First, a big THANK YOU to Lillian and Abigail for writing the content for this email. I am tremendously grateful!
It was clear from our tabling event at the North Adams Downtown Celebration that North Adams is all-in for the Fair Share Amendment (FSA). Almost everyone we spoke to was in support of taxing millionaires to pay for our schools and education. Our main job will be spreading the word to make sure that people know the FSA is on the ballot. Stay tuned - we will be organizing some more events to get the word out.
TWO IMPORTANT ACTIONS:
1. WE ENCOURAGE YOU AND YOUR NETWORK TO JOIN THE MASS MOCA STRIKE THIS FRI (DETAILS BELOW)
2. PLEASE VOTE ON WHETHER TO ENDORSE MEMBER MICHAEL LAVERY FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (SEE BELOW)
1. We hope to see everyone in North Adams again this Friday, August 19 - this time to support the workers at Mass MoCAin the one day strike.
In April 2021, Mass MoCA workers voted to form a union. However, after more than a year, management has not come to the bargaining table in good faith. They have failed to agree to a fair contract. That is why Mass MoCA workers voted overwhelmingly (96%!) to go on a 1 day strike - this Friday, August 19, 8am - 6pm!
Three big things we can do to support:
Come out to the picket line. Friday, August 19, 8am - 6pm.
Make sure no one crosses the picket line! Share Mass MoCA Union’s posts on social media and tell your friends to respect the Mass MoCa workers’ power.
Donate to the strike fund.
Hope to see you all this Friday!
2. Michael Lavery, our chapter’s former Communications Chair, is running for Third Berkshire State Representative on the Green-Rainbow Party ticket. He is on the ballot for November 8th, 2022. The incumbent is William "Smitty" Pignatelli. Our chapter is voting on whether to give Mike our endorsement. Please take a few seconds to vote here: https://forms.gle/jdrF3jKCKJh495VM7
To clarify: a few weeks ago, Mike posted on his Facebook that he had received the Berkshires DSA chapter endorsement. He had requested the endorsement but not yet received it; endorsement can only be granted by a vote. He has since apologized to the chapter, stating that he misunderstood the process.
The following is Mike’s platform in his own words. Please check out his website https://www.michaellavery.com for more information.
· Mike is a fourteen-year DSA member and has served one term as Communications Chair. He is currently seated as a Select Board member in the Town of Becket, having been elected in 2017 and reelected in 2020 for a second term. As a Select Board Member Mike championed Green Energy and the environment by spearheading a grant application and free installation of four EV charging stations at the Becket Town Hall. He also won a grant from the Community Preservation Committee to create a hiking trail from unused town land. The project was completed and opened officially in June 2022. He also put forth a bylaws change to make single-use plastic bags banned for stores and businesses in town.
· As a State Representative Mike has pledged to vote for transparency and openness in the Congressional State House. His opponent has voted twice to not allow public recording of the votes in the State House. Mike has signed the Act On Mass "Voters Deserve to Know" pledge - https://actonmass.org/pledge/ .
· He supports the Fair Share Amendment and would like to earmark the monies provided by the ballot measure to green-energy initiatives like EV Buses and Solar panels on School buildings.
· Mike would vote to decriminalize small personal use amounts of drugs. Starting with decriminalizing entheogenic drugs that have shown promise for PTSD and depression treatment, like psilocybin "magic mushrooms". Similar legislation has been passed at the city level in Somerville, Cambridge, Easthampton and Northampton.
· Mike supports same-day voting, something that his opponent has voted against.
· Mike supports Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and BDS to limit the Israeli incursions.
· Mike is a proponent of using police budget funds to hire more Social worker and Mental health specialists to work as co-responders with the police. Mike is a proponent of demilitarization of the police.
