March 1, Acton-Boxborough High School Upper Gym: An assembly featuring six speakers, ranging from eighteen years old to the mid-sixties, attracted about four hundred people on Sunday afternoon, March 2. The event, organized by the Acton Democratic Town Committee (ADTC), was promoted with an online poster that asked attendees to “bring your voice and your signs”, and many did just that.
After the six-piece band, The Acton Music Project, warmed up the crowd, ADTC Chair Sahana Purohit introduced the speakers, starting with State Senator Jamie Eldridge (Middlesex-Worcester). Eldridge outlined his party’s positions on LGBTQ rights, climate change related to fossil fuel use, and preserving economic opportunities for citizens.
The youngest speaker, 2024 Acton-Boxborough Regional High School grad Ty Sahani, lamented cuts to medical research funding and advocated for transgender persons’ rights on college campuses. Next, State Representative Dan Sena (37th Middlesex), a self-described Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient who immigrated from Brazil, decried Trump administration policies that he said targeted immigrants, women’s rights, and Medicare and Medicaid. Governor’s Councillor Mara Dolan spoke about the power of protest. She encouraged people to join Democratic leaders at a March 15 rally on Boston Common.
Retired Boston Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scientist and Acton resident Matthew Liebman, echoing most of the other speakers, criticized the many layoffs of federal workers, which, he said, recently ended the position he had retired from, as well as many others. He credited the EPA for restoring Boston Harbor, drawing cheers from the crowd, and warned of threats to environmental justice.
Finally, State Rep. Simon Cataldo (14th Middlesex), invoking his role as a father, praised Massachusetts as a great place to raise a family, but warned that paring down the state government will hurt families and the environment. Cataldo praised the Acton and Boxborough town committees, and exhorted people to run for office or support those who do. His call for a “Project 2029” drew cheers from the bleachers.
The rally was recorded by Sam Fieldman. You can find it on the Acton TV YouTube channel.
James Conboy writes frequently for the Acton Exchange and is a member of the Acton Republican Town Committee.