In this deeply blue state, the cradle of our democracy, home of the original tea party and Paul Revere, people are resurrecting “Don’t blame me, I’m from Massachusetts” bumper stickers from 44 years ago — when we were the only state to vote for George McGovern over Richard Nixon, who despite his landslide victory was eventually forced to leave the White House in disgrace.
This year, Massachusetts wasn’t alone in casting its lot with the loser in a presidential election. In fact, we stood with the majority of the voters, if not the Electoral College.
So, it’s fitting that our state’s leaders are sounding notes of concern and caution over the election of Donald Trump, while acknowledging the need to move forward, hoping for the best outcome for all their constituents and not just those who supported the Republican Party’s presidential candidate.
State Senate President Stanley Rosenberg has publicly urged President-elect Trump, “and all people of good will, to fulfill our country’s commitment to open-minded, compassionate, and fair government, and to respect and serve the diversity of all of humanity.”
This is because Trump’s campaign was filled with examples of his or his followers’ intolerance of people not like them.
The Amherst Democrat’s message, he said in a Facebook post, came in response to “many heart-wrenching stories about children and adults expressing their sadness and fear based on the results of the national election.”
“To those who feel threatened by recent events, be assured that our belief remains steadfast: Everyone is entitled to the same rights and protections, and we will stand by your side to uphold the law,” Rosenberg said. “While bigoted words and incivility in public discourse are out of line in and of themselves, the greater threat is that they may create a false belief that now there is license to do something even worse in our communities and in our public policy: commit bigoted deeds.”
The state’s attorney general, Maura Healey, sounded similar alarms and launched a hotline following reports of harassment and intimidation of racial, ethnic and religious minorities, women, members of the LGBTQ community and immigrants since Election Day.
The attorney general’s office reported Monday that about 500 calls have been received since the hotline was established two weeks ago. Examples of the hate crimes being reported include a Puerto Rican couple in West Springfield whose car allegedly was keyed with the words “go home.”
“Since we launched the hotline, we have received hundreds of calls, showing that this is a real issue that is happening right here in Massachusetts,” Healey said in a statement.
“Our office will do all that we can to be a resource for people who have been subjected to bias-motivated threats, harassment and violence, and are working with local police departments, district attorneys, and our Civil Rights Division to address these incidents as soon as possible,” she added.
Healey has promised to fight against Trump and an all-Republican Congress if there is an attempt to unravel President Barack Obama’s legacy.
“While I respect those who backed President-elect Trump, let me be clear: I will forcefully oppose any effort by him or Congress or anyone else to roll back the progress we’ve made under President Obama,” Healey wrote.
“We will do everything in our power to protect affordable health care. We will work to make sure women have control over their own bodies,” Healey wrote, acknowledging some of Trump’s biggest campaign promises, such as the repeal of Obamacare and the defunding of Planned Parenthood.
While it’s unclear how much a single state attorney general or state Senate president or their deeply blue state, can do in this regard, it’s heartening to also hear their voices at the ramparts of justice for all.