Somerville Wire: October 16, 2021, weekly summary

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Articles

CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR REFLECTION ON THE POLICE IN SOMERVILLE

As elections approach, the two candidates share their thoughts on public safety

INSIDE THE MODS: TUFTS COVID ISOLATION UNITS

Students describe their impressions of accommodation for people who test positive

Shorts

Sidewalk Socialism event showcases Somerville DSA slate

The Democratic Socialists of America hosted an online panel, presenting viewers with the “Somerville List” of City Council Candidates, at an event on October 6 titled “Sidewalk Socialism in Somerville”. The Somerville Slate is made up of seven DSA members who could be elected in November, which would make Somerville a predominantly socialist city council. Hosted by Matt Miller, the nominees in attendance were Tessa Bridge, Willie Burnley Jr, Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, Charlotte Kelly, Becca Miller, Councilor JT Scott and Eve Seitchik.

Ewen-Campen spoke about being elected to city council in 2017, which was part of what he called a “community organizing groundswell that was going on in Somerville at that time.”

“In this election, we all kind of came together, defying some ‘good old folks’ around the idea that the local government in Somerville at that time had really not reflected the values ​​of the community,” he said. declared Ewen-Campen. “Local politics in Somerville, like in many towns across the country, was really dominated by a fairly small network of ‘good old boys’.” He added that during his tenure on city council, leaders made progress on the housing front, as well as in reducing oversight by the Somerville Police Department. “We were the second city in the whole country to ban the use of facial recognition. It was part of what has now grown into a pretty big movement, which includes cities like Boston and many others.”

Kelly explained what “Sidewalk Socialism” means to her and her vision of what she sees as a “socialist future”.

“Sidewalk Socialism is about creating trauma-informed services, about creating the kind of community care that is about healing and justice,” Kelly said. “Sidewalk socialism, to me, means investing in public health services, like a free public health clinic, here in our community, or tackling the rat crisis we are experiencing, every day, in Somerville. . ” She added, “We have a truly transformative opportunity in the hands of putting more resources into the hands of the working class and the poor. Ultimately, if we change the material conditions of our neighbors, if we make people’s lives more livable, if we bring people into the political process, it is the disruption of capitalist realism. “

Annual vigil against domestic violence in Somerville

Mayor Joe Curtatone, the Somerville Commission for Women and RESPOND Inc. invite residents to join them for the annual vigil against domestic violence on Tuesday, October 26, to commemorate and honor those who lost their lives to the domestic violence in 2021. The vigil will take place from 6 pm to 7 pm at Statue Park in Davis Square.

“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” said Greta Hagen, RESPOND’s director of philanthropy and engagement. “Historically, we have come together to commemorate the lives taken by domestic violence the previous year, to remember the gravity of what we are working to end. Real lives have been lost and the humans who were here in our community are no longer there. This year seems particularly important, as abuse flourishes in isolation. The survivors know this; the allies of the survivors know it. The pandemic has really made it worse for people. Coming together again, as a community, to say violence is not welcome in Somerville feels particularly important this year. “She added,” RESPOND has traditionally been a part of it and we are delighted to partner again. to the Women’s Commission this year, especially under the leadership of the new Town of Somerville Racial and Social Justice Office. ”

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