The results are in.
In a city with 82,000 residents that values inclusion, Question 3 passed with only 11,500 votes, just 55% of those who cast a ballot. That is clearly not the mandate supporters of Question 3 have claimed, and proves that most Somerville residents do not want to demonize Israel, hurt their neighbors and divide our community.
The demands of this non-binding ballot question are illegal and discriminatory. Somerville’s newly elected mayor and its City Solicitor have confirmed this. We will keep working to educate about the negative impact that Question 3 brings - on each of us, and on our collective ability to do what is needed for our children, our friends, and our city as a whole.
Since October 7, Somerville - like many communities - has seen a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents and hostility toward Jewish neighbors. A Jewish elected official's campaign signs were vandalized with bloody bullet holes, a Jewish home was egged, and Jewish and Israeli parents have to explain to their young children why a Somerville parent is wearing clothing on elementary school property that glorifies Hamas terrorists and calls for violence against Jews. Ballot questions such as this contribute to this climate by normalizing harmful rhetoric and hate; they do a disservice to justice.
This campaign was deeply personal to each of the members of Somerville United Against Discrimination and to many residents in our community. Thank you to our volunteers and supporters for your hard work and dedication. We end this campaign with the strong belief that the majority of our neighbors want Somerville to continue to be the welcoming community we call home.
As you may have heard, there is an incredibly divisive local ballot question this November in Somerville
and we are urging people to vote no. It is being proposed as a response to the conflict in Gaza, but does not actually help Palestinians.
The ballot question ignores the problems here in Somerville, creates tension and fear, and pits neighbors against neighbors. That’s not justice for anyone.
Vote NO on or before November 4th
Vote NO to keep Somerville focused on what matters here at home
- Somerville families are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.
- Our infrastructure is in need of critical updates.
- Our schools and health care are at risk from federal budget cuts.
This Ballot Question takes our focus off Somerville & will not help Palestinians
- It is non-binding and would not be enforceable if passed. It simply distracts us from the important issues here in Somerville.
- A welcoming community like Somerville should not pass something that is illegal and violates numerous anti-discrimination laws.
- It will lead to lawsuits, wasted resources, and deeper divisions in Somerville.
About Somerville United Against Discrimination:
Somerville United Against Discrimination is a group of Jewish residents of Somerville and their allies who oppose Question 3. SUAD advocates for keeping Somerville focused on local priorities rather than divisive, unlawful ballot measures. SUAD has received hundreds of contributions from individuals in Somerville and Massachusetts, with Somerville residents representing the largest group.
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