The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:
Resistance and Inspiration is the theme of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment’s 47 th Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner that will take place on Sunday, May 31 at the First Parish of Watertown at 35 Church St. in Watertown. The potluck will begin at 5 p.m. and our program will begin at 6:15 p.m.
Watertown Citizens members and supporters came together last year to build community and support each other in difficult times. The challenges we faced then have only grown – increasing attacks on our civil liberties and on immigrant and marginalized communities; continuing cuts in funding for basic needs – affordable housing, healthcare, and education; destruction of environmental protections and the expansion of fossil fuels; and unabetted illegal military actions causing death and injury to hundreds of thousands. Fortunately, the past year has also been marked by larger and larger mass demonstrations throughout the country, at state houses, and in local communities.
So, what might be the future direction of resistance and inspiration? Our guest speaker, labor historian and author, Jeremy Brecher will address the question by sharing his idea of how a General Strike can be transformed into a National Social Strike. Harris Gruman, Executive Director of SEIU Mass. State Council, and Eileen Ryan, a local leader and artist with Indivisible Progressive Watertown, will respond to Mr. Brecher as well as offer their own perspectives on future directions. This is will be a stimulating conversation and there will be plenty of time for everyone to contribute to this important discussion.
The meeting will also include moment of a remembrance and appreciation for Henrietta Light, a long-time active member of the organization and a lead organizer of our twice a year Garden Friendly Tour. Henrietta died in early May. We will elect our Steering Committee and we will hear about the great work of our four Working Groups – Watertown Faces Climate Change, Watertown Pigsgusset Initiative, Watertown Refugee Support Group, and Peace and Common Security.
The Annual Meeting is also the only time we ask for financial support to sustain our program work and cover our organization-wide operational costs. Please use the QR code to make a donation. You can also visit https://watertowncitizens.org/donate/.
You can make either a non-tax deductible or a tax-deductible donation. Please join us as we celebrate 47 years of work for peace, justice and the environment and please bring something to add to the potluck!