#mapol — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #mapol, aggregated by home.social.
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Regardless of how you feel about the #DSA the Boston DSA voter guide provides useful tables on Massachusetts candidate positions on specific issues.
https://bdsa.us/voterguide -
Regardless of how you feel about the #DSA the Boston DSA voter guide provides useful tables on Massachusetts candidate positions on specific issues.
https://bdsa.us/voterguide -
Last night, Cambridge City Council voted to temporarily re-instate #ShotSpotter while they gather more information.
https://archive.is/gjAdA#CambridgeMA #MAPol #surveillance #privacy #policing #StopShotSpotter
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Last night, Cambridge City Council voted to temporarily re-instate #ShotSpotter while they gather more information.
https://archive.is/gjAdA#CambridgeMA #MAPol #surveillance #privacy #policing #StopShotSpotter
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Commentary on the #SomervilleMA police #bodyCameras situation, and what the Mayor might be trying to do, from Chris Dwan:
https://csindie.com/somervilles-mayor-is-forcing-a-special-council-meeting-to-vote-on-body-worn-cameras/ -
I also included the following personal language in my emailed comment:
"Speaking as one of the residents who has been working hard to understand what is happening and provide good information to the public, I can say that we were scrambling to review the relevant materials and release notes to the public before Thursday afternoon. I can't articulate how frustrating it was to then suddenly learn on Friday morning that yet another STIR had been released on Thursday night." -
I also included the following personal language in my emailed comment:
"Speaking as one of the residents who has been working hard to understand what is happening and provide good information to the public, I can say that we were scrambling to review the relevant materials and release notes to the public before Thursday afternoon. I can't articulate how frustrating it was to then suddenly learn on Friday morning that yet another STIR had been released on Thursday night." -
Here is a generic-language version of the email I just sent to #Somerville Council about police #bodycameras for the 12pm deadline.
https://sandstorm.appux.com/shared/lGlNKXBAaxeBW0-1FUCMihCp9r-K3h6HryHO2vNa4oaIf you are delivering public comment tonight, feel free to adapt ideas in there. It's a complicated issue, and I know that concerns differ.
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Here is a generic-language version of the email I just sent to #Somerville Council about police #bodycameras for the 12pm deadline.
https://sandstorm.appux.com/shared/lGlNKXBAaxeBW0-1FUCMihCp9r-K3h6HryHO2vNa4oaIf you are delivering public comment tonight, feel free to adapt ideas in there. It's a complicated issue, and I know that concerns differ.
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Some folks from the #Somerville DSA group put together these slides with tips on how to prepare public comment for the Special Meeting on #bodycameras tomorrow.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xmdAuHLzOOFhmdxZE3nWoZ7SveOiNW2mstvn7xPvr6Q/edit?usp=sharing -
Some folks from the #Somerville DSA group put together these slides with tips on how to prepare public comment for the Special Meeting on #bodycameras tomorrow.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xmdAuHLzOOFhmdxZE3nWoZ7SveOiNW2mstvn7xPvr6Q/edit?usp=sharing -
On Friday, the Mayor also released this self-congratulatory video about the body camera policy that he's hoping will be passed on Monday: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbJLZDzRjl3/
(apologies for the Instagram link)It's important to note that despite the fact that Mayor Wilson mentions #oversight in the same breath as body cameras, no civilian oversight body exists in #Somerville at this time, and creating one will likely take years.
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On Friday, the Mayor also released this self-congratulatory video about the body camera policy that he's hoping will be passed on Monday: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbJLZDzRjl3/
(apologies for the Instagram link)It's important to note that despite the fact that Mayor Wilson mentions #oversight in the same breath as body cameras, no civilian oversight body exists in #Somerville at this time, and creating one will likely take years.
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From the perspective of those of us trying to provide current information on this issue to the public, it's incredibly frustrating that *after* the Mayor scheduled this Special Meeting (on very short notice), he then proceeded to update the policy that is being discussed at the special meeting, just two business days before the public is supposed to provide comment (and the Council is supposed to vote).
#surveillance #policing #MAPol #SomervilleMA #privacy #Somerville
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From the perspective of those of us trying to provide current information on this issue to the public, it's incredibly frustrating that *after* the Mayor scheduled this Special Meeting (on very short notice), he then proceeded to update the policy that is being discussed at the special meeting, just two business days before the public is supposed to provide comment (and the Council is supposed to vote).
#surveillance #policing #MAPol #SomervilleMA #privacy #Somerville
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Update: On July 23rd, the Mayor introduced a new version of the STIR and TSSUP for police #bodycameras in #Somerville. The new documents clarify a number of policy points, but don't substantively address the concerns we've highlighted in our toolkit above.
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Update: On July 23rd, the Mayor introduced a new version of the STIR and TSSUP for police #bodycameras in #Somerville. The new documents clarify a number of policy points, but don't substantively address the concerns we've highlighted in our toolkit above.
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We're asking #Somerville residents concerned about the rushed process on body camera policy to attend the special meeting on July 27th to insist on proper deliberation.
We have an action toolkit here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQ8FOlm5fCo7-s3jubaDq79i0hHhamUw-o7DTxcLpo4GaBwuGvBNPiZy-d_RB6gvKmh6fSivtO42CZ7/pub#bodycameras #policing #surveillance #privacy #MAPol #Somerville MA
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We're asking #Somerville residents concerned about the rushed process on body camera policy to attend the special meeting on July 27th to insist on proper deliberation.
We have an action toolkit here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQ8FOlm5fCo7-s3jubaDq79i0hHhamUw-o7DTxcLpo4GaBwuGvBNPiZy-d_RB6gvKmh6fSivtO42CZ7/pub#bodycameras #policing #surveillance #privacy #MAPol #Somerville MA
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Here is the latest update from the Somerville ad hoc group working on the body cameras issue: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRiU1P7QeQoR9Tbx-xr1wzevoa7D5UnRo8kRdEws6CFHLEgDCU7EzDkR60PAv4Rk0FByuZemkjya95c/pub
The very short version is that the Mayor is still trying to rush this specific body cameras policy through without proper deliberation and that #Somerville is holding a special meeting on July 27th for public comment *and* a vote.
This is *not* the public comment session that was requested by petition.
#bodycameras #SomervilleMA #policing #surveillance #privacy #MAPol
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Here is the latest update from the Somerville ad hoc group working on the body cameras issue: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRiU1P7QeQoR9Tbx-xr1wzevoa7D5UnRo8kRdEws6CFHLEgDCU7EzDkR60PAv4Rk0FByuZemkjya95c/pub
The very short version is that the Mayor is still trying to rush this specific body cameras policy through without proper deliberation and that #Somerville is holding a special meeting on July 27th for public comment *and* a vote.
This is *not* the public comment session that was requested by petition.
#bodycameras #SomervilleMA #policing #surveillance #privacy #MAPol
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Following the heartbreaking murder of Xavier Bautista, Cambridge City Council has come under tremendous pressure to reverse their decision to end the city's use of ShotSpotter, despite the fact that ShotSpotter does nothing to prevent gun violence.
Members of the Cambridge community, please write to your councilors to say that surveillance isn't safety: https://mobilize.aclum.org/a/email-your-city-councilors-surveillance-isnt-safety
#StopShotSpotter #ShotSpotter #surveillance #privacy #MAPol #CambridgeMA
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Following the heartbreaking murder of Xavier Bautista, Cambridge City Council has come under tremendous pressure to reverse their decision to end the city's use of ShotSpotter, despite the fact that ShotSpotter does nothing to prevent gun violence.
Members of the Cambridge community, please write to your councilors to say that surveillance isn't safety: https://mobilize.aclum.org/a/email-your-city-councilors-surveillance-isnt-safety
#StopShotSpotter #ShotSpotter #surveillance #privacy #MAPol #CambridgeMA
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Here is an official statement from #TheBlackResponse (TBR) about the vote to remove #ShotSpotter microphones from Cambridge, MA. In addition to reviewing the reasons for their long advocacy to #StopShotSpotter, they also highlight the ways in which TBR's leadership role in the effort has been erased, sidelining the central black and brown voices in the effort.
https://binj.news/2026/07/02/opinion-the-black-response-on-the-matter-of-shotspotter-in-cambridge/ -
Here is an official statement from #TheBlackResponse (TBR) about the vote to remove #ShotSpotter microphones from Cambridge, MA. In addition to reviewing the reasons for their long advocacy to #StopShotSpotter, they also highlight the ways in which TBR's leadership role in the effort has been erased, sidelining the central black and brown voices in the effort.
https://binj.news/2026/07/02/opinion-the-black-response-on-the-matter-of-shotspotter-in-cambridge/ -
They didn't let anyone see the bill until they attached it to an emergency spending bill at end of day on Friday for a vote scheduled for a Monday morning.
They did reconciliation behind closed doors.
They played similar last-minute games for the final vote.
When people pushed back and got signatures for a ballot initiative before the law went into effect, they applied a retroactive emergency signature to the bill to bypass that process.
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They didn't let anyone see the bill until they attached it to an emergency spending bill at end of day on Friday for a vote scheduled for a Monday morning.
They did reconciliation behind closed doors.
They played similar last-minute games for the final vote.
When people pushed back and got signatures for a ballot initiative before the law went into effect, they applied a retroactive emergency signature to the bill to bypass that process.
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@SPF undemocratic behavior in Massachusetts? I'm shocked!
Seriously, this state does stuff that if the politicians had R next to their names people would be incensed. But because the D's do it, it must be okay.
The ballot initiative that is ostensibly about the new firearms law totally misses the point about why it should be repealed. Putting aside how one feels about the content of the law, what they did to pass it was extremely undemocratic, albeit legal.
1/2
#USPol #MAPol #Massachusetts. -
@SPF undemocratic behavior in Massachusetts? I'm shocked!
Seriously, this state does stuff that if the politicians had R next to their names people would be incensed. But because the D's do it, it must be okay.
The ballot initiative that is ostensibly about the new firearms law totally misses the point about why it should be repealed. Putting aside how one feels about the content of the law, what they did to pass it was extremely undemocratic, albeit legal.
1/2
#USPol #MAPol #Massachusetts. -
Newsletter from Safe Schools Somerville about discussion at the last School Committee meeting about the idea of putting "School Resource Officers" (i.e. embedded police officers) into Somerville high school.
https://mailchi.mp/e60f5a792a0b/mayor-says-no-sro -
There's another update on #Somerville #BodyCameras posted here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vS6Lvi0cNzhztgzCyB-Ie28CSLJi1xzYOg6mEpNvXN_SJO4Dhyy2F6ZZJk-lBwd3zCissDDkIUXCu86/pub
We finally have the memorandum of understanding on body cameras, and unfortunately it still says the data will be controlled by the police, with civilians only able to access the footage through public records requests.
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There's another update on #Somerville #BodyCameras posted here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vS6Lvi0cNzhztgzCyB-Ie28CSLJi1xzYOg6mEpNvXN_SJO4Dhyy2F6ZZJk-lBwd3zCissDDkIUXCu86/pub
We finally have the memorandum of understanding on body cameras, and unfortunately it still says the data will be controlled by the police, with civilians only able to access the footage through public records requests.
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A self-described “left-handed gay Jew,” #BarneyFrank was known for his acerbic wit, combative style & focus on marginalized communities. He represented the party’s left wing while keeping close with Democratic leaders who sometimes frustrated progressives.
He is best known as a pioneer for #LGBT rights. After decades of grappling with his sexuality, he publicly came out as #gay in 1987, the first member of #Congress to do so voluntarily.
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A self-described “left-handed gay Jew,” #BarneyFrank was known for his acerbic wit, combative style & focus on marginalized communities. He represented the party’s left wing while keeping close with Democratic leaders who sometimes frustrated progressives.
He is best known as a pioneer for #LGBT rights. After decades of grappling with his sexuality, he publicly came out as #gay in 1987, the first member of #Congress to do so voluntarily.
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Liberal congressman #BarneyFrank, who crafted the most significant reforms to the #financial system in a generation & was trailblazer for #GayRights, whose coming out in 1987 helped normalize being openly gay in public life, has died. He was 86.
#USpol #LGBTQ #MApol #Boston
https://apnews.com/article/barney-frank-congressman-democrat-gay-rights-massachusetts-2bcabf60456bc189fef2cadd393a8b76 -
Liberal congressman #BarneyFrank, who crafted the most significant reforms to the #financial system in a generation & was trailblazer for #GayRights, whose coming out in 1987 helped normalize being openly gay in public life, has died. He was 86.
#USpol #LGBTQ #MApol #Boston
https://apnews.com/article/barney-frank-congressman-democrat-gay-rights-massachusetts-2bcabf60456bc189fef2cadd393a8b76 -
This Cambridge Day gives a fairly clear picture of Monday's City Council vote to end use of ShotSpotter: https://www.cambridgeday.com/2026/05/19/council-drops-shotspotter-in-close-vote/
Many thanks once again to The Black Response (https://www.theblackresponsecambridge.com/), Stop ShotSpotter Camberville (https://linktr.ee/StopShotSpotter_Camberville), and the members of City Council who voted to remove the technology.
Now let's work on implementing social supports that will more effectively keep people safe.
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This Cambridge Day gives a fairly clear picture of Monday's City Council vote to end use of ShotSpotter: https://www.cambridgeday.com/2026/05/19/council-drops-shotspotter-in-close-vote/
Many thanks once again to The Black Response (https://www.theblackresponsecambridge.com/), Stop ShotSpotter Camberville (https://linktr.ee/StopShotSpotter_Camberville), and the members of City Council who voted to remove the technology.
Now let's work on implementing social supports that will more effectively keep people safe.
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Members of the #CambridgeMA community, in addition to honoring the years of activist struggle leading up to the vote to remove ShotSpotter, please also take a moment to write a note of appreciation to the brave City Councilors who voted to remove the technology. These councilors are putting their necks out to do what's right on a challenging and emotionally fraught issue, while putting themselvs at odds with the Cambridge Police Department.
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Members of the #CambridgeMA community, in addition to honoring the years of activist struggle leading up to the vote to remove ShotSpotter, please also take a moment to write a note of appreciation to the brave City Councilors who voted to remove the technology. These councilors are putting their necks out to do what's right on a challenging and emotionally fraught issue, while putting themselvs at odds with the Cambridge Police Department.
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Tonight Cambridge, MA City council voted by a narrow vote to ask the City Manager to remove all ShotSpotter microphones.
5 ayes, 2 nays, and 2 abstentions.
This has been the product of many years of work by many organizers. Many thanks to all of the people who have contributed to this win!
Truly a historical moment.
#CambridgeMA #StopShotSpotter #ShotSpotter #surveillance #MAPol
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Tonight Cambridge, MA City council voted by a narrow vote to ask the City Manager to remove all ShotSpotter microphones.
5 ayes, 2 nays, and 2 abstentions.
This has been the product of many years of work by many organizers. Many thanks to all of the people who have contributed to this win!
Truly a historical moment.
#CambridgeMA #StopShotSpotter #ShotSpotter #surveillance #MAPol
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Whether you share a voice note or not, if you want to sign up to testify, you can use the Cambridge City Council form to sign up to give testimony at the 5:30pm council meeting on May 18th:
https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/citycouncil/publiccommentsignupform#StopShotSpotter #surveillance #ShotSpotter #CambridgeMA #MApol
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Whether you share a voice note or not, if you want to sign up to testify, you can use the Cambridge City Council form to sign up to give testimony at the 5:30pm council meeting on May 18th:
https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/citycouncil/publiccommentsignupform#StopShotSpotter #surveillance #ShotSpotter #CambridgeMA #MApol
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In response to Councilor Simmons' testimony, The Black Response (TBR) is working to re-center the perspectives of Cambridge public housing residents, which is why they are hoping to get people to use their testimony time to share voice notes from residents of the affected neighborhoods.
I can help people get in touch with a TBR organizer to use your testimony time for voice notes.
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In response to Councilor Simmons' testimony, The Black Response (TBR) is working to re-center the perspectives of Cambridge public housing residents, which is why they are hoping to get people to use their testimony time to share voice notes from residents of the affected neighborhoods.
I can help people get in touch with a TBR organizer to use your testimony time for voice notes.
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At the Cambridge, MA Council meeting this week, Councilor Denise Simmons delivered a long speech implying that the organizing against #ShotSpotter is driven by out-of-touch white do-gooders. This is a massive distortion, both because ShotSpotter is technology that has been confirmed to be ineffective in communities with *much* more gun violence than Cambridge, and because it erases the perspective of public housing residents who hate being under constant #surveillance.
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At the Cambridge, MA Council meeting this week, Councilor Denise Simmons delivered a long speech implying that the organizing against #ShotSpotter is driven by out-of-touch white do-gooders. This is a massive distortion, both because ShotSpotter is technology that has been confirmed to be ineffective in communities with *much* more gun violence than Cambridge, and because it erases the perspective of public housing residents who hate being under constant #surveillance.
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We are now in an all-hands-on deck moment with regard to organizing to remove #ShotSpotter from Cambridge, MA. The Black Response (https://www.theblackresponsecambridge.com/) wants to fill the council chamber on May 18th with people advocating to remove the microphones.
You can also sign up for testimony and use your time to play a recorded voice note from residents of Cambridge public housing who are affected by the surveillance but unable to attend the meeting.
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We are now in an all-hands-on deck moment with regard to organizing to remove #ShotSpotter from Cambridge, MA. The Black Response (https://www.theblackresponsecambridge.com/) wants to fill the council chamber on May 18th with people advocating to remove the microphones.
You can also sign up for testimony and use your time to play a recorded voice note from residents of Cambridge public housing who are affected by the surveillance but unable to attend the meeting.
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Important update on #ShotSpotter in Cambridge: at council meeting on May 11th there was an agenda item to vote to remove the ShotSpotter microphones, but Councilor Burhan exercised charter right to delay the vote for the week.
He note that emotions were running high following the highly disturbing shooting on Memorial Drive, although it should be noted that (regardless of how it is discussed in the press) that incident was unrelated to ShotSpotter.
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Important update on #ShotSpotter in Cambridge: at council meeting on May 11th there was an agenda item to vote to remove the ShotSpotter microphones, but Councilor Burhan exercised charter right to delay the vote for the week.
He note that emotions were running high following the highly disturbing shooting on Memorial Drive, although it should be noted that (regardless of how it is discussed in the press) that incident was unrelated to ShotSpotter.
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Fight for the Future has some good ideas here:
https://www.fightforthefuture.org/news/2026-05-05-fight-for-the-future-releases-draft-of-proposed-social-media-legislation-that-protects-all-kids-from-big-tech/
