Massachusetts
Antisemitism education amendment passed in Massachusetts
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – As the Massachusetts Senate continues to debate their budget bill, an amendment to combat antisemitism passed last night.
We spoke with Senator John Velis, and he told us it was an emotional night in State House as many of his Jewish colleagues shared their experiences with antisemitism. He believes requiring the state to come up with a curriculum to educate students and teachers on the vast history of antisemitism is a step in the right direction. Especially as the number of antisemitic instances are on the rise here in the Commonwealth.
Longmeadow parent Shelley Barron told us, “My involvement was really catalyzed by, there was an incident where there was a swastika found on a whiteboard in Longmeadow High School seen by the child of a friend of mine and by our child, so that was very distressing for many of us here in the Longmeadow and kind of the Lower Valley Jewish community.
Shelley Barron is a parent of a 1st grader at Blueberry Hill Elementary School in Longmeadow. As a Jewish mom raising Jewish children, she told us she’s noticed an uptick in antisemitic biases, especially since October 7th when the Israel-Hamas war officially ignited.
This uptick in hatred here in western Mass is what has led her to become an advocate for educating students and the public on the harm of antisemitism, and now an amendment to the state senate budget introduced by Senator John Velis would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to come up with a curriculum to educate students and teachers on antisemitism both historically and beyond. It passed 40 to 0 on Wednesday night.
Velis explained, “I’ve had a lot of meetings recently. I should say with constituents telling me about their kids, kids eight years old, just young young, young telling me about how their loved one, their child, their grandson, granddaughter is embarrassed to say, sad to say, scared to say that they’re Jewish.”
From vandalism to physical assault and verbal harassment, Senator Velis told us antisemitism in our state has gone up over 100%.
To put that in perspective, only 3 percent of our state’s population is Jewish, meanwhile, that small group of our population is on the receiving end of over 60% of all hate crimes that occur in Massachusetts.
Senator Velis added there are five states with 50% of Jewish hate and antisemitism in the U.S. and Massachusetts is among those five.
These alarming numbers are why the senate is working to lend a hand to our Jewish residents and find the root cause of this severe hatred.
Barron added, “I think it’s actually really important to integrate age appropriate curriculum to create safer schools for all children.”
CEO of the Jewish Federation of Western Mass told us there is a lack of understanding by many administrations and officials on what truly qualifies as an act of antisemitism, and they are noticing a lot of hatred going unreported. Gorenstein feels this amendment could potentially help to target this issue.
“I hope that it will help our schools and communities better recognize and connect the dots when these small, isolated things actually happen that they are part of a bigger picture unfortunately and a framework that we want to be disrupting.”
The budget is being reviewed in the Senate as we speak, and once passed, it will then go to a conference committee to come up with a compromise bill with the house. Senator Velis is optimistic that this antisemitism education amendment will be included in the final draft. I did reach out to DESE as well as the Massachusetts Teachers Association for comment but haven’t yet heard back.
Copyright 2024. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.
Massachusetts
New Hampshire Fugitive Accused Of OUI, Crashing Stolen Vehicle In Massachusetts: Follow-Up
CONCORD, NH — Massachusetts State Police arrested a New Hampshire felon and fugitive after a drunken driving crash.
Cyril John Pocknett, 49, who was featured last week as the New Hampshire Department of Corrections fugitive of the week, wanted on a parole violation after a robbery conviction from 2011, was arrested Sunday by state police. He was charged with operating under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving with a suspended license. State police accused Pocknett of driving a vehicle out of Falmouth, MA. After a crash, troopers accused him of lying about his identity to elude arrest.
“Information and photos contained in the Fugitive of the Week bulletin helped police ascertain his true identity,” an updated alert stated.
Pocknett is being held in Massachusetts with officials there suggesting additional charges could be expected.
Assisting Mass. State Police were officers from the Falmouth and Mashpee police departments.
Pocknett was considered armed and dangerous due to a robbery conviction from February 2011, as well as other crimes. Investigators said he had “a history of substance misuse, resisting arrest, and possession of weapons.” Pocknett was released from prison in May and, after that, was accused of failing to report to his probation parole officer.
The New Hampshire Parole Board issued the warrant for his arrest. He had an arrest history from both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, with charges dating back to the early 1990s.
Massachusetts
4 Fireworks Shows In Worcester For July 4 In 2024
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester will begin a series of July 4 celebrations this week, starting with the city’s marquee family festival and fireworks at East Park on Friday.
The Independence Day season will continue on July 3 with a Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra concert and fireworks at Institute Park. The Worcester Red Sox will continue the team’s fireworks series after games at Polar Park on both July 4 and July 5.
The East Park July 4 celebration gets going around 4 p.m. Friday, with food and music to follow. Fireworks will go off beginning around 9:30 p.m.
There are a few nearby to help you mark Independence Day. Here’s a guide to what’s going on in the surrounding areas for 2024:
- Star & Stripes over Framingham, Farm Pond Park, 5 p.m., June 28
- Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, Charles River Esplanade, 8 p.m., July 4
- Milford July 4 Fireworks 2024, Fino Field, 9 p.m., July 5
- Uxbridge July 4 Fireworks, July 6, 9 p.m.
These days, Americans celebrate the birth of a new nation with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.
During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.
It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.
The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.
Massachusetts
July 4th 2024 Fireworks, Events Around North Andover
NORTH ANDOVER, MA — Independence Day is fast approaching so it’s time to find out where you can celebrate in and around North Andover. Area events include fireworks, festivals and other Fourth of July fun.
To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch has put together a guide to what’s going on in North Andover and the surrounding areas.
Today, Americans celebrate the birth of a new nation with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.
During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.
It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.
The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.
-
World1 week ago
Switzerland's massive security effort at the Ukraine peace conference
-
News1 week ago
Joe Biden, Barack Obama And Jimmy Kimmel Warn Of Another Donald Trump Term; Star-Filled L.A. Fundraiser Expected To Raise At Least $30 Million — Update
-
News1 week ago
It's easy to believe young voters could back Trump at young conservative conference
-
World1 week ago
Swiss summit demands 'territorial integrity' of Ukraine
-
World1 week ago
Protesters in Brussels march against right-wing ideology
-
World1 week ago
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 842
-
Politics1 week ago
Biden looks to capitalize on star-studded Hollywood fundraiser after Trump's massive cash haul in blue state
-
Politics1 week ago
Judge rules Missouri abortion ban did not aim to impose lawmakers' religious views on others