NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday endorsed a short but straightforward resolution condemning dictatorship and supporting democracy and the rule of law.

 

The resolution, presented by Councilor Ashley Shade on behalf of Peter May, passed 8-3, with Councilors Keith Bona, Peter Oleskiewicz and President Bryan Sapienza voting nay. Councilor Wayne Wilkinson was absent.

Around two dozen people attended the council meeting and broke into applause once Shade confirmed it has passed. No one spoke against the statement but several did in favor.

 

May, given 10 minutes to explain his resolution, described democracy as being under attack and the country standing "on the precipice with one foot over the edge. There is no time to balk or pretend that it isn't happening. We are neck deep in a constitutional crisis."

 

He took aim at the actions of the Trump administration on education, health care, the courts, law firms, the media, immigrants and students.

 

"He said he doesn't know if he has to uphold the Constitution," May continued. "He is blatantly and illegally using the office of the presidency to enrich himself, taking billions in corporate and crypto bribe for access, accepting a $400 million plane, making hotel deals and much more. These aren't opinions. These are verifiable facts."

 

Shade, who motioned the resolution, said she was happy to see someone bring these issues to council.

 

"We should not have to retake an oath of office that we've already taken. But we are living in unprecedented times where executive power and authority are trampling every other branch of government," she said, adding, "this isn't about partisanship or party. I could care less who the president is, any president and any expansion of executive power, this is a threat to our constitutional republic."

 

Bona, however, felt it was, noting that while the resolution didn't speak to parties, the comments from May and others did. 

 

"We serve as a nonpartisan officials, and that choice was made by the community some point in the past to ensure that our council members aren't tied to any specific political parties," he said. "And despite what's being said tonight. It is clearly one party that's being attached. It's crucial that we approach our decisions without leaning towards red or blue, focusing instead and what's best for our community."

 

He agreed with the resolution's sentiments but said his philosophy is that the council should focus on matters that directly affect the city and its community, pointing to the recent LGBTQ resolution. 

 

About 30 percent of the city's voters had cast ballots for President Trump, Bona said, and this resolution "seems likely it will deepen divisions within the community, rather than foster unity." 

 

Oleskiewicz, who voted against the LGBTQ resolution, said he agreed with Bona, and that for him it was a matter of consistency in not supporting such resolutions. 

 

Councilor Andrew Fitch, who seconded the motion, said he thought the resolution was clear enough in not being about any particular person or party. 

 

"I don't think that defending the Constitution or prioritizing and listening to our residents is partisan politics," said Councilor Lisa Blackmer. "I say extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and I support this resolution. I don't like the wording of it too much, but I like the principle."

 

In hearing of visitors, resident Richard Dassatti said he'd studied fascism in college and "never thought that I would have to stand up and say that I'm opposed to fascism here in Massachusetts."

 

"I believe in the Constitution and our race as human beings, and against this tyranny that's unfolding right in front of us. And I ask you to support the solution that [May] presents forth," said Justin Timoney. 

 

And Christa Tinari noted, "we just said the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. And it really stands for the rights and freedoms that we enjoy, which have to do with the shared principles of a participatory democracy."

 

Councilor Peter Breen said North Adams was a community that helps and "this is something we need to do. It's not against someone, it's for someone, your neighbors, your grandparents, your children ... We're being strangled and when we're being strangled, we're being smothered. They don't want to have any sound from us."

 

And Councilor Deanna Morrow said even though North Adams is a small city, passing a resolution like this shows "we do not agree with this, and there needs to be a change" and "that's something huge."

 

Shade said anyone not against monarchs or dictators must be living in the wrong country. 

 

"I am a big believer that our founding fathers were brilliant people who put in a system of government that had never been tried before and that has succeeded for 250 years, creating one of the most powerful and most persevering nations in the history of mankind," she said. "It is our duty to stand up and say no to tyranny in all of its forms, whether it's an executive, a monarch, a dictator or anyone who tries to take power away from the people."

 

May said there will be those who say resolutions from the City Council have no real meaning, no clout. 

 

"They're not practical because resolutions aren't laws or budgets or buildings," he said. "But I disagree ... the people of North Adams need to be reassured with this resolution that their local leaders do believe in democracy and the rule of law."