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HUMAN RIGHTS

Learn more about programs that center on promoting human rights within our local Western MA community.

DECARCERATE WESTERN MA

Decarcerate Western Mass is a grassroots organization focused on advocating for the transformation of the criminal justice system in Western Massachusetts. Its primary mission is to reduce the use of incarceration and promote alternatives to punitive systems, particularly for marginalized communities.

They work to build collective power through community organizing, raising awareness about the harmful effects of mass incarceration, and pushing for policy reforms that prioritize public health, safety, and racial justice.

By engaging with local communities, advocating for divestment from the prison-industrial complex, and pushing for investment in social services, Decarcerate Western Mass aims to create a more equitable, humane, and restorative justice system.

WESTERN MA ASYLUM SUPPORT NETWORK

Western Mass Asylum Support is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to providing support for asylum seekers in the Western Massachusetts area. Their mission is to assist individuals who are navigating the complex and often overwhelming asylum process by offering practical resources, emotional support, and advocacy.

WMAS helps asylum seekers with things like housing, legal assistance, language barriers, and access to healthcare, while also working to raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees and immigrants.

The organization fosters community solidarity and works to ensure that asylum seekers are treated with dignity, respect, and the support they need to rebuild their lives in a new country.

WESTERN MA SURJ: INDIGENOUS REPARATIONS FUND

Western Massachusetts Showing Up for Racial Justice (WMSURJ) is a grassroots organization focused on supporting racial justice and anti-racism efforts.

WMSURJ actively supports Indigenous reparations as a critical part of their broader racial justice work. The organization acknowledges the historical and ongoing harms of colonization, land theft, and systemic violence against Indigenous peoples. WMSURJ advocates for reparations to address these injustices, which includes recognizing and honoring Indigenous land rights, supporting land restitution, and working to raise awareness about the legacy of colonialism.

Their work involves engaging with Indigenous communities to ensure their needs and voices are central in efforts for reparative justice. Additionally, WMSURJ emphasizes the importance of building solidarity with Indigenous-led movements and actions that promote healing, sovereignty, and cultural preservation.