Four Freedoms March and Rally

On January 7, a coalition of more than 150 Berkshire community partners, including elected officials, local businesses, not-for-profits and religious institutions, brought people together to take a stand against hate and bigotry. The march and rally, held in Pittsfield, was also a celebration of the 76th anniversary of FDR’s State of the Union address, better known as the “Four Freedoms” speech. After marching down North Street, the crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered inside St. Joseph’s Church to hear speakers ranging from FDR’s grandson, James Roosevelt to U.S. Senator Ed Markey; local NAACP chapter president, Dennis Powell to Berkshire Community College’s Multicultural Center director, Eleanore Velez, and many others. Reverend Sheila Sholes-Ross emceed the rally.