[Now that things are progressing to a “new normal” and more non-COVID-19 news, events and “need to know” information becomes available, we will continue this feature five days a week.]
In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – Friday, June 12 – Amplify Black Voices is holding a peaceful protest on Saturday, the American Antiquarian Society has named its eighth president, St. Vincent Hospital medical staff demonstrates support for Black Lives Matter, MassDOT has a new grant program for shared spaces and state officials urge boating safety as summer nears.
Say Her Name Solidarity March at East Park
Amplify Black Voices is holding peaceful solidarity protest — Say Her Name — on Saturday, June 13 at 1PM at East Park on Shrewsbury St.
The organizers intend to call attention to racial injustices carried out against black women and inspire systemic change.
American Antiquarian Society Names 8th President
The American Antiquarian Society [AAS] has chosen Dr. Scott Casper as its eight president in its 208 year history.
AAS is a national learned society and research library of pre-twentieth-century American history and culture.
Dr. Casper will succeed Ellen Dunlap, who will retire in late fall after a 28-year tenure at AAS.
Dr. Casper has been the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County since 2013.
He is the author of two books: Sarah Johnson’s Mount Vernon: The Forgotten History of an American Shrine (2008) and Constructing American Lives: Biography and Culture in Nineteenth-Century America (1999).
Dr. Casper holds an A.B. in History from Princeton University and a M.A., M Phil., and Ph D. in American Studies from Yale University.
St. Vincent Hospital the Latest to Support White Coats For Black Lives
The medical staff at St. Vincent Hospital joined the White Coats for Black Lives demonstration on Wednesday, June 10, as has been seen in other medical facilities in Worcester.
Members of the medical staff demonstrated at the main entrance of the hospital to share a message of unity, peaceful protest, and equality of human rights.
The White Coats for Black Lives movement originated in 2014 by a group of medical students at the University of California San Francisco.
The purpose of the movement is to bring attention to racial health care disparities after the grand jury decisions not to indict white police officers who were involved in the deaths of two unarmed African American men: Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and Eric Garner in New York City.
MassDOT Funding For Shared Spaces
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation [MassDOT] has created a partnership with the Barr Foundation to provide funding for shared streets and spaces in Massachusetts.
The Shared Streets & Spaces program will provide grants starting at $5,000 and up to $300,000 for cities and town to launch or expand improvements to sidewalks, streets and parking area.
MassDOT designed the program to support public health, safe mobility and renewed commerce in local communities.
The program will fund projects such as supporting increased walking or biking traffic to increase safety and enabling social distancing, outdoor dining and commerce, better bus transit and safe routes to schools.
State Officials Warn on Summer Boating Safety
With the summer months upon us and warmer weather moving in, officials across Massachusetts are highlighting responsibility when riding in or operating a boat and to always wear a life jacket.
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides said “It is critically important that boaters are mindful to practice safety first and always wear a life jacket to prevent tragic accidents.”
Environmental Police Colonel Shaun Santos asks that boaters “take extra care to prioritize safety, always travel at reasonable speeds and never operate boats under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
Fish and Game Commissioner Ron Amidon said,“Wearing PFDs and learning and practicing all safe boating habits is critical to the enjoyment of boating in Massachusetts.”
A PFD is a Personal Flotation Device, another term for a life jacket.
According to the United States Coast Guard, there were 4,168 recreational boating accidents nationally in 2019 leading to 613 deaths, 2,559 injuries and approximately $55 million dollars of damage to property. Of the fatalities, 77% were due to drowning. Of those who drowned, 84% of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.
