Fwd: [bmdc-wg] [Statecom-discuss] Fwd: BMDC expels 2 GRP members

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Heidi Olson <holson3@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 29, 2023 at 12:35 PM
Subject: Re: [bmdc-wg] [Statecom-discuss] Fwd: BMDC expels 2 GRP members
To: Justin Kosuk <tenken764@gmail.com>
Cc: Mike Heichman <michaelheichman@gmail.com>, "john.r.harris@verizon.net" <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>, lita Xú Líng Kelley <xulingkelley@gmail.com>, john.r.harris@verizon.net <john.r.harris@verizon.net>

Justin,

Did you read the chat from 6/18?  The entire chat?  Please do than let me know if you will excuse them.  

Thanks,

Heidi

---

From: Justin Kosuk <tenken764@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2023 11:56 AM
To: Heidi Olson <holson3@outlook.com>
Cc: Mike Heichman <michaelheichman@gmail.com>; "john.r.harris@verizon.net" <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>; lita Xú Líng Kelley <xulingkelley@gmail.com>; john.r.harris@verizon.net <john.r.harris@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [bmdc-wg] [Statecom-discuss] Fwd: BMDC expels 2 GRP members

 

Heidi, 

I appreciate you taking the time to explain this. 

Allow me to share how I felt when I learned of what was being repeatedly shared by David and Jane through a very personal anecdote: 

A close relative of mine, my cousin Lucca who came out as a trans male many years ago, and who is someone I would protect with my life, would discuss with me some of their experiences as a trans. At one point, the topic of sports came up, and while Lucca is not an athlete, I had asked how they feel about there being debates over transgender people in sports. Lucca had this to say, and it was one of my biggest lessons as an ally - 

"It is topics like this that put my life at risk, and gets others like me killed. Any discussion that questions or debates my rights as a trans, is another reason for me to look over my shoulders in fear that I could be hurt or killed by someone who just won't accept me." 

I could never, EVER put the burden of expectation on Lucca, that he must respect the rights of everyone's opinions. Not when these discussions - whether out of an unconscious bias or malice intent, brings harm to him and the trans community

So while I do not know any of you personally, I do know that what you are defending, is a right to a set of opinions that puts in harms way those such as my cousin Lucca, who only wish to peacefully live his life as the person he knows and identifies himself to be. 

There is much to learn, and it is our obligation to stay educated and remain vigilant, and that includes listening to the trans community when they tell you something is causing them harm - rather than defending friends who are supposed to be allies for having a right to sharing the same views that harm the same people they are supposed to stand with.

As for the transcripts from the recent meetings/chat that I admittedly was not present for, I can't speak for others except to say in the general sense based on what I read - is a good amount of individuals sounded exhausted and fed up, and that anger had become the bigger topic than the pain behind it.

I do not presume to know your experiences, and perhaps you already know this, but take it from someone who was raised in an angry environment, and struggles with anger management every day - anger is temporary. The reasons for it are always much deeper.

-Justin Kosuk

On Wed, Jun 28, 2023, 7:56 PM Heidi Olson <holson3@outlook.com> wrote:

Justin,

Maybe you are not fully in the loop, let me fill you in.  Mike H. is my friend.  He decided to go on the Green Rainbow Party email list and declare to all that David and Jane are poisonous transphobes - which is why I called him out as a bully for slandering the names of two other friends who are good & caring people who are definitely not transphobes.  And he has actively been cooperating with the attackers who are trying to demolish BMDC.  At one point this past Sunday he himself called for the group to be dissolved - which is why I called him out for being corrupt.  

I appreciate your civil tone and peaceful manner so I am taking the time to share with you that I have since apologized to Mike for those insults.

I should not have stooped to the same level I called him out for.  I should have simply said it was wrong for Mike to be name calling and slandering.  As far as calling him corrupt it would have been more accurate to say that he is cooperating with the attackers who are causing all the recent corruption such as the 2 failed hostile take over attempts.  My bad.  

So that everyone in the room can hear;

Mike H.  Sorry for calling you corrupt and a bully.  

Thanks,

Heidi

---

From: Justin Kosuk <tenken764@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2023 7:24 PM
To: Heidi Olson <holson3@outlook.com>
Cc: Mike Heichman <michaelheichman@gmail.com>; "john.r.harris@verizon.net" <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>; lita Xú Líng Kelley <xulingkelley@gmail.com>; john.r.harris@verizon.net <john.r.harris@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [bmdc-wg] [Statecom-discuss] Fwd: BMDC expels 2 GRP members

 

Heidi, 

I've asked for none of that from you. 

I'll request again - please do not speak ill of others, as you have of Mike H.

Respectfully,

Justin Kosuk

On Wed, Jun 28, 2023, 4:12 PM Heidi Olson <holson3@outlook.com> wrote:

Justin, 

Please do not ask me basically to;

Not have an opinion and share it

Not to defend friends who I know are good people and not at all anti trans but are being labeled as such for having different views

Not to call out the attackers or those who are cooperating with them to destroy BMDC - a group I have been part of for 3 years

Thank you!

With all due respect, 

Heidi 

---

From: Justin Kosuk <tenken764@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 7:59 PM
To: holson3@outlook.com <holson3@outlook.com>
Cc: jamie guerin <jamie.guerin413@gmail.com>; Mike Heichman <michaelheichman@gmail.com>; "john.r.harris@verizon.net" <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>; lita Xú Líng Kelley <xulingkelley@gmail.com>; john.r.harris@verizon.net <john.r.harris@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [bmdc-wg] [Statecom-discuss] Fwd: BMDC expels 2 GRP members

 

Heidi,

A dear friend of mine, Stevie Downie, left this group he brought me into because of the 2 individuals who were expelled. 

I know Stevie well, and I know of his passion and contributions. Because of this, I also know he wouldn't leave unless he had a good reason. So while I haven't had the chance to get to know anyone outside of the few Sunday meetings I attended, I've read enough to know where Stevie would stand, and that's where I will stand with and whom I will defend too. 

And that is Mike H., Lita, Jamie and anyone else I have yet to meet who share their values. Please do not speak ill of them, when throughout this weeks-long thread, you've only defended the 2 expelled individuals, and not once engaged in a discussion that validates trans but rather debate what they are telling you is hurting their community.

I apologize for not speaking out sooner. I have never joined a group before, and so it took time to collect my thoughts and take the time to respond properly, as an ally.

-Justin Kosuk.

On Tue, Jun 27, 2023, 6:16 PM Heidi Olson <bmdc@lists.riseup.net> wrote:

Mike H. Is corrupt and a bully.  He is a trouble maker and gossiping  falsehoods to the GRP.

---

From: jamie guerin <jamie.guerin413@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 10:20 AM
To: Heidi Olson <holson3@outlook.com>
Cc: Mike Heichman <michaelheichman@gmail.com>; "john.r.harris@verizon.net" <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>; xulingkelley@gmail.com <xulingkelley@gmail.com>; john.r.harris@verizon.net <john.r.harris@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Statecom-discuss] [bmdc-wg] Fwd: BMDC expels 2 GRP members

 

Mike doesn't need to smear David's name with the GRP. David has done that enough himself with his actions throughout the years and he has instigated his destructive crusade statewide and nationally and we all know what's up. 

Jamie Guerin

On Tue, Jun 27, 2023, 10:16 AM Heidi Olson <holson3@outlook.com> wrote:

That's Mike H trying to instigate and agitate so he can be thanked for this.  He purposefully wanted to smear the names of Jane & David with the GRP.  He had no business doing so and I sincerely hope Jane & David both take up charges against him.  This is what corruption and bullying looks like!  As far as a new thread I am not opposed, I also support trans rights, BMDC and the right to have different opinions!  I just wanted to clarify the situation.

---

From: jamie guerin <jamie.guerin413@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 9:06 AM
To: Mike Heichman <michaelheichman@gmail.com>
Cc: "john.r.harris@verizon.net" <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>; xulingkelley@gmail.com <xulingkelley@gmail.com>; john.r.harris@verizon.net <john.r.harris@verizon.net>; Heidi Olson <holson3@outlook.com>
Subject: Re: [Statecom-discuss] [bmdc-wg] Fwd: BMDC expels 2 GRP members

 

Hi all,

Can we start a new thread? I support trans rights and the BMDC, but the other discussion was happening on a business list.

Thanks

Jamie Guerin 

On Thu, Jun 22, 2023, 12:03 PM Heidi Olson via StateCom-Discuss <statecom-discuss@greenrainbow.net> wrote:

BMDC is being attacked by individuals who are using our internal conflicts to further their agenda of demolishing our group.  Please see this for what it is.  If you have any questions about Sunday's meeting being anything other than a hostile takeover I urge you to read the chat from the meeting and listen to the audio that has been posted.  This attack raged on for over 5 hours!  There was slandering, harassment, personal attacks on many members of BMDC, disregard for our voted agreement for due process and procedures, silencing & shutting down certain members from speaking, proposed expulsions of at least 5 BMDC members, demands to dissolve the group entirely and multiple threats!  I was personally threatened by a person who has been part of a group of people who have been stalking & harassing me for months!  Insults were hurled at almost everyone present who did not participate in this planned but failed takeover.  Although we need to recognize this attack for what it was, this is a huge distraction from our work.  We need to focus on the important work of BMDC.  The people behind the attempted hostile takeover have already made clear that they want BMDC to be under their control or they will do anything they can to end the group.  Members of BMDC who truly care about our group and the work we do need to unite despite any differences we may have and continue to stand against this attack!

---

From: bmdc-request@lists.riseup.net <bmdc-request@lists.riseup.net> on behalf of "john.r.harris@verizon.net" <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2023 12:58 AM
To: statecom-discuss@greenrainbow.net <statecom-discuss@greenrainbow.net>; xulingkelley@gmail.com <xulingkelley@gmail.com>
Cc: BMDC Working Group <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>
Subject: Re: [bmdc-wg] Fwd: [Statecom-discuss] BMDC expels 2 GRP members

 

Hi Folks,

In my view, an initial report I gave Monday on the Sunday meeting stands up pretty well. There was no proposed agenda coming from the Interim Committee for the meeting. On Saturday morning, according to Lita: "For the record, Sussen, this morning objected to me using the term transphobic" According to Lita: "Below is our proposed agenda. Thanks, Mike" As folks can see, this was Lita and Mike's agenda. Sussen did not consent to the agenda going out to the list. This is the first time in our (BMDC) history that the Interim Committee was unable to agree on an agenda.

 BMDC was accused by one of those involved in the attempted "hostile takeover" of being a group that "coopted" the campaign against police repression of Shimmy. The fact is that Shimmy had a falling out with his friends and BMDC kept showing up to defend him. Other attempts were made to falsely denigrate the record of BMDC. The facts don't seem to matter to those involved in the "hostile takeover" action.

 BMDC met and voted to set up a Discuss list, an internal list for BMDC members to discuss general political issues and have debates. BMDC members who wanted to be on the list were put on the list. Lita initially did not want to be on the list. She knew that political differences were going to be discussed on the list. She later changed her mind. There has been a general disrespect for having debates on general political issues on the Discuss list although this is what we voted for on June 4.

 A broad debate is unfolding across the country and beyond about trans rights. Conservative politicians are pushing this debate in order to hustle votes. They have no desire to defend women, children, or anyone else in the working class. These politicians are getting big exposure in the major media outlets. This debate is unfolding among millions whether we like it or not. Having a policy of summary expulsions and shutting down debates among the left is not going to help in winning the broader public to the cause of trans rights.

 At the meeting this past Sunday, according to Lita and those attempting the "Hostile Takeover", this was presented: "If someone tells you something is racist, you don't get to say, no it's not. If someone tells you something is transphobic, you don't get to say, no it's not. If someone tells you something is antisemitic, that's a difficult one because it depends on the definition, but you know what I mean." We should not promote double standards or cancel culture.  

 This approach is not going to help win millions of working people over to the cause. Cancel culture from the left helped send Trump to the US presidency. Cancel culture from the right helped my generation end the war in Vietnam, win abortion rights, and further the cause of gay rights which over the course of decades won victories.

 Regarding expulsions, On October 10, 2021 the Boston May Day Coalition voted on the following policy: "Participants in BMDC are entitled to a just process which is due to each person. No disciplinary determination is permitted against any participant unless the individual has the explicit opportunity to be present in a meeting where the issues are discussed, and the determination is voted on. Making determinations and policy based on gossip is a remnant of pre-capitalist social relations." This policy was explained to all participants in the meeting on Sunday. Those involved in the hostile takeover intervention were aware of what they were doing and decided on the summary expulsions. We can only expect similar activity in the future.

 In Lita's view and as well those involved in the hostile action on Sunday: "The Anti-Imperialist Picnic should be boycotted until David Keil, Jane Binkerd & John Harris take responsibility for their actions and hold themselves and BMDC accountable for the trauma they have put me through!" The participants in the hostile action on Sunday have called for a boycott of the Anti-Imperialist Picnic. I do not believe they care about the interests of BMDC as an organization. Their objectives are clear.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 10:15:43 PM EDT, Lita Xú Líng Kelley (via bmdc Mailing List) <bmdc@lists.riseup.net> wrote:

David's abusive, transphobic emails are evidence enough!  David is a COWARD who purposely did not show up.

David is manipulative and a con artist.  Written complaint??  Really David!  I've been complaining about it for over four months.  Others have been complaining about it for years, and NOTHING IS EVER DONE ABOUT IT.  You have been on your anti trans crusade for many years!  You do not belong in ANY group claiming to be for trans rights!

Boston May Day Coalition has NO PUBLIC POSTED OR ACCESSIBLE DOCUMENTS OF ANY RULES, BYLAWS OR PROTOCOLS, ETC, FOR ANYTHING.  PERIOD!  THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY WHATSOEVER!

David is not in charge, nor in any position to dictate terms !      DAVID IS THE PROBLEM, NOT ME!

From February of 2021 to February 2023 David was not at any  single meeting or event, whereas I myself have, and almost every single one this year,

David did not show his face until Jane Binkerd went on an abusive,personal, transphobic attack directed at me and then he too also then engaged in transphobic attacks, and has multiple times since then. Over the past few weeks, both David & Jane relentlessly dominated the email lists with near daily transphobic attacks, sometimes multiple times per day.

Per John Harris and Antuan Castro Del Rio, on multiple occasions, have stated that our meetings are open meetings. NO MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED, and all get to cast votes.

Further,  ALL who were present actually are considered "members" as you put it, since several were actually long time members and are on the email list as well, and although the majority may have not been to meetings, your claim of not being members is laughable as they were ALL involved in multiple BMDC campaigns including Free Shimmy, Free Naim, Justice for Christopher Divens, Justice for Anthony Harris, Justice for Jenelle, May Day 2021 & 2022, and more.

In over 225 direct actions, rallies, protests and events I myself have been a part of since George Floyd's murder , NOT ONCE has David been on the streets with any of us or worked on any campaigns until May Day 2023.

Your allegations in regards to the agenda are FALSE.  I had FOUR contacts with the other party and we discussed an Agenda.  There was confusion on how to word the agenda item I referred to as "Transphobic Attacks on Our Lists".   I was texted by Mike in a joint text also sent to the other interim committee member who I could not reach,and under pressure to get the agenda out, emailed it as is. No objection was ever made known to me. YOU made that objection, and it was AFTERWARDS that the other interim committee member made known her objection to the words "transphobic attacks".  THAT IN ITSELF IS TRANSPHOBIC.  You, or any other cisgender do not get to debate what is considered transphobic. The second time the agenda was emailed, interim committee discussed it over the phone and she AGREED to it and I sent it out while still on the phone!  THOSE ARE THE FACTS!  No other objections were made until the meeting, and BMDC dictators wished to push that item to the end of the agenda.

Had any BMDC leadership stepped up to condemn the transphobic attacks and rhetoric on our lists by taking direct action, instead of using made up or  existing only in people's heads bureaucracy, formalities etc to silence me and stonewall me, I would not have had to appeal to the wider community for assistance.

I have been a VERY ACTIVE member, who put in several hundreds of hours into BMDC campaigns, actions and events from 02/2021 to present.

David & Jane however, contributed little to none.   BMDC members have clearly shown how little they value me, or trans people in general,  nor of the many contributions I & other trans comrades have made in BMDC.

Prior to Jane's transphobic hate speech in February, we had over 1000 subscribers on our email list. That number was stated by John in a meeting when we began planning May Day 2023.  Because of the toxic culture of abuse and transphobia by John Harris, David Keil and Jane Binkerd, several members have quit working with BMDC.  Today our email list only has a little over 500 members because of all the transphobia.  This was confirmed by RiseUp.net who hosts the list,

  Our entire international solidarity series also cancelled their events with BMDC because of transphobia.   Over 80+ local Boston organizations refused to participate in May Day 2023 as a result of the transphobia, and additionally, several speakers cancelled on the days leading up to, and the day of the event as a result of finding out about the rampant and unchecked transphobia.

John Harris is very complicit in all of this, having enabled David further by creating a semi-private, internal discuss list where David had free reign to post his anti trans hate.  I will be forwarding those emails to the public list!  They are in many ways much worse than what David says in public.

I am disgusted by not only David & Jane, but all who chose to remain silent, and those who continually defended them.

Transphobia IS NOT DIFFERENCE OF POLITICAL OPINION! IT IS OPPRESSIVE & DEHUMANIZING.

That's like saying racism is a difference of opinion.  This is not the same BMDC I became a part of in early 2021.

Boston May Day Coalition is NOT A TRANS ALLY!   BMDC members & so called leadership were abusive and transphobic, centering themselves and asserting their opinions instead of guiding or assisting me in resolving the issue,

BMDC members like John Harris continually stonewalled the issue and refused to take any action, or contribute to any acceptable solutions,

John Harris betrayed me, and the trans community.

TRANSPHOBIA IS UNACCEPTABLE!   TERFism has NO PLACE IN ANY ORGANIZATION THAT CALLS ITSELF PROGRESSIVE, LEFTIST OR SOCIALIST!

The Anti-Imperialist Picnic should be boycotted until David Keil, Jane Binkerd & John Harris take responsibility for their actions and hold themselves and BMDC accountable for the trauma they have put me through!.

No member who claims to be an ally and support trans rights should be involved with BMDC until it takes responsibility and holds itself accountable and does the work to resolve an innumerable amount of issues and unpacks their biases against transgender & non binary people, and I certainly also demand they also decolonize themselves and get off of their old white men power trips!

YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO MY EMOTIONAL LABOR IN HAVING TO CONSTANTLY BE DEFENDING MYSELF AGAINST THE VILIFYING, DEHUMANIZING TRANSPHOBIA BEING PUSHED IN BMDC!    YOU HAVE CAUSED ME SUFFERING THAT HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON MY EMOTIONAL WELL BEING.

Many of you who I had considered friends betrayed me by defending David and Jane instead of speaking up and taking action on my behalf.  I am grateful for the real friends and comrades who have voiced their disgust over the transphobia,both on the list and in meetings, however, our demands for justice have been largely ignored by the white cishetero majority!

The difference of opinion is not the problem.  It is the utterance of those opinions in our space, which should be safe for, and prioritize the voices of marginalized communities that is the problem, and it is their actions that are the problem,and BMDCs unwillingness to intervene on behalf of & prioritize victims that is also a problem!

Transphobia is a byproduct of white supremacy and colonialism! 

BMDC is an UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR NOT ONLY TRANS AND NON BINARY PEOPLE, BUT ALL MARGINALIZED PEOPLE.

As for your comment that  "a non-BMDC member was allowed to facilitate", Sandra Harris asked for a volunteer and NOBODY OBJECTED to the young woman doing it. She is a trained mediator and facilitator from Suffolk University well connected in social justice circles,  If she is a non member as you put it, why was she then elected for this week's interim committee?

I also want to inform you that we also had an NLG trained legal observer, and a reporter with us in our meeting.  Also present were trans and non binary folks, and a parent of a trans teen. 

BMDC has no stated criteria for membership.  

I'm tired of your "civility and order" BS and how you consistently deflect from the real issue, that YOU, Jane & John are the problem right now, that YOU are the instigators, and so long as BMDC continues to harbor, defend and platform you, BMDC should NOT have the support of any individual or organization that claims to be an ally of the LGBTQIA2S+ community,

Instead of centering the victims of your transphobia, the overwhelmingly old, white, cishetero members centered themselves, gaslighted, deflected and betrayed the trans community.

Speaking of never seeing David anywhere.... Where were you Saturday morning? I believe you were at a Trump supporter organized anti trans rally at Boston Children's Hospital? We saw you there and recorded it.

I highly encourage GRP to withdraw their endorsement of BMDC's anti-trans picnic unless David, Jane & John take responsibility for their actions and are held accountable with meaningful reparations.

I'm aware that David has a history of the same anti-trans behavior in GRP and has caused problems there as well.  He is a disruptive and toxic poison pill that contributes nothing but division and harm. 

Stop justifying & defending transphobia!   It does not belong in BMDC.  I'm disgusted that I have to ask over and over for it to stop!

David must be expelled, and we must assert that anti trans rhetoric is not allowed in BMDC meetings or on our email lists.

I have community support, and we will continue to push forward!

NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!

TRANS FOLKS ARE UNDER ATTACK!  STAND UP FIGHT BACK!

On Tue, Jun 20, 2023 at 11:27 AM Michael Vaglica <bmdc@lists.riseup.net> wrote:

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Michael Vaglica <iravaglica@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 20, 2023 at 08:44
Subject: Re: [Statecom-discuss] BMDC expels 2 GRP members
To: Discussion of prospective State Committee Business <statecom-discuss@greenrainbow.net>
CC: jamie guerin <jamie.guerin413@gmail.com>

I do not by, by any means, support the expulsion of members from any group. I'm personally against that. 

Bigmike 

On Tue, Jun 20, 2023 at 07:39 jamie guerin via StateCom-Discuss <statecom-discuss@greenrainbow.net> wrote:

You mean a large disruption where people were unable to get any work done, and David Kiel and his anti-trans crusade in the center of it? No way, really?

Sorry, I had deja vu for a minute.

Jamie Guerin

On Tue, Jun 20, 2023, 12:18 AM DAVID KEIL via StateCom-Discuss <statecom-discuss@greenrainbow.net> wrote:

The Boston May Day Coalition has existed since 2006 to organize inclusive, broadly-sponsored May Day rallies and marches. Its focus has historically been immigrant rights, and it has also emphasized antiwar protests, protests against racist police violence, actions for women's reproductive rights, and labor solidarity. The GRP has endorsed many of these events and has provided speakers. 

The coalition is now under attack from inside and outside. A five-hour disruption last night prevented any actual business from being conducted at the meeting planned for that time. I am sad to hear that a GRP member had a leading role in the disruption. His motion for expulsions was out of order, as such business requires the right of accused members to be present and to reply to charges. No specific written complaints or evidence have been made available by accusers.

The event was evidently packed with persons who are not members of BMDC in any sense, so that no votes taken could have any validity or effect. Several proposals were made to dissolve BMDC, according to the chat transcript, which is available. A video of the of a BMDC meeting last night is also available online and I'm certain that links will be made public. The attack on BMDC is public knowledge and is proudly announced by the attackers. I am glad that Mike has pulled back from joining the full force of the assault on this action coalition. Presumably he, I, and others will urge the GRP to continue to work with other forces via BMDC when it gets past the current destructive turmoil.

I have been a participant in BMDC since 2006, serving several times to head up peacekeeping and security. I drafted security guidelines for the most recent May 1 action and served on security during both the rally and the march. I prepared the initial draft of the march route. 

It was clear by yesterday or so that the meeting, planned for last night, would not occur as planned and that votes taken would not have effect, because the Interim Committee, which prepares meeting agendas, did not produce one this time. Instead, one member of the Interim Committee distributed an agenda alone, over the objection of the other member, who happened to be a woman. The objection by the woman member wasn't even acknowledged, so the individual's proposed agenda was presented as "our agenda". 

From the autocratic manner of presenting an agenda proposal, it was clear that the meeting would not follow democratic procedures. In addition, those inviting non-BMDC members to the meeting, to pack it, had made their plan known via the very preparer of the falsely presented agenda proposal. I chose not to attend such an anti-democratic event and as it turned out, it was clearly not a meeting at all. All evidence so far is that the event was dominated by chaos and verbal abuse, much of it by persons unknown to BMDC activities. The two most central leaders of BMDC were nearly expelled. A strong majority of actual BMDC members present voted against the "expulsion" motion. Somehow at one point a non-BMDC member was allowed to facilitate, and this person recognized non-members with preference over long-time members. 

The result is that Mike's report of "expulsions" is false, and that there will be work to do to restore BMDC to some sort of orderly, credible, and democratic state. I hope that the GRP will contribute constructively to that. I will do so as a member of the GRP and of BMDC.

An Anti-Imperialist Picnic has been planned by BMDC on July 4 along the Charles River. Protests against war and racism will likely be needed this summer. Let's get to work.

David Keil, West Metro region

On Mon, Jun 19, 2023 at 9:30 PM MICHAEL HEICHMAN via StateCom-Discuss <statecom-discuss@greenrainbow.net> wrote:

GRP Leaders:

On 6/28, the Boston May Day Coalition (BMDC) expelled two GRP members for their anti-trans behaviors at our meetings and on our email lists. The two are David Keil, who needs no introduction, and Jane Binkered. Jane has done excellent work for Peace and recently left the People's Party to join the GRP.

I made the proposal to expel.

I have saved most of what they recently wrote on BMDC's email lists. The only reason that I don't send this to you is because it is so big that I believe that the message would bounce.

I believe that most of you would understand BMDC's decision if you would read what they wrote.

I would be happy to send it to you if you would send me your email.

Call me if you want to talk.

Mike Heichman

mikeheichman@verizon.net

617-265-8143 (h) 617-543-6801 (c)

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