Merrimack
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Serving the communities of the Merrimack Valley
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As the Federal government immigration unit, ICE, declares war on immigrants AND citizens, MVPP will post information about those opposing such illegal operations. Below is a February 2026 email outlining connections.
Dear fellow supporters of immigrants,
Almost a thousand people came out on Wednesday [Feb 3, 2026] to stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. Thank you to everyone who came! We are particularly grateful to the large contingent joining us from western Mass, and to the many volunteer drivers who helped shuttle them over to the Burlington ICE building for the event. This group from western Mass included our special guest speakers, Bryan Winter, retired Sergeant in U.S. Army, Program Director and Veterans Representative for 50501, and John Paradis, retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, and member of the Veteran Action Team with Indivisible Northampton. They both spoke very movingly about the role of veterans in resisting the abuses of ICE and the current regime. You can watch their videos here, including Jared Berezin’s (Bearing Witness co-founder) introductory remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJw5SH1wv3U
Before the speakers we were fortunate to have music provided by special guest musician Ben Grosscup, who led us in many old resistance songs updated to address our current situation. You can access the lyrics for the songs here:
“Songs to Abolish ICE” Lyrics and links to tunes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GLAie_6vpXsLfR8kSGky5P3L2WiWOfoClYyVgL_Cb5s/edit?tab=t.0
[North Parish Church in North Andover had a sevice 2/1/26 dedicated to Minnesota. Here is a link. Choir events are at 3:50, 10:18, 21:40, 26:37, 37;00, and 1:03.]
Laurie Berezin, Bearing Witness co-founder and proud daughter of a veteran, reminds us of why we are bearing witness at Burlington and the conditions inside that building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fP84_0O5cg
Parking: As you may be aware, National Development Corp has posted new signs restricting parking in any of the business lots along District Ave and they did in fact tow some people’s vehicles. We encourage people to continue to be creative. For now, we still have permission to park in the AMC lot, but please note that the sidewalks between AMC and the District may be hazardous. Consider coordinating with friends to rideshare a Lyft or to shuttle each other from AMC over to the site.
Why it is important not to engage with counter-protesters at our vigils:
We should expect a small group of counter-protesters to be a regular feature of our standouts for the time being. We ask people not to engage with them, not escalate, and remember we are 100% committed to non-violence in our words and actions. We understand the impulse to try to have reasonable conversations with them. But the unfortunate reality is they are not there to have good faith conversations. They are there to generate content for their right-wing audiences online. Anytime you engage with them, that is fresh content they can twist and put online. This is unsafe for you and it helps them grow their reach. We also have heard reports that they tell obvious lies about our interactions with them to make us look like terrible people. If we aren’t talking to them, they can’t make up lies about what we’re saying. So…please don’t engage with the counter-protesters!
WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE: https://BearingWitnessNE.org/
A NOTE ON WINTER WEATHER:
As we head into the winter months and the uncertain weather ahead, we intend to be at Burlington ICE every Wednesday from 11AM-1PM to continue our peaceful witness. We ask that you use your own judgment about what weather conditions are safe for you. Please do be safe. WE WILL CANCEL THE GATHERING IF BURLINGTON SCHOOLS CANCEL. In that event, please trust that we will make provisions for some presence to be there, so the witness continues, even if it is not the usual large gathering.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS!
At this point, there is quite a large group of volunteers who make these events possible. People manage communications. People organize drivers. We have volunteer marshals and medics every single week. People collect donated food. A team brings, sets up, and runs the sound system. We have guest musicians every week. People lead songs and chants. People stand watch to connect with migrants who are checking in and direct them to food and resources. A very kind person has been waterproofing signs, a few at a time, for months now. Legal observers provide expert witness to the event. Photographers and videographers document the gatherings and put the images online. A giant crew of people cleared out the snow last week to make this week possible. There are too many volunteers to name (and I am sure I have missed naming some by role) but you all are an inspiration, week after week. Thank you for your dedication and thank you for making our gatherings possible.
To everyone who came out today to bear witness—thank you for standing
with our immigrant neighbors. We will continue bearing witness to support
immigrants, and we hope to stand peacefully alongside you on future Wednesdays.
Looking to bear witness beyond Wednesday? There are many opportunities,
including new standouts on Monday and Tuesday!
New! FIX ICE, Mondays & Tuesdays, 11am-1pm
Hold signs at the corner of Mall Road and District Avenue, closest to Pressed Café (200 District Avenue), then move to ICE building at 1000 District Avenue. Optionally join the group for lunch afterwards at Pressed Cafe.
Website: fixice.org/mondaytuesday
GAIN (Greater Assabet Indivisible Network) continues their Justice 4 All standouts at Burlington ICE every Thursday from 11am-1pm
No Fear Street Theater has a standout every Saturday from 11am-1pm at the intersection of Mall Rd. & District Ave in Burlington. https://www.nofearstreettheater.com/
LUCE has a standout every Tuesday from 8:30am-10am at 10 Speen St. in Framingham at the ISAP office there.
Regular standouts at Hanscom, Fridays from 1:30-3pm at the Hanscom rotary.
Take care,
Bearing Witness
@ ICE Organizing Committee (You may need to copy and paste the email
addresses)
Visit our new website, info@BearingWitnessNE.org
to sign up for our newsletter, learn about immigrant resources, join our
social channels and more.
You can email us at info@BearingWitnessNE.org
with any questions.
Join our standouts every Wednesday, 11am-1pm, 1000 District Avenue, Burlington
MA 01803
___________________________________________________
Merrimack Valley
People for Peace meets monthly, on the fourth Tuesday,
at 7:30 pm, at
North Parish Church, North Andover.
(NOT DECEMBER)
Contact
Merrimack Valley People for Peace (978) 685-1389
P.O. Box 573
North Andover, MA 01845
Send material to post on the website to brian@quirk.ws