Hi ,
Last week many of us bore witness to the horrifying scene of masked plain clothes ICE agents abducting Rümeysa Öztürk, a PhD Tufts grad worker, union member of SEIU 509, and Fulbright scholar, right here in Somerville. Rümeysa was kidnapped and now incarcerated in Louisiana for co-writing an op-ed a year ago in the Tufts Daily, criticizing the Tufts administration's response to Palestinian solidarity protests on campus.
This is the latest attack in the ongoing criminalization and violence against anyone who speaks about Palestinian lives, dignity, and what they have endured. Before Rümeysa, students Mahmoud Khalil, Lequaa Kordia, Ranjani Srinivasan, Yunseo Chung, Momodou Taal, Badar Khan Suri and more were all detained or forced to flee, and coerced into upending their lives as students and researchers in the US for expressing their political views on Palestine.
Although Trump’s blatant attacks on free speech and our universal constitutional freedoms are nothing short of shocking and terrifying, it required the dehumanization of Palestinians and the escalation of violence, discrediting, and silencing of anyone who advocated for Palestine. Here in Somerville we witnessed retaliation, repeated threats of violence, and verbal and physical assaults by agitators against peaceful pro-Palestine protestors including children at standouts and community events again, and again, and again (trigger and content warning for all 3 links). We’ve also continued to witness the erasure of Jewish people and Jewish voices in this movement through baseless accusations of anti-semitism against Somerville for Palestine.
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Even though polling shows a majority of American voters support withholding weapons to Israel, there is so much fear to speak out because of possible repercussions. Speaking for my experience, even as I type these words in this newsletter, nothing has brought me more fear, anxiety, and hours of wresting and self-scrutiny over every word, than writing and speaking about the genocide in Gaza. Every day we have been faced with unfathomable suffering, violence, and death and yet it remains unbelievable, how merely calling for peace and ceasefire feels so paralyzing.
In Somerville, we value the pursuit of truth and the dissemination of knowledge and information, even when, and perhaps especially when, this reporting challenges existing narratives. Even reporting on Gaza is a death sentence. Over 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza and journalists have been placed on “hit lists” by the Israeli military. So many of us in Somerville work in journalism or read with gratitude the essential work of others. I cannot help but reflect on the words of Hossam Shabat, a 23 year old Al Jazeera journalist who was targeted and murdered last week. He left a message knowing he would soon be killed for reporting on Gaza.
“If you’re reading this, it means I have been killed—most likely targeted—by the Israeli occupation forces. When this all began, I was only 21 years old—a college student with dreams like anyone else. For the past 18 months, I have dedicated every moment of my life to my people. I documented the horrors in northern Gaza minute by minute, determined to show the world the truth they tried to bury. I slept on pavements, in schools, in tents—anywhere I could. Each day was a battle for survival. I endured hunger for months, yet I never left my people’s side.
By God, I fulfilled my duty as a journalist. I risked everything to report the truth, and now, I am finally at rest—something I haven’t known in the past 18 months. I did all this because I believe in the Palestinian cause. I believe this land is ours, and it has been the highest honor of my life to die defending it and serving its people. I ask you now: do not stop speaking about Gaza. Do not let the world look away. Keep fighting, keep telling our stories -until Palestine is free.” I feel deeply impacted by Hossam’s commitment to his work and life’s purpose at such a young age. He beautifully expressed his deep and profound love for his people. He served his community just like any of us aspire to. I don’t quite have the words to fully express my admiration and feeling of devastation for his murder, but I hope I am able to dedicate myself to this role and our community with the same dedication Hossam held himself to.
The Trump administration is targeting speech on behalf of Palestinian lives now because this struggle is one of the most marginalized. History teaches us that by remaining silent, remaining complicit, and letting this injustice slide by, the targets on marginalized people will only continue to expand. This is why we are not free until all of us are free.
It would be easy for me or any of us to remain silent and I refuse to do so because I believe from the bottom of my heart that at the crux of all of this is the greatest moral question of our time. Now more than ever we need to come together in defense of justice. Especially to those of us who hold power or privilege: do not stop speaking up, do not be silent on Gaza, do not hesitate on immigrant rights or free speech. All of our freedoms depend on it. "First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
- Martin Niemöller |
What you can do: First, if you can donate, please donate to help Rümeysa’s urgent and evolving needs as her friends, supporters and legal team work to secure her release and to support her during this incredibly difficult time. |
Upcoming events Boston Rallies and Marches Against ICE
Today, Tuesday April 1, at 6PM at the John F. Kennedy Federal Building in Boston, 15 Sudbury Street, SEIU 509, UAW Region 9A, MIT Graduate Student Union, and The Union for Everyone are hosting a rally speaking out against the Trump administration's attacks on free speech and detainment of union sibling, community member, and graduate student worker Rümeysa Öztürk. |
Hands Off Massachusetts! Rally/March
Saturday, April 5 from 11AM-2PM at the Parkman Bandstand, 139 Tremont Street in Boston, there is a rally and march as part of a mass day of action against the Trump administration. Speakers include Senator Markey, Carol Rose, President of the ACLU-MA, and Chrissy Lynch, President of AFL-CIO Massachusetts. |
Event updates on Beacon Hill and in Somerville Hearing for restoring the right to vote
I'll be testifying today for a bill I filed with Senator Miranda, H.63, Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to voting rights. This bill would amend the Massachusetts constitution to return the right to vote to our brothers, sisters, and siblings serving felony convictions. Watch online here. Congresswoman Pressley Town Hall
While many Democrats across the country are walking into hostile town halls, Congresswoman Pressley is met with an overflow crowd and standing ovations. We need more of her leadership and fearlessness in all Democrats right now! |
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MassDOT Public meetings I attended the public hearings on the Bridge Replacement over Webster Avenue as well as the grounding McGrath project. The grounding McGrath project looks to reconnect our Somerville and Cambridge neighborhoods and add separated bike infrastructure, green space, and at-grade intersections. |
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Immigrant’s Day on the Hill
The MIRA Coalition held its annual Immigrants Day at the State House. I met with representatives from CAAS, Somerville Public Schools, The Welcome Project, SomerViva, and Community Cooks on how we can best collaborate to meet the challenges of this moment and work together to protect and uplift Somerville residents. |
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March to free Mahmoud Khalil I joined a protest demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful US permanent resident who was abducted and held without due process and without any charges. The Trump administration continues to attack our rights and it’s incumbent on us to speak out. Mahmoud Khalil must be released immediately. |
Senator Markey Town Hall I attended a town hall with Senator Markey earlier last month also with an overflowing crowd. As we watch Democrats at the federal level capitulate to rise in authoritarianism, I'm once again thankful for our federal delegation for standing up to Trump and defending our rights! |
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Governor Healey Visit
Governor Healey and the General manager of the MBTA, Phillip Eng toured the MBTA Boston Engine Terminal here in Somerville. The administration is investing $8 billion in transportation infrastructure to continue to improve safety and reliability of the MBTA. |
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Immigrants are Welcome Here rally I stood in solidarity with neighbors in East Somerville for the Immigrants are Welcome Here Rally. Thank you to everyone that organized this event and came out to share their stories and experiences! |
Ward 5 Office Hours
Earlier this month, Sen. Jehlen, Ward 5 Councilor Naima Sait, and Ward 5 School Committee Laura Pitone, and myself, held office hours at Zaruma Gold Coffee. It was great to meet with constituents to discuss how the state and local delegation can come together to meet the challenges ahead of us. |
As always, it is a joy and honor to serve you in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas! |
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Committee to Elect Erika Uyterhoeven
11 Wesley Park
Somerville, MA 02144
United States Campaign website: www.ElectErika.com |
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