rural justice network
EVENTS
Our Events
The Rural Justice Network has worked hard to put together an array of events in the central Massachusetts area. You can learn more about our past, and upcoming events, as well as events which we have attended or participated in here
Small Town Pride 2024
June 29, 2024
Like previous years, we couldn't be happier with how our fourth consecutive event has turned out. We were able to donate $10,000 to the North Brookfield School District, and introduced our new Mascot, Timber!
For more information, please visit our Small Town Pride section of the website.
ACLU BILL OF RIGHTS DINNER
September 22, 2023
The Rural Justice Network was invited to attend the Bill Of Rights Dinner fundraiser by the ACLU MA in September of 2023. In May of that year the ACLU provided invaluable support and resources to the RJN in insuring that our 2023 Small Town Pride event was successful, through all the trails we had to face.
SMALL TOWN PRIDE 2023
June 25, 2023
Our third Small Town Pride provided a lot of firsts. It was our first event to switch towns. It was our first event to gain significant media coverage. It was out first event in the rain. But it was also gave us confidence that with ever challenge came a solution. And with our biggest turn out so far, we're thrilled to have pulled off another year!
For more information, please visit our Small Town Pride section of the website.
QUEER PROM
May 13, 2023
The Rural Justice Network hosted our first ever Queer Prom at Timberyard Brewing Company. This was our first ever 18+ Event, and allowed members of the Queer Community a chance to relive their prom in an open and accepting environment surrounded by kindred spirits. Amazing food, drink, and dancing established queer prom as a night to remember.
SMALL TOWN PRIDE 2022
June 25, 2022
Our second Small Town Pride event was bigger than ever with more performers and vendors, along with a food truck. The turnout was very satisfactory, and we are looking forward for many years to come.
For more information, please visit our Small Town Pride section of the website.
PRIDE BINGO NIGHT
December 10, 2022
To help raise funds for our 2023 projects, we held a Pride Bingo Night at Common Grounds Ciderworks. We had fun playing Pro-Queer music while dining on delicious foods and tasting the refreshments that Common Grounds had to offer. The event was successful enough to secure a starting budget for future events, such as Queer Prom and Small Town Pride 2023
NORTH BROOKFIELD MASCOT PROTEST
November 27, 2021
In response to North Brookfield’s careless decision to instant a problematic mascot, the RJN arranged a protest to vocalize their disapproval and bring attention to the importance of what their symbol is doing to memoirs of their community. The event had upwards of thirty people there to support the protest.
JUSTICE SEMINARS
The RJN periodically holds Justice Seminars where they will discuss current events and significant topics to bring awareness and education to our community. We provide a platform of discussion that is open to all participants, along with supplying helpful links and resources to further establish what we aim to become common knowledge. There is an unfortunate surplus of misinformation and fear-tactics instilled on our communities, and we hope to combat those with positive and vocal perspectives.
SMALL TOWN PRIDE 2021
November 27, 2021
The first of our annual Small Town Pride event was in the year 2021. For our first event, it was an overwhelming success. Starting out strong gave us the experience and confidences to continue this event for many years to come.
For more information, please visit our Small Town Pride section of the website.
BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST
June 28, 2020
Our first major public gathering, a Black Lives Matters protest was held in June 2020. The protest was attended by hundreds of people from the surrounding areas, as we gathered on the West Brookfield Common to unite.