How to Get Involved With Progressive Waltham, A Group Calling for Greater Immigrant Protection

WALTHAM, MA – A Waltham advocacy group has emerged at the forefront of immigration policy in the Watch City, calling on officials to protect immigrants and refugees.

Progressive Waltham started a petition last week urging officials to "issue a joint declaration supporting the refugees and immigrants." Last Monday, Mayor Jeannette McCarthy released a statement saying the federal immigration system is in "disarray" and that local law enforcement does not pursue immigration status "unless a serious crime has been committed."

But to some members of Progressive Waltham, her statement wasn't enough.

Alex Green, a member of Progressive Waltham and one of the advocates behind the petition, criticized McCarthy's statement on Facebook for failing to directly mention supporting immigrants and refugees and speak out against President Trump's executive order, according to the Waltham Channel.

Another post on the Progressive Waltham Facebook page mirrored Green's reaction, calling the mayor's statement "inadequate" and saying, "I hardly call restating the law as it stands at the federal and state level a risk worthy of our current situation."

Progressive Waltham's petition is still circulating, and as of Monday had 647 signatures. The group hopes to have 1,000 before it is sent to the mayor and city council.

For those seeking to get involved with Progressive Waltham, the group is holding a general membership meeting Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. in the lecture hall of the Waltham Public Library.

Photo of Watch Factory courtesy of Flickr user Bill Damon via Creative Commons