All that’s happening on the Island this summer, especially this month, can feel overwhelming with events as varied as Michelle Obama preparing to speak about her new book, the high-wattage African American Film Festival to the quaint but classic Agricultural Fair in West Tisbury.
But not to be overlooked are the quieter events where vibrant and challenging political discussion is happening in smaller groups, such as Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman screening of the new documentary about her life titled “Steal this story, please!” or the kind of backyard gathering that featured the legendary Angela Davis speaking on behalf of the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR).
Davis, a political activist, author, professor and former member of the Black Panther Party, introduced a talk by Vincent Warren, the executive director of CCR for the last 20 years. CCR’s work has consistently been on the cutting-edge of litigation, advocacy and strategic communications on a broad range of civil and human rights issues. Hosted by West Tisbury residents Susan Dickler and Sig Van Raan, the event brought together more than 50 people who heard Warren’s warning that the Trump Administration’s attack on civil liberties is expanding to include an international campaign against the left and profiling anyone who supports human rights as a potential threat to national security. Warren warned that to defend the liberties afforded by the Constitution was going to require people to stand up and take action, even on Martha’s Vineyard.
In a brief interview after the event, Vincent told The Times, “If you stacked up the people who live here and vacation here, it is probably one of the most powerful small communities in America. People are politically savvy; they are philanthropic; they want to make change. But the challenge is we can’t make the kinds of change and resistance we need now, by doing it remotely through others,” Vincent said.
He added, “People have to ask themselves what level of risk am I willing to take in order to stop this from happening? It was a risk in Minneapolis when they stood between [U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)] and the people that ICE was detaining. That was a conscious risk maximization. It is true that work needs to be supported financially and in terms of thoughts and values, but everybody, all of us, are going to have to take some risks. The question is what risks are people on this Island willing to take? What are they willing to lose, what are they willing to give up in order to gain back the thing that they want so much?”
Click here to find out more about the Center for Constitutional Rights and its dedication to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
