Tri-Town Against Racism

05/10/2026

Black women didn't earn the right to vote until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Now—over 60 years later— those rights are under attack. Fannie Lou Hamer's testimony is hauntingly similar to what is happening right now.

Former sharecropper Fannie Lou Hamer's Congressional testimony is so powerful that President Johnson calls an impromptu press conference to get her off the a...

05/03/2026

TTAR is a 2026 Nominee of the Todd H. Bol Award for Outstanding Achievement!!

From LFL: Little Free Library’s late founder, Todd H. Bol, believed strongly in the power of individuals (and especially Little Free Library stewards) to change the world through acts of kindness.

We hear stories every day of outstanding stewards who repair others’ little libraries; who have created networks of book-sharing boxes; or who work tirelessly to strengthen the sense of community in their area.

Winners of the 2026 Todd H. Bol Awards for Outstanding Achievement will be announced during Little Free Library week, starting May 19!

Learn More: https://littlefreelibrary.org/stewards/todd-bol-awards/

04/20/2026

"The freedom to read is still being challenged: From January 2025 through March 2026, more than 100 pro-censorship bills were introduced in state legislatures. At least 40 bills would penalize libraries and library workers with lawsuits, fines, or even jail time for protecting people’s the right to read.

Since 2021, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom has tracked an astonishing increase in censorship attempts in libraries and schools around the country, impacting thousands of titles annually. The data shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements. In 2024, pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members, and administrators initiated 72% of demands to censor books in school and public libraries. Data for 2025 will be released on Right to Read Day.

But while the challenges we face are real, so is the growing network of individuals and organizations who continue to win victories, share strategies, and build momentum to protect the right to read everywhere.

Because of your hard work we’ve seen meaningful progress in courts, in legislatures, and in local communities. Even when things are tough, we keep showing up to fight for the freedom to read and strengthening the movement together.

Right to Read Day is a time to celebrate our wins and take action against book bans!"

The right to read is under attack. On Right to Read Day, April 20, 2026, take action to support your library and protect your freedom to read.

03/30/2026

For Immediate Release

Tri-Town Against Racism (TTAR) is honored to announce the establishment of the Lisa Regan Durr Community Activism Scholarship Fund, a tribute to Lisa’s unwavering commitment to social justice and her instrumental role in the early formation of TTAR.

Lisa was a passionate advocate for racial equity and believed deeply in the power of education to foster an anti-racist community in the Tri-Town. Her dedication to social justice, learning, and action inspired others to do the same, and her legacy continues to inspire us all.

To honor Lisa’s memory, this scholarship will be awarded to a student of color attending school in the Tri-Town who embodies the values she championed, such as her passion for volunteerism.

Lisa’s work lives on in all of us, and through this scholarship, we hope to empower the next generation of leaders committed to equity and change.

The Lisa Regan Durr Community Activism Scholarship seeks to support a student who reflects both academic commitment and a deep dedication to community service. This scholarship is intended for a student who has actively volunteered in their community and who identifies as a student of color, including those who are biracial or who may be perceived as racially diverse. By recognizing students who have demonstrated compassion, leadership, and a commitment to uplifting others, this scholarship aims to invest in individuals whose experiences and service strengthen and enrich their communities.

Student Criteria: $1,500

All students attending schools in the Tri-Town (Mattapoisett, Marion, or Rochester) including Old Rochester Regional, Old Colony, Tabor Academy, School Choice, and Home-Schoolers who live in the Tri-Town.

All students must submit:
ESSAY: 1-2 pages, 12pt. Times New Roman, 1.5 sp.

OR a four-to-five-minute video outlining their volunteerism and commitment to social justice.

The essay OR video should provide evidence of commitment to community and social justice, such as describing the applicant’s involvement, values, and experiences related to equity and advocacy.

Documentation of participation in social justice–focused activities, which may include attendance at workshops, programs, community events, or school initiatives related to social justice.

Proof of at least 10 hours of community service, which can be demonstrated through:

A signed service log or certificate confirming the number of hours volunteered.

Email confirmation or official documentation from a supervisor or program coordinator verifying participation.

Two letters of recommendation from the organization(s) where the service was completed, or from a teacher, mentor, coach, or other significant person with knowledge of your volunteerism.

Applications are due no later than April 30, 2026. Decisions will be announced on May 14, 2026

Applications should be emailed to [email protected]. All supporting documents should be in one PDF file.

Upon approval:
10-hour volunteer commitment to TTAR over an academic year.
Actual scholarship money will receive the scholarship money after the first semester, upon proof of successful matriculation at an accredited institution.

03/15/2026

"Please use this form to report potentially unlawful activity or misconduct by ICE and other federal agents enforcing immigration laws in Massachusetts to the Offices of Governor Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. You can submit the form for yourself or someone else.

Your submission may help the Governor’s Office and/or Attorney General’s Office identify patterns of potential misconduct by federal agents, inform possible legal action or policy recommendations, and support affected residents."

Use this form to report potentially unlawful action or misconduct by ICE or other federal agents enforcing immigration laws

03/15/2026

02/28/2026

Call your reps! https://5calls.org

02/26/2026

in 1869, Congress passed the 15th Amendment, granting African American men the right to vote. However, enforced poll taxes, literacy tests, and other discriminatory tactics, as well as violence and intimidation targeting Black voters, kept many African Americans disfranchised.

The 15th Amendment also sparked debates and division between white and Black suffrage activists. Many white leaders of the women’s suffrage movement, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, opposed the amendment because it did not ban restrictions based on s*x. They argued their status as white women made them morally and intellectually superior and more qualified to vote than Black men. Black women, however, refused to accept either race or s*x as a defining criterion for voting rights. Most supported the 15th Amendment and voting rights for Black men as an important step toward universal suffrage for all Americans.

The 15th Amendment was ratified on February 3, 1870, but the promise of the 15th Amendment would not be fully realized for almost a century—with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, before the majority of African Americans in the South were registered to vote. Learn more: https://s.si.edu/3iJuxnF



📸 "The first vote" / AW; drawn by A.R. Waud., 1867. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, 2011648984.