Join the Revolution for Independence
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
But those of us who are elderly or disabled and living in multifamily housing, may lose those rights because of bullying. Let us now act together to stop the abuse of bullying, and bring freedom to each of us. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a rich tradition of assuring the independence, freedom, and rights of every individual. Help us restore and protect our rights. We have begun the peaceful revolution against the tyranny of bullying through legislation and we ask for your help to advocate for change. Help pass S1984 to create a commission to study ways to prevent bullying of tenants in public and subsidized multi-family housing.
Bullying in the residential community restricts a victim’s rights as a tenant and citizen and is therefore a civil rights and human rights violation. Bullying has a terrible impact on victims, causing stress, emotional pain, mental disease, and physical disease. Bullying is bad for the institution as well as for everyone in the institution—the housing provider, bystanders, staff, service providers, and also for the perpetrators—those who bully.
Bullying is a contagious social disease that flourishes in the absence of a legitimate social order, creates a toxic environment and an unhealthy community life, all while causing psychological and physical harm to victims.
About 20% of elderly people living independently are the victims of bullying. Bullying targets elderly and disabled people, including those living in public or subsidized multifamily apartment housing.
Our bill, S1984, to create a commission on bullying has passed in the Massachusetts Senate. We are halfway to victory. We need to get the bill moved out of the House Ways and Means Committee, before it is too late. The formal legislative session ends in July. We hope to have passage by then, but if not we can still seek action in the informal session, but the sooner the better.
You won't have to fire a shot, you won't have to throw tea into Boston Harbor, you don't have to throw off the yoke of an oppressive foreign ruler. All you have to do is make a phone call or send an email.
Please contact your own state representative, Letters, email, phone calls
SAMPLE LETTER:
Dear MY STATE REPRESENTATIVE,
Please write to Brian S. Dempsey, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. asking him to release S1984 from committee favorably Bill S.1984 189th (Current) An Act---Resolve creating a commission to study ways to prevent bullying of tenants in public and subsidized multi-family housing Sponsors: Joan B. Lovely, Bradford R. Hill, William N. Brownsberger and other members of the General Court
The commission on bullying is the best way for all the stakeholders to come together, resolve their differences, and come up with an effective program to protect elderly and disabled from bullying.
Thank you,
Your name and contact information
Contact information for your own state representative---at: https://malegislature.gov/
Also please cc the following:
Senator Joan Lovely Joan.Lovely@masenate.gov Legislative Director, Anna Roy, Anna.Roy@masenate.gov
Representative Brad Hill. Brad.Hill@mahouse.gov Legislative Director, Maura.Driscoll@mahouse.gov
The House Ways and Means Chair, Brian.Dempsey@mahouse.gov
Coordinator@StopBullyingCoalition.org
Contact Information
The House Ways and Means Chair, Brian S. Dempsey State House Room 243, Boston, MA 02133 Phone: 617-722-2990 Fax: 617-722-2215 Email: Brian.Dempsey@mahouse.gov
Joan B. Lovely Senator State House, Room 413A, Boston, MA 02133, Phone: 617-722-1410; Email: Joan.Lovely@masenate.gov; Legislative Director, Anna Roy, Anna.Roy@masenate.gov
Bradford R. Hill Assistant Minority Leader State House, Room 128, Boston, MA 02133; Phone: 617-722-2100, Email: Brad.Hill@mahouse.gov; Legislative Director, Maura Driscoll. Email: Maura.Driscoll@mahouse.gov
