Testimony: Welcoming Communities Are Safe Communities

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 

Chair Cronin, Chair Cahill, and Members of the Joint Committee on Public Safety: 

Progressive Massachusetts is a statewide, multi-issue, grassroots membership organization focused on fighting for policy that would make our Commonwealth more equitable, just, sustainable, and democratic. We urge you to give a favorable report to H.2580 / S.1681, An Act To Protect The Civil Rights And Safety Of All Massachusetts Residents.

This Thanksgiving, families will be gathering across Massachusetts. But at many tables, there will be missing chairs due to the kidnapping of our immigrant friends and neighbors by ICE agents. 

Since Trump took office in January, ICE has escalated its activities in Massachusetts, terrorizing immigrant communities. ICE arrests have gone up by more than 250% since last year, driven by their targeting of individuals without criminal records. ICE has brutalized children, torn families apart, and engaged in rampant racial profiling. With Congress approving $170 billion to expand deportations, this will only get worse. 

Our immigrant communities are helping to keep our communities healthy, they are innovating and educating, and they are helping us build a better future for all of us. We need to do right by them. 

Immigrants’ rights advocates from across the Commonwealth our aligned on what steps that you can take as a Legislature to protect communities: 

  1. Prohibit new 287(g) agreements

Massachusetts should follow the steps of seven other states and prohibit any new 287(g) agreements. These agreements, in which state and local police are deputized as federal immigration agents, threaten public safety by diminishing trust, overburdening public financial and managerial capacity, distracting from real threats to public safety, and breaking apart communities. 

  1. Prevent partnerships between local law enforcement and ICE

It’s simple: local law enforcement should be focused on keeping communities safe and preventing and investigating crime. Getting involved with immigration raids and arrests diverts time, money, and resources from this goal and undermines the trust on which public safety depends. 

  1. Prohibit local law enforcement from asking about immigration status 

If people fear that interacting with law enforcement could lead to the deportation of them or their loved ones, they will not feel comfortable doing so. This means that incidents of domestic violence, wage theft, and other abuses will go unreported, and communities will be less safe. 

The Trump administration is creating never-ending, everyday crises for so many of our residents. Communities across the Commonwealth need you to lead. 

Sincerely, 

Jonathan Cohn 

Policy Director 

Progressive Massachusetts 

Take Action: The MA Legislative Session Ends in TWO WEEKS

Did you know that the current legislative session at the MA State House ends in just two weeks?

That’s right: any bills that don’t pass between now and July 31st are done until next year (at the earliest).

That means that there will be a flurry of activity in the coming weeks, and we want to keep you in the loop.

Stop the MA Legislature from Giving Massive Tax Breaks to the Wealthiest Estates

The Massachusetts tax system hits the wallets of lower-income people harder than high earners, with the bottom 20% of earners paying a higher percentage of their income in state and local taxes than the top 1%. An exception is the Commonwealth’s relatively robust estate tax. The estate tax is one of the main policies we have focused on reducing the gaping racial wealth gap in Massachusetts.

Nonetheless, the Massachusetts House voted last week to roll back the estate tax, to the cost of $207 million. This lost revenue means money isn’t available for important investments or for tax relief for the struggling residents of the Commonwealth.

Even worse, the estate tax rollback was designed in a way that disproportionately benefits the largest estates, namely those over $3 million. This would be the biggest increase in the racial wealth gap in decades.

If legislators want to help comparatively smaller estates, they should design their design their policies to do so, not advance a costly giveaway to the wealthiest estates.

Can you write to your state senator to urge them to reject the House’s estate tax proposal?

Turn up the Heat: MA Needs Climate Action

A climate bill is in the works, but it hasn’t reached the Governor’s desk yet. Together, the provisions laid forth in the House and Senate proposed bills put Massachusetts in a good position to implement strategies to reduce our emissions 50% by 2030 – as required by law – and create healthier communities.

But these strategies cannot wait two years more to be passed into law! Let’s ensure that lawmakers finalize a climate bill that moves us toward our shared climate and justice goals.

The conference committee and House and Senate leaders must send a bill to the Governor’s deskby Thursday, July 21 to avoid the chance of a pocket veto by Governor Baker.

Your legislators need to hear from you: no climate bill is not an option! Advocates are circulating a public sign-on letter for legislators to show their support for moving this forward swiftly. Your legislators need to hear from you that it’s important they demonstrate support!!

Take action!

  1. Check if your legislators have signed onto the letter
  2. If not, send your legislators a message asking them to sign on – either by emailing them or calling them.

Email

Dear _________

I am alarmed to hear that, in the final days of the legislative session, a comprehensive climate bill is still not on the governor’s desk. We have very little time before the end of the session.

[why passing a climate and justice bill is important to you]

We must get a climate bill to the governor’s desk by Thursday. Please join me in voicing your support for swift passage by signing on to this public “Dear Colleague” letter.

Thank you,

Call

I’m calling to voice concern that the legislature has still not passed a climate bill this session. Climate advocates are circulating a public sign-on letter for legislators in support of quickly moving a bill. Has the Representative/Senator seen the letter? You can view the form and the letter at bit.ly/maclimate22. Will the Representative/Senator sign on?

If yes: Wonderful, thank you. They can use the sign-on form found in the letter

If not sure/need to get back to you: Please let me know what the legislator says.

If no: Can you explain why not?

Two More Asks from Our Allies

THIS WEEK: Safe Communities Act Town Hall + Common Start Rallies

Although the MA Legislature will soon go on recess for the end-of-year holiday season, this time of year is critical for building momentum for key legislative priorities.

Mark your calendar with some great opportunities to deepen your knowledge about and show support for the Safe Communities Act and the Common Start bill.

THURSDAY: Safe Communities Act Town Hall

SCA Town Hall

We’re 18 months into the COVID-19 pandemic and 9 months into a new federal administration and the passage of the Massachusetts Safe Communities Act ( S.1579 and H.2418) is more important than ever. Ending police and court involvement in deportations remains an urgent public health and public safety priority in Massachusetts. Join allies in the Safe Communities Act Coalition for a virtual town hall this Thursday, November 18th to hear from immigrant workers, immigrant survivors of domestic violence, and advocates about why the passage of the Safe Communities Act is essential and what you can do to take action.

Interpretation will be available.

Zoom link available upon RSVP.

Common Start Coalition Weekend of Action

In advance of the hearing next week on the Common Start bill, there will be rallies across the state.

The Common Start bill would establish a system of affordable, high-quality early education and child care for all Massachusetts families.

Southeast MA: Saturday at noon, Buttonwood Park, New Bedford

RSVP at https://bit.ly/southeastma11-20

New Bedford Common Start Rally

Greater Boston: Saturday at 10:30 AM, Tadpole Playground, Boston Common

RSVP at https://bit.ly/greaterboston11-20

Greater Boston Common Start Rally

Central Mass: Saturday at 10:30 am, Elm Park, Worcester

RSVP at https://bit.ly/centralma11-20

COVID Housing Equity Bill Digital Day of Action

Today is the Digital Day of Action for the COVID-19 Housing Equity Bill.


There have been over 25,000 evictions filed in MA during the pandemic. Our communities are bracing for even more evictions and an onslaught of foreclosures. The COVID-19 Housing Equity bill would stop this needless displacement, but the Housing Committee has failed to move it forward. The State Legislature is about to close “formal session” until new year without protecting tenants and homeowners.

Join by calling and emailing the co-chairs of the Housing Committee and posting on twitter as part of the tweetstorm.

Digital Day of Action: COVID Housing Equity Bill

Thursday Evening: Mass Alliance Celebration of Progressive Champions

Join allies from Mass Alliance on Thursday to bring our progressive community together to celebrate our municipal victories of the 2021 election, honor our progressive champions, build community together, and plan and strategize for the future of our movement after the election.

RSVP HERE.


Thinking Ahead….Coming Together: Building Progressive Political Power: 12/4 & 12/5

Join us and allies for Coming Together: Building Progressive Political Power, on Dec 4-5, a virtual conference where we will explore how we can move our programs forward with maximum impact, strategizing how to engage, unite, and build the power needed to reverse the destructive policies of our current governmental structures.

Coming Together Conference: 12/4 & 12/5

REGISTER HERE.

Sponsored by Massachusetts Peace Action, Our Revolution Massachusetts, Progressive Democrats of America, Progressive Massachusetts, North American Indian Center of Boston, Incorruptible Mass, Boston Democratic Socialists of America, Massachusetts Call 2 Action.

Mark Your Calendars: Safe Communities Act Town Hall + Common Start Week of Action

Although the MA Legislature will soon go on recess for the end-of-year holiday season, this time of year is critical for building momentum for key legislative priorities.

Mark your calendar with some great opportunities to deepen your knowledge about and show support for the Safe Communities Act and the Common Start bill.

Safe Communities Act Town Hall

SCA Town Hall

We’re 18 months into the COVID-19 pandemic and 9 months into a new federal administration and the passage of the Massachusetts Safe Communities Act ( S.1579 and H.2418) is more important than ever. Ending police and court involvement in deportations remains an urgent public health and public safety priority in Massachusetts. Join allies in the Safe Communities Act Coalition for a virtual town hall on November 18th to hear from immigrant workers, immigrant survivors of domestic violence, and advocates about why the passage of the Safe Communities Act is essential and what you can do to take action.

Interpretation will be available.

Zoom link available upon RSVP.

Common Start Coalition Week of Action

In advance of the hearing later this month on the Common Start bill, there will be rallies across the state.

The Common Start bill would establish a system of affordable, high-quality early education and child care for all Massachusetts families.

Cape & Islands: This Sunday @ 11:30 AM, Hyannis Village Green (367 Main Street)

RSVP at https://bit.ly/capeislands11-14

Location: Hyannis Village Green, 367 Main Street

Cape & Islands Common Start Rally

Merrimack Valley & North Shore: This Sunday @ 11:30 am, Lowell City Hall (375 Merrimack St)

RSVP at https://bit.ly/northeastma11-14

Merrimack Valley Common Start Rally

Southeast MA: Next Saturday at noon, Buttonwood Park, New Bedford

RSVP at https://bit.ly/southeastma11-20

New Bedford Common Start Rally

Greater Boston: Next Saturday at 10:30 AM, Tadpole Playground, Boston Common

RSVP at https://bit.ly/greaterboston11-20

Greater Boston Common Start Rally

Call Them Maybe?

Passing a progressive agenda requires engaging people across the Commonwealth to reach out to their legislators. 

So call them maybe? 

Safe Communities Act Phone Banks

The Safe Communities Act achieved major progress last year. Building on that momentum, we’re ready to fight for a victory this session.

But we need a supermajority of House and Senate votes to overcome an expected Governor’s veto. That’s two-thirds of each chamber: 107 House votes and 27 Senate votes.

Help us engage constituents in purple districts, so that swing legislators can be confident they have public support when they take that vote.

Join us for a Zoom Phone Bank tomorrow at 6 pm — or Wednesday, June 23rd — to call voters in swing districts to generate calls to their legislators! Register here—and don’t forget to invite your friends!

There will be a short training at the beginning, log-in information, and lists for phone banking. You’ll need a computer and phone to participate, and you’ll get Zoom information on how to join when you RSVP.

Democracy Behind Bars Phone Banks

The Democracy Behind Bars Coalition is a coalition of advocacy and community organizations, direct service and religious groups, and individuals committed to ensuring that democracy does not stop at prisons and jails in Massachusetts. Specifically, the coalition is working to ensure incarcerated people who have the right to vote have access to the ballot; to ensure that over-policed communities are not stripped of political power through prison gerrymandering; and to restore the right to vote to all incarcerated Bay Staters.

The Coalition will be calling constituents of constituents of key legislators to ask them to ensure that the Jail-Based Voting Bill has an early hearing and is sent to a vote. We need your help!

You’ll get training on how to use ThruTalk, key talking points, and help throughout if you have any questions.

Sign up to Phone Bank:

  • Thursday June 10th 5pm-7:30 pm
  • Thursday June 17th 5pm-7:30pm
  • Thursday June 24th 5pm-7:30pm

Hope to see you on the phones!

NEXT WEEK: Fair Share Vote, CD-08 Hearing, SCA Phone Bank

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Legislature announced that the Fair Share Amendment will be on the agenda and up for a vote during their Wednesday, June 9th Constitutional Convention!

Before the Fair Share Amendment can be placed on the 2022 ballot, it must be brought up for a vote in a Massachusetts Constitutional Convention twice and receive YES votes from 50% +1 of the legislature.

In 2019, the Fair Share amendment passed its first Con-Con with a 75% YES vote. Next Wednesday’s Constitutional Convention vote is the LAST hurdle before the Fair Share Amendment is OFFICIALLY placed on the ballot.

Here’s what you can do:

1. EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATORS – It is incredibly urgent that every legislator hears from their constituents about how important it is that they vote YES to advance the Fair Share Amendment. Take 30 seconds to email your legislators now!

2. ATTEND A FAIR SHARE KICKOFF EVENT – Over the next few weeks, the Fair Share 2022 Campaign is hosting Fair Share Amendment kickoff events in every corner of the state. Find one near you and urge your friends, family, and social networks to attend these events as well. RSVP for one near you at https://raiseupma.us/events!

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Phone Bank for the Safe Communities Act! 📞📞📞

The Safe Communities Act achieved major progress last year. Building on that momentum, we’re ready to fight for a victory this session.

But we need a supermajority of House and Senate votes to overcome an expected Governor’s veto. That’s two-thirds of each chamber: 107 House votes and 27 Senate votes.

Help us engage constituents in purple districts, so that swing legislators can be confident they have public support when they take that vote.

Join us for a Zoom Phone Bank next Wednesday at 6 pm to constituents in swing districts to generate calls to their legislators! Register here—and don’t forget to invite your friends!

We provide a short training at the beginning, log-in information, and lists for phone banking. You’ll need a computer and phone to participate, and we’ll send you Zoom information on how to join when you RSVP.

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CD-08 Redistricting Hearing: Tuesday, 6/8, 12 pm to 5 pm

The Redistricting Committee will be hosting separate hearings for all nine Congressional Districts. These hearings provide an opportunity for area residents to offer their opinions on local and community interests that the Committee should consider when creating the new legislative districts.

Next Tuesday, the Committee will focus on CD-08.

CD-08 includes all or part of Abington, Avon, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Cohasset, Dedham, East Bridgewater, Holbrook, Hingham, Hull, Milton, Norwood, Quincy, Stoughton, Walpole, West Bridgewater, Westwood, Weymouth, Whitman, and the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Dorchester, Downtown, Jamaica Plain, South Boston, Roslindale, and West Roxbury in Boston.

Sign up to testify here.