A Message from Save Nonantum

First and foremost, Save Nonantum was created to not only protect, preserve, and promote the culture of Nonantum but also the values our residents share with countless residents across our great city. We are proud to have supported two candidates, John Oliver and Tarik Lucas, who will do just that. Congratulations John and Tarik! You make our city proud.

Secondly, we would like to thank all who turned out to vote. Your vote honored every immigrant who left their homeland in search of a better life, the right to vote, and the opportunity to have their voices heard. It was inspiring to see families, three generations deep, pulling up to the polls, casting their ballots. It was a community celebration, a coming together of voices not often heard.

Yesterday’s election was for those of us who have felt their voices silenced for far too long, not just in Nonantum, but in like minded communities throughout Newton. We now say loud and clear to the vocal, fringe minority, to those who have sought to silence the legitimate voices across this great city - The People Have Spoken and We Will Be Silenced No More!

We have seen the best and the worst of what our community has to offer since the passing of our beloved city councilor Jay Ciccone. A great man dedicated to his family, his community, and his city. He shared our feeling of disenfranchisement- where he and other independent city councilors have felt silenced and unwelcomed by Newton’s political elites. This is not how our city is supposed to work.

We fully share in responsibility for some of the divide that has gripped our city. Though it was not unwarranted, we have faced baseless personal attacks, from the village 14 cyberbullies and the political power elites of Newton. They have harassed our friends and families at their workplaces, released our personal information on the internet, and tried in every way to silence our voice through attempted intimidation. It did not work.

When we started our group, which quickly grew to over 250-members citywide in a matter of days, we put forth our overriding message, “A letter from Nonantum” It was hoped that Newton political leaders, would at the very least reach out to ask the question: what's wrong here? Sadly, only one city official did just that. The letter was an olive branch. One that was harshly rejected.

We were labeled, libeled, and lied about. We were called racists and slurred with ugly ethnic stereotypes. We believe in respecting our differences and know that there is far more that unites us than divides us. Respect, however, is a two-way street; to get it, you must give it. We were forced to action, and we will not back down.

Our hope is that Newton’s political leaders take a long hard look in the mirror, and don’t justify their behavior with “this election was a fluke” or its only a special election, or some other avoidance of self awareness. We hope that as you take that look in the mirror you reflect and say “maybe there is something to what these residents are saying? let me build a relationship of trust so I can learn more.”

With the election of Tarik and John, we believe there is hope for a renewed sense of cooperation. We call on our city's leaders to do what they say they want others to do; be respectful, respect our differences, and unite us - not divide us. As we move forward, hopefully on the road to recovery of our great community, just know that if we are silent it doesn’t mean that we are not paying attention.