Marblehead League of Women Voters Observer Corps
Observer Corps Reports are provided by volunteers from the Marblehead League of Women Voters. To learn more about the League and its activities, see my.lwv.org/massachusetts/marblehead.
BOARD: Task Force Against Discrimination
DATE: Jan. 12
LWV OBSERVER: Shari Pressman
Antisemitic graffiti
TFAD was represented at a rally for pride and solidarity earlier in the evening on Jan. 12 at the gazebo at Linscott Park in Swampscott because a swastika had been graffitied on Redington Street. An estimated 100 people, including local clergy and officials and lay leaders, attended in the rain to condemn hate and foster a welcoming community for everyone.
Member Reece Dahlberg read her and Chris Bruell’s statement, published in local media, about the incident at Club Q in Colorado Springs.
Holocaust Remembrance Day
Holocaust Remembrance Day, created almost 20 years ago to commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945, will be observed twice on Friday, Jan. 27.
A gathering at Abbot Hall will be held at noon.
On Friday, Jan, 27, Temple Emanuel, 393 Atlantic Ave., and Rabbi David Meyer will host Moses Grader, Select Board chair, who will read a proclamation honoring the anniversary. Community members will be present. The service begins at 6 p.m. and welcomes the public.
Vacation Book Read
Diane Gora reported that there had been no incidents in the schools. She reported that early elementary schools had received books about METCO.
Natalie Belli, a sixth-grade teacher at Village School, suggested the book “Stamped” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds for the February Vacation Book Read. Students would read the Young Adult edition of the book, which Belli thought is appropriate for Grade 6 and lower. Dahlberg and Bruell will work to get copies of the book to school media specialists. Copper Dog Book Store on Cabot Street in Beverly also works with Marblehead schools. The title and project received unanimous approval from TFAD members.
Funding request to Select Board
Joe Whipple and Candice Sliney sent a letter to the Select Board on Jan. 6. At the time of the meeting, they hadn’t yet received a response.
In his letter, Whipple noted that TFAD has been a town-appointed committee since 1989 but has never received funding. The Task Force has sponsored or cooperated with and financially contributed to other organizations to hold events for Indigenous People’s Day, Juneteenth, Pride Month, MLK Day, Community Book Reads, authors and speakers on DEI and an information booth at the Farmers’ Market. This year, they will include Holocaust Remembrance Day.
TFAD incurs printing, purchasing and advertising expenses for these events. Currently, they reach out for donations from businesses and individuals to support the events. Whipple and Sliney requested a meeting with members of the Select Board to discuss the request.
Student reps sought
TFAD is seeking two student representatives. Those students who would like to serve should submit a letter of interest.
Conversations on race
Louis Meyi from the Marblehead Racial Justice Team spoke about the ongoing “Conversations on Race” series. On Monday evening, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., Executive Director Doneeca Thurston, Iris Kimber and Tara Agaba from Lynn Museum will present a program on “Untold Stories: A History of Black People in Lynn.” The program is hybrid. For further information, see marbleheadmuseum.org.
Festival presence
TFAD will investigate participating in Marblehead Festival of Arts’ proposed Main Street Boost for town organizations this summer.
