Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s election, many in the Pioneer Valley who have expressed anger, fear and frustration at protests, on social media and in the mainstream press now want to turn to action that will make a difference locally.
Some have begun that process through simple acts like meeting in neighborhood groups, exchanging ideas about protecting people who may be targets of hate, encouraging faith communities to preach tolerance and asking educators to discuss democratic values.
A common thread involves reaching out with gestures of support for people who feel most vulnerable to the policies of a Trump presidency — immigrants, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community. Sometimes it’s as simple and profound a gesture as posting a sign in a store saying they are welcome to shop there.
That echoed the advice given by Jo Comerford, of Northampton, the campaign director for MoveOn.org, when asked how individuals can take meaningful action. She replied that they must “move from bystanders to being actively engaged with interrupting acts of racism, xenophobia and sexism. People could pledge to stand in solidarity with communities which are on the brutal front lines: immigrants and Muslims.”
The backdrop since the election is an increase in misogynistic, racist, anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic hate crimes reported nationally by the Southern Poverty Law Center, based in Montgomery, Ala. That was visible here a week ago when racist, anti-Semitic and violent graffiti was spray-painted on Mount Tom. The law center offers “Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Response Guide” on its website at www.splcenter.org.
MoveOn, a progressive advocacy group created in 1998, is an online resource for tracking actions across the country “to prevent the damage of a Trump presidency.” People can join its email list at act.moveon.org/signup/signup and connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moveon.
For people who want to take direct action in the Valley, there are many opportunities to support organizations working on causes ranging from refugee resettlement to climate change to reproductive rights for women.
Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution came out of the presidential campaign for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in Franklin County. The group has established task forces to address issues including health care, climate change and civil rights. To find out more, go to its website at www.fccpr.us.
Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, in Springfield, has been a leader since 1898 in refugee resettlement and offers an array of volunteer opportunities — including English language tutors and helping prepare refugees for the naturalization test. Applications are available on the agency’s website at www.jfswm.org.
Among the environmental groups working locally to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through renewables and energy efficiency is Climate Action Now Western Massachusetts (climateactionnowwma.org). The group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month, alternating between the Unitarian Meetinghouse in Amherst and the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence. It is sponsoring a community gathering from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Florence Civic Center, 90 Park St., titled “Taking Heart in Hard Times” about the climate crisis and other environmental/social/racial justice issues.
Since Trump’s election, agencies which provide reproductive care have seen more women seeking those services because of concerns they may be limited by reduced federal funding after January. That is true at Tapestry Health Systems, based in Florence and with a clinic in Greenfield, which provides services throughout western Massachusetts.
It plans to step up its annual end-of-the-year fundraising efforts, and will monitor increasing numbers of clients to determine the need for taking on more volunteers, according to CEO Cheryl Zoll. Information about financial donations and volunteering is available on its website at www.tapestryhealth.org.
“There’s a real anxiety that people are feeling, and part of the answer is making sure that local services remain available,” Zoll says.
Whatever local cause you choose to support, a gift of money or time is one sure way to make a difference.