Watertown Group Screening Palestinian Film on July 12

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

The Palestine Committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment is offering a series of documentary and feature films that explores the history and culture of the Palestinian people and provides a picture of their life under Israeli occupation. Our upcoming film is “Gaza Fights for Freedom.” “Gaza Fights for Freedom” (2019) is the underground classic by journalist Abby Martin documenting the heroic Great March of Return weekly protests that began in 2018. It features exclusive on-the-ground footage of demonstrations where hundreds of unarmed civilians were killed by Israeli snipers and first-had accounts from victims, journalists, and medics. It serves as a legal and journalistic indictment of the Israeli military for war crimes.

Resistance and Inspiration — Watertown Citizens’ Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner

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.

Watertown Group Hosting Jewish Voices Critique the Antisemitism Commission

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment:

The Palestine Committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment is sponsoring an important educational program on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., Watertown. The Massachusetts Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism released its policy recommendations in December 2025 affecting K-12 and Higher Education, Public Safety and Law Enforcement and the Workforce. The Commission’s composition, processes and procedures, and recommendations have been criticized by many Jewish leaders and allies. Their critique centers on the fact that the Commission fails to fully or accurately address anti-semitism and puts free speech at risk. Come learn more!

Watertown Group Hosting May Screening in Palestinian Film Series

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment:

The Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment will be showing the film PALESTINE 1920: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PALESTINIAN STORY produced by Al Jazeera Arabic in 1922. Please join us for a post film discussion led by Hani Murad, a Palestinian American. The Palestine Committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment is offering a series of documentary and feature films that explores the history and culture of the Palestinian people and provides a picture of their life under Israeli occupation. “Palestine 1920” relies on historical research, witness accounts and archival material to challenge the notion that Palestinian-Jewish relationship in the early 20th century reflected “a land without a people and a people without a land.”

Our work is supported, in part, by Survival Education Fund, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY MAY 10. 2026

TIME: 6:30 p.m.

LOCATION: The Church of the Good Shepherd, 

                    9 Russell Ave, Watertown, MA 02472

ADMISSION: Free

MORE INFORMATION: watertowncitizens@gmail.com

* The church is located at the corner of Russell Ave & Mt.

Japanese A-bomb Survivors Appearing in Watertown During Visit to the Boston Area

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment:

Japanese A-bomb survivors, who have transformed their excruciating physical and emotional wounds into the world’s strongest force for nuclear weapons abolition, are coming to the Boston area to help us reinvigorate our movement. The delegation, which includes Hiroshi Kanamoto, Yoshinori Ohmura, and Yayoi Tsuchida, will have recently participated in meetings for the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations. 

We face unprecedented times on the world stage with the risk of the use of nuclear weapons and the potential for a nuclear accident increasing daily. With the end of long-established nuclear treaties between the U.S. and Russia, the absence of any confidence building dialogues among the nine nuclear nations, and the consideration of non-nuclear nations to acquire nuclear capability, we must do whatever we can to move the goal of nuclear disarmament forward. 

Come learn from those who have experienced the nuclear attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 and its consequences and those who are leading the nuclear disarmament efforts in Japan. Our guests are Hirosi Kanamoto the Assistant Secretary General of Nihon Hidankyo, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize recipient organization, Yoshinori Ohmura a second generation Hibakusha and a leading figure in Nihon Hidankyo, and Yayoi Tsuchida the Assistant Secretary General of Gensuikyo, the Japan Council against A- & H-Bombs. Organized by Dr. Joseph Gerson, a long-time resident of Watertown and the Executive Director of the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security, the delegation will join nuclear disarmament activists at events in Cambridge on May 3, in Bridgewater on May 4, and in Worcester on May 5. Special note about the Cambridge event: People will be welcome at 1991 Massachusetts Avenue beginning at 2 p.m. You can register for any of the three events at https://cpdcs.org/events/join-japanese-a-bomb-survivors-massachusetts-disarmament-activists/

Intimate Gathering with the Delegation

There will be a special gathering with the delegation in Watertown on Sunday, May 3 at 11 a.m. at the home of Dr. Joseph Gerson and Lani Gerson at 4 Washburn Street in Watertown Please RSVP to watertowncitizens.org. 

This event is being sponsored by the Nuclear Disarmament Committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment. We hope that you will join us for an intimate opportunity to learn from and share with the members of the delegation. The Nuclear Disarmament Committee organized the Citizen Petition in support of a Nuclear Disarmament Resolution to the City Council in February. While the Council defeated the Resolution 4-5, organizing the effort provided an important opportunity engage with Watertown Citizens about the dangers of nuclear war and the need for nuclear disarmament. 

Watertown High School Student Voices Heard at Recent Community Discussion

The following piece was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

On April 8, seven Watertown High School students engaged in lively discussions with the community at the Watertown Free Public Library. Sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment (WCPJE). Student Voices and Conversation brought together City Councilors, School Committee members, and the general public to hear what is on the minds of local students. Students helped to develop and plan the evening’s structure and led all of the discussions. The event focused on dialogue about what is working for students in Watertown as well as what can be improved. Key questions included “What challenges/issues/concerns are young people facing in Watertown,” “What do students want community members to know about youth today?”

Watertown Group Hosting Pair of Palestinian-Focused Films

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment:

The Palestine Committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment is this year offering a series of documentary and feature films that explores the history and culture of the Palestinian people and provides a picture of their life under Israeli occupation. Showings are scheduled through December on the second Sunday of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Avenue, Watertown. A discussion will follow the presentation. Admission is free, and the church has a wheel-chair accessible entrance and restrooms. Contact watertowncitizens@gmail.com for more information. Please note that earlier film showings took place at 6 p.m. These films and future films will begin at 6:30 p.m. The April and May offerings are as follows:

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 at 6:30 PM: “THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB”

Written and directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” a docudrama, was first presented in September 2025 at the Venice International Film Festival.

Hear High Schoolers’ Perspectives & Experiences at Community Forum

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

Come engage with students from Watertown High School in a community forum focusing on student perspectives and experiences. Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will be featuring student voices at our next quarterly meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 8th from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank room at the Watertown Free Public Library.  

The forum’s focus is to promote dialogue between high school students and community members. Students will highlight what is working for them in Watertown as well as what can be improved. The key question is “How can adults in Watertown support our youth?” Other questions that will be addressed include: What challenges/issues/concerns are young people facing in Watertown? How does Watertown provide support for young people? What do you want community members to know about youth today?  

Participants will be able to engage with students in small discussion groups. Community members are encouraged to register in advance and to include any questions for the students with your registration. Registration is encouraged, not required. The evening is free and open to all interested community members. Refreshments will be served. Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment (WCPJE) is a non-profit, community-based organization that works to protect the environment, promote sound environmental practices, oppose war and aggression, cultivate peace and security, and advocate for social and economic justice. For more information about WCPJE visit our website: https://watertowncitizens.org/.