Dear Neighbor,
Happy Independence Day!
(John Oliver says that the most celebrated secular holiday around the world is Independence Day from England.)
Today in Person: Reading Frederick Douglass Together
Today, July 4, noon to 3 pm, you're invited to join in reading Frederick Douglass' speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? at the Royall House & Slave Quarters, 15 George St. in Medford.
If you're trying to celebrate while staying cool, I recommend these for your viewing:
Robert Reich's reading of the Declaration of Independence
Reich says, "The Grievances against George III are also what Trump should be held accountable for." In period dress, his reading of the Declaration is accompanied by images of current examples of grievances against an aspiring dictator. You can read it yourself here.
Ken Burns' PBS series on the American Revolution
It's really worth watching all six 2-hour episodes. I didn't know about the Black and Native people who served in the continental army, or the roles of women in supporting the troops. Nor did I realize how many of the leaders of the revolution were motivated by the desire for western expansion into Native land.
Video of the original press printing copies of the Declaration
Rep. Sean Garballey of Arlington and Medford is co-chair of Massachusetts' Special Commission on 250th Anniversary Celebration of the American Revolution. He and other members of the legislature delivered copies of the Declaration to the 350 cities and towns in Massachusetts. The copies were made on the actual press used by Ezekial Russell of Salem to print copies which were sent to every parish in Massachusetts in 1776 to be read from the pulpits. Rep. Garballey shared this video of the press making copies this year.
Special note: Rep. Garballey will be reading his original poem at the Boston Pops Firework Spectacular!
Reps. Sean Garballey, Christine Barber, and Paul Donato and I delivered a copy to Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn in Medford. Rep. Barber and I gave one to Mayor Jake Wilson in Somerville.
CANDIDATES FORUMS FOR SECOND MIDDLESEX SENATE DISTRICT
On Tuesday, July 7, 6-8 pm, at the Medford Public Library and online, this forum is sponsored by Medford for Palestine, Mystic Mashup Indivisible, NAACP Mystic Valley Branch, Our Revolution Medford and Safe Medford. Register for in person or online attendance here.
On Thursday, July 16, 7-9 pm, at Somerville High School, this forum is sponsored by Union Square Neighborhood Council, Neighbors in Action, Gilman Square Neighborhood Council, Davis Square Neighborhood Council, Somerville Community Corporation, Somerville Stands Together, and the Somerville Community Land Trust. Register for in person or online attendance and submit questions here.
Stay cool, stay active, stay in touch,
Pat Jehlen