Newsletter Test

 This is a test to see if a brief newsletter every couple of weeks would be more useful on Blog.

Upcoming

There will be a Stand Out from 11-12noon before the lunch.  Join for both or just for the lunch.

Other activities in the Western MA

Both Indivisible Northampton – Swing Left Western Mass (go to calendar and Tuesday Tips) and 

Indivisible West Quabbin- https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/Indivisible+West+Quabbin/FMfcgzQfBQCSfXNXCWqJgJckSvRJzMpl?compose=GTvVlcSMVJWBrmwJGtqVcPzbNJLCTmwbjvhRhbqhgrSnRkTzNlPKJdsvnMkgfJTcQqQKNLWzXLpdG

have good listings of events in Western MA.   

Hope to see many of you on Saturday.

Indivisible No. Quabbin  -- indivisiblenorthquabbin@gmail.com

 

ICE Out for Good Stand Out in Orange Today -- Bring a Sign

 Join with people around the country to say  "ICE Out for Good" today at the Indivisible North Quabbin Stand Out from 11-12noon. 

About events called by a national coalition including Indivisible.org -- Wednesday, January 7th, an American citizen was killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This killing is part of a broader pattern of unchecked violence, impunity, and abuse carried out by federal immigration enforcement agencies against members of our communities.

A broad coalition of groups across the country is calling for a coordinated Ice Out For Good Weekend of Action on Saturday, January 10th and Sunday, January 11th to demand accountability, honor the life lost, and make visible the human cost of ICE’s   actions. A core principle behind all ICE Out For Good events is a commitment to nonviolent action and no civil disobedience.

Working Groups and other Events + Jan. 17th Lunch Info

 Stand Outs and Other Activities  --With winter here people are continuing to Stand Out every Saturday from 11-12noon.  Dress warm!  We had about 60 people last week, and people wanted to continue.  New signs highlighting ICE (Stop, DE-ICE, etc.) and Venezuela (e.g. No War for Oil, etc.) may be something to think about in light of this week's news.

Below is information about our working groups and then some links to other things happening in MA.  Check out the information below. 

Working Groups -- Get involved in one this winter:

Peacekeepers Focus Group -- "The first INQ sponsored Peacekeeper focus group "Peacekeeping in Action: An Interactive Conversation"  was held at the First Universalist Church of Orange on 12/13/25. The agenda/ topics for conversation were well received by all attendees. They evoked lively and interesting discussions.  It was clear that all attendees and the group facilitators were fully engaged in listening, learning and teaching as they shared experiences, wisdom and knowledge gleaned from others in the field of Peacekeeping, peaceful protest and resistance. .   

We will meet again in the New Year to continue our somewhat organic listening, learning/teaching process. Feel free to join us for Part II " Peacekeeping, in Action an Opportunity" . The meeting is open to all, there is no requirement that you attended meeting one in order to attend our second meeting. 

Date:  Saturday January 10, 2026

Time: 11:45 AM -1:30 PM (warm beverages and nutritious snacks will be available)

Place: First Universalist Church of Orange

RSVP  Dee Burroughs-Biron -dbb2743@gmail.com

            Tom Ziniti- zinitit@gmail.com        Michael  Ruocco    - mruocco.graphics@gmail.com

Voting Team -- Team Leader Ruth will be scheduling meetings in January

Mutual Aid and COSS -- Keri is working with Jessie to help put together a flyer about Orange Food Pantry with hours and needs as they settle into the new site.

   The Steering/Planning Group will also meet on Sat., Jan. 10th at 9:30.

Actions and Activities with other groups --

Personal Note:  In light of all that is happening it is difficult to know what to do so I have included some links related to Indivisible.org  and other group calendars -- ICE, Venezuela, etc.

·       I’ve signed up to attend a meeting with Indivisible on Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 at 8p.m. Are you free to join me? Use this link to sign up: https://mobilize.us/s/hKwovk

·       Western MA Calendar -- https://in-slwm.org/wp-content/uploads/Calendar/cal.html?version=1#week

·       See attached RRN notice from Franklin County Rapid Response Network – Event List

·        Wednesday, Jan 28, 11 am - 1 pm: WMILAN is organizing a group to join the weekly vigil at the ICE Detention Center in Burlington, MA that is run by Bearing Witness at Burlington MA ICE Office. Leaving WMASS at 8:30 AM. Please register here if you plan on attending, regardless of whether you will be getting there on your own or using our carpool site.  We want to stay in touch with you with essential updates! You are welcome to arrange your own transportation if you prefer. If you'd like to carpool, please use this user friendly sign up site.  Sign up as soon as possible if you are willing to be a driver, and sign up starting Jan. 10 if you need a ride. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 With winter here people are continuing to Stand Out every Saturday.  Dress warm!  We had about 30 people last week, and people wanted to continue.

Working Groups -- Get involved in one this winter:

Peacekeepers Focus Group -- "The first INQ sponsored Peacekeeper focus group "Peacekeeping in Action: An Interactive Conversation"  was held at the First Universalist Church of Orange on 12/13/25. The agenda/ topics for conversation were well received by all attendees. They evoked lively and interesting discussions.  It was clear that all attendees and the group facilitators were fully engaged in listening, learning and teaching as they shared experiences, wisdom and knowledge gleaned from others in the field of Peacekeeping, peaceful protest and resistance. .   

We will meet again in the New Year to continue our somewhat organic listening, learning/teaching process. Feel free to join us for Part II " Peacekeeping, in Action an Opportunity" . The meeting is open to all, there is no requirement that you attended meeting one in order to attend our second meeting. 

Special Gathering -- All are Invited to "Soup on Saturday" on Saturday, January 17th at 12:15 at Universalist Church.

News update

 A great deal of work is continuing with Indivisible North Quabbin folks joining Working Groups  along with weekly Stand Outs.  The weekly Stand Outs are continuing in Orange from 11-12noon on Saturdays.   The Steering/Planning Group is working to plan some indoor activities for the cold months.  The first event will be on Sat., January 17^th at 12:15 --“Soup on Saturday” at the Universalist Church (31 N. Main St., Orange). A potluck of soup, bread and other delicious food.  Join in a warm and welcoming winter event with good food, conversation and reports from several Invisible Working Groups. Discussion of future events and your ideas. Open Gathering – All are Welcome.

 

Below are links where you can find other events in the region.  This is not a full listing, but it should get you started on finding other happenings in the region and some that you can do at home.

https://in-slwm.org/wp-content/uploads/Calendar/cal.html#wk1

 Mobilize

 Indivisible Mass Coalition Statewide Calendar

 

A Few Events You Can Do from Home --

 

1.        Get ICE Out of Massachusetts

The De-ICE Hanscom Coalition has long had the goal of forcing ICE to stop using Hanscom Airfield. But now they have new leverage: it is very clear that immigrants are being rapidly flown out of Hanscom to prevent them from obtaining effective legal representation. This is a clear violation of the US Constitution, and MassPort can cite that violation in turning ICE out of Hanscom. Write to Massport’s Board at WrittenPublicComments@Massport.com to demand that they end their complicity with ICE. You can also register for their next meeting by asking remoteAccess@Massport.com for the link.

2.      Take Action to Get 3 Immigration Bills Passed in Massachusetts

From L.A. to Portland, to Chicago, to Charlotte, NC, Cruelty is being pushed out! On Tuesday, November 25^th, during a week when many are traveling and preparing for holiday events, 3 important pieces of immigration legislation were scheduled for hearings at our State House Your voice and attention can urge these bills down the path toward becoming laws that keep us all better protected! Join hundreds of others in coalition to prevail for our safety and peace!

Support

Safe Communities Act (S.1681/H.2580): Would prevent local law enforcement from acting as ICE deputies.

Dignity Not Deportation Act  (S.1122/H.1588): Would limit cruel deportation practices and end Massachusetts’ complicity.

Immigrant Legal Defense Act (S.1127/H.1954): Fund would provide no cost legal services to income qualifying Massachusetts residents facing deportation.

Oppose

Bad Bill – SHIELD Act (S.1096/H.2009): Would force local law enforcement to comply with ICE, undoing protections. (Not “Location Shield” Act)

Link to instructions and scripts for this action. 

Indivisible North Quabbin - indivisiblenorthquabbin@gmail.com