A Small But Powerful Step

I want to inform my fellow citizens of Brunswick of a social justice movement in America at the state, county, municipal and college level, that is gaining momentum in our town. I am speaking of the movement to change the name of the holiday known as “Columbus Day” to “Indigenous People’s Day.” Members of the Working for Justice Committee of the UU Church and PeaceWorks are leading the way locally to celebrate the wisdom of native American culture which has been oppressed and marginalized since the first European colony was established on this continent. The two local groups are hosting a meeting this coming Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Merrymeeting Room in the Brunswick UU Church on Middle Street.

The Brunswick Green Party supports this movement for two reasons. One — We know of the horrors that the original American immigrants inflicted upon the Native American citizens. That injustice, which still goes on today, does not sit well with my sense of decency. Secondly, as a Green Party member, this issue speaks to three of our Ten Key Values and I intend on making this world a better place by promoting those values. The three that are pertinent to this movement are 1. Social justice and equal opportunity. 2. Ecological wisdom. 3. Respect for diversity. Please support your fellow citizens in taking a small but powerfully symbolic step toward social justice.

David Frans,

Brunswick