Join us Monday, Jan.30, at 11:30 am in the State House 4th floor cafe (NEW LOCATION) for a
citizen's lobby day.
Dear friends,
The first days of the Trump administration have been as dire as
anyone could have imagined - with Executive Orders attacking Muslims, Arabs,
immigrants, and refugees expected today on top of attacks on women and
indigenous people.
Our resistance must continue nationally and locally - and today we
have a real chance to defeat a piece of Trump's agenda right here in
Massachusetts.
State Senator Creem of Newton and Representative Paul McMurtry of
Dedham have filed a legislation that would attack free speech and nonviolent
protest - the exact last thing we need in the Trump era. Creem and McMurtry's
bills, SD.922 and HD.779, are framed as anti-discrimination legislation. But in
reality they would penalize supporters of the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment,
and Sanctions (BDS) movement for justice, as well as other social movements
that employ time-honored tactics of nonviolent economic pressure. If Creem and
McMurtry had introduced this bill in 1975, it would have made activism against
South African Apartheid substantially more difficult.
This isn’t just about our state house. This is not just a
formality or an isolated attack. It's not even just about Palestine.
This bill is a piece of a coordinated right-wing attack on our
right to organize for justice, period. As Trump and Republican lawmakers
attempt to criminalize dissent in Washington, we will not allow free speech
suppression in Massachusetts. With so many people taking to the streets right
now fighting for justice, equity, and democracy, it’s more important than ever
to resist any and all attacks on our movements.
That’s why we and the Massachusetts Freedom to Boycott Coalition
are standing up to defend our right to boycott in Massachusetts. Join us Monday, Jan.30, at 11:30 am
in the State House 4th floor
cafe (NEW LOCATION) for a citizen's lobby day.
We'll explain the anti-boycott legislation and why it's such bad
policy, and fan out to deliver information in person to each legislator.
In June and July, when Senator Creem and Rep. McMurtry tried to
slip anti-boycott amendments into the Economic Development Bill, we mobilized
so quickly that they withdrew their amendment on the
very same day
Our coalition can stop it again. But only with your support. Email and phone your legislators now
and ask that they oppose the bill.
Nearly 100 Massachusetts organizations have signed a statement
opposing any legislation that impedes the right to boycott. That includes
groups representing Muslims, Christians, Jews, American Indians, students,
professors, labor unions, lawyers, and LGBTQ communities; as well as advocates
on human rights, peace and justice, anti-racism, housing, criminal justice
reform, corporate accountability, civil liberties, and climate change.
Jewish Voice for Peace, the Boston Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine, and
Massachusetts Peace Action are working together as a team on this anti-boycott
legislation.
After you’ve emailed your legislators, please phone them and
spread the word. And come to the State House, 4th floor
cafe (NEW LOCATION), Monday at 11:30, for a citizen lobby
day. We need to act fast.
For Massachusetts Peace Action and its New Day for Israel and Palestine organizing
project.
For peace and justice,
Jeff Klein
Convener, Palestine/Israel Working Group
Convener, Palestine/Israel Working Group
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