AND THE
Our Mission Statement
Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment (WCPJE) is a local Massachusetts non-profit organization committed to fostering connection, caring and community action. We see the causes of peace, justice and a clean and safe environment as being inextricably linked. WCPJE promotes sound environmental practices, cultivates peace and common security, and advocates for social and economic justice in our city, state, nation and in the world.
Looking to the Challenging Future
In May of this year, WCPJE celebrated its 47th Annual Meeting. In its nearly half century of existence, the organization has served as the go-to organization for Watertown residents providing the organizational structure and the financial resources to pursue grassroots organizing. Our multi-issue agenda offered and continues to offer committed activist the opportunity to initiate a working group focused on an issue and generate community support to impact and shape public policy. Our present four working groups –Watertown Faces Climate Change, Refugee Support Group, Pigsgusset Initiative (Indigenous issues), and Peace and Common Security – are only the latest in a long line of working groups.
Since 1979…
-
Our commitment to protecting the environment, promoting sound environmental practices, opposing war and cultivating peace and advocating for social and economic justice has been consistent.
-
Our commitment to collaborating by co-sponsoring events and programs with other organizations who respect our mission has never wavered.
-
Our commitment to exploring and understanding how the challenges we faced and continue to face as progressives are related has been steadfast.
-
Our commitment to compassion and caring, to creating community, and to the power of community action has never been questioned.
Because of these commitments, WCPJE has touched thousands of our neighbors, provided hundreds of opportunities for learning and growing, and has inspired untold acts of courage and resistance. But we know that now, maybe more than at any time in our 47-year history, we must do more! We must do better!
We face attacks on our civil liberties, cuts in our social safety net, destruction of our environmental protections, increased U. S. military intervention, and fossil fuel expansion. WCPJE is determined to meet these challenges by reaching more Watertown residents, increasing our presence on social media, building a stronger financial base, attracting talented residents to our leadership committee and working groups, and developing user friendly resources for education and action. Please become part of our determination to become a stronger and more effective community-based organization.
Our History
Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment was founded in 1979 as Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety (WCES). The group was created after the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island, to organize and encourage citizens to monitor the local environment. After the decision was made in 1987 to close the U.S. Army’s Watertown Arsenal, WCES was instrumental in getting the Arsenal onto the Federal Superfund Site. The organization then worked with the Army and both local and state health officials to ensure proper cleanup. Today, the Arsenal bustles with commercial, cultural, and artistic activities for Watertown residents and the general public.
In the early 1980s, WCES became Watertown’s nuclear freeze group. We established an annual commemoration of the bombing of Hiroshima, and our activities expanded to include educational events, peace vigils, and legislative work. After the events of September 11, 2001, WCES became part of the Boston area United for Justice with Peace coalition. In 2005, our efforts resulted in the Patriot Act Resolution ballot question. This resolution, which called on federal lawmakers to oppose those portions of the Patriot Act that violated citizens’ civil rights, passed by a two-to-one margin among Watertown’s voters. In 2012, our legislative efforts resulted in the Budget For All Resolution ballot question, which instructed legislators to prevent social service cuts, create jobs, reduce military spending, and end the war in Afghanistan. This resolution was passed by 78% of Watertown voters. That same year, we successfully appealed to voters and the Town Council to register opposition to the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.
Watertown Citizens works to encourage healthy, environmentally friendly local practices. This includes sponsoring Chemical Free Garden Tours as well as the annual Charles River Cleanup, participating in the Watertown Wellness Task Force, advocating the national “Complete Streets” model for road projects, and discouraging excessive paving. Our members also tend a Watertown Citizens Community Garden plot, whose harvest is donated to the Watertown Food Pantry. In 2012-13, we initiated a public art project for the Community Path, and began generating input to the future Watertown Comprehensive Plan.
Prominent local agencies and organizations—the Watertown Recycling Center, the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee (WE3C), Trees for Watertown, the Watertown Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, Watertown-El Tremedal Sister City Project, and Watertown Walks!—all began as projects of WCES. Recognizing the breadth and interconnection of our activities, in 2011 we changed our name to Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment.
Leadership
The Leadership Team/Steering Committee of Watertown Citizens. Steering Committee members are elected to one-year terms at the Watertown Citizens Annual Meeting, which is generally held in the spring. Steering Committee meetings are open to the public. We welcome anyone interested in getting involved to contact us.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin, President
Deborah Peterson, Secretary
Ephitéo Evans, Treasurer
Jacqui Gross
Tony Palomba
Jennifer Wolfrum
WCPJE is proud to have several dedicated working groups. These teams collaborate closely, focusing on shared goals that align with our organization's mission. Our present Working Groups are:
Watertown Faces Climate Change
