It is not often that the keynote speaker at Acton’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast delivers a message that connects for his audience and so immediately to the issues facing Massachusetts and the country.
On Monday January 19th, William Dickerson II known as Brother Will, co-executive director of the Massachusetts Community Action Network (MCAN), spoke in Acton (William Harlan Dickerson II speaks) and called on members of the audience to join faith leaders from across Massachusetts in a prayer vigil in Boston to demand that Governor Healey do more to “protect immigrants in Massachusetts from the lawless and cruel actions by ICE and other federal agencies.”
Rev. Christine Schrade-Keddy of the West Acton Baptist Church was part of the audience as was Rev. Karen Hodges of Acton Congregational Church (ACC). They joined a call a few days later planning for the Friday action by faith leaders organized by Brother Will and the Massachusetts Community Action Network.
On Friday, Rev. Schrade-Keddy and Rev. Frances Graveson of the Boxborough United Church of Christ joined the action which grew from the 120 who had signed up in advance to more than 300 participants on Friday, Jan. 23. Lay members of local congregations also participated, including ACC member Bridget Chamberas.
Rev. Schrade-Keddy shared her reflections on the event with the Acton Exchange.
“I was absolutely impressed with the way this event was organized and implemented. The fact that they could get this together so quickly and have it be so smooth was extremely impressive to me. As Brother Will told us at breakfast, when he is doing his holy work, he is barefoot. He walked barefoot in subzero temperatures to the State House to pray with us.
“We also had the opportunity to pray with leaders in Minneapolis from all faith traditions over Zoom while we were gathered in the cathedral. And we had the opportunity to meet and chat with someone in the room that we did not know. I ended up chatting and praying with a wonderful young rabbinical student from Hebrew college.”
MCAN organizers asked participants to follow up Friday’s action with a campaign to send postcards to Gov. Healey, calling on her to do more to protect immigrants in three ways: ensure agencies uphold civil rights; prevent state resources from supporting ICE; and create a truth and accountability commission.
Bob Van Meter is a longtime resident of Acton who has spent his career in affordable housing and community development.
