On the last day of the session, transgender rights activists urge state lawmakers to pressure Governor Sununu to veto all four anti-trans bills which are headed to his desk.
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places — and there are so many — where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.” — Howard Zinn, You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train
Dear State House Watchers,
This is a weekend for celebrating Father’s Day, the start of summer vacation for New Hampshire students and school personnel, and the official end of the 2024 state legislative session. We hope everyone can enjoy some relaxation, fun, and a slower pace of life.
This is our last regular issue of State House Watch for 2024, but in a few weeks, we’ll send you a comprehensive end-of-session summary. There isn’t much activity at the State House in July or August, but starting on September 3, incumbent House members running for re-election can submit their legislative proposals for the 2025 session. These will be posted on the General Court website.
The next phase of life for the bills that passed the House and Senate is enrollment and a trip to the governor’s desk, where he’ll decide to sign, veto, or allow a bill to become law without his signature. You can track the news via the press releases posted by the governor’s office which announce the outcomes. You can catch up on the most recent news at InDepthNH: Sununu signs 51 bills into law.
On Wednesday, we’ll celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the day – June 19, 1865 – when the Union Army arrived to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free the enslaved people, nearly 2 ½ years after the proclamation had been issued. Read more here. We recommend this reflection from our AFSC colleague, Lewis Webb: On Juneteenth, we must honor the unfinished work of abolition. “On this Juneteenth, I join those calling on all of us to take up the unfinished struggle of the original abolitionists. The dangers of simply reforming the policies of the present are too great. It is time to unequivocally abandon the idea that putting human beings in cages or in bondage can somehow serve society. We may not know exactly what a world without cages and shackles will look like, nor do we know exactly how to get there. But it is past time to stop building solitary cells and electric chairs simply because we refuse to believe something else is possible. Our communities and our futures deserve better, and together we can get there.”
We want to acknowledge the passing last week of Rev. James Lawson, a civil rights leader, Methodist pastor, and professor whose deep commitment to nonviolence led him to join Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the south for decades of work for justice and equality. He trained many of the movement’s leaders in the practical application of nonviolent strategy, including in the Freedom Rides. Read more about him here: Remembering James Lawson and his fierce dedication to the power of nonviolent action. “Toward the end of his life, Lawson described his ‘fundamental message’ for the next century of struggle, saying ‘the U.S. must experience a series of nonviolent campaigns that will make what we did in the 20th century look tiny and small and calm in comparison… I can’t try to pretend what all those campaigns ought to be and can be, but … they must be deeply connected with … the deep strategies and philosophies and behaviors of nonviolence that came out of the ‘60s.’” We also recommend this interview between Rev. Lawson and peace activist Rev. John Dear, reprinted from 2021.
Speaking of peace, 45 community members showed up last week in solidarity with those who had been arrested a month ago for a peaceful protest in the office of Congressman Chris Pappas, urging the lawmaker to act for an end to US-funded violence and famine in Gaza. The “Mother’s Day Five” were arraigned on Monday at the Dover District Court and entered pleas of not guilty to charges of criminal trespass. They will return to court for trial on October 29, 2024. Read more here (Foster’s), here (WMUR), and here (InDepthNH): “’I was born before World War Two,” said [Janet] Simmon, [one of the five who were arraigned.] ‘Since then, there have been multiple cases of mass destruction of people and cultures. Each time in the aftermath there is a hue and cry of ‘It would not have happened if more people had stood up in opposition.’ We are calling on the world to stop this devastation and starvation.’”
Another source of inspiration last week was the “Guns to Gardens” event sponsored by GunSense NH, during which 17 guns were cut into pieces to be turned into garden tools, jewelry and other items. Read about it here. Events like this can help to grow the community of activists who are confronting the powerful gun lobby in an effort to enact commonsense gun violence prevention policies.
It’s a Wrap for the 2024 Session!
The House and Senate met on Thursday, June 13 for their final session day. We are delighted to report that there were many positive outcomes! The full list is below, but here’s what we’re most excited about:
The House tabled the CoC report for HB 1292, a bill that had been amended by the Senate to include an anti-immigrant proposal requiring local police to engage in federal immigration enforcement. The motion to table passed with a strong majority (192-165), and the proposal is effectively defeated for this year. Read more here. We are relieved and grateful to all who raised their voices against this bill, including many municipal leaders and local police chiefs.
A bill that would have increased eligibility for school vouchers was defeated as well! HB 1665, a proposal that would have cost taxpayers an additional $53 million without standards or accountability for educational outcomes, failed by a roll call vote of 168-185. Read more here, and in this press release from Granite State Progress.
And in more great news, HB 1370, a bill that would eliminate voter affidavits and impose citizenship documentation requirements at the polls, was tabled by a division vote of 223-141. A similar bill, HB 1569, is headed to the governor’s desk, so please call his office and urge him to veto it (603-271-2121). Read more here.
We’re glad to see that the House and Senate voted to adopt the CoC report for HB 318, wrapping up a year’s worth of negotiations to address concerns – some founded and others unfounded – related to the bail reforms approved in 2018. The proposal was approved by voice vote in the House and by unanimous roll call vote in the Senate.
And the final passage of HB 1400, relative to residential parking spaces, landlord-tenant law, unauthorized occupant evictions, and zoning procedures concerning residential housing, is very good news for affordable housing in NH. The CoC report was approved by voice vote in the Senate, and by a roll call vote of 205-149 in the House.
While the Senate voted to approve the CoC report for HB 1633, a bill that would legalize and regulate cannabis, House members voted 178-173 to table the bill, thereby defeating it for the year. Many advocates for legalization decided that the bill was too flawed, and that it would be best to try again next year. Read more here.
Here are some helpful summaries of Thursday’s session:
The surprising list of Republican bills killed by the House Thursday (NH Bulletin)
House dashes major pieces to GOP agenda - election law changes, school vouchers and immigration fail (Union Leader)
GOP Agenda Takes a Big Hit in the House (InDepthNH)
ACTION ALERTS
Please urge Governor Sununu to veto the following bills that were passed by the legislature this year. You can call his office at (603-271-2121), or share your comments here.
Protect voting rights
Veto HB 1569, relative to eliminating voter identification exceptions. McKenzie St. Germain, Campaign Director for the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights, explains that this voter suppression bill would “…make our registration system the most restrictive in the country [and] is a disservice to every single Granite State voter and our trusted local election officials -- who also stand nearly uniformly opposed to these bills.”
Protect LGBTQ+ Communities
Veto HB 1205, relative to women's school sports. This bill requires schools to designate athletics by sex and prohibits biological males from participating in female athletics, banning transgender girls playing girls' sports in 6th-12th grade. It also creates various causes of action based on violations of the provisions in the bill.
Veto HB 619, to require a person to attain the age of majority for genital gender reassignment surgery. This bill denies access to medical procedures for transgender teen girls, (including banning referrals out of state) that should be decided by the teen, their parents/guardians, and medical professionals.
Veto HB 1312, requiring parental notification of student health or well-being and certain curricula by school districts. This harmful bill mandates a 2-week notice on any curriculum related to sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression, and bans policies that would allow students' privacy for conversations regarding sexuality, etc.
Veto HB 396, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain circumstances. This bill permits classification of individuals based on biological sex in lavatory facilities and locker rooms, sporting competitions, and detention facilities. It would roll back the anti-discrimination protections that were passed into law a few years ago.
Immigration News
Last week we recognized the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA). Read more here. Designed to be a temporary program, and besieged by changes that prevent new applications, the average DACA recipient is now 31 years old with still no path to citizenship for the over 500,000 current recipients.
On the heels of an executive order limiting asylum at the southern border, President Biden is poised to make an announcement next week that could bring temporary relief to undocumented immigrants married to US citizens. Read more here.
If you believe, as we do, that our immigration system should be welcoming, dignified, and fair; that everyone deserves a chance to build a good life – no matter where they were born or when or how they arrived here; that denying asylum will endanger people who come to this country in search of safety and a chance to build a good life; and that we should create accessible pathways to citizenship, not close the border; then please take action to share your views with the Biden Administration, and urge our Members of Congress (including primary and general election candidates for our two House seats) to be champions for humane immigration policy.
Ceasefire – And A Just Peace – Now
We’re cheering on our friend Bob Sanders, retired journalist and founder of Not In My Name NH, a group of Jewish residents advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza, who departs on Monday for a Ride Against War in Gaza (RAW Gaza), a bicycle trip that will pass through towns in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Read more here. The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness of and support for the group’s goals: an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and release of all hostages; suspension of all unrestricted military aid for Israel; increased humanitarian aid through UNRWA, the United Nation agency that has been distributing such aid for years; support for the international investigation of war crimes against Hamas and Israel; and an end to discrimination against Jews and Muslims but without using false charges of antisemitism to quell criticism against Israel.
You’ll find some excellent resources for your own advocacy at AFSC’s website, Crisis in Gaza, including reports from our staff in Gaza, resources to support divestment campaigns, action alerts, and opportunities to financially support our humanitarian assistance program.
Final Votes in the House and Senate
The House and Senate met in session on Thursday, June 13 to vote up or down on the Committee of Conference (CoC) reports. Here are the outcomes for the bills we’re tracking.
HB 318-FN-A, (Third New Title) relative to bail commissioners, the standards applicable to and the administration of bail, and making an appropriation. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by RC 24-0. The bill was approved.
HB 458, (New Title) reestablishing the commission to study the assessing of power generation. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 463-FN, (New Title) relative to the establishment of an election information portal and making an appropriation therefor. Due to lack of agreement, the bill was defeated.
HB 468-FN-A, (New Title) establishing a commission to recodify the education laws and making an appropriation therefor. Due to lack of agreement, the bill was defeated.
HB 1018-FN, (New Title) relative to on-premise and off-premise liquor licenses and relative to land in current use. This bill expands grounds for criminal trespass to include violation of open space land posted for recreational use only and when associated with a violation of the controlled drug act or human trafficking. House adopted by DV 190-176, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1069, relative to material subject to disclosure under the right-to-know law. Conferees could not reach agreement, so the bill was defeated.
HB 1079, relative to critical incident stress management team members and establishing a rural and underserved area educator incentive program for higher education and making an appropriation therefor. House adopted by DV 241-125, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1091, relative to the financing of political campaigns. House adopted by DV 190-181, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1127, relative to the revocation and suspension of driver licenses. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved. Note that the harmful anti-immigrant amendment was removed during the CoC so the final bill is benign.
HB 1197, relative to criminal background checks and relative to insurance coverage for intrauterine insemination. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1236-FN, establishing a pilot recruitment and retention program within the department of health and human services and relative to the income eligibility for “in and out medical assistance” under the state Medicaid plan. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1259-FN, (New Title) relative to property and casualty insurance laws administered by the insurance department; and making an appropriation to the department of environmental services to fund regional drinking water infrastructure. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1265, relative to the penalty for failure to file school expenditure reports, relative to certain adequacy grants, and requiring mandatory reporting by school districts of school expenses. House adopted by RC 183-172, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1278-FN, relative to qualifying medical conditions for purposes of therapeutic cannabis; and relative to the summer EBT program, the SNAP elderly simplified application and the school lunch program and making appropriations therefor. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1292-FN, relative to coverage of children under the state retiree insurance plan and relative to federal immigration enforcement. Senate adopted by RC 14Y-10N, House tabled by DV 192-165. The bill was defeated.
HB 1298-FN, relative to the definition of part-time teachers. Conferees could not reach agreement so the bill was defeated.
HB 1313-FN-L, relative to access to the voter checklist by candidates. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1369, relative to the verification of voter rolls every 4 years. Senate adopted by VV, House failed to adopt, DV 178-185. The bill was defeated.
HB 1370-FN, (New Title) relative to eliminating voter identification exceptions. Senate adopted by VV, House tabled by DV 223-141. The bill was defeated.
HB 1386-FN, relative to prohibiting the disposal of lithium-ion batteries in solid waste landfill facilities, composting facilities, or incinerators. House adopted by DV 238-118, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1400, relative to residential parking spaces, landlord-tenant law, unauthorized occupant evictions, and zoning procedures concerning residential housing. House adopted by RC 205-149, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1521, (New Title) relative to recovery houses. Conferees could not reach agreement, so the bill was defeated.
HB 1573-FN, relative to out-of-home placements for children. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1596-FN, requiring a disclosure of deceptive artificial intelligence usage in political advertising. This bill establishes penalties for the use of AI in generating false information for campaigns. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1600-FN, establishing a committee to study the aggregation of electric customers by municipalities and counties. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
HB 1616-FN, relative to parental consent for student participation in Medicaid to schools program and establishing a pilot recruitment and retention program within the department of health and human services. Senate adopted by VV, House failed to adopt, RC 173-179. The bill was defeated.
HB 1633-FN-A, relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor. Senate adopted by RC 14Y-10N, House tabled the bill, DV 178-173. The bill was defeated.
HB 1665-FN, relative to student eligibility for education freedom accounts and the scholarship organization’s costs of administering the program, extending phase-out grants for education freedom accounts, and revising the definitions of average daily membership in attendance and average daily membership in residence. Senate adopted by RC 14Y-10N, House failed to adopt, RC 168-185. The bill was defeated.
HB 1695, relative to the release of student personally identifiable information. Conferees could not agree, so the bill was defeated.
HB 2024-FN, relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan; relative to adding a speed limit of 45 miles per hour on rural highways; relative to disability pensions for public safety employees who are victims of violence; and making a capital appropriation to the department of corrections toward the replacement of the New Hampshire state prison for men. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
SB 266, relative to administration of school assessment and accountability programs by the department of education. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
SB 340, relative to communication between parents and school districts regarding special education, special education reporting requirements, and the office of the advocate for special education. House adopted by DV 188-179, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
SB 417-FN, relative to out-of-home placements for children. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
SB 499-FN, relative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Summer EBT program and making appropriations ,and relative to providing disaster relief funding to municipalities after a natural disaster. House adopted by VV, Senate adopted by VV. The bill was approved.
SB 534-FN, relative to campaign finance. Conferees could not agree, so the bill was defeated.
Upcoming Events & Actions
Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire now! Humanitarian access to Gaza! No tax dollars for war crimes! – Join us from 2 PM to 3 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action, AFSC, & interfaith partners.
June 19 - Congressman Chris Pappas, Dover District Office, 660 Central Avenue, Dover.
June 26 – Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Dover District Office, 340 Central Avenue, Suite 205. Dover.
Every Thursday
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Peace in Palestine & Israel - 5:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC.
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now – 12 PM. At the corner of N. Main and Centre Streets, Concord.
Every Friday
AFSC Action Hour for a Ceasefire – 12 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Join AFSC staff every Friday at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT to hear updates from Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact our elected officials and call for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us.
For the months of June, July, and August AFSC Action Hour will be on summer hours. First Fridays (July 5 and August 2) will be one hour with guests. All other Fridays will be 30 minutes and will include updates from Gaza, calls to Congress, and announcements.
Save the Dates
Love 2024 Conversations – Hosted by Granite State Organizing Project. The 2024 race for New Hampshire governor will have lasting impacts on the people of New Hampshire. In the lead up to the primary in September 2024, join us for conversations with all candidates for governor about our hopes for the future of the Granite State.
June 20 - Joyce Craig – 12 PM in Manchester
June 21 - Cinde Warmington – 4 PM in Goffstown
350NH Annual Youth Leadership Retreat - July 19 to July 21. World Fellowship Center, 368 Drake Hill Rd, Albany, NH. Hosted by 350NH. Over the course of a weekend, students will learn how we can work together to stop the climate crisis and build a better future. They will participate in training sessions about grassroots organizing, climate justice, and youth power in the climate movement. They will also participate in team-building activities and form lasting friendships. Deadline to signup is: June 19!
Juneteenth Events:
June 7, 13 & 19 - Juneteenth Celebration 2024 - Hosted by Black Heritage Trail NH. The celebration includes an artist reception, a panel discussion, a live concert, a children's drumming workshop, African drumming, and more.
June 15 - Juneteenth Kickback! - 2 PM. Hosted by BLM NH. This gathering offers a space for unity and joy, featuring traditional foods, music, and storytelling, as we celebrate the enduring resilience and rich culture of the Black community and continue to advocate for future progress.
June 19 – Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom – 1 PM. 30 Temple St STE 202, Nashua. Hosted by Kimberly Whittaker & Shewanda Williams. Join us to celebrate and showcase Black excellence at Nashua’s Juneteenth celebration. The event will include food, music, local vendors, artists selling and showcasing their work, and hair braiders.
June 19 – City of Keene 2024 Juneteenth Celebration – 6 PM to 8 PM. Central Square, Keene. Hosted by City of Keene. A celebration featuring live performances by Senie Hunt and the Gaslight Tinkers. Join us at this free, family-friendly community event at the heart of downtown Keene. All are welcome!
June 22 - Juneteenth New England - 12 PM to 7 PM. 266 N Main St. Concord. Hosted by Black Womxn in NH Social Club. A joyous and educational event focused on sharing African American traditions related to this holiday including food, drink, music, art, and stories. We are also committed to elevating and spotlighting local Black owned businesses and artists.
Monday, June 17
The Power of Rural Collaboration and Coalition Building: Lessons Learned and Paths Forward - 4 PM. Hosted by New Hampshire Perinatal Quality Collaborative. Multiple partners across the rural space came together over the last few years to curate the Rural Opportunity and Development series (ROADs). Please join us in the culminating event of the ROADs partnership where we will recap previous events and share learnings and next steps from this multi-year rural-focused experience. No matter which industry, rural communities often lack one major thing across the board: capacity. This necessitates collaboration at the community level, between communities, and between organizations, like ours, that serve rural communities.
Thursday, June 20
Roundtable Forum on Recovery Housing in Greater Portsmouth - 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Hosted by The Greater Portsmouth Recovery Coalition. Join us in discussing the need to bring more quality Recovery Housing to Seacoast, NH. The Greater Portsmouth Recovery Coalition is committed to raising awareness for the benefits of Recovery Housing for both individuals in recovery and the community in general. We are excited to partner with Saint Anselm Center for Ethics in Society to bring renowned recovery voices including keynote speaker Dr. David Best to this forum and look forward to collaborating with all of our guests.
National Immigration Summit – 1 PM. Hosted by Children Thrive Action Network. This fifth annual Immigration Summit will explore the unique challenges facing immigrant children and their families. Join us to learn about child-forward immigration policies, access to basic needs and mental health resources, education, and how to center children in the narrative surrounding immigrants and immigration. Our summit will bring together child advocates and experts from across the nation!
Remaking the Economy: How Policy Can Help Tenants Purchase Their Homes - 2 PM to 3:30 PM. Hosted by Nonprofit Quarterly & Shelterforce. In a growing number of cities across the United States, housing advocates are getting laws passed that give tenants the ability to purchase, either directly or through a nonprofit, their own apartments. Increasingly, these policies are emerging as a powerful anti-displacement strategy. But these policies are hard won, and not always easy to implement. Even in cities where tenants have established this ability in law, they often have to stave off efforts to dial back these legislative gains.
Reducing Perinatal Inequities through Black Feminism and Radical Imagination - 3 PM. Hosted by New Hampshire Perinatal Quality Collaborative. Our efforts to reduce perinatal racial inequities can be limited and undermined by the tools we use. This interactive format will review what’s wrong with traditional racial equity quality improvement initiatives and describe the benefits of applying a Black Feminist and Radical Imagination lens. Participants will reflect on a perinatal health inequity they want to address and develop a “possibility question” and one change idea to apply to their work as community organizers, birth workers, advocates, educators, or researchers.
Tuesday, June 25
Introduction to Deep Canvassing: The Proven Method to Change Hearts and Minds - 6 PM to 7 PM. Hosted by People’s Action. Are you an organizer, community leader, or activist looking to engage with your community around deeply polarizing issues? Are you an individual hoping to understand how to have compassionate, non-judgmental conversations across lines of difference? Or, are you someone who’s heard about this thing called “deep canvassing” and you’re curious to learn more? Join us for a virtual information session to learn more about deep canvassing; what it is, how it’s used and why it works.
Thursday, June 27
Utility Justice Volunteer Meeting - 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Hosted by 350NH. Join our utility justice working group to push utility companies to be accountable to us - their ratepayers! Our utility companies’ interests are intertwined with the fossil fuel industry. Electricity prices in New Hampshire have fluctuated wildly because of our over-reliance on fracked gas, yet companies like Liberty and Eversource continue to pursue efforts to increase fracked gas imports. These companies also continue to make record profits at a time when a record number of households need help covering electricity bills. Help us launch the next chapter of our Utilities campaign to ensure clean, affordable energy for all!
Tuesday, June 25
Planned Parenthood NH Action Fund Virtual Monthly Meeting - 6 PM to 7 PM. Hosted by PPNHAF. Join us for our virtual Monthly Meeting where we'll discuss national news, #NHPolitics updates, deep canvassing, upcoming events, and ways to take action!
"Jews Step Forward" Documentary Online Film Screening & Discussion - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by Not In My Name NH. Join us to hear the moral voices of bravery and justice inside the documentary "Jews Step Forward". Israel evokes deep emotions for many. This documentary asks us to challenge what are, in many cases, lifelong paradigms of this complex place. Let's be brave together by viewing the film and having a respectful conversation.
Wednesday, June 26
Teaching Public Health: Transforming Education for Public Health - 9 AM to 12 PM. Hosted by Boston University. This is the sixth installment of our Teaching Public Health series, which began in 2018. This year’s discussion will reflect on how academic public health can act on the Framing the Future 2030 recommendations to better prepare the next generation of public health professionals.
Saturday, June 29
Rebuilding Education in Gaza: What Can We do? - 11 AM to 12 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Every single student, scholar, and teacher in Gaza has been affected by the destruction of the education systems in Gaza. What can we do to help? Join us to learn from Palestinian scholars Nour Hamad, Ahmed Maher Alghazali, and Majd Almishharawi about what we can do to rebuild the education systems in Gaza.
Frederick Douglass Statewide Reading - 12 PM to 2 PM. Hosted by Black Heritage Trail NH. Join us online and in person across NH to read Douglass’ historic protest speech “What to the slave is your Fourth of July” and to reflect on its meaning. While reading Frederick Douglass’ work is a powerful experience for many, it is only one piece of the long-overdue conversations that our communities need to have. We hope that these readings will be a starting point for these difficult dialogues and that they will provide an opportunity for us to engage in deeper conversations that will lead to actions to help build more inclusive and just communities today.
Tuesday, July 9
Migration Justice Webinar Series: Hard Conversations - 7 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Please join AFSC staff to explore how to have meaningful conversations about immigration issues in ways that help people connect with our shared values. You'll learn about the results of a recent messaging study that showed that a majority of people nationwide strongly agree that the federal government should take steps to create a welcoming and dignified immigration system. This will be an interactive session where you will be able to share your ideas and thoughts as we work toward creating positive messaging about immigrants throughout the U.S.
With best wishes,
Maggie Fogarty, Grace Kindeke and Kathleen Wooten
AFSC’s New Hampshire “State House Watch" newsletter is published to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord including housing, the death penalty, immigration, education, civil liberties, and labor rights. We also follow the state budget and tax system, voting rights, corrections policy, and more. Subscribe today to receive State House Watch news every week!
The AFSC is a Quaker organization supported by people of many faiths who care about peace, social justice, humanitarian service, and nonviolent change. Maggie Fogarty and Grace Kindeke staff the New Hampshire Program which publishes this newsletter. Read our 2023 highlights here. Kathleen Wooten is AFSC’s State House Watch researcher and database manager.
Your donations make our work possible. Click the DONATE NOW button on our web page to send a secure donation to support the work of the AFSC’s New Hampshire Program. Thank you!