Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice

Healey signs policy-filled $57.8B budget that includes free community college, free rides on regional transi BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey gave her OK to sweeping statewide policy changes Monday afternoon as part of the overdue fiscal year 2025 budget, signing free community college, online Mass. Lottery products, free rides on regional transit authorities and...

A Black Roots Folk Festival will be hosted by 80 Acres on the Amherst Town Commons on September 8! Please plan on attending this celebration of African American culture with amazing food, music, art, and history.

Mark your calendar!

"Although Lieutenant Calley’s immediate superiors knew generally what had happened, the atrocity was covered up in military reports that called it a successful search-and-destroy mission. It took nearly a year and a half — and persistent efforts by a few soldiers and an independent investigative journalist, Seymour M. Hersh, who later won a Pulitzer Prize for his disclosures — for investigations to grind forward and the story to reach a stunned world."

My Lai

William Calley, Convicted of Mass Murder in My Lai Massacre, Dies at 80 Hundreds of Vietnamese civilians died at the hands of American soldiers, but Lieutenant Calley was the only one found guilty.

"It sounds somewhat trite to say so, but Randy [Kehler] was one of my heroes. He was someone I would always look up to, yet at the same time he was very down to earth. He took an interest in you, a genuine interest that was not fake. He was the best friend a person could ask for, and he was a person who had many, many best friends." Aaron Falbel

My Turn: Randy Kehler a true radical and man of conscience Randy Kehler was one of the most compassionate, kind, caring and decent human beings I have ever known. Even those who disagreed with his politics — and there were many — could not help but like him personally. He was a person who radiated goodness,...

When a Bomb Explodes, Someone Profits The military-industrial complex’s hidden domination of our lives must end, which means we must dismantle it.

"Many knew Randy for his tireless work for peace, but he will also be remembered for his kindness, curiosity, vulnerability and empathy. Randy wrote, "I've never regretted my youthful actions during the Vietnam War. In fact, I feel grateful that they set me on what's been a lifelong course of actively working to advance a number of pro-peace and pro-democracy projects and organizations." In his memory, please consider taking action to promote peace, democracy and a liveable planet."

Gordon Kehler Obituary (2024) - Shelburne Falls, MA - The Recorder View Gordon Randall Kehler's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

MNF Grantee Traprock Center for Peace & Justice

My Turn: Randy Kehler — A life devoted to peace Randy Kehler, who died on Sunday, just a few days after turning 80, was solidly grounded in Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, and planted those deep in the soil of Franklin County, where he’d lived since 1973.I met Randy soon after arriving here as...

RIP Randy Kehler.

“I believe that buried deep within each of us … is a little seed, a quiet voice, perhaps the voice of God, that is urging us, pleading with us — the people of Israel, Palestine and the United States — to break free from our cynicism and despair and to ‘lead with love and forgiveness,’” Kehler wrote. “Perhaps the young people of Israel and the U.S. can find a way together.”

‘The ultimate person of conscience’: Friends remember anti-war activist Randy Kehler SHELBURNE FALLS — Randy Kehler, a war-tax resister whose opposition to the Vietnam War, advocacy for social justice and refusal to pay federal taxes gained national attention, died at home Sunday morning after a long battle with myalgic...

Northampton council backs completion of 104-mile rail trial to Boston NORTHAMPTON — The City Council has added itself to a number of voices calling for the state’s Department of Transportation to complete the Massachusetts Central Rail Trail (MCRT), a 104-mile stretch of walkable and bikeable path that would connect...

"More than 6 million gallons of wastewater was released into the Connecticut River in Holyoke."

Holyoke wastewater discharged into Connecticut River due to rainfall The rainfall in western Massachusetts on Monday has led to a sewage discharge in several areas in Holyoke along the Connecticut River.

CFWM's partnership with the Hampden County Bar Association provides local nonprofit partners with free legal advice through its "Lawyer for a Day" program. Volunteer attorneys can provide information and advice for:

-Obtaining a 501(c) tax exemption letter or getting your status reinstated
-Reviewing the requirements to register an organization
-Creating a successful governance structure
-Understanding the liability of directors and officers
-Exploring the tax implications of grants

To get started, visit https://www.hcbarlegalclinic.org/what-we-do.

The next clinic will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, July 16 from 12PM to 4PM.

The Hampden County Bar Legal Clinic DOES NOT offer free legal representation or FREE/pro bono attorneys.

Center For Social Justice The Center for Social Justice strengthens efforts between the School of Law and the region to work toward a more just, equitable, and inclusive society.

Dolphin mass stranding on Cape found to be the largest in US history Rescuers who helped free more than a hundred dolphins from the Cape Cod shoreline say they’ve confirmed that the mass stranding that began June 28 was the largest involving dolphins in U.S. history.There were two previous events on record in Hawaii...

Please support our work 🪴

Donate - The Markham-Nathan Fund For Social Justice The mission of the Markham Nathan Fund for Social Justice is to fund social justice organizations in Western Massachusetts. The fund was created in 2009 by Northampton activist organizers Marty Nathan and Arky Markham, with their friends, in honor of their deceased husbands’ tireless devotion to b...

Please spread the word about this important opportunity.

THANK YOU to PVPC for leading.

MNF Grantee

"I believe one of the most worrying aspects of this trend is taking place on the Connecticut River, where large hydropower companies are threatening the river’s future."

Olin Rose-Bardawil: Control of the river highlights risks in harnessing green power For many, the natural beauty of western Massachusetts is a cornerstone of what makes this region so special. For me, the area’s wild places help to shape its distinct regional identity.Yet as Raymond DiDonato clearly conveyed in a recent guest column,...

Air quality alert issued for Tuesday NORTHAMPTON — Environmental officials have issued an air quality alert for Tuesday in Hampshire County and several other parts of Massachusetts due to expected elevated levels of ozone. The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has issued...

Welcome to new MNF Grantee: Fiery Hope

MNF Spring 2024 Grantee: Fiery Hope - The Markham-Nathan Fund For Social Justice “Fiery Hope is thrilled to receive a grant from the Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice. We applied because we sought support for a special project in which we joined forces with the Sgt. Jacob Garmalo Memorial Fund, named in honor of a young man who grew up in Leyden, MA. In early adulthood, J...

$1.4M coming to region for trail work in six communities NORTHAMPTON — More than $1.4 million in MassTrail state grants are heading to six communities in the region for projects ranging from an accessible trail system at the former Hickory Ridge Golf Course in Amherst to additional work on a sensory trail...

Will the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 Turn Trumpism Into a Governing Agenda? Be scared, be very scared.

Nueva Esperanza hosts Love & Hope for Holyoke Day of Worship Nueva Esperanza will be hosting a special gathering on Saturday designed to bring the community together in a peaceful and uplifting way.

"Within the past four hours, an estimated 726,380 gallons have been released into the river."

Holyoke sanitary sewer overflow discharged into Connecticut River Officials are advising Holyoke residents to avoid a portion of the Connecticut River after sewage was released due to the rainfall on Saturday.

We will be hosting a Cultural Film Showcase on Friday, July 19th from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM at the Community and Government Center. Please join us for a screening of the short film "The Wampanoags of Mashpee (1979)" at the Community and Government Center. A discussion with elders will follow after the the film. The event is open to all ages and is a great way to stay educated on our tribal history and ask questions. Light refreshments will be served; Families are encouraged to bring a dish if possible.

Allison Russell - Eve Was Black (Live at Farm Aid 2023) Allison Russell performs "Eve Was Black" at Farm Aid 2023 in Noblesville, Indiana, at Ruoff Music Center, on September 23. Learn more about Farm Aid 2023 at ...