An Open Letter to the Natick Community from Natick Is United

Dear Natick Community,

Both personally and for Natick Is United, I feel deep anxiety-like many of you do- over what the election results will mean for the most vulnerable members of our communities and our collective future.

This is a hard and traumatic time for so many of us, and it is both normal and necessary to rest before we fully re-engage. The airplane metaphor is appropriate here. This became very real the first time I flew with one of my children -- you need to secure your own oxygen mask before assisting the person next to you or around you. 

Further, our most vulnerable peoples cannot afford for us to pull back from the commitment that Natick Is United made in 2016 when there were several incidents of bias and racism in Natick. At that time, many local residents expressed fear and concern about their safety and place in our town.The  Natick community responded by coming together to convey the message that we stand together and we will not tolerate hateful or discriminatory acts of any kind. We committed to a NIU mission statement that seeks to build a Natick that is free of discrimination, harassment, mistreatment, or exclusion based on: gender, race, class, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, learning style, abilities, or political party.  Our Natick Is United statement has been signed by nearly 2,000 individuals, families, and organizations. This statement remains a relevant north star to support and guide our community. 

Our commitment to justice has not changed, our mission has not faltered, and our work is even more critical today. Despite the many forces threatening to divide us, we stand firm in our commitment to fighting for equitable systems, spaces, and governance. 

As we move forward, Natick Is United will continue to serve as a pillar of justice, resilience, and unity, ensuring every resident feels valued and supported.

Here are some actions that you can take to support Natick Is United’s mission:

  1. Support the Welcoming Immigration Policy drafted by the Natick Immigration Policy Coalition and Natick Is United:

    1. Attend the Select Board meeting on Wednesday, November 20 at 6:00 p.m. and, if you are willing, speak in support of this item when it comes up on the agenda. Your presence and your words can make a significant impact.  The meeting will be in person at Edward H. Dlott Meeting Room, Natick Town Hall, 13 East Central Street, or on Zoom. Link to agenda and zoom link.   NOTE: The text of the policy can also be found here under item titled: Discussion on Welcoming Communities Policy.

    2. If you are not able to attend the meeting, write to the Select Board and tell them that you support a strong policy protecting Natick’s immigrant communities. You can write to the Select Board at selectboard@natickma.org.

  2. Sign the Natick Is United Statement - www.natickisunited.org/sign-statement

  3. Call the Natick Freedom Team (www.natickisunited.org/freedom-team) if you witness or experience bias-motivated threats, harassment or violence. You may call the Town of Natick Hotline at 508-647-9548. 

  4. Subscribe to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and support their work to preserve our democracy and our freedom (www.action.aclu.org)

  1. Attend our Racial Justice Series, our panel presentations and be attentive to our calls to action (sign up for updates: www.natickisunited.org/events-1)  or contact us directly at https://www.natickisunited.org/contact.

Building a more just and inclusive democracy will require all of us standing shoulder to shoulder, listening deeply to each other, and building a more inclusive community.


Sincerely,

Myriam Hernandez Jennings

Executive Director

Natick Is United

Lee ManuelNovember 19/ 2024