A **resolution has been posted and will be voted on at this meeting. We can speak at public comment. See * below for details about speaking at public comment.
The resolution is here: https://capecodwomenforchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/barntowncouncil-pg-111-resolution.pdf
Full agenda here: https://town.barnstable.ma.us/BoardsCommittees/TownCouncil/Agendas/2025/08-21-20253.pdf
We are not the host of this event, but we support it and want as many like-minded people as possible to attend.
An resolution is on the agenda of the Barnstable Town Council, Thursday, August 21, 6:00PM, Town Hall, Hyannis. We are urging all our town of Barnstable residents to show up in numbers to support the rights of immigrants. (People from other towns welcome as well) This is how movements are built, from the ground up. The more towns that sign these types of resolutions, the better chance we have at creating change at the state and federal levels.
Showing up to listen or even better, make a public comment, including first hand stories of how the current environment impacts Barnstable in all facets of life, is crucial. We need to let them know the whole town is watching, and if they vote against it, we will vote them out in the next election.
We encourage you to help persuade the council of the necessity of adopting a resolution that preserves the values enshrined in our US Constitution and Town Charter of freedom, justice and human rights for all Barnstable residents and visitors regardless of age, race, religion, ethnicity, ability, sexual and gender identity, marital or economic status, citizenship and immigration status.
A core principle behind all Indivisible events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.
Speak at public comment at the beginning of the meeting as the resolution has no public hearing. From a former councilor:
I’ve made a pdf copy of the single page of the resolution: https://capecodwomenforchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/barntowncouncil-pg-111-resolution.pdf
A couple things, having served on the council for 12 yrs – term limited out in 2013 and with the caveat that some things are different now:
Because the resolution does not require a public hearing – unless they tell us otherwise – we should speak about this at the public comment section at the beginning of the meeting. They don’t have to allow us to speak when the resolution is to be voted on. So plan to speak then, and they will tell us if we need to wait. It’s risky to wait because a councilor can object to allowing public comment on a resolution!
I used to print the rules on the agenda -don’t see them now. Public comment and some hearings were always limited to 2 minutes and are now 3 minutes. In fairness they have a long agenda to get to and if you go long councilors can lose patience and it doesn’t go well for us. KEEP IT SHORT.
ONLY 4 of 13 councilors sponsored this. That’s not a good sign. If you are a Barnstable resident, send an email to your town councilor telling them you are watching. Don’t know who your councilor is? check here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/wheredoivote and contact info is here: https://www.town.barnstable.ma.us/BoardsCommittees/TownCouncil/Town_Council/Town-Councilor-Contacts.pdf?tm=7/17/2024%2011:13:39%20AM
You can submit longer public comment here and ask that it be made part of the record for August 21 2025s meeting: https://tobweb.town.barnstable.ma.us/boardscommittees/towncouncil/Town_Council/Agenda-Comment.asp
Even if you aren’t a resident you can mention that you will be working to help with elections this fall based on the votes for this resolution. A resolution is not legally binding, it’s a statement to represent the town – their elections are fall not spring like selectwomen/men
We are going to try to get everyone a blue triangle button to wear – if you see someone wearing one ask them who has the box and get one- even if you don’t speak the visual is important to let people know that you are supporting the resolution.
RULES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THIS RULES DOCUMENT https://town.barnstable.ma.us/BoardsCommittees/TownCouncil/Town_Council/Town-Council-Rules.pdf?tm=8/20/2025%204:54:14%20PM ADOPTED 7/2025:
RULE 5H PUBLIC COMMENT
At each regular meeting of the Council there shall be a period set aside for public comment. Any member of the public who wishes to participate in public comment shall be recognized by the presiding officer and shall be asked to state his/her name and, if a resident of Barnstable, asked to state the village in which they reside (if not a resident of Barnstable, they shall be asked to state their town of residence) for the record. Generally, public comment will be limited to three minutes for each individual speaking, but additional time may be granted at the discretion of the
presiding officer.
All remarks and questions shall be addressed to the Council as a whole,
through the presiding officer, and not to any individual member. No member of the public may speak at a Council meeting without first being recognized by the presiding officer. The purpose of the public comment period is for the Council to hear comments from the public, and not for
the public to engage in discussions or debate with the Council or with any member of the audience. If any person persists in disorderly behavior after a warning from the presiding officer, the presiding officer may order the person to leave the meeting (see Open Meeting Law).
At the beginning of public comment, a statement shall be read by the presiding officer or his or her designee substantially in the form set forth below:
I wish to remind everyone that no member of the public may speak without first being recognized by the Council President (or presiding officer). The public will have an opportunity to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting and during any public hearing on an agenda item.
You are free to express your thoughts, opinions and criticisms during public comment.
However, your comments must be directed to the Council as a body, through the President of the Council (or presiding officer). You may not speak directly to any individual Councilor. You also should not be addressing your comments to anyone else in this room – not to Town staff and not to another member of the audience. Public comment is to be directed to the Council.
We also ask that the members of the public refrain from making audible comments during the meeting unless they have been recognized to speak by the Council President (or presiding officer). The Council President (or presiding officer) will request silence in the chamber if anyone ignores this rule.
**Resolutions express the opinion, intent, or will of the Town Council on a particular topic. They typically address matters of a special or temporary nature or handle administrative acts.
Examples:
Establishing advisory committees.
Supporting a particular cause or communicating with another governmental unit.
Directing the Town Manager to take certain administrative actions.
Characteristics:
Can often be acted upon in a single reading.
Generally go into effect immediately and may not require publication.
Are not typically used to amend, repeal, or modify an existing ordinance unless specifically authorized by law.
May be more temporary in nature or deal with internal municipal affairs.
To submit an event to the calendar, email calendar@swingbluealliance.org