As you’ve been saying, Bill, with a thousand additional voters, we could change Worcester government. The same at the state level. At this moment when our nation, our democracy and civil society are being torn apart by billionaires intent on making us their serfs, it is inexcusable for any elected official not to show up and pledge to fight for the people and the nation.
Our job now is to unseat every one of them- from city council members, to mayors like Joe Petty, to Congress members and even our governor. Shame on Gov Healey for failing to recognize a true Constitutional crisis and not be the progressive leader we need. Playing safe, hedging bets, not wishing to offend. We’ll end up in the same authoritarian state whether we fight or acquiesce. By fighting, at least we have a chance the outcome.
Progressive Mass, Progressive Dems, Our Revolution Mass- we need to unite, run progressive candidates and take over local and state government to mount a true resistance and protect the commonwealth. We are Massachusetts! The spirit of America. The cradle of liberty. Boston Tea Party. Boston Proud. The Shay’s Rebellion. Not the milquetoast, risk-averse, don’t offend the billionaires corporate democrats who are in power in our state. Overthrow them and elect New Democrats.
Thanks for the great article on the protest. I was not the organizer but I did give some advice and help to the two women who worked very, very hard on it: Corry Root and Mysti Green. I asked Sean Rose to speak and convinced them it was a good idea. As I hope you know, I agree with your stance on the City Council divide, and I've also been quite outspoken about the fact that the Worcester Democratic City Committee, run by Rose, has done basically nothing to stop the incursion of MAGA office holders on the council and school committee (just like the state party has done essentially zilch as MAGAs take over our towns).
But I strongly believe in making common cause to fight a greater enemy who threatens our very existence, so that we can live to fight with each other another day. Like today and every Tuesday night. The Worcester DCC is on the same side of the battle against Trump, and we need the more conservative Democrats on it to stand up and be heard. (There are some strong progressives in the ward committees, but they don't have power.) We need everyone we can get. And we need them to take action.
Unseen by many people that day was the woman who came into the stage area and tried to yell down Etel Haxhiaj, who was speaking about Palestine. And the man who physically tried to force his way past Mysti to stop Etel, and a third man who just wanted to get to the mic, who was finally restrained and removed from the area by several people.
It's important to remember that this protest and the several others this year at City Hall were not organized by any professional group, or any group at all. It was individual people who stepped up to create the rallies, with online backing but no monetary support from Indivisible Worcester, and in the latest case also from the GAIN Indivisible group in Northboro.
But in reality the hard work was done by a couple of people, learning as they go. They deserve a lot of credit.
As you’ve been saying, Bill, with a thousand additional voters, we could change Worcester government. The same at the state level. At this moment when our nation, our democracy and civil society are being torn apart by billionaires intent on making us their serfs, it is inexcusable for any elected official not to show up and pledge to fight for the people and the nation.
Our job now is to unseat every one of them- from city council members, to mayors like Joe Petty, to Congress members and even our governor. Shame on Gov Healey for failing to recognize a true Constitutional crisis and not be the progressive leader we need. Playing safe, hedging bets, not wishing to offend. We’ll end up in the same authoritarian state whether we fight or acquiesce. By fighting, at least we have a chance the outcome.
Progressive Mass, Progressive Dems, Our Revolution Mass- we need to unite, run progressive candidates and take over local and state government to mount a true resistance and protect the commonwealth. We are Massachusetts! The spirit of America. The cradle of liberty. Boston Tea Party. Boston Proud. The Shay’s Rebellion. Not the milquetoast, risk-averse, don’t offend the billionaires corporate democrats who are in power in our state. Overthrow them and elect New Democrats.
that's exactly right. 1k more voters and we seal it. That's a TON of work though. Gotta hustle
There were "overpass" demonstrations at 3 overpasses of 290. The amount of honking & waving & and sign-holding was inspirational.
Oh interesting I didn’t know that! That’s awesome
Weirdly, we didn't hear about the City Hall demo until the day before...
Thanks for the great article on the protest. I was not the organizer but I did give some advice and help to the two women who worked very, very hard on it: Corry Root and Mysti Green. I asked Sean Rose to speak and convinced them it was a good idea. As I hope you know, I agree with your stance on the City Council divide, and I've also been quite outspoken about the fact that the Worcester Democratic City Committee, run by Rose, has done basically nothing to stop the incursion of MAGA office holders on the council and school committee (just like the state party has done essentially zilch as MAGAs take over our towns).
But I strongly believe in making common cause to fight a greater enemy who threatens our very existence, so that we can live to fight with each other another day. Like today and every Tuesday night. The Worcester DCC is on the same side of the battle against Trump, and we need the more conservative Democrats on it to stand up and be heard. (There are some strong progressives in the ward committees, but they don't have power.) We need everyone we can get. And we need them to take action.
Unseen by many people that day was the woman who came into the stage area and tried to yell down Etel Haxhiaj, who was speaking about Palestine. And the man who physically tried to force his way past Mysti to stop Etel, and a third man who just wanted to get to the mic, who was finally restrained and removed from the area by several people.
It's important to remember that this protest and the several others this year at City Hall were not organized by any professional group, or any group at all. It was individual people who stepped up to create the rallies, with online backing but no monetary support from Indivisible Worcester, and in the latest case also from the GAIN Indivisible group in Northboro.
But in reality the hard work was done by a couple of people, learning as they go. They deserve a lot of credit.
Was there any mention of Rümeysa Öztürk or students losing legal status who have expressed pro Palestinian opinions?
Yeah Etel and McGovern off the top of my head. Have a few lines set aside for my post im putting up today
Sean Ryder, who is a professor at UMass Med, definitely also brought it up and generally gave a really great speech