This week I am reporting to you the roll call vote on Article 37, the Plymouth Community Trust bylaw. This bylaw passed Town Meeting because 78 of your elected Town Meeting Members voted yes. They are listed on the report below derived from the official count form the Town Clerk’s office.
I believe that we must hold our elected officials accountable for how they vote. Many of them are running for re-election in the upcoming May 16 municipal election. I recommend that you vote yes to re-elect all Town Meeting members that supported this vital legislation.
In addition, our coalition partners, the League of Women Voters of the Plymouth Area, Plymouth for All Committee, Together We Can, Indivisible Plymouth, First Parish Social Action Group, Church of the Pilgrimage Social Action Committee, and Pinehills Keepers of Democracy thank each Town Meeting member that cast a yes vote.
This by-law will prohibit Plymouth law enforcement and Town officials from performing the duties of ICE agents including participating in ICE raids. Because it is now a law, it cannot be countermanded by shifting personnel such as a different police chief or Select Board members. It also sets the foundation for a public facing campaign to build trust in the immigrant community to encourage their participation in community policing. The law draws a clear line between the conduct of our Plymouth Police and ICE.
– Art Desloges
Desloges is a candidate for Town Meeting Member Pct. 15