A new PBS doc explores how politicians use race to make Americans ‘White with Fear’ - The Boston Globe Steve Bannon, Hillary Clinton, and more weigh in on the tactic of using race-based fear to get votes.

www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/20/a...

No Kings from Swampscott today.

#nokings
#fuckice

Are we preserving history or just a building here? Are our efforts to preserve this building somewhat undermining our ability to desegregate the region? Yes.

Swampscott Backs Preservation of Revolutionary War Hero’s Farmhouse as Development Moves Ahead The Swampscott Select Board expressed its initial support, and push for a more clear business plan, in the preservation efforts for Gen. John Glover’s farmhouse as development plans continue to mov…

It’s been frustrating watching the Swampscott Historical Society and local journalism ignore the irony that they are trying to celebrate the man who created the first racially integrated military unit while not asking why we are not as racially diverse today.

swampscotttides.org/featured/swa...

It’s clear the motivation of town staff recommendations are to limit liability against potential lawsuits while the residents are simply saying “please protect us”.

It’s long: still workshopping.

Swampscott Weighs Stronger Limits on ICE as Police Policy Review Begins Swampscott has begun the process of revising its policy on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Police Department’s role in related actions, following efforts by Police Chief Ruben Que…

The headline should read “Despite strong words in the previously issued proclamation, Swampscott does not signal intent to do much of anything.”

swampscotttides.org/news/swampsc...

New from the AG.

www.mass.gov/forms/report...

What this also says is that they will not help you if ICE/Border Patrol is trying to kidnap you despite your legal asylum status or actively assaulting you because you dared to exercise your rights and observe them.

This doesn’t make us more safe. It’s makes us less safe.

Screenshot of a press release statement from the Swampscott police department: The Swampscott Police Department is mindful of events surrounding federal immigration enforcement. The department is committed to the safety and preservation of civil rights for all people regardless of immigration status. Additionally, we firmly believe that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that our department has no role in immigration measures. We remain committed to the transparent, constitutional, and ethical policing practices not only as guided by our town, our profession, but also as governed by Massachusetts General Laws (GL) and the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (MA POST). The SPD does not participate in any such operation(s) solely for the civil enforcement of immigration laws or immigration-related investigations. Members of our department will not inquire into the specific immigration status of any person(s) encountered during normal police regulations. We will continue to strictly adhere to the 2017 Commonwealth v. Lunn, Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruling. Massachusetts police officers CANNOT arrest or detain individuals solely based on civil immigration detainers or administrative warrants. Our officers are highly trained in de-escalation, anti-bias policing, and procedural justice. We have formed significant relationships within our community and make an unyielding commitment to the equal enforcement of the law and equal service to the public, regardless of immigration and documentation status. We reaffirm our commitment to promoting community trust and an unwavering commitment to providing visible, impartial, world-class policing services that create a safe environment for all in Swampscott. If questions arise as to the validity of a law enforcement operation occurring within the town, or want to report any suspicious activity, you are asked to contact the Swampscott Police Department at 781-595-1111 or in the case …

It’s great that the Swampscott Police Department will honor their legal obligation to not assist the DHS in any immigration enforcement activities. We are at the point though, that stating you will follow state law is met with adulation.

#mapoli

How school districts like Swampscott remain relatively segregated Recently, the Swampscott School Committee opened a public hearing on whether the district should take part in the state’s Inter-District…

How school districts like Swampscott remain relatively segregated medium.com/p/how-school...

Community Communication
One board member raised concern about whether residents know what to do if they witness a potential ICE situation. The chief and town administrator agreed to put together a simple one-page fact sheet to share on the police department's Facebook page and the town website.

He also noted that guidance from the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association is being circulated and that most town policies being developed across the region are nearly identical, as they are all vetted through the same legal channels.

Practical Policing Questions
The board discussed how Swampscott police would actually respond if residents called about suspicious activity. The chief confirmed that if there is any question about who is present, Swampscott officers will respond.

and KP Law (our town's legal counsel) flagged that even a property use ban may be difficult to enforce in practice — if prohibited from town property, ICE could simply stage at a nearby public park.

Legal Uncertainty
The chief noted this is "largely uncharted legal territory," with the core tension being federal supremacy versus state sovereignty. He noted that other towns' proclamations (Boston, Chelsea, Lynn) are largely untested legally…

What They're Working On
The board wants to produce two things: a formal police department immigration policy, and a "narrowly defined" prohibition on the use of town property by ICE. They cited the governor's executive order banning ICE from state facilities as a model.

Rather than presenting a final policy, they requested two more weeks (until the March 18th meeting) to develop something more substantive.

Background & Current Status
The board had previously issued a proclamation on the topic. The town administrator asked the police chief to attend and provide an update, noting they had been consulting with other police chiefs and legal counsel.

Select Board Meeting - March 4, 2026 YouTube video by Town of Swampscott

The Swampscott Select Board discussed potential actions around immigration enforcement at last night's meeting. Summary in thread.

The big takeaway is that local PDs do not see themselves as the entity that is there to protect residents from federal harm.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OVH...

Private Equity and Housing Affordability in Swampscott People have been feeling the pressures of how unaffordable housing is more and more over the past decade with a disproportionate amount…

There has been lots of discussion on social media and in the news lately about the role of Private Equity in the housing market. But what effect does PE have in Swampscott? The answer may surprise you...

#mapoli

swampscottrjag.medium.com/private-equi...

ICE Out For Good: Salem, MA · Mobilize Wednesday, January 7th, an American citizen was killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This killing is part of a broader pattern of unchecked violence, impunity...

Salem 12pm at Riley Plaza

www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...

ICE Out For Good - Marblehead · Mobilize Wednesday, January 7th, an American citizen was killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This killing is part of a broader pattern of unchecked violence, impunity...

Marblehead 3pm at Glabicky Field

www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...

Protests against ICE happening today at 12 in Salem and 3 in Marblehead.

Get out there.

Hey, hey, ho, ho,
These fucking chads have got to go!

Link to all events and locations:
www.mobilize.us/map/?tag_ids...

A cute storefront with three handwritten signs in the windows saying: “All I want for Christmas is to abolish ICE”

Poll results showing 54% of national adults and registered voters saying ICE has gone too far.

Though it was viewed as “radical“ in 2018, “Abolish ICE” has now become a fairly moderate position with over half of Americans surveyed saying ICE has gone too far.

maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/u...

a man with a beard is smiling with his mouth open Alt: a man is looking guilty as hell while trying to smile.

“Hey friend, how’s that thing you were working on that I think is cool?”

The friend:

Asking basic questions on whether the district is continuing metrics from its CORE program is going about as well as one would expect…

sites.google.com/swampscott.k...

Swampscott School Committee Approves Superintendent’s Goals Superintendent Jason Calichman sits in his old Middle School office || Monica Sager In a brief meeting held on Thursday, November 6, the Swampscott School Committee voted 4–1 to approve Superintend…

In previous years there have been reported gaps in levels of inclusion and belonging amongst students, but with all this talk of metrics, that seems to have just disappeared from the Swampscott School District’s focus areas.

swampscotttides.org/featured/swa...

ICE agents take mother into custody during hostile arrest in Fitchburg The Fitchburg Police Department says its assistance was requested twice by ICE agents during a raid in the city Thursday morning.

Fuck ICE and Fitchburg PD. We have laws in this state that say cops are not supposed to assist ICE. Nevermind that they did nothing to help that man during a medical event.

bsky.app/profile/swam...