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Keynote Speech from Somerville’s 2010 MLK Jr. Celebration

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 1:39 pm on January 31, 2010

The night before Martin was assassinated he spoke of going to the mountain top and seeing The Promised Land. In a premonitory way, he wondered out loud if he would get there, but he seemed powerfully convinced WE would surely get there. You might well ask: ‘Are we there yet?’

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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Tufts | No Comments »

Meeting Friday night 1/22 about Haitian TPS status

Posted by Melissa McWhinney a 10:17 pm on January 21, 2010

The goal of this meeting is to provide accurate information about Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which was granted last Friday to Haitians living in the United States in response to last week’s earthquake.

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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Events, Immigration, Public Health & Safety | No Comments »

Why Commissions Can Improve Our Community

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 3:01 pm on January 18, 2010

Why Commissions Can Improve Our Community

Sat. Jan. 30 1:30 PM

Somerville Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is a workshop from the “How to” Series for Civic Engagement by the Office of Somerville Commissions. It discusses how commissions, such as the Human Rights Commission…

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Posted in Accessibility, All Ages, Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Environment and Open Space, Events, Health Care, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Public Health & Safety, Schools and Youth, Special, Transportation | No Comments »

Annual MLK JR. Day Celebrations Set For January 18th

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 3:44 pm on January 16, 2010

Ceremony to Honor Local Individual, Organization for Community Service; Program Begins at 10am at SHS

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Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Events, Press Release | No Comments »

Screening “Inside the Revolution: A Journey into the Heart of Venezuela”

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 5:20 pm on January 1, 2010

By way of Abby Yanow with Somerville/Medford United for Justice with Peace:

Inside the Revolution: A Journey into the Heart of Venezuela is a just-released documentary filmed in Caracas in November 2008, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of Hugo Chavez’s controversial presidency.

According to journalist John Pilger, “This is a rare…

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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Events, Special | No Comments »

Hey! Will Capuano’s Hometown Be Accessible on Primary Day?

Posted by eila a 2:25 am on December 6, 2009

Judging by the fumbles on Election Day, 11/3/09, we can’t assume that Somerville will provide Accessible Voting on Primary Day, December 8. Despite the fact that the Secretary of State’s Office ordered structural accessibility changes at 7 Somerville polling sites after an audit in July, a spot-check of 9 Somerville Polling sites on Election Day 2009 proved that the current Mayor’s heart is still not in the game.

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Government Reform | No Comments »

Caveat emptor

Posted by eila a 1:29 pm on December 5, 2009

1.  The Disability Policy Consortium hoped to be able to offer some guidance to its constituency on the candidate most likely to fill the late Senator’s big shoes on disability issues. In mid-November, DPC sent briefing materials to each campaign along with a simple questionnaire. (The 3 page document can be found at:   www.dpcma.org…

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Politics | No Comments »

Help CAAS stop foreclosures and evictions in Somerville

Posted by rokhlita a 5:29 pm on December 1, 2009

Our neighbors are being evicted and our community destabilized by the foreclosure crisis. …

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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares | 1 Comment »

Community Members Set Priorities for Green Line Extension

Posted by Jennifer Lawrence a 2:15 pm on

Community ratifies set of 11 principles for land use planning along the Green Line extension.

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Posted in Bicycles, Buses, Civil and Human Rights, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Green Line, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Press Release, Trains, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

A 12% Running Slope Is 100% Inaccessible

Posted by eila a 11:41 pm on October 25, 2009

Here’s a 12% slope in Union Square, at the crosswalk between 2 HP parking spaces, nearest curbcut to the Union Square Bus stop, necessary to access the commercial area and the SCAT building:

12%Marion'sScaryCurbCut

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety | 2 Comments »

Amy Goodman comes to town! Launch of “Inside the Activists’ Study”

Posted by eila a 10:28 am on September 29, 2009

On Friday, October 9 at 51 Winthrop Street, Amy Goodman, host of the award-winning “Democracy Now!” and David Goodman, prominent investigative journalist, will have a lively discussion about the problems and promise of media to bring about social change.

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Posted in All Ages, Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Events, Tufts | No Comments »

Joe’s Original Crosswalks

Posted by eila a 1:23 pm on September 17, 2009

Q:  Why Didn’t the Rolling Somerville Pedestrian Cross the Road at the Crosswalk?

A:  Because the City of Somerville Deciders have been playing chicken with standards.

This photo essay will show 30 lost opportunities to create a safer community on Mayor Curtatone’s watch.…

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Posted in Accessibility, Civic Action, Civil and Human Rights, Development and Zoning, Government Reform, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety, Traffic & Parking, Transportation Projects | 20 Comments »

Somerville Human Rights Commission Mtg

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 10:18 pm on September 13, 2009

Here is the agenda for our meeting this coming Tuesday.

Somerville Human Rights Commission
Tuesday, Sep 15th Monthly Public Meeting
6:30pm-8:30pm
Super Stop & Shop
2nd Floor Conference Room
775 McGrath Hwy, Somerville

Agenda:

  • Recent Complaints to the HRC and On-going Investigations (new and updated)
  • Special guest Eileen Feldman, accessibility
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Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Events, Special | No Comments »

Bullying in Somerville-Is it a problem?

Posted by ChristinaMarie a 2:16 pm on August 25, 2009

Bullying, is it a problem in Somerville-Why or why not? Prevention and how to deal with bullying in school.

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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Crime, Events, Public Health & Safety, Schools and Youth, Teens | 1 Comment »

SomSigns Lie

Posted by eila a 8:57 pm on August 22, 2009

Whoda thunk that a simple sign could be a liar?  Here’s a photo essay of some misleading signage in three City of Somerville facilities.

1.  Somerville Schools Administration Building, 181 Washington Street:   At the inaccessible front entrance, we see a blue International Symbol of Access sign informing folks that “REAR ACCESS PARKING” exists…

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Government Reform, Schools and Youth, Sports | 4 Comments »

Somerville Parks & Recreation Spaces, Part II: Access, Safety & Equity Considerations

Posted by eila a 2:34 am on August 21, 2009

Our friend reports that her son (22 months) fell while walking on bricks at the Walnut Street Park, fractured his right femur, and is in a cast for four weeks.  She says that bricks at the park were loose and the city attempted to repair them cheaply- and that they were also slick…

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Environment and Open Space, Investigative Reports, Neighborhoods and Squares, Public Health & Safety, Schools and Youth, Sports | 6 Comments »

Public Information Response from ADA Coordinator Raises Red Flag

Posted by eila a 3:23 pm on August 17, 2009

Thanks to SomervilleVoices for providing this venue to post our Public Information Requests -and to share the responses (or lack therof) that we receive.

Here’s one example of a PIR response that raises red flags.
June 15, 2009 Request for ADA Transition Plans of 10 City facilities
“TO:  Carlene Campbell,  ADA Coordinator for City…

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Posted in Accessibility, Civic Action, Civil and Human Rights, Government Reform, Investigative Reports, Public Health & Safety, Public Records / FOIA Requests | 12 Comments »

Lively Election Picks Tenant Executive Board

Posted by Dennis Fischman a 10:02 am on August 11, 2009

Election Day in July?  Yes, for residents of Clarendon Hill Public Housing Development.

This summer, the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) helped the Clarendon Hill Tenant Association (CHTA) to hold elections.  Twelve candidates ran for the CHTA Executive Board, making this the most competitive election in recent memory. 

Tenants Jose…

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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Housing | No Comments »

Human Rights Commission Public Meeting

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 11:24 pm on August 10, 2009

2nd Floor Conference Room
Super Stop & Shop
775 Mcgrath Hwy

Agenda:

  • Director’s Report
  • Immigrant Police Dialogues
  • Snow Removal Committee
  • Other activities
  • Recruitment
  • Evaluate events since last meeting : Art Beat, Commission’s Cookout, and National Night Out
  • Next recruitment steps
  • Recent
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Posted in All Ages, Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Events, Special | No Comments »

Tufts Hosts Panelists on Honduran Resistance Movement Against Recent Coup D’Etat

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 10:22 pm on

Over 60 people filled a lecture hall at the Fletcher School of Diplomacy at Tufts University on Thursday (Aug 6) to hear a panel of Honduran social movement leaders speak about the growing resistance movement against the recent coup d’etat in their country.

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Posted in Civil and Human Rights | No Comments »

Human Rights Commission Public Meeting

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 8:22 pm on July 13, 2009

The Somerville’s Human Rights Commission invites the public to its monthly meeting to discuss: * Recruitment (we currently only have 4 serving commissioners out of a possible 12) * Director’s Update
* Complaints before the commission * Any other business

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Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Events | 5 Comments »

Lady Liberty Says…

Posted by eila a 1:40 pm on July 4, 2009

Lady Liberty 2009
…what say this Lady, Dear SomervilleVoices Reader?…

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights | 2 Comments »

Somerville Human Rights Commission

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 9:55 pm on June 15, 2009

Public meeting of the Somerville Human Rights Commission
Thursday, June 18th, 2009
6:30pm-8:30pm
2nd Floor social hall, Tufts Administration Bldg, 167 Holland St., Somerville

Agenda:

  • Introductions (10 min)
  • Discussion on DHS Surveillance Cameras in Somerville w/ SPD Chief Holloway, City Solicitor Gannon, Health Dept. Dir. Paulette Renault-Caragianes, and Nancy Murray of
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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Events, Special | No Comments »

City of Somerville, Nat’l Pride Week

Posted by SDarai a 9:21 am on

The Acting Director of the Office of Somerville Commissions and the Somerville Health Department have announced their plans for the celebration of National PRIDE week.…

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Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights | 1 Comment »

Interfaith Pride Service

Posted by LauraRuth a 11:05 am on June 11, 2009

Join us for an Interfaith Pride service on Friday, June 12 at 7:00 pm at Havurat Shalom Congregation, 113 College Ave., Somerville, MA. The service, in English and Hebrew, will celebrate the theme of this year’s Boston Pride, “Trans-forming our Communities.” Services at Havurat Shalom are egalitarian, lay-led and usually involve a lot of singing!…

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Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Events | No Comments »

Somerville Interfaith Pride Service, tomorrow night at Havurat Shalom

Posted by LauraRuth a 10:56 am on

Join us for an Interfaith Pride service on Friday, June 12 at 7:00 pm at Havurat Shalom Congregation, 113 College Ave., Somerville, MA. The service, in English and Hebrew, will celebrate the theme of this year’s Boston Pride, “Trans-forming our Communities.”…

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Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights | No Comments »

Supply Drive for Somerville Homeless Coalition

Posted by Columbine a 8:38 pm on June 5, 2009

Drop off from 9 to noon, 1:00 to 5:00 – see list of items needed

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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Events, Housing | No Comments »

A Graduation Celebration you won’t want to miss

Posted by Warren Goldstein-Gelb a 8:51 am on June 3, 2009

Please join The Welcome Project on June 7 for a graduation celebration for some special people from cultures and countries all over the world. These are the students in our youth language interpretation and adult language learners programs who have just completed a year’s worth of learning as language interpreters and English language learners.

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Posted in Arts and Culture, Civic Action, Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Immigration, Schools and Youth, Teens | No Comments »

10 Days to Go! Submit your Comments about the use of $772,044

Posted by eila a 2:29 pm on May 4, 2009

The City of Somerville, as an Entitlement Community, receives millions of Federal dollars from HUD each year from the Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, and HOME programs.  These monies must be spent on activities that primarily benefit low and moderate income Somerville residents in three areas:  

Provide decent affordable housing…

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Posted in Accessibility, City Finances, Civic Action, Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Government Reform, Neighborhoods and Squares, Politics | 3 Comments »

Somerville youth lead effort to halt teen injuries, death

Posted by Dennis Fischman a 3:18 pm on April 30, 2009

With summer just around the corner and tens of thousands of young people entering the workforce in Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick has proclaimed May “Safe Jobs for Youth Month” to focus attention on preventing workplace injuries and deaths.…

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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Environment and Open Space, Health Care, Public Health & Safety, Schools and Youth, Workers' Rights | No Comments »

Panel on Racism and White Privilege in Somerville

Posted by revmolly a 7:25 pm on April 25, 2009

‘Villens, as one of the culminating events of our church’s “Sacred Conversations on Race” justice project, we are hosting a panel discussion on Thursday, April 30. The presenters are all fantastic, and should stimulate excellent, truth-telling conversation about racism as its persists in Somerville and surrounding communities. We hope you can come!

First Church…

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Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Events | No Comments »

4/30 Panel on Racism and White Privilege in Somerville

Posted by revmolly a 9:16 am on April 24, 2009

‘Villens, as one of the culminating events of our church’s “Sacred Conversations on Race” justice project, we are hosting a panel discussion on Thursday, April 30. The presenters are all fantastic, and should stimulate excellent, truth-telling conversation about racism as its persists in Somerville and surrounding communities. We hope you can come!…

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty | No Comments »

Somerville Teachers Association endorses H.R. 676, the national “Medicare for All” bill

Posted by Rand Wilson a 3:15 pm on April 22, 2009

The Board of Directors of the Somerville Teachers Association (STA) voted to endorse HR 676 at its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 7.

“Health care reform is finally on the national agenda,” said Linda Vitiello, President of the Somerville Teachers Association. “We are excited to be part of a national grassroots movement for Medicare for All and H.R. 676 and to join with so many other labor organizations that support it.”…

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Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Health Care, Workers' Rights | 1 Comment »

Lowell Zero, Somerville 221. Mistakes, that is.

Posted by eila a 6:12 pm on April 19, 2009

On March 19, 2009, the City of Somerville was one of the 118 recipients of an “e-government Award,” from Common Cause. This citation is given for providing online access to Board of Alderman agenda and minutes, budget information, and general by-laws. But, on closer inspection, Somerville came in “number one” for…

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Government Reform, Media, Politics | 7 Comments »

Somerville Human Rights Commission

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 10:49 pm on April 15, 2009

Public meeting of the Somerville Human Rights Commission
Thursday, April 16th, 2009
6:30pm-8:30pm
2nd Floor social hall, Tufts Administration Bldg, 167 Holland St., Somerville

Agenda:

  • Introductions (10 min)
  • Director’s Report (10 min)
  • Update on the hiring process for Human Rights investigators (20 min)
  • Immigrant-Police Dialogs (10 min)
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Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Events | No Comments »

Keep Big Brother Out of Somerville

Posted by Barry Rafkind a 10:20 pm on April 5, 2009

Dear Chairperson Bill White and distinguished aldermen, I strongly object to the installation of surveillance cameras in public spaces around our city and urge you to request their immediate removal. I believe this surveillance program, which was roundly rejected in Cambridge, MA, violates American ideals of freedom and liberty and the Constitutional right to privacy…

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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Development and Zoning, Neighborhoods and Squares, Public Health & Safety, Transportation | 11 Comments »

Protest at Rite Aid drugstore focuses on employer abuse and the need for the Employee Free Choice Act

Posted by Rand Wilson a 9:57 pm on

A small group of union members converged on the Rite Aid drugstore in Davis Sq. on Friday, April 3 to condemn the company’s abuse of workers’ rights and urge Congress to pass the “Employee Free Choice Act” — a law backed by President Barack Obama that would better protect employees who want to form unions by limiting employer interference in the process.…

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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Workers' Rights | 1 Comment »

On 4/3: protest Davis Sq Rite Aid to pass Employee Free Choice Act

Posted by Rand Wilson a 5:59 pm on April 2, 2009

Rite Aid has been abusing the rights of employees – and provides a “textbook example” of why Congress should pass the “Employee Free Choice Act,” reform legislation that would better protect employees who want to form unions by limiting employer interference in the process.

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Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Workers' Rights | No Comments »

Surveillance Camera Public Hearing

Posted by Melissa McWhinney a 3:12 pm on March 31, 2009

Reminder:  Tonight at 7:00 at City Hall is the hearing on surveillance cameras.  Below is an op-ed that appeared in last week’s Somerville Journal.  Please come and give your opinion tonight!  Thanks,

Melissa

______________________________________________________________________________________

Somerville
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Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Events, Public Health & Safety | No Comments »

Surveillance camera hearing tonight!

Posted by Melissa McWhinney a 3:09 pm on

Reminder:  Tonight at 7:00 at City Hall is the hearing on surveillance cameras.  Below is an op-ed that appeared in last week’s Somerville Journal.  Please come and give your opinion tonight!  Thanks,

Melissa…

Read More.>>

Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Public Health & Safety | 2 Comments »