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Bill Shaner

@billshaner.bsky.social

I write about a city that punishes you for caring https://www.worcestersucks.email/

964 Posts1973 Follower448 Folgt
Bill Shaner @billshaner.bsky.social · 2d ago

The same day the DOJ allegedly "informed" the city that it had dropped the investigation into WPD, the Trump admin rolled out a new website named I shit you not "Fraud.Gov." Lol. Reality laps satire yet again

Bill Shaner @billshaner.bsky.social · 4d ago

This cello was my best and only friend in middle school lol. Now I only pick it up once every few years, but when I do I unlock some new way of thinking about it. This time: running it thru synth fx, approaching it more like an oscillator than a standalone instrument

@saguarosally.bsky.social · 3w ago

One more thing, don't forget the MLO meeting about charter change on Monday, August 17 at 5 PM. This one is really important because we need two out of three votes to get any discussion of charter change out of committee. And yes, that's two nights in a row.

Bill Shaner @billshaner.bsky.social · 3w ago

We get to do it all over again at the next meeting, Aug 18. Really strong showing tonight, thank you to everyone who came out!! I'll be adding to this with more scene from the meeting throughout the night.

Bill Shaner @billshaner.bsky.social · 3w ago

Just in: Second member of the human rights commission resigns after Batista said no civilian review board friday. First Jacqueline Yang yesterday, now Drew Schnoebelen today. 1 member HRC by the end of the week?

To the City Manager, After much consideration, l am resigning from the Worcester Human Rights Commission, effective immediately. I joined the HR in Fall 2024 as a new resident of Worcester with enthusiasm and hope. I felt that becoming a part of this volunteer organization was one way to contribute to the Worcester community, and was strong in my conviction that doing the work on a local level could make a lasting, tangible impact. Unfortunately, I have not observed a healthy, functioning, and effective commission, especially over the last 12 months. I personally feel that over the course of my tenure, city leadership has consistently and purposefully manufactured roadblocks and barriers that constrict the Commission in a way that simply cannot be overcome without major systemic change. It is my personal belief that these purposeful roadblocks and barriers have rendered the Commission a toothless body that primarily exists to be a symbol of advocacy and change which can be pointed to as evidence of the city's efforts, all so that real, meaningful change does not have to be enforced. Simple commission activities like electing new leadership, filling vacant positions, and making basic statements to the public have been met with contention, controversy, and inaction, while more significant projects and repeated policy recommendations have been ignored. Whether or not my observations are shared among all Commission members, the relationship between the HRC and city leadership leads me to believe that cannot in good conscience continue to participate.My hope is that my resignation will continue to draw attention to what I feel is the city's misuse and exploitation of the Human Rights Commission and spotlight one of many challenges the community faces in achieving equity and inclusivity. Nothing about my tenure with the HRC changes how I feel about this city and its people. I will continue to fight for the rights of the people of Worcester. I still believe that real change is possible and that equity and inclusivity are achievable for this community. I trust that most if not all of the Commissioners, past and present, truly want to see change happen and will continue to work towards a better future. Thank you to the people of the HR and the wider community who have fought for advocacy and change. The work continues. Best, Drew Schnoebelen
Bill Shaner @billshaner.bsky.social · 3w ago

In case anyone was holding out hope, CM Batista has decided against a civilian review board, as articulated in a report submitted to the most reactionary city council of all time (many are saying) which would have never approved a CRB proposal anyway 👍

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Bill Shaner @billshaner.bsky.social · last mo.

If you're confused about this awful new mural, the guy who commissioned it / owns dive bar now was a framingham cop up until he was caught uhhh... shmealing shmocaine... in such an open way that he was one of the few officers actually suspended by the POST commission

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Andrew Quemere@andrewqmr.bsky.social · last mo.

Eleven people who sued the #Worcester Police Department for “gratuitous violence, false arrest and malicious prosecution on baseless criminal charges, theft or damage of cell phones, and in some cases racist slurs” during a 2020 George Floyd protest have settled for an undisclosed amount. #mapoli

Worcester settles civil rights lawsuit over 2020 George Floyd protest clash

Worcester settled a lawsuit with 11 people arrested during a 2020 protest, after claims of police violence and dropped charges.

masslive.com

Bill Shaner @billshaner.bsky.social · 2mo ago

1. what the fuck dude I hate massachusetts 2. i hope the rent control campaign carefully investigates who it was internally that advocated for the religious exemption in the first place and the reasons they gave. This has sabotage written all over it

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Bill Shaner @billshaner.bsky.social · 2mo ago

One thing the independent newsletter model as a whole desperately lacks is the "editor who is waiting and mad at you (?)" feature of your traditional legacy newsrooms. Really no replacement for that motivator when you have to write something but don't want to