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Havdalah #51: Labor Day, Wind Farms, and Ecology

Havdalah #51: Labor Day, Wind Farms, and Ecology

7 Elul, 5785 / August 30, 2025

White Rose RI
August 30, 2025

White text on black backgound that says "We are your bad conscience. We will not leave you peace."

"Havdalah" against a backdrop of sparks in the darkness, with a white rose on either side

Happy Labor Day Weekend,

I remember being on TikTok a couple of years ago and coming across a video where someone (my apologies to the creator for not being able to credit) pointed out that Labor Day is really a holiday for the middle class, largely white-collar population. Folks who work in some of the lowest paying jobs, in the food and retail business, still have to go in to work and actually may have a busier day because the 9-5ers are out and about during the day.

What would Labor Day look like if we used it to celebrate the progress of the American labor movement, as it is intended? What if Labor Day was used as like a general strike: businesses shut down for the day and we all unite on the streets to make our concerns heard? A girl can dream…

We have some Labor Day events in South County in this newsletter, and just a friendly reminder not to register for a protest. Also, check out some Education events in the next few weeks and plenty of local news about RIPTA and wind farms.

So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, adieu…

Jackie (she/her)

PS: We’d like to hear from you! Let us know how we’re doing!

"What's On" against a blue background with black silhouettes of figures with signs and banners, with a white rose on either side

#Workers Over Billionaires: Labor Day Visibility Events

******Please note: this event asks for participants to register, but please DO NOT REGISTER FOR A PROTEST********

From May Day Strong:

On September 1st we will continue the movement we launched together on May 1st, standing in solidarity with all our communities under attack and fighting for real wins for all our people.

Thousands of communities across the country are taking a stand on Labor Day, join us! We will be in the streets, outside the offices of the corporate criminals who are behind the attacks on our freedoms, and at congressional offices. Together we will demand a country that puts workers over billionaires.

OUR DEMANDS TO BUILD THE SOCIETY WE ALL DESERVE:

Stop the billionaire takeover corrupting our government.
Protect and defend Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs for working people.
Fully funded schools, and healthcare and housing for all.
Stop the attacks on immigrants, Black, indigenous, trans people, and all our communities.
Invest in people not wars.

SouthCoast

When: Monday, September 1, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Where: Public sidewalks and grassy areas at the the intersection of Amity Street & William S Canning Boulevard, Fall River, MA 02721
Information page

Richmond, RI

When: Monday, September 1, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: 5 Richmond Townhouse Rd, Richmond, RI 02898
Information page

Westerly, RI

When: Monday, September 1, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: 151 Franklin St Westerly, RI 02891
Information page

Again, please do not register for a protest.

Workers and Renters: Providence General Assembly

When: Saturday, September 6, 12:00pm and every other Saturday
Where: 134 Mathewson Street, Providence, RI 02903
From their Instagram:
- Worried about Trump?
- Want to defend our communities?
- Want a world that works for everyone?
- Come to the Providence General Assembly!
Spanish, ASL interpretation and childcare available upon email request
Masking requested and masks will be provided
Direct questions to [email protected]
Providence General Assembly
Workers and Renters Website

ACLU Rights Explainers

When: Up now
Where: Online
The ACLU just released two updated versions of their explainers about your rights when interacting with immigration agents (ICE) or the police. They have them available in 10 languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean, Haitian Creole, French, Swahili, Dari, Pashto, and Khmer.
Read and save this material – regardless of your own immigration status – and send to friends and family! Click the link below and scroll to the bottom of the page to download PDFs that you can print, plus the ACLU posted on all their social media platforms (@riaclu) if you want to save and share online.
If you have a specific way to distribute larger numbers of the paper copies, please email the RI ACLU at [email protected] or call them at 401-831-7171. They have a limited supply printed, but will provide as many as they are able.
ACLU Rights Explainers

"Education" against a blue background, flanked by black & white books, with a rose on either side

May Day Strong/AFL-CIO: Labor Day 2025 Rhode Island Labor History Society

When: Monday, September 1 10:00am – 11:30am
Where: 978 Lonsdale Ave Central Falls, RI 02863
The Rhode Island AFL-CIO and the Rhode Island Labor History Society will host the annual Labor Day commemoration of the 1934 Saylesville Massacre at the Moshassuck Cemetery in Central Falls. Come learn about this incredible event that took place during the 1934 General Textile Strike and stand in solidarity with all workers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for standing up to corporate greed.
Registration link

Tomaquag Museum: Green Hill Paddle

When: Saturday, September 6, 9:00am (Rain Date September 7)
Where: Town of Charlestown Kayak Launch, Charlestown Beach Road located near the Charlestown Beach Parking Lot
Join representatives from SPC, the Town of Charlestown, the Tomaquag Museum, University of Rhode Island, and Save the Bay as we explore Green Hill Pond. This approximately 2 hour paddle will be led by Lorén Spears, Narragansett tribal citizen and executive director of Tomaquag Museum. She will share stories, memories, and traditional ecological knowledge of Charlestown's Coastal Salt Ponds. This educational program supports efforts to reduce nutrient pollution to the Greater Allen's Cove and Eastern Ninigret Pond Pilot Watershed through community engagement.
Program is free. Bring your own equipment, including kayak/canoe/paddle board, paddles, and life jacket (required to be worn). Life jacket required.
Green Hill Paddle Sign Up Form

Cross’ Mills Public Library: Medicare 101: Medicare Explained

When: Wednesday September 10, 6:00pm
Where: Cross' Mills Public Library, 4417 Old Post Road, Charlestown, RI 02813
This program is geared toward individuals about to turn 65, or individuals who are already on Medicare but need more information. Ed Collins will cover topics such as Advantage vs. Supplement plans, and will explain the various enrollment dates. To RSVP, if you have questions about the event, or for accommodations for persons with special needs at meetings call Ed Collins at (401) 862-7151

"Mutual Aid" on a grey-white gradient, flanked on each side by a loop of interlocking hands, with a white rose on either side

As you may have heard, Congress recently allowed Trump to claw back $9 billion in funds, which included $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). This cuts all federal support for NPR, PBS, and their member stations. This includes Rhode Island’s NPR affiliate, The Public’s Radio. If you can, give them some support, as local reporting is incredibly important (and now, almost entirely supported by Viewers Like You).

The Public’s Radio Support Page

Explanation of Trump’s Claw Back