PEMBROKE – Town government in Pembroke has become a battleground for a series of contentious "culture war" issues, reflecting deeper ideological divisions among residents and elected officials. Debates over diversity, equity, and inclusion, classroom symbols like Pride flags, and even local policy-making have fueled heated exchanges and solidified a landscape of competing visions for the town's future.
The Dissolution of the DEI Committee
A significant flashpoint in Pembroke's culture wars was the dissolution of the town's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Pembroke Rising, a group founded in the summer of 2021, stated its genesis was due to concerns that some Select Board members were "importing national leftist ideologies into local town government and affairs". Pembroke Rising claims that while town elections are nonpartisan on the ballot, Pembroke has a "center-right history" that some sought to move left. The Select Board's decision to create a DEI Committee, reportedly in "resistance to the counsel of the Town Meeting not to do so," galvanized Pembroke Rising as a grassroots movement.
In October 2021, a non-binding Town Meeting article saw 196 people vote against the DEI committee, with 173 voting in favor. Despite this, the Select Board appointed the committee the next night. However, the makeup of the Select Board changed when Chair Jessica Bradley Rushing lost reelection in May 2022, and the new Select Board ultimately voted 3-2 to dissolve the committee, with Steve Ciciotti, Dan Trabucco, and Tracy Marino voting in favor of dissolution, and John Brown and Becky Coletta opposed.
• Arguments for Dissolution:
◦ Selectman Steve Ciciotti (who defeated Rushing) stated his concern was the role of government in overseeing the committee, suggesting its goals could be accomplished as a private entity. He asserted that the town meeting had voted against it, indicating the town did not want it, and that the committee's formation had created division.
◦ Resident Don Bryant, from Pembroke Rising, argued that the terms "diversity, equity, and inclusion" were left vague and undefined, acting as a "Trojan horse" for "illiberal meanings" and "concepts and authority that are at odds with freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and freedom of association". He claimed the initiative was a "national agenda" being brought to Pembroke.
◦ Some residents expressed concern that the DEI agenda led to "cancel culture" and division, with instances of individuals being "doxxed" or attacked on social media for opposing the committee.
• Arguments Against Dissolution/For DEI:
◦ Supporters argued that the DEI committee was a "best practice" for organizations and governments to promote inclusivity and address issues like racism, anti-Semitism, and disability discrimination.
◦ Select Board Chair Jessica Bradley Rushing believed the committee would help ensure Pembroke was thoughtful about whose voices were included in decision-making and promote a welcoming environment for all backgrounds.
◦ Rebecca Coletta, a Select Board member who voted to keep the committee, emphasized that ignoring these issues was not the government's role, citing civil rights legislation.
◦ Teachers and parents highlighted that the committee's purpose was to create a safe school climate and address challenges faced by marginalized communities.
◦ Chris Ciano, a resident, viewed the push to dissolve the DEI committee as an "expected next step" in an existing "slippery slope" of culture wars in town, believing some elected officials were swept into office with a mandate to bring these "culture wars to town hall and to our schools".
Debate Over Classroom Symbols and Pride Flags
The Pembroke School Committee also faced a "heated and lengthy meeting" regarding a proposed policy to ban the display of certain "political and social symbols" in classrooms, particularly focusing on Pride flags. Acting School Committee Chair Susan Bollinger proposed and drafted the policy, aiming for "political neutrality" in schools where students are taught "how to think, not what to think". The draft policy would have barred school personnel from advocating for political candidates or social policy issues on district property, including through flags, posters, buttons, jewelry, and pins. It also required written permission and School Committee approval for students to display advocacy related to after-school clubs.
• Arguments for the Ban/Neutrality:
◦ Susan Bollinger stated she received complaints from parents and students uncomfortable with teachers advocating for causes or displaying political symbols. She argued that the Pride flag, although representing a group deserving of respect, had been "taken over by a group of people who are extremists" and that "men can become women and women can become men" is not true. She also stressed the need to protect young girls in locker rooms and sports.
◦ Steve Ciciotti believed dissolving the DEI committee was a good idea and considered pride flags political. He supported Bollinger's proposal to return staff to a place of "political neutrality".
◦ Ivy Pongratz, a student, spoke about her discomfort with teachers putting up Pride flags, arguing it is a controversial topic and students who disagree are scared to speak up.
◦ Some argued that if symbols of certain groups were allowed, then religious symbols or other "ugly flags" would also need to be permitted, making it safer to allow none.
• Arguments Against the Ban/For Inclusion:
◦ Many students, parents, and faculty vehemently opposed the policy, arguing it would make schools less welcoming and safe for LGBTQ+ students.
◦ Katrina Scarsciotti, now a School Committee member, countered that the Pride flag "is not political" and is a symbol of safety and acceptance for all, regardless of political affiliation.
◦ Elin Flashman, a Pembroke parent, noted that existing policies already prevent political advocacy and that the proposed policy could force teachers to "out" themselves to display certain symbols.
◦ School Superintendent Erin Obey and Pembroke High School Principal Marc Talbot stated that existing policies already cover controversial issues and that there had been very few complaints about advocacy in classrooms. Talbot presented data showing high percentages of students feeling safe and welcome.
◦ Many cited legal concerns, referencing a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts calling the proposal "vague, discriminatory, and unlawful," potentially opening the town to "civil rights and workplace lawsuits".
◦ Critics argued that banning symbols like the Pride flag, which represent basic human rights to many, is "wildly not neutral" and would diminish students' ability to speak up.
The School Committee ultimately voted unanimously against adopting the measure, including Bollinger herself.
Other Divisive Issues
• Mixed-Gender Sports Teams: In 2025 the School Committee also debated a new policy to address situations where student athletes might not feel comfortable competing against members of the opposite sex. The policy subcommittee recommended adding language to the athletic handbook that would allow forfeiture for "safety reasons," including "athletes of the opposite sex on the opposing team". Committee Chair Patrick Chilcott cited safety as his primary concern. However, student feedback indicated confusion, as the MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) already has rules addressing gender and sex differences, and some committee members disagreed with formalizing the policy, suggesting it allowed for an opt-out without preventing participation.
• Fluoride in Town Water: A petition to discontinue water fluoridation sparked "passionate discussion" at the May 2025 Town Meeting. Proponents like Maureen Jasie argued it was "outdated science" and that the chemical used was from "phosphate fertilizer production," while opponents like Melissa Killham defended it as a "proven and cost-effective public health measure" preventing tooth decay. The Town Meeting ultimately rejected the non-binding petition, voting to maintain fluoride.
• Recreational Marijuana Sales: Despite Pembroke having voted against recreational marijuana sales three times in the past, the issue was brought to the May 2025 Town Meeting again. In the race for Select Board, Steve Ciciotti and Sean Keegan both, supported bringing it to a vote, citing potential revenue and data showing it "doesn't cause problems". The Town Meeting ultimately approved changes to zoning bylaws allowing recreational marijuana sales and a 3% excise tax.
These ongoing debates highlight the ideological fault lines within Pembroke's town government, and organizations like Pembroke Rising, have factored significantly into recent Town Elections, dominating candidate forums.
Sources included: Candidate Forums, The Local Seen meeting recordings, GBH, The Boston Globe, WHDH, and South Shore News.
Share this post