On a dreary, overcast March 1st, Newton Centre suddenly became the lively, colorful destination for Octogenarians on the March. Approximately 50 people carrying homemade signs gathered at a table under large banners – one quoting Edmund Burke: “Evil Triumphs when Good People Do Nothing” and another, ”Do Something! Stand with us!”
Tricia Swift, one of the March organizers, was distributing flyers outlining the reasons the octogenarians – mostly residents of Lasell Village in Auburndale – organized the march, coinciding with March 1st. Several of the marchers had signs proclaiming that they were nonagenarians; the oldest among them was 95. Several carried signs saying, “I’m 90. I Remember Democracy!”
As more of the group appeared, they formed a line along Centre Street on Newton Centre Green, waving to the constant parade of honking cars and trucks. People waved to the marchers and opened their car windows to shout their thanks. Signs declared support for the United States Postal Service, the Rule of Law, the Constitution, Science and Research, Food and Medical Aid, Science and Technology, Legal Immigration, NOAA, the IRS, and Government Workers — the latter signs made and carried by Ms. Swift’s granddaughter Hannah, a college freshman, and Rowen Packard, a high school student. Both students considered the possibility of organizing a similar demonstration for younger people.
Judith Tsipis, one of March organizers, confessed that she ”was not a big marcher, but I felt I had to join.” She told Fig City News that as a young woman. she opposed the war in Vietnam and was a strong supporter of civil rights. Nelly Murstein, who is 93, said she is “extremely upset by what is going on. The whole world is upset,” she told Fig City News. “I cannot just sit and let this come about. Yes, I will stand up for democracy,” she said.
How and where did the idea for the March come from? Jennifer Huntington, retired principal of Newton North High School, now living at Lasell Village, was at dinner about two weeks ago with several other residents – Philip Altbach, Tricia Swift, Joyce Levy, Caroline Schastny and Judith Tsipis – and all felt “we had to do something,” Ms. Huntington said. They decided on a silent vigil, and would make signs to reflect their issues. “It all fell into place,” she said, noting that it came “out of our anger.” She believes, “We need something everyday with messages about what Trump is doing.” And she hopes that their march will spur more.
Phil Altbach, a retired Boston College faculty member, also at the Lasell dinner table, believes that it is important to “keep it simple.” They picked the date, time, and place and made signs and shared the information with people at Lasell and at some of the local churches. Mr. Altbach said, “As octogenarians we have experience of issues like the Cuban Missile Crisis (October,1962),” which was a similarly existential point. He recalled that Bob Dylan and Joan Baez performed to raise money for the student teach-ins of the 1960s, and organized to oppose the Vietnam War and promote civil rights. Among the issues included in the octogenarians’ list of lived experiences are the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Watergate, and 9/11.
The next day, in assessing the March, Mr. Altbach said “it was great” to see seniors out there.” Organizers were gratified by all the people who stopped to smile and wave at them. Are they planning another March? “It’s been discussed,” he said.
For Jennifer Huntington, the vigil had special meaning because her grandson, a Ph.D. candidate in science, just had his project halted and additional projects foreclosed by the recent reductions in NIH and CDC research funding. Considering the turnout and response to Saturday’s event, she is optimistic about organizing continued octogenarian marches.
