In 1850, Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act, seeking to use a federal law to override the "sanctuary" policies of free states that provided safety to anyone fleeing bondage who crossed their state lines.
However, the newly empowered federal marshals (and a number of private citizens) not only went after those who had fled their chains, but stopped anyone whose skin tone was insufficiently pale. Even if the "suspect" presented evidence of free status, they could see their papers ripped up and be sent into slavery.
Today, 175 years later, does this begin to sound familiar?
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Williamstown Fifth-, Sixth-Grade Boys Compete at State Championship
Community submission
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Williamstown Soccer Club’s boys grade 5/6 team, known as the Mayhem, capped its season at the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions in Lancaster, finishing pool play with a 1-1-1 record and coming within a single point of advancing to the championship round.
As winners of the Berkshire County MTOC League, the Mayhem earned the right to represent Berkshire County against the top youth teams from across the state at the SBLI Fields at Progin Park.
Williamstown opened pool play with a decisive 6-2 win over Wilmington before falling, 4-1, to Norwell. The weekend came down to the final - a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Leicester that ultimately sent Leicester through to the championship round, where Brookline went on to claim the state title.
“Representing Berkshire County at states was something this group earned, and they played like it,” Williamstown head coach Jeff Stripp said. “We came a single point from the championship round against very good competition, and I told the boys afterward that I couldn’t be prouder of the way they competed for one another and for Berkshire County.
"These are good kids who work hard, take ownership, and don’t back down from a challenge - and that’s exactly what they showed all weekend.”
The Mayhem roster includes: Mason Stripp, Brady Dickinson, Jackson Draper, Sam Stratton, Solomon Israel, Boden Palmer, Gregory Phelan, Will Bayliss, Derek Weber, Sam King, Dylan Fitzgibbons, Jack Sosne, Logan Williams, Chase Ziemba, Colton Ziemba, Landon Maroney and Devon Washburn. Coaches: Jeff Stripp, Ryan Dickinson and Mark Draper.
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The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.
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