The Shoestring

Manufacturing consent for Northampton’s kids. Will Meyer Three SUV police cruisers turn into a school. An officer gets out, and like a chauffeur in the movies, opens the door for the distinguished passenger. Emerging from the back seat, out comes Brody, a kindergartner, with a big fat smile on his face. He high fives the […]

What does a Dinosaur Cart look like? BLAIR GIMMA On February 16 the Northampton City Council held its third meeting of the year. Councilor Murphy (Ward 5) was not present because he is recovering from knee surgery. The Council Chambers were packed with people overflowing into the hallway. Approximately 50-60 people attended the meeting. A […]

It’s a huge step forward, but still could be better LES MACK The proposed Safe Communities Act, or “An Act to Protect the Civil Rights and Safety of All Massachusetts Residents,” consolidates local anti-deportation efforts by enacting on the state level what many municipalities have pioneered in the post-Trump era. In other words, creating a […]

WILL MEYER Tuesday afternoon Eduardo Samaniego was scrambling. Eduardo, who is undocumented, needed a coat, a hat, comfortable shoes, a sleeping bag and a haircut. A computer too. By Wednesday evening he would be enroute to New York City, where he would join ten more young people—eight DACA recipients, one who was undocumented, and one […]

The petit bourgeoisie begs for spare change BLAIR GIMMA On Monday, Feb 5, local small business owners met at Union Station to talk with a statewide Retail Task Force, whose focus is to “to review and report on efforts to strengthen the local retail sector in the commonwealth.” Shoestring co-editor Will Meyer and I felt […]