This is a critical moment for Together for an Inclusive Massachusetts. The inaugural meeting of the Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism is scheduled for Tuesday, October 29th at 1pm, and it’s essential that we show up in significant numbers. Our presence will emphasize the need for diverse voices to be recognized in shaping and executing the commission’s work.
We aim to make a statement by showing up with strength in numbers, showcasing the coalition of organizations and individuals who stand together against both antisemitism and anti-Palestinian racism. You can attend in-person or view the proceedings on livestream. Please let us know how you will be joining so we can track our allies’ participation.
As far as we know, there will be no opportunity for public comment at this meeting, but it is important for as many people to view the Commission hearing first hand to hold the Commission chairs to their promise to not conflate antisemitism with criticism of Israel.
We’ll be wearing stickers with the coalition’s name (“Together for an Inclusive Massachusetts”) to visibly signify our alignment and shared purpose. Find the person handing out stickers to get your own.
Learn about the Commission: Read more about the Commission and its members here. Attending this meeting will help us learn more about the commission and its members.
Hearing Details
Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 @ 1pm
In-Person:
Location: Massachusetts State House, Room A2, Ashburton Place, Boston. The best entrance is the side entrance off of Ashburton Place. After you go through security, go up one floor. The closest T stop is the Park Street red/green line. There is limited street parking. The Common Garage below the Boston Common is the closest parking lot.
Conduct: this is not a political rally or a protest. There is no public comment at this hearing. We will sit with our “Together for an Inclusive Massachusetts” stickers to indicate our full participation but we do not expect any action at the hearing itself. If you expect that to be a challenge, please join using the livestream option below.
Seating is limited and is first come, first served, so we recommend arriving by 12:15, to find a seat or wear comfortable clothes for standing.
If you can’t attend in person, please attend virtually:
This is a view-only live stream and will be closed captioned (the link above also includes the Teams link to join the meeting, but you will probably be view only)
Topics of the hearing (complete agenda):
US Strategy on Combatting Antisemitism (read here)
ADL data on antisemitism cases in Massachusetts (see a critique)
CJP Center on Combatting Antisemitism
We ask for your commitment to join us and show up at this vital meeting. Can we count on you to stand with us? This will not be the only meeting of the commission. We would love to see you at the subsequent commission meetings as well as any actions between the meetings. Let us know.
Thank you for standing with us and making a difference.
Warm Regards, Together for an Inclusive Massachusetts
Together for an Inclusive Massachusetts is a group of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, labor, education, student, civil rights and other organizations and individuals advocating for justice and equity in the Commonwealth. Our steering committee includes representatives from Boston Workers Circle, Mass Peace Action, Jewish Voice for Peace Boston, Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine, Sawa: Newton-Area Alliance for Peace and Justice and many others.
We came together in response to a back-door effort, supported by Israel-aligned advocacy groups, to shape antisemitism policy and education in the Commonwealth through outside sections of the State budget. We want to ensure that the Commonwealth’s next steps are inclusive, transparent, and constructive. To be clear, it is our deep and unwavering commitment to equality and justice for all—including Jews and Palestinians—that compel our work.