ORGANIZING NOTES
August 5, 2025
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Address Antisemitism Within an Antiracist, Solidarity Framework: Do Not Conflate Criticism of Israel with Anti-Semitism
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“The Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism”was authorized into MA state law through a budget amendment in August 2024. The Commission is tasked with making recommendations on how to prevent and respond to antisemitism. It is vitally important to address antisemitism within an antiracist, solidarity framework and ensure that the Commission does not conflate legally protected free speech criticizing Israel or teaching about Palestinian experience with antisemitism. In our current national context, where fights against antisemitism have been used as a pretext for dismantling civil liberties, it is crucial that Massachusetts takes a different path.
Together for an Inclusive Massachusetts (TIM) is a group of Jewish, Muslim, Arab, labor, education, student, civil rights and other organizations and individuals working to ensure MA policy makers address antisemitism using an antiracist, solidarity framework. TIM rejects partisan efforts to exclude Jewish people who are critical of Israel or to redefine antisemitism in a way that harms Palestinians.
Please lend your weight to TIM’s impact!
With the Commission’s recommendations coming out over the next few months, TIM needs all Massachusetts residents to urge their representatives to give critical attention to the work of the Commission. We can and must combat antisemitism—through a solidarity framework that recognizes the commonality between Jewish, Palestinian, Arab, Black, Brown and other marginalized communities—not through policies which may threaten our civil liberties, put our communities at risk, and further marginalize and isolate Palestinians and Jews.
Contact TIM for more information or to get involved at info@inclusivemassachusetts.org.”
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Anti-Zionism is Not Anti-Semitism
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Bill H1763 will make the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA) definition of antisemitism the official definition for Massachusetts. It is being used to condemn political speech criticizing Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank. If the IHRA definition becomes the official Massachusetts definition it will be harder for the state to defend universities and foreign students against attacks by the Trump administration. Please contact our state reps about this dangerous bill. Here is an example of a letter.
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Join One Million Rising to stop authoritarianism through people power. This 3-part training will equip you with a coordinated national strategy to organize locally, host community gatherings, and build a force bigger than fear. Sign up, show up, and take action together. Don’t worry of you were unable to make the first two trainings! You can catch up HERE
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Email your members of Congress now to urge them to cosponsor and support the Block the Bombs Act. If your representative is already sponsoring this crucial bill, you can use this tool to thank them and urge them to keep up the fight!
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Hello friends,
As you know, our beloved Franklin Park is under particular stress these days, If you’ve been into the park, it’s hard to miss the wasteland that was once White Stadium, or avoid the news about the ballooning costs. While we may not have stopped the bulldozers, we STILL have an opportunity to turn the tide and insist that a fully-public stadium for the schoolchildren and the community be built. To that end we have some fun opportunities for you to get out and make some good trouble by raising your voices:
WEEKLY STANDOUTS FOR FRANKLIN PARK
When: Starting THIS Monday, Aug. 4, from 4:30-6 PM and every Monday
Make your voices heard: Bring a poster, a drum, a musical instrument, a puppet or anything you think will catch attention. Also, bring a friend or three. Let’s have some fun while raising awareness.
Then, come to the….
COMMUNITY MEETING to learn about the NEW and revised, fully-public plan for White Stadium.
When: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 6:30-8:30 PM
Light refreshments will be served. Hosted by the Franklin Park Defenders.
We hope to see you at some or all of these events. Summer is a key opportunity for us to get out and advocate for Franklin Park. Thank you again for caring about this special place!
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Good things are happening! States erase medical debt, writers reclaim their work from artificial intelligence, a new bill aims to protect workers from excessive heat, and a global HIV relief program is spared. Last week Michigan and Arizona erased hundreds of millions in medical debt for working-class and low-income residents – the primary cause for personal bankruptcies in the United States. On July 16, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) announced that $429 million in medical debt had been erased for more that 352,000 Arizonans. Michigans Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) announced the next day that nearly 210,000 Michiganders will see more than $144 million in medical debt eliminated under the plan. Both states have partnered with thte donor-powered nonrpofit Undue Medical Debt, which acquires medical bills that have been sent to collections at discounted rates and forgives the charges. According to the organization each dollar donated them relieves $100 of medical debt.
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If you would like to work with ORMA Members on
- Climate Change
- Housing Justice
- Medicare for All
- Communications/InformationTechnology
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ORMA depends on your support to continue Bernie’s Political Revolution to create a society, a politics, and an economy that works for everyone, not just billionaires, corporations and the political elite.
If you value Organizing Notes and its twice a month distribution schedule, please make a donation to ensure its continued existence.
Invest in Change Now!
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Please send requests for action items, articles or upcoming events
for the next Organizing Notes to
beccobrien.orma@gmail.com by Saturday, August 16th
We’d love to have you send us your favorite pictures of Bernie here in MA!
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Campaigns End, Movements Endure
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