ORGANIZING NOTES
October 21, 2025
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A Ballott intitiative That Offers A False Hope
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Massachusetts voters are being asked to support a ballot initiative that would replace our current party-based primary system with a non-party primary system in which all candidates would contend, and only the top two would go on to the general election.
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This change would ensure that more elections would be contested, but it would not make our elections more democratic. Evidence from California and Washington, the two states that use this primary system, indicates that it favors candidates with the most funding. The top two system, unlike ranked choice voting, top two primaries does not improve the chances of independent grassroots candidates, as they rarely attract major funding. Don’t be fooled; don’t support the top two system that favors the wealthy while claiming to help the grassroots.
Evidence on this issue was recently collected by Harris Gruman. You can see it here.
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Project Esther is Coming to an Institution Near You
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Project Esther is a segment of Project 2025 that proposes to weaponize antisemitism and use it 1) bring colleges and universities under the control of the Trump administration and 2) destroy opposition groups. New York Times reporter Katie J.M. Baker revealed the nature of the Project. You can read her article here. Alternatively, you can watch and listen to Democracy Now’s interview with Baker.
Project Esther came to Massachusetts in the form of direct attacks on the leadership of Harvard and MIT. The attacks consisted of charges that the universities fostered antisemitism, endangering and oppressing Jews on these campuses. The Trump administration argues that it must control campus ideology and activities to protect Jews.
Similarly, the administration targets supporters of Palestine and opponents of Netenyahu’s genocide as illegal opponents of U.S. policy. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has launched a new sign-in letter opposing Trump’s extortion compact for higher ed that you could sign (and circulate),
In addition to the attacks on higher education there is a major effort in the Massachusetts legislature to use the Trump administration’s definitions of antisemitism as the foundation of a K-12 curriculum that would be required throughout the state. This plan is under development through a Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism. The Commission has members appointed by the Governor and the leaders of the House and Senate. It has already published it’s preliminary findings and recommendations and plans to complete its report by the end of November.
There is strong opposition to the Commission’s work, but more is needed if this off-shoot of Project Esther is to be defeated. A major organizer of this effort is Together for an Inclusive Massachusetts (TIM), composed of Jewish, Muslim, Arab, labor, education, student, civil rights and other organizations and individuals advocating for justice and equity in the Commonwealth. You can learn how to support their work. If you are Jewish and have not yet signed the “Massachusetts Jews Say Stop Weaponizing Our Identity” letter about the Special Commission, here’s your chance.
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Local Visibilities Schedule
Watch for rain cancellations here! But another good way to keep up with day to day and weekly changes is to join a Signal Group
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Boston Immigration Accompanimment Network
Sunday, November 23rd
4-5:30pm on zoom
both offered in English
BJAN phone lines have been overwhelmed. They need more volunteers who can offer a few hours per week to help answer phone and text messages. Orientation is needed before folks can volunteer. Please complete the registration form at this link: https://form.jotform.com/252358517564363
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“No Kings Day” on the Boston Commons
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On Saturday seven million of us, across our country, including 125,000 on the Boston Commons, with equally enthusiastic crowds in the smaller cities throughout the Commonwealth, turned out to celebrate “No Kings Day”, a day that dates back to the founding of our country. “A cradle of liberty..” declared Mayor Wu, …”in Boston every day is No Kings Day for the last 250 years.”
Millions of Americans protested peacefully with no reported arrests.
Indivisible reports “…” 2,700 small towns and big cities, on street corners in the heart of so-called “Trump country,” on overpasses and in historic plazas, people rose up in defense of their neighbors, their rights, and their democracy.”
However the legacy media are a little slow to produce accurate coverage; we all need to post our “No Kings Day” experiences in social media and letters to the editor with photos whenever possible.
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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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Please send requests for action items, articles or upcoming events
for the next Organizing Notes to
beccobrien.orma@gmail.com by Saturday, November 1st
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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