SHELBURNE FALLS — Residents can enjoy an evening of poetry, music and theater while supporting immigrants in western Massachusetts on Sunday, Sept. 21.
The Shelburne Falls Welcome Committee and Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution’s Rapid Response Team are hosting a joint fundraiser to support those impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with help from several local artists. “It Can’t Happen Here: A Benefit for Immigrant Rights” will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Trinity Church, located at 17 Severance St.
“We’re pretty excited. It’s shaping up to be a great event,” said organizer Lynn Benander.
The evening will include a 90-minute program with performances by local poet Martín Espada, the First Generation theater ensemble, and musicians Charlie King, Sarah Pirtle and The Snapdragons. The night will also include remarks from state Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket, and immigration attorney Thao Gonzalez-Pho.
Benander said the Shelburne Falls Welcome Committee hopes that using the arts as a base for this fundraiser will help people connect with and understand the issues immigrants face. She added that organizers hope to raise $10,000 to support the immigrants that the Welcome Committee and FCCPR have been assisting.
“These are hard issues and these are hard times,” Benander said. “Art has a way of moving our souls. … It helps us look at difficult things in a gentler way, but still in an insistent way.”
The program will be followed by a reception. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy light refreshments and discuss the issues portrayed by the performing artists.
The Shelburne Falls Welcome Committee consists of residents of Buckland, Shelburne and other western Franklin County communities, Benander said. The group was formed last December to raise money and support a Syrian family that was seeking refugee status and authorization to come to the United States. The Welcome Corps program, which allowed community members and private citizens to band together to sponsor immigrants, was canceled by the Trump administration. Organizer Jackie Walsh said she hopes the program is reinstated, but in the meantime, the group is working to support other local immigrants.
“We’re just human beings responding to the things happening to people who live in our community,” Benander added.
Walsh said the group is currently helping a Palestinian refugee navigate the asylum process and helping immigrant students in the area with school supplies.
“The most important thing we do is provide support for people navigating difficult situations,” Benander said.
Benander said the group “leverages donations with volunteer hours” and helps immigrants with finding housing and submitting job applications. The group also provides financial support when it’s feasible, and works with FCCPR’s Rapid Response Team to aid family members and friends who have had a loved one detained by ICE.
The group is planning another fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. at the Shelburne-Buckland Community Center. The event will be a concert and dance party featuring Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem.
“It Can’t Happen Here: A Benefit for Immigrant Rights” is free to attend; however, donations are being solicited. Funds raised will be split between the Shelburne Falls Welcome Committee and FCCPR. To donate, visit bit.ly/welcomecommittee.