SHUTESBURY — A request from 44 residents to endorse a “Declaration Defending our Democracy, the U.S. Constitution and the Rule of Law” will be discussed by the Select Board Tuesday.
Residents made their appeal in August and sought action in advance of Constitution Day on Sept. 17, advising the board that a national effort is underway to get local governments to take a public stand in support of democracy and the Constitution.
“Many Shutesbury residents have attended protest after protest after protest, showing concern, fear and urgency about the current federal executive branch’s undermining of the rule of law, separation of powers and basic fairness and empathy,” they wrote. “We are eager for this resolution to be considered and passed.”
Similar resolutions have been adopted throughout the region, including in Amherst and Easthampton, with language critical of President Donald Trump and his administration for having “a blatant disregard for the separation of powers by disobeying court rulings, attempting to overturn birthright citizenship, denying fundamental civil liberties such as habeas corpus, withholding funds approved by Congress (and) closing departments and
agencies created by Congress.”
The discussion is scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Town Hall, with participation also via Zoom. Written comments should be sent to selectboard@shutesbury.org by Tuesday at 3 p.m.