Change the Massachusetts flag and seal! Ban the use of Native mascots!
400 years since the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, it is finally time for Massachusetts to reckon with its harmful and racist past.
S.2848 – the Flag and Seal bill – passed the Massachusetts Senate unanimously in July — now it’s time for the House to act! A majority of House members support the bill and are willing to vote YES if the House leadership will just bring it to up for a vote. You can help, now, by demanding that House leaders bring S.2848 forward. Now, today, send a message to House leadership to bring it to the floor!
The Massachusetts state flag and seal, which features a white hand holding a colonial broadsword over the head of a Native American, is a disgrace to the progressive values of our Commonwealth, an offense to Native people, and to everyone who upholds the value of racial justice for all. Tell your state representative and House leadership to change the flag now! They must vote before the end of December.
On Thursday, join United American Indians of New England for the 50th anniversary National Day of Mourning. An annual tradition since 1970, the Day of Mourning is a solemn, spiritual and highly political day. Many fast from sundown the day before through the afternoon of that day, mourning ancestors, the genocide of native peoples and the theft of their lands. The event take place at noon, at Cole’s Hill, Plymouth. More information here.
Then, on December 10, join UU Mass Action and Massachusetts Peace Action for an Advocacy Day for Progressive Legislation. From the Flag and Seal bill, to the Policing Reform and Racial Justice Bill, to important legislation on climate, protecting immigrant families, protecting homes and families, COVID emergency relief, and environmental justice — we need to push House leadership to bring key measures to a vote. Sign up by December 6 for Mass Peace Action’s advocacy day on December 10.