Critical Mass bicycle rides started in 1992 in California and have since spread around the world. Hundreds of people ride together in a group on roads, forcing cars to go at bicycle speed. They often chant, “Critical Mass, don't use gas!”

On May 17 there will be a Critical Mass bike ride in Brattleboro. The ride starts at 6 p.m. at the town common. The goal is to get politicians to deal with climate change, which the world's leading scientists say is a major threat to earth's ability to support human life. Details about the ride are at:

www.facebook.com/events/2144426155641240

These photos show a September 2018 Critical Mass bike ride in Brattleboro. To enlarge a photo, click on it, then scroll down and click "see full size image." photos by Eesha Williams.

In other news from the Valley, in Springfield on May 16 there will be a rally to demand that the state increase funding for education. The rally starts at 4:30 p.m. outside city hall. As of May 9, more than 130 people had RSVP'd. Details are at:

www.facebook.com/events/2347258562217413

In other news from the Valley, on May 8 a land trust in Keene announced it has saved 60 acres of farmland in Walpole, New Hampshire. Walpole borders Putney, Vermont which is about 10 minutes from Brattleboro by car. The land trust has a web site at www.MonadnockConservancy.org.

In related news, on May 2 in Hadley, Massachusetts townspeople decided to invest government money to protect farmland. Hadley borders Northampton and Amherst. The 193 acre Szala Farm was saved.

In other news from the Valley, on May 7 in Holyoke activists had a win when they held a rally calling on the city council to formally urge the state to enact Medicare for All. Immediately after the rally, the city council did what the activists were asking. One of the groups that organized the rally has a web page at:

www.facebook.com/WMM4A