Category: Legislation and Policy - Page 11 - Massachusetts Peace Action

Members and supporters of Black Lives Matter Cambridge march through Central Square, following a community meeting July 29, 2016. Wicked Local Staff Photo / Sam Goresh.

The Cambridge Police Department Should Demilitarize

February 16, 2021 Andrew King

In the wake of nationwide protests last year of police violence against communities of color, some municipalities in Massachusetts have begun to tackle police reform. Two Cambridge city councilors, Quinton Zondervan and Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, have led hearings about militarization of the city’s police department. The […]

Massachusetts Moves to Change its Racist State Flag

February 15, 2021 David Detmold

by David Detmold After 36 years of delay, the Massachusetts legislature has finally taken a significant step toward changing the racist, insulting imagery and wording of the state’s flag and seal. Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill into law on January 11 that paves […]

Biden Vows to End US Support for Saudi-Led War on Yemen

February 14, 2021 Brian Garvey

by Brian Garvey In his first major foreign policy address, President Joe Biden on Feb. 4 declared his commitment to “end the war in Yemen,” which he called a “humanitarian and strategic catastrophe.” The president announced that the US would stop assisting all “offensive […]

Peace & Justice Bills Filed in State Legislature

February 14, 2021 Alec Neilly

by Jonathan King, Cole Harrison, and Alec Neilly The Massachusetts Peace and Justice Network has again partnered with progressive legislators to develop seven bills that were filed in the Mass. Legislature in January and February, the beginning of a new, two-year legislative session. […]

Taxpayers’ Right to Know

January 27, 2021 Alec Neilly

Taxpayers’ Right to Know AN ACT PROVIDING FEDERAL AND STATE BUDGET INFORMATION TO RESIDENTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH This act would send residents of Massachusetts annual reports detailing the total amount of income tax paid to the state and federal governments and what that money was […]

Travel Conflict of Interest

January 25, 2021 Alec Neilly

Travel Conflict of Interest (H.3240) A MEASURE TO REDUCE THE INFLUENCE OF MONEY IN STATE POLITICS This act would ban state legislators from accepting all expenses paid trips from lobbying interests, a current loophole in anti-corruption legislation. Assigned to Committee: State Administration & Regulatory Oversight […]

Divest from the Yemen War

January 23, 2021 Alec Neilly

Divestment from the Yemen War (S.1735 / H.2636) AN ACT RELATIVE TO PENSION DIVESTMENT FROM COMPANIES SELLING WEAPONS TO THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA This act would divest Massachusetts state pension funds from companies selling weapons to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and thus supporting the […]