The Traprock Blog
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- Plastic Pollution, Part 2: Eliminate it we mustby Traprock Web ManagerBy H. PATRICIA HYNES Part 1: https://www.traprock.org/from-global-to-local-the-terrible-debris-of-progress/ How can we reduce toxic plastic pollution, given it is everywhere and in everything from the peaks of the highest mountains and deepest depths of the sea to our internal organs, other parts of our body and breath? I ask this rhetorically given we must reduce plastic and… Read more: Plastic Pollution, Part 2: Eliminate it we must
- My Turn: Let’s bring Mother’s Day into every dayby Traprock Web Managerby Rev. Sarah Pirtle May 11, 2026 This spring’s Mother’s Day is over, but few know its origin story. The flame of its spirit needs to linger. This is a holiday meant to propel us forward in a positive direction that continues long after the day has passed. The original intention of Mother’s Day was meant to do… Read more: My Turn: Let’s bring Mother’s Day into every day
- Letter Regarding the Genocide in Palestineby Traprock Web ManagerIn the same week national and international news carried the statements of the former Israeli Mossad intelligence agency chief Tamir Pardo after touring the Occupied West Bank and an almost parallel statement former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. Both called Israel and US policy in Palestine genocide. “What I saw today made me feel ashamed… Read more: Letter Regarding the Genocide in Palestine
- From Global to Local: The ‘terrible debris of progress’by Traprock Web ManagerPat Hynes’ monthly column, Greenfield Recorder, May 4, 2026 (read or listen at link) Microplastics, those miniscule particles smaller than 5 millimeters which plastics physically break down into, have now infiltrated every part of the planet — from the highest point of the Himalayas; to the deepest depths of the sea; to the snow of… Read more: From Global to Local: The ‘terrible debris of progress’
- Young Peacemakers to be honored at May 12 Awards Event in Greenfieldby Traprock Web ManagerAt a time of war, with injustice experienced at home and abroad, recognizing and honoring social justice work by Franklin County students gives hope for the future. On Tuesday, May 12, thirteen area high school students will be honored at a public event from 6:30 pm at the All Souls Unitarian Church on Main St.… Read more: Young Peacemakers to be honored at May 12 Awards Event in Greenfield
- GCC students to receive Traprock-Nelson scholarshipsby Traprock Web ManagerFor over a decade the Franklin County based Traprock Center has awarded scholarships to students from Greenfield Community College who demonstrate a commitment to peace and social justice. The scholarship program founded by Professor Abbie Jenks to honor the late area activists Wally and Juanita Nelson, is now the Traprock Center for Peace and Justice/Wally and… Read more: GCC students to receive Traprock-Nelson scholarships
- Black History Speech by Nate Woodardby Traprock Web ManagerAs spoken at No Kings 3, March 28, 2026 When we talk about Black history, too often we speak about it like it’s over.Like it’s something finished. Something behind us. We talk about slavery. We talk about segregation. We talk about marches and victories.We mention the Civil Rights Movement and we tell ourselves that progress… Read more: Black History Speech by Nate Woodard
- From Global to Local: The Equal Rights Amendment is within our reachby Traprock Web ManagerPat Hynes “When the Founding Fathers proclaimed that “all men are created equal,” it was preceded by “we hold these truths to be self-evident.” If they were truths and self-evident, why were the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence from the moneyed class exclusively (physicians, lawyers, merchants, and plantations owners); many were slave-holders.… Read more: From Global to Local: The Equal Rights Amendment is within our reach
- Looking Ahead in 2026by Traprock Web ManagerThe Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, founded in 1978 as the Traprock Peace Center, has a long history of working for peace, nonviolence, and economic and social justice in the Hampshire/Franklin County area. Traprock works in community with both local and national efforts to end violence against Earth, her people, and all living beings.… Read more: Looking Ahead in 2026
- Paki Wieland: A life in protest and peaceby Traprock Web Managerby Scott Merzbach March 13, 2026 Paki Wieland, 82, died early Thursday morning in Conway. The longtime Pioneer Valley resident, shown here in front of the RV she and others drove to North Dakota to support pipeline protesters, was known for her activism across many decades. She once said, “I think it’s really important for people… Read more: Paki Wieland: A life in protest and peace