Category: civil rights

‘Literacy For Justice’ Program Remembers Rev. King At Memorial Wreath Laying

"The rights he dedicated his life to are under threat." By John McNamara A wintry mix outside forced the organizers of the memorial wreath laying for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. inside on Saturday April 12th to mark the anniversary of the assassination of the civil rights leader on April 4, 1968. The "Literacy … Continue reading ‘Literacy For Justice’ Program Remembers Rev. King At Memorial Wreath Laying

Remembering April 4, 1968 In 2022

By John McNamara On Saturday, April 2nd the City will observe the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr with a 10 a.m. program at Smalley Elementary School that will be followed by wreath laying at MLK Park hosted by the Mary McLeod Bethune Club at 12 noon.  Anyone of age in 1968 probably … Continue reading Remembering April 4, 1968 In 2022

Four Ways to Fight Racism in Your Town

Commentary courtesy of Otherwords.org Spontaneous, peaceful protests have been occurring in New Britain over the murder of George Floyd and systemic police violence.  A rare 15 to 0 Common Council vote declared "racism is a public health crisis." The movement is ramping up the pressure for a Civilian Review Board and changes in city government … Continue reading Four Ways to Fight Racism in Your Town

Remembering April 4, 1968

By John McNamara I remember exactly where I was on April 4, 1968. That sunny and warm Thursday,  like many others in my senior year in high school, I drove to Bradlee’s Department store on the Lynnway in Lynn, Massachusetts after school to punch in for the evening shift, earning some money before entering Boston … Continue reading Remembering April 4, 1968

New Britain Election Postscript: “If Trump wins will I have to leave the country?”

"If Trump wins will I have to leave the country?" The question was asked of me by a Holmes School student when I was leaving the Masjid Al Taqwa mosque on Arch Street on a Sunday evening in August. It didn't matter that the 5th grader has probably lived in New Britain all his life … Continue reading New Britain Election Postscript: “If Trump wins will I have to leave the country?”

Remembering 4/4/1968: 48 Years Ago On Monday

By John McNamara So far the campaign of 2016 -- thanks mainly to Donald Trump and his cohorts in the GOP field --is a disturbing reminder that any progress achieved on civil and voting rights made over the last 60 years is threatened.  The Supreme Court's recent ruling weakening provisions of the landmark Voting Rights … Continue reading Remembering 4/4/1968: 48 Years Ago On Monday

City Hall Watch: Rep. Sanchez Condemns Charter Change Eliminating City Council Districts

    By John McNamara The Common Council is set to create a Charter Commission at its February 10th meeting to consider sweeping changes in municipal government at the behest of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart. The Stewart administration, taking advantage of a Republican Council majority, seeks to eliminate neighborhood representation on the city council in … Continue reading City Hall Watch: Rep. Sanchez Condemns Charter Change Eliminating City Council Districts

Remembering Rev. King and 4/4/68 at MLK Park Monument

New Britain's Mary McLeod Bethune Club (MMBC) observed the anniversary of the assassination of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 5th -- a memorial  event  club members have organized for most of the 46 years since the civil rights leader was killed in Memphis on April 4, 1968. CCSU Anthropology Professor, Dr Evelyn … Continue reading Remembering Rev. King and 4/4/68 at MLK Park Monument

Tim O’Brien: A Call To Renew Rev. King’s Work For Economic Justice

 By Tim O'BrienThis weekend, our nation, state and communities celebrate and remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments. It is a time when I have always felt inspired by his work, as a leader, and by the movement that he embodies. No Martin Luther King Day passes without me feeling emboldened … Continue reading Tim O’Brien: A Call To Renew Rev. King’s Work For Economic Justice

Remembering The March and Speech From the "Global Village"

The March for Jobs and Freedom culminating in the "Dream" speech that occurred 50 years ago today stirred the social consciences of many more than the 250,000 who were on the Washington mall that hot summer day in Washington, D.C.All of us who are old enough have no business remembering where we were on that … Continue reading Remembering The March and Speech From the "Global Village"