Legislative Action

We welcome back with open arms this engaging and celebrated Palestinian scientist, lecturer and activist. We thank our co-sponsors for hosting this event with us, as part of our 100th Anniversary Celebration.

Qumsiyeh will discuss the historical and geopolitical context on how we arrived at the junction where even climate change conferences end in admitted failure, conflicts rage in the Arab World, elite populists (Trump, Modi, Netanyahu) run powerful countries, and people follow like lemmings to the cliff. He articulates actions of mitigation and adaptation.

(No 11:00 AM Service)

We will discuss mass incarceration and the work that Black and Pink does to fight back for LGBTQ people. We will then focus on how incarceration impacts the LGBTQ community and the unique challenges we face behind bars and in returning to the community.

Reintroducing Helen Keller as Pacifist, Socialist, Suffragist and radical thinker of her times. The sculpture exhibit and talk will focus on two questions that relate to Keller and Anne Sullivan, her teacher and mentor: What did your teacher help you see that was once invisible?  What did your teacher help you hear that was once silent? Presentation will include short film clips and audio recordings.

• Lewis Randa is the Director of the Life Experience School which has offered a unique peace program for its students with disabilities since its establishment in 1972.

• Tom Pacheco’s songs have been covered by Jefferson Starship, the Band, Rick Danko, Richie Havens, Scott Petito and Leslie Ritter, John Hall and dozens of European artists, many becoming number one hits in England and Norway. His albums have sold well in Europe. One became platinum in the mid 90’s. He played folk rock in Greenwich Village, NY in the lat 60’s and alternative country in Austin Texas in the early 80’s. He walked out on the Nashville songwriting factories and spent 10 years in Dublin Ireland recording and touring extensively in Europe.

Oil Palm, Land Grabbing, Climate Induced Migration and Xenophobia. The ubiquitous Oil Palm: The the oil palm industry devastated forest and endangered species, and has greatly impacted the well-being of indigenous people across the globe. Its production accounts for about 9 percent of all tropical forest emission. This presentation will be an informative discussion about the underlying devastation of climate change in the Oil Palm industry and the impact on the environment.

You’ll be introduced to the great scientist’s principled stand against injustice and the price he paid for his unwavering devotion to humanity. The performance will begin with a brief recap of his stunning scientific breakthrough in 1919 when his general theory of relativity was confirmed. News of his triumph brought him worldwide acclaim and the status of a “superstar” in the eyes of the public.

The longer we keep people behind bars, the more we continue to fuel the engine of mass incarceration. Why then, is Massachusetts not paroling more people and supporting them to stay out of prison? What are the ways we could improve our ailing parole system? We must demand that more men and women serve the remainder of time in their communities?

“Stop the Next War Now:
Speaking Truth About Power in a Permanent Warfare State”
with Kathy Kelly

Drawing from experiences living alongside Afghans in the Afghan Peace Volunteer community and from recent studies regarding U.S. complicity with human rights violations and war in Yemen, Kathy will assert that one way to stop a “next” war is to continue telling the truth about wars the U.S. is already waging.

The nightmare at the US’ southern border–thousands of stranded asylum seekers, detention camps for migrants, and a border patrol on the rampage–
is a horrifying slice of a global problem. Wars, economic disaster, and environmental devastation are displacing people all around the world. The US and
other states respond with violence, but we must build solidarity.

Due to inclement weather this program has been postponed until April.

Using Ntozoke Shange’s "Spell #7", Talib Kweli’s "For Women", Arthur Jafa’s "Love is the Message, the Message is Death" and Dr. King’s "Letter from Birmingham a Jail", this sermonette explores the relationship between identity reclamation, liberation, and resistance.

Addressing the environmental crisis is inseparable from working to build socialism. This presentation is based upon Victor Wallis’s new book, Red-Green Revolution:
The Politics and Technology of Ecosocialism and will focus on re-assessing human needs, identifying requisite technologies & institutional structures,
and exploring ways to link environmental activism with other progressive struggles.