Speakers

Arline Isaacson, Isaacson Political Consulting – The successful struggle for gay marriage rights
Jordan Berg-Powers, former executive director, Mass Alliance – What a progressive Legislature might accomplish
Rep. Mike Connolly, Cambridge/Somerville – Promoting Housing as a human right

Moderator

Jonathan King, MAPA Board Co-chair and professor emeritus, MIT

Given the splits in the US Congress, it seems unlikely that this year will bring relief from militarism or the war economy, or extraction from endless foreign wars, or nuclear disarmament. Rather we see a return to Cold War propaganda and policies. In this environment State Legislatures becomes an increasingly important venue.

Massachusetts Peace Action brings forward national issues through the State Legislature. This year we aim to ramp up this effort with the view that, as on occasions in the past, the Massachusetts State Legislature can set a standard for other states and the nation.

Given the risk-averse tenor of the State Legislature this may seem surprising. But historically – for example with tobacco divestment, apartheid legislation, and gay marriage – Massachusetts legislation catalyzed the passage of such laws in other states, and eventually in the US Congress. We will open our state campaign with a webinar reviewing these examples which had national significance and discussing the possibility of passing progressive legislation today.

MAPA has filed six peace bills this year, on nuclear disarmament, budget issues, and ethics and transparency. https://masspeaceaction.org/commonwealth-peace-justice-agenda/

Register to attend.