This commentary is from Kurt Daims, spokesman for Brattleboro Common Sense, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make global issues local in Brattleboro.
We are angry and disgusted with the Supreme Court’s recent decision on abortion rights. But how can we harness action to anger?
The Brattleboro Selectboard will soon consider a resolution supporting the right to abortion. This is not enough.
A resolution can be effective if it publishes a new idea, provokes attention in a new way, or if the signers’ name or numbers strengthen their idea. This is the same for protest demonstrations; they say you’re serious. Martin Luther King was especially effective in organizing civil disobedience for civil rights.
In June 2019, several underage demonstrators risked arrest by blocking a parade in Brattleboro. Their banner declared climate emergency and demanded help for farmers. Civil disobedience proves you’re serious.
Protests and resolutions are not effective when the audience is limited or the statement is obvious. The protests against the Roe decision were not even angry; they were mild. But obviously the people around Brattleboro support a woman’s right to choose. Brattleboro Common Sense wants an effective resolution, one that shows a serious commitment.
Please stand with us in promoting the amendment below. It funds local reproductive care and national and local advocacy for reproductive rights. Without this amendment, the resolution is ineffective. With the amendment, we advance a new model for enforceable local action. (See page 99 for the full text.)
This amendment should be added to the end of the resolution.
Let it be further resolved that:
5. The Town of Brattleboro immediately donate:
a) $50,000 to Planned Parenthood’s Brattleboro office to support reproductive care for all of Brattleboro’s residents and guests, especially including people of color and LGBTQ+ people.
b) $50,000 to Pro-choice America, to support its advocacy of reproductive rights throughout the U.S.
c) $5,000 for a grant for advocacy of reproductive rights by a Brattleboro resident or group.
With this long-festering backlash of the Supreme Court, we have hopefully lost one layer of complacency. The people of Vermont may be assured that our rights are protected by the state Legislature. But we must step up and make our voices heard and our actions seen.
The financial resources that a town government manages belong to the townspeople, and their proper use must reflect the vital concerns of the townspeople. Brattleboro Selectboard members must put our money where our mouth is — where our hearts are — to fund Planned Parenthood locally and to join the national struggle for reproductive freedom.
Brattleboro and Vermont can lead the way, from our more secure position, to bolster the nationa
l movement for reproductive rights and guide the struggle as it unfolds nationwide. Brattleboro Common Sense is glad to help other communities promote serious legal action.
Come to speak before the selectboard, and it will do the right thing — the serious action. The selectboard has declined to put the amendment on the agenda for its first discussion (which is its proper discretion), but people are welcome to speak for it.
Attend the meeting by Zoom or at 230 Main St., Tuesday, July 19, 6:15 to 8 p.m.; Zoom link is here, including the meeting ID, which is 860 6789 2659. Passcode is 12261753.
The resolution will be discussed early in the meeting, maybe around 7 p.m.
