 AM
- Question: Do we want to have a guest speaker at our leadership meetings? Example: we could use some information from experts on Medicare for All. Jeff thought we might need to schedule a special meeting if we want to do this. Please respond to Jeana as to what your thoughts are on this.
Climate Committee
Trees are Treasures
Our annual Earth Day event is scheduled for Earth Day on April 22. Committee is hard at work finalizing the venue; insurance was purchased; permit filled out; need to confirm that this has been approved.
Press Release and info are being developed for the website. Troubleshoot forwarding emails.
Business cards were designed by Colin for Trees Are Treasures and other GCM purposes. Colin showed his designs to the group and discussed each. Climate Committee will make final decision.
Need for volunteers and costumed interpreters along the trail for the event (Maureen will be the Lady of the Wetlands and Eric will be reformed lumberjack). We already have other volunteers but need more; Nancy is putting together a sign-up sheet. Event is 11-4 but there is a need for help for set-up and clean-up.
Other Updates
- Legislation: Janet reported that bills are being renamed and renumbered, so we don’t have the information yet. Colin spoke with Senator Eldridge about the 4 bills that his fellow students want to support; again, there isn’t a lot that is finalized at this point.
- Bank standouts: In addition to the weekly standouts at Chase Bank on Gold Star Blvd. in Worcester every Friday from 3:00 to 4:00PM. There is also a national “Dis-Credit” day of action next Tuesday, March 21 from noon until 1:30PM. 350 Central Mass is participating and a rally will be held in front of Bank of America, 29 West Boylston St, Worcester and then a march to Chase Bank on Gold Star Blvd. Four US banks are the worst in funding new fossil fuel projects -namely Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank. Move your money and cut up your credit cards from these banks if you can. Note that the Willow project was approved (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/16/opinion/willow-oil-project-alaska-climate-change.html so these banks might fund that project.
- Climate Town Hall: First meeting on this issue from members of the DTC Regional Collaborative was last night. The upshot was they are going to create a survey to try to make the event as impactful as possible. Date will probably be closer to September –the focus is reaching the “fence-sitters” and not people who are already on board with the need for climate action.
Racial and Social Justice Committee
- State Seal and Flag: Efforts to place change to the flag and seal on multiple town warrants are going well. Latest news: Newburyport became the 57th town to vote in favor of the change. Resolution is planned for the warrant at Town Meetings in Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, North Grafton, Monson and Oakham. In Southbridge, there is an effort to have the Town Council vote in support of the resolution. There is going to be a talk on Monday, March 20 at 7:00PM. David will be on the panel, along with two indigenous people from the Commission that the Legislature/Governor appointed. Jeana asked if David has a template for a Letter to the Editor (they are trying to get the issue before Leicester residents). Jeana also spoke to her contact, Ellen in Springfield and sent her the information from David.
- Immigration issues, especially regarding asylum seekers: Process at southern border has become problematic; seekers will have to have applied for asylum first in the countries that they are passing through and have been denied asylum there; then they can apply at the border but only via a smartphone app, and there also are no provisions for families to apply as families. These restrictions apply only to people crossing the border on foot. Here is the link so that you can submit comments on this policy (need to be unique, not boilerplate). Public comment period closes March 27; go to https://afsc.org/action/speak-out-against-bidens-asylum-ban.
- MA Drivers Licenses for All: Jeana is still concerned about the documentation issue for Massachusetts residents who are trying to get a driver’s license, but we don’t have any more information at this point.
- Anti-LGBTQ Legislation: Extremely problematic legislation with respect to LGBTQ+ people continues to be passed, such as bans on medical treatment for transgender teens and removal of books featuring LGBTQ. Probably we are not able at this time to take on these concerns.
- Repatriation of Native Artifacts: This New York Times article was shared.
Political Action
- Medicare for All: we’re generally in favor (!) but this is a complex issue.
Let’s study this further. - Legislative Subcommittee: not yet in action mode until more bills are finalized.
Next meeting: Sat April 15, 2023, 9:30 am.
Minutes prepared by Sue, Sherry, and Jeana
