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Saturday Vigil: In solidarity with Black Lives Matter

Racial Justice Rising (formerly Mass Slavery Apology) is an all-volunteer organization in Franklin County, MA, USA.

Latest Activities

Just Another Mile

Saturday, February 18, 2023 – 2 PM All Souls UU Church of Greenfield, 399 Church Street, Green…

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Indigenous Voices Film Series

November 2022 & On-going Produced by the Nolumbeka Project and Jennifer Lee (Northern Narraganse…

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Culture of Reparations Weekend

Fri. Dec 16 – Sun. 18, 2022 Friday 9am – Sunday 5pm Virtual and in person at Greater Fri…

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We eagerly invite you to these three facilitated online training sessions sponsored by the Greenfield, MA Mayor’s office.

• Monday, November 28 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. • Monday, December 5 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. • Mon…

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Our Statement of Apology

Read our statement of apology for slavery and commitment to restorative action. Endorse our statement by adding your signature to the list.

Speak Out for Reparations

We offer the local and broader community a place to say why reparations are important. Read what others have said and make your own comment.

Reparations are the restorative actions that make an acknowledgement of wrong doings via an apology meaningful.

View Our Reparations Teach In

The RJR Reparations Committee

Our reparations group seeks to learn more about the topic and take actions to further this goal.

About Racial Justice Rising


We are ordinary people
troubled by the persistent racism that plagues this country. Believing that the damage caused by racism must be repaired before our society can be whole, we work for just and respectful treatment for all. While much of our work is focused in our local area, we are connected with the broader movements in our region and the nation.

Our Mission


Our mission is twofold:

  • to help build the movement for racial justice by contributing to a deeper understanding of systemic racism and racial justice, and
  • to help to heal the racial divide and bring justice for people targeted by racism.

Mass Slavery Apology is the project that started our work. It is a statement of apology for slavery and a commitment to taking restorative action.

Our Partners


Racial Justice Rising supports

citizens gathered on the Greenfield Commens holding anti-racism signs

Weekly Vigils

Most Saturday mornings from 11 – 12
on the Greenfield Commons

Our programs are supported in part by grants from these Local Cultural Councils: Amherst, Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont-Hawley, Conway, Deerfield, Gill, Greenfield, Heath, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Warwick, Wendell, and Whately, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

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