A letter from Nonantum  

Save Nonantum PAC has been successful beyond our wildest dreams. In a short 5 days we have raised over $20,000. It is a truly warm feeling to know that when you need help your friends will be there for you. Support came not just from those with their roots buried in Nonantum, but from every village in Newton, states throughout the country and even messages of support from Italy. Grazie!

For those, who have filled their words and actions with hatred toward us, making false claims, calling us racist, using ethnic slurs, making disparaging immigrant remarks, and committing hate speech - it hurts. It really, truly leaves a hole in our hearts… That said, our culture teaches us to turn the other cheek- we forgive you. I know some may find that hard to believe, but we truly do forgive you. We understand that you may have felt threatened in some way by us, especially if you have not always been the kindest to us, but we are not angry with you, in fact we know what it’s like to feel vulnerable, we have walked in your shoes. Just know that as a community we welcome you with open arms, we just want to live our lives and let you live yours with understanding and peace.

For the politicians, current and future, we are less forgiving and tolerant. For far too long our community has silently gone along, hoping you will lead us and do the right thing by us. Instead, we have been disappointed. Not by all, but by many. You ignore us when we ask you to address our real concerns, always turning instead to global issues and not those real hard city issues that our local politicians should be focused on. You have disrespected our firefighters, our police, our Italian American heritage, and the straw that broke our backs, recently it was suggested by a candidate that our community culture is not inclusive. We will not get into a who said what blame game. However, your reactions over the past week have spoken volumes to us. You simply do not respect our differences. We know what has happened in the past when politicians have floated ideas like that. If the group you target does not put up a fight, they are eliminated. You seem to think that just because you have money and power, that we do not matter. You assume our past silence equals weakness-  you’re wrong. Our Community matters, we will not go silently.

Nonantum has always been the gateway to Newton. We are the #1 village in Newton for diversity and affordability. We have always been a welcoming place for immigrants and others wishing to make a start in Newton. Our goal is to keep it that way. For far too long the people of Nonantum have been taken for granted, and by forming the Save Nonantum PAC we are saying “no more.”

Again, Thank you to all who rallied to our aid and helped us to be able to stand strong. This past week was just the wake-up call needed to let it be known:

Nonantum matters. Neighborhood’s matter. Solving local problems matter.

SaveNonantum.com