May 2025 Racial Justice Update

Know_Your_Rights "Red Cards"

In March, we distributed 1,500 of the wallet-sized "red cards", which summarize our basic rights. All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. Knowing and asserting your rights can make a huge difference in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home. The cards are available in many languages on the Immigrant Legal Resource Center website. Now, we have a second set available, in English, Spanish, Korean, and Creole. If you would like some to distribute, contact Milan Clark here.

Visit to Ruggles Center, Florence

Would you like to learn more about the utopian community and anti-slavery history of Florence? We plan to organize a LWVA visit to the David Ruggles Center in Florence next month. David Ruggles (1810-1849) was an active Black abolitionist. He established the country's first Black-owned bookstore in New York City, was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and served as a mentor to both Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. A walking tour of the area will also be available. If you are interested, please let us know. Email Milan Clark here or Martha Hanner here.

Judy Brooks Conversation: A Better Chance

On May 22nd, we will host a Judy Brooks Conversation with A Better Chance (ABC) in Amherst. ABC is a national residential high school program that prepares academically talented African American, Latino, Asian, and Indigenous American students from educationally underserved school districts for college and future leadership roles. Since the Amherst program began, over 120 scholars have graduated from ARHS. The event will be on Zoom; register here.

On April 17th, we heard an interesting description of Amherst's non-profit Mobile Market. The Mobile Market provides fresh, healthy, affordable produce for local families. About 80% of the produce is purchased from local farmers, generally the same day (really fresh!) The speakers stressed that the Mobile Market is a community event, open to all of us, regardless of income level. People bring their families, and then stay to talk, listen to music, and build a feeling of community. The market runs from June 11th until late October, at three locations on different days. Be sure to check it out! The recording of the event is available via the lwvamherst.org website.

Martha Hanner and Milan Clark Co-Chairs, RJC