On Saturday, a large crowd turned out in downtown Springfield for the “1,000 Hoodies March” in protest of the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. (Click here for video of the event from MassLive, as well as interviews with organizers including Darryl Moss of the Alliance of Black Professionals and NAACP President Talbert Swan II.)
Today, April 2, Arise for Social Justice hosts another rally, this one part of the National Day of Action for the Right to Exist. Described as a call to “end the criminalization of homelessness and poverty,” the rally begins at noon at Court Square with music and speakers. At 12:30, participants will march to the Governor’s office on Dwight Street and to the Mayor’s Office in City Hall.
Organizers have a list of demands: for city officials, the replacement of housing lost in last year’s tornado; for state officials, making shelters available for everyone who needs a place to stay; and for the federal government, the funding of housing instead of wars.
Today’s rally is co-sponsored by a long list of social justice groups from around the Valley. For information, contact Arise at 413-734-4948.
