There was be a Special Town Meeting October 23, 2023 at 7PM. Here is a list of the articles.
Slides for Article 14 presentation
Montagure Community TV Presetantion on MA Towns Vote to Change the State Flag and Seal
Here is the test for the petition article #14 from the warrant, Resolution in Support of Changing the Massachusetts State Seal and Flag:
Whereas the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s seal and flag portray a sword being held over an indigenous man's head;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Sudbury herby adopts this resolution in support of the work of the Special Commission on the Official Seal and Motto of the Commonwealth, established by a Resolve of the General Court in 2021 and appointed by the Governor to recommend changes to the current flag and seal of Massachusetts, and in support of a new flag and seal for the Commonwealth that may better reflect our aspirations for harmonious and respectful relations between all people who now call Massachusetts home. The Town Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Carmine Gentile, with the request that they continue their strong advocacy and support for the work of the aforementioned Special Commission and a new flag and seal for the Commonwealth.
A group of us collected 130 signatures to get this petition on the warrant. It was perhaps a little overboard to ensure we had 100 valid Sudbury registered voters. Thank you to Katina, Karen, Lily and anonymous and to all who signed. I will attempt to explain my motivation.
I started this Town Meeting article due to insights from the forum organized by Katina Fontes on April 2, 2023 about the 1930 roadside markers. One strong idea was that the Commonwealth Seal which shows a sword being held over an indigenous man can be interpreted as symbolic of the colonialist use of force to subdue the native population. The fact that this seal is on the 1930 roadside markers evokes some strong reactions.... to be fleshed out...
Come hear about the effort to change the flag and seal at the state level, the Special Commission on the Official Seal and Motto of the Commonwealth, and the Fall Town Meeting Article 14.
Forum panelists:
David Detmold, Campaign to Change the Mass State Flag and Seal,
and Coordinator for changethemassflag.com
Kathleen Hepler, Minister, First Parish of Sudbury, Unitarian Universalist
Jan Hardenbergh, Author of the Article 14 petition
Katina Fontes, President, Athina Education, will moderate the panel.
Should we as the Town of Sudbury add our support to changing the flag & seal? Come here why we would want to do this. Come ask questions. Come learn what you need to know to make an informed decision at the Fall Town Meeting.
Hosted by the Sudbury Meetinghouse, 327 Concord Rd, Sudbury MA. (sudburymeetinghouse.org)