My friends, I must say to you that we have not made a single gain in civil rights without determined legal and nonviolent pressure. Lamentably, it is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light and voluntarily give up their unjust posture; but, as Reinhold Niebuhr has reminded us, groups tend to be more immoral than individuals. We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” April 16, 1963
"Sometimes, we were learning, we had to hold hands and walk forward into the darkness, even when we didn't know what the next step would bring. Walking by faith wasn't easy. But it was taking us places where the rules of organizing had not allowed us to go. No one knew just what we were becoming, but we knew one thing for sure: there was no turning back."
— Rev. Willam J. Barber, The Third Reconstruction
“I have told the clergy…that we may be entering into that same witness. And I've asked them to get their affairs in order—to make sure they have their wills written, because it may be that now is no longer the time for statements, but for us with our bodies to stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable. And it may mean that we are going to have to act in a new way…to put our faith in the God of life, of resurrection, of a love that is stronger than death itself.” – Bishop Rob Hirschfeld, Episcopal Diocese of NH, at a Concord vigil for Renee Nicole Good, January 9, 2026
January 17, 2026
Welcome to Martin Luther King weekend! Let us ground ourselves in the wisdom, courage and examples – past and present – of nonviolent and life-affirming movements for justice and peace. It will be nourishment for our spirits to be together at one or more of the many MLK community celebrations throughout the state. Here’s a good list (NHPR), and scroll down to the Events section for some highlights. We thank our friend Arnie Alpert for sharing the story with the NH Center for Justice & Equity of how NH people organized over decades (!) to establish this important holiday.
Read more about the statewide MLK Coalition’s celebration on Monday, January 19 in Manchester, where former NH Senator Melanie Levesque will receive the Martin Luther King award for her tireless leadership for voting rights, public education, and racial justice (read more here). NH Representative Alice Wade, a courageous champion for the rights of transgender people and civil rights for all, will receive the Vanessa Johnson Youth Award.
We were sad to learn last week of the passing of Claudette Colvin at the age of 86. At 15 years old, and already a student of active nonviolence, Claudette refused to give up her seat on the bus, nine months before Rosa Parks’ act of dignified defiance would launch the Montgomery bus boycott. “I felt like Sojourner Truth was pushing down on one shoulder and Harriet Tubman was pushing down on the other – saying. ‘Sit down girl!’ I was glued to my seat.” Read more about Claudette here. We at AFSC-NH have fond memories of welcoming Claudette to NH for our annual celebration back in 2009.
Strong opposition to death penalty bills
While last week’s public hearings on death penalty bills began in a chaotic fashion – due to an overscheduled daily calendar in the House Criminal Justice Committee, and outrageous speeches by bill sponsors – the messages delivered by members of the public to lawmakers were sacred testimonies of compassion, courage, and love. The most powerful voices were those of the family members of murder victims and other victims of violence – including the sisters and daughter of the late and beloved Renny Cushing, New England Yearly Meeting secretary Noah Merrill, NH Council of Churches executive director Lisa Beaudoin, and many others. Committee members also heard from Paul Hildwin, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent three decades on death row in Florida. Hear some of his story here (WMUR).
In addition, compelling testimony was provided about the extraordinary financial cost and complexity of the infrastructure and procedures for capital punishment, and the lack of deterrent effects. No one except bill sponsors spoke in favor of the bills.
You can listen to the hearings here: January 14 (starting at 5:48:30), and January 15. And you’ll find news coverage at NHPR and InDepthNH. We also want to lift up an op-ed from our NH Program Associate, Ophelia Burnett: “The death penalty is inhumane - the ultimate form of slavery.”
In related news, the NH Attorney General argued last week that the death penalty sentence in Michael Addison’s murder conviction is “not excessive, nor disproportionate.” Read more here. Michael Addison, an African-American man convicted in the 2006 shooting death of police officer Michael Briggs, is still on death row in NH despite the 2019 repeal.
ICE activity expands in NH
Approximately 45 people gathered at the Strafford County jail in Dover on Friday in a vigil of solidarity with the family of Oscar Gutierrez Cardona, an immigrant who is being sent to Honduras this week, a place he fled many years ago in order to save his life. Oscar’s deportation leaves his wife and children without a beloved husband and father, and leaves the Manchester community he called home to mourn his absence and the injustice of his removal. Read more here and here. We are heartbroken, angry, and committed to continuing our resistance to the cruelty and violence of detention and deportation.
We’re frustrated to report that another NH town – Auburn – has signed a 287g agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), enabling more law enforcement collusion with the violent and often lawless actions of ICE. Auburn’s decision brings the number of NH law enforcement agencies with 287g agreements to 13, and to 14 in all of New England, a shameful tally. Read more here, and learn more about the efforts of our indefatigable colleagues at ACLU-NH to obtain the training materials 287g participants. New Hampshire people have a right to know how our locally funded law enforcement agencies will be ‘prepared’ to participate in the federal government’s mass deportation machine.
And one more bit of grim news on the immigration front – it appears that a site may have been secured for the rumored ICE “processing center” planned for Merrimack, NH, although local officials are still unwilling to confirm the news. Read more here. As many who testified last week in support of HB 1609, a commonsense bill that would prohibit the use of state or local funds for immigration detention, explained, there’s no good reason for local or state dollars to support a massively over-funded federal operation, especially in a state facing a “grim” budget picture. Read more here. Not to mention the moral arguments against our participation.
Recommended reading
Honoring the many responses to Renee Nicole Good’s murder, by Daniel Hunter, Waging Nonviolence, January 8, 2026
Shades of Justice: The Campaign to Make America White Again, by Ravi Ragbir, Executive Director of the New Sanctuary Coalition
Want to Stop ICE? Go After Its Corporate Collaborators, by Eric Blanc, Wes McEnany, and Claire Sandberg (The Nation, January 9, 2026)
ACTION ALERTS!
We’re headed into another week with many public hearings in House and Senate committees. In addition to giving testimony in person, we have an opportunity to register our positions and share testimony online. You’ll need the date of the hearing, the committee name and the bill number. You’ll enter your name and contact information as well whether you represent an organization and/or are a lobbyist. You can sign-in on a bill until midnight the day of the hearing. Sign in for House bills here. Sign in for Senate bills here. You can also email the committee members: House committees here. Senate committees here.
Remember that if you’re planning to attend House committee hearings in person, they are located at Granite Place this year while renovations are being made at the LOB. Senate committee hearings continue to be held at the State House and in nearby state buildings, including the state library.
Here are the action alerts we’ve received from partners for this coming week.
Today – Protect transgender rights.
OPPOSE SB 268, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances. This bill was a retained bill from 2025. The House passed it on January 8, and now it heads to Governor Ayotte. This bill is nearly identical to the so-called “bathroom bill” she vetoed last spring. Please call the governor and urge her to VETO it (603-271-2121).
Tuesday, January 20 – Protect immigrant tenants, and all tenants
OPPOSE HB 1499, relative to additional grounds for eviction under the landlord and tenant statute. This anti-immigrant bill adds new grounds for termination of tenancy based on a tenant’s immigration status, and certain criminal convictions. Here is an explainer of key points. This bill has a public hearing in the House Housing Committee on Tuesday, January 20 at 10 AM in GP, Room 231. This is a priority bill; please sign in to oppose, and show up to share testimony. And please share this flyer with your networks.
OPPOSE HB 1598, relative to notice for tenants and landlords engaged in eviction processes. This dangerous bill would lead to a dramatic erosion of tenant rights and increase in evictions. You can share these two flyers – here and here – to inform and mobilize your networks. Here is an explainer of key points. This bill has a public hearing in the House Housing Committee on Tuesday, January 20 at 11 AM in GP, Room 231. This is a priority bill; please sign in to oppose, and show up to share testimony.
Tuesday, January 20 – Take action to protect voting rights.
Click here for Open Democracy’s very thorough Action Alert for the week of January 20-23, which includes several priority election law-related bills, both good and bad.
Wednesday, January 21 – Protect marriage equality.
SUPPORT CACR 25, a proposed amendment to the NH constitution that would establish marriage as a fundamental civil right in the Granite State. This protection will be essential as the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision gets challenged at the federal level. This positive bill has a public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, January 21 at 11:30 AM in GP, Room 230. Please sign in to support, and share testimony to urge our lawmakers to enshrine marriage equality in the NH Constitution! For more information, contact 603 Equality.
Thursday, January 22 – Protect public education.
OPPOSE SB 581, modifying education freedom account (EFA) eligibility and removing priority guidelines and the enrollment cap relative to EFA eligibility. This harmful bill would remove any cap on the number of school vouchers. It has a hearing in the Senate Education Finance Committee on Thursday, January 22 at 11:25 AM, in Room 103, SH. Please sign in to oppose this bill.
SUPPORT SB 582, modifying the base cost of an adequate education. This positive bill increases the base cost of an adequate education and expands the definition of an adequate education. It has a hearing in Senate Education Finance Committee on Thursday, January 22 at 10:40 AM in Room 103, SH. Please sign in to support.
Thursday, January 22 – Limit law enforcement participation in immigration enforcement; promote transparency.
SUPPORT HB 1570, relative to governmental budget authority for agreements for law enforcement agencies to participate in federal immigration enforcement. This positive bill has a hearing in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Thursday, January 22 at 11 AM in GP, Room 159. Please sign in to support and show up to share testimony.
SUPPORT HB 1822, relative to reporting of civil immigration detentions by state, county, and local law enforcement and correctional facilities. This pro-transparency bill has a hearing in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Thursday, January 22 at 1:30 PM in GP, Room 159. Please sign in to support.
Friday, January 23 - Protect Death Penalty Repeal!
Due to a scheduling mess in the House Criminal Justice Committee last week, three of the death penalty bills have new hearing dates next week. This means we have more time to sign in to oppose these bills, contact the committee, and share testimony. Here are the details for how to take action: Show up in person to sign-in in opposition and submit your written testimony, or sign-in remotely, no later than midnight on January 23, to OPPOSE the three bills – HB 1749, reinstating the death penalty for murder offenses; HB 1413, reinstituting the death penalty in cases of capital murder; and HB 1737, relative to reinstating the death penalty for certain offenses against minors under 13 years of age. You can also write to the House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee to urge them to recommend defeat for all death penalty bills. Here are some talking points from the NH Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
Key:
GP – Granite Place. More information here.
SH – State House (107 N. Main St. Concord)
SL – State Library
OTP – “Ought to Pass,” the recommendation for approving a bill or an amendment
OTP/A – Ought to Pass with Amendment
ITL – “Inexpedient to Legislate,” the recommendation for defeating a bill or an amendment.
ITL” can also be used as a verb.
“Without Recommendation” - This indicates that the committee vote was a tie for both ITL and OTP. During the House session, these bills will be considered first as Ought to Pass.
Re-refer – When a Senate committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The recommendation to re-refer must be approved in the full Senate. The committee will have until the end of the calendar year to meet about the bill and make a recommendation for further action.
Retain – When a House committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The committee makes this decision for themselves; approval in the full House is not needed. The committee has until the end of the calendar year to make a recommendation for further action.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
VV – Voice vote
DV – Division vote
Last week in the House
The full House did not meet in session last week.
Last week in the Senate
The full Senate did not meet in session last week.
Coming Up in the House
The full House will not meet in session next week. Members are asked to hold Thursday, January 29 and Thursday, February 5 for possible House sessions.
Coming Up in House Committees
You can watch the House hearings here. You can sign in for House bills here. And you can contact House committees here.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20
EDUCATION FUNDING, Room 232, GP
10:00 AM HB 1714-FN, authorizing the state to issue bonds to fund public school expenses.
10:30 AM HB 1826-FN, relative to the cost of an opportunity for an adequate education.
11:00 AM HB 1831-FN, repealing the education trust fund targeted aid cap.
11:45 AM HB 1104, modifying the priority of applications for school building aid grants.
1:00 PM HB 1827-FN-A, establishing a grant program to support school districts extraordinary needs and fiscal capacity disparities relative to providing an adequate education.
1:30 PM HB 1799-FN, relative to required state funding for providing an opportunity for an adequate education.
ELECTION LAW, Room 158, GP
10:00 AM HB 1300, changing the state’s congressional districts.
10:15 AM Public hearing on proposed non-germane amendment #2026-0093h to HB 1300, changing the state’s congressional districts. This amendment requires that at every even-year November general election, voters shall decide whether to cap local property tax increases for the next 2 fiscal years to inflation plus growth from new taxable properties. Copies of the amendment are available on the General Court website.
10:20 AM HB 1487-FN, creating an independent commission to propose redistricting maps for the legislature to consider.
10:45 AM HB 1163-FN, requiring the secretary of state to create and maintain a uniform election records management system.
11:00 AM HB 1284, requiring the inclusion of a voter’s year of birth on the voter checklist.
11:10 AM HB 1329, requiring the secretary of state to add voters’ ages to the voter file.
11:45 AM HB 1342, restricting access to certain information relative to voters subject to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
1:00 PM HB 1678-FN, requiring the secretary of state to accept voter registration forms directly from voters and to create an online portal for direct voter registration.
1:20 PM HB 1600-FN, requiring the division of motor vehicles to make available the opportunity to register to vote at the time of application for or renewal of a drivers license or nondrivers identification card.
1:40 PM HB 1031, enabling candidates for state office to use campaign funds to pay for security measures.
1:50 PM HB 1081-FN, requiring political committees to certify with the secretary of state whether they have, or anticipate having, less than $1,000 in receipts or expenditures in an election cycle.
2:15 PM HB 1083-FN, requiring the disclosure of the source of certain political donations in state elections.
2:30 PM HB 1201, requiring certain political committees to disclose the identity of their donors.
2:45 PM HB 1838-FN, establishing a voter-owned elections fund and commission and raising vehicle registration fees.
HOUSING, Room 231, GP
9:00 AM HB 1196-FN, repealing the state housing champion designation and grant program.
9:30 AM HB 1405-FN, relative to the housing finance authority’s affordable housing guarantee program.
10:00 AM HB 1499-FN, relative to additional grounds for eviction under the landlord and tenant statute.
11:00 AM HB 1598-FN, relative to notice for tenants and landlords engaged in eviction processes.
11:30 AM HB 1612-FN, relative to the use of price-fixing websites, algorithms, or other software by landlords.
1:30 PM HB 1661-FN, relative to expanding the housing finance authority’s community heroes program and makes an appropriation therefor.
2:00 PM HB 1662-FN, relative to providing loan guarantees for accessory dwelling unit financing.
3:00 PM HB 1814-FN, establishing a 10-year strategic housing and infrastructure plan.
TRANSPORTATION, Room 234, GP
10:00 AM HB 1445-FN, requiring the issuance of enhanced drivers licenses and Real ID compliant cards for border crossing and proof of citizenship.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 229, GP
11:15 AM HB 1761-FN, expanding the New Hampshire paid family and medical leave program.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 159, GP
11:00 AM HB 1587-FN, requiring police body-worn camera footage be subject to the right-to-know law.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 232, GP
2:00 PM HB 1834-FN, relative to the education freedom account enrollment cap.
2:30 PM HB 1716-FN, relative to the academic accountability of education freedom accounts.
3:00 PM HB 1264, increasing the requirements of the education freedom savings account oversight committee and modifying the purpose of the committee.
JUDICIARY, Room 230, GP
11:30 AM CACR 25, relative to the right to marry. Providing that the right to marry is a fundamental civil right and that the state shall protect the right of every individual, regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race, to marry and to have their marriage legally recognized.
2:00 PM HB 1115, adding a definition of citizen of New Hampshire.
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 154, GP
11:00 AM HB 1546-FN, repealing the business profits tax.
11:30 AM HB 1629-FN, repealing the business enterprise tax.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 159, GP
11:00 AM HB 1570-FN-L, relative to governmental budget authority for agreements for law enforcement agencies to participate in federal immigration enforcement.
1:30 PM HB 1822-FN, relative to reporting of civil immigration detentions by state, county, and local law enforcement and correctional facilities.
EDUCATION FUNDING, Room 158, GP
9:30 AM HB 1701-FN, reestablishing the New Hampshire college graduate retention incentive partnership program and making an appropriation therefor.
10:00 AM HB 1791-FN-A, directing the department of education to establish a grant program at the post-secondary educational level for individuals with developmental disabilities, and making an appropriation therefor.
10:30 AM HB 1835-FN, relative to the formula for distribution of aid to school districts.
HOUSING, Room 231, GP
10:00 AM HB 1065-FN, relative to multi-family and mixed-use development in commercially zoned areas.
10:30 AM HB 1136, relative to accessory dwelling units.
11:00 AM HB 1145-FN, relative to affordable housing investment fees.
11:30 AM HB 1349, relative to exemptions from multi-family zoning requirements for small or low-density communities.
12:00 PM HB 1496, repealing the cap on residential parking spaces.
1:00 PM HB 1525, relative to zoning restrictions concerning dwelling unit occupancy.
1:30 PM HB 1540, establishing uniform requirements for accessory dwelling units and providing municipalities with authority and guidance for zoning, permitting, and environmental protections.
2:00 PM HB 1079, allowing accessory dwelling units to be built within or attached to certain nonconforming structures.
2:30 PM HB 1103, allowing municipalities to utilize community revitalization tax relief credits on a wider variety of properties and structures.
3:00 PM HB 1120, allowing subdivision regulations concerning water supply.
LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION, Room 234, GP
2:15 PM CACR 22, relating to the compensation of the legislature. Providing that the present compensation per elected term for legislators is hereby abolished.
3:00 PM HR 42, honoring the life and legacy of Melissa Hortman.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 159, GP
10:00 AM Continued public hearing on HB 1749-FN, reinstating the death penalty for murder offenses.
11:00 AM Continued public hearing on HB 1413-FN, reinstituting the death penalty in cases of capital murder.
1:00 PM Continued public hearing on HB 1737-FN, relative to reinstating the death penalty for certain offenses against minors under 13 years of age.
Coming Up in the Senate
The full Senate will not meet in session next week.
Coming Up in Senate Committees
You can watch the Senate hearings here. You can sign in for Senate bills here. And you can contact Senate committees here.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20
EDUCATION, Map Room, SL
9:15 AM SB 429-FN-A, relative to the placement of trauma kits in public schools and making an appropriation therefor.
10:15 AM SB 578, extending recess for students from kindergarten to eighth grade and prohibiting the deprivation of recess time as punishment in schools.
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 122-123, SH
9:15 AM SB 437, making a line on the return that enumerates the number of people who attempted to register to vote but were denied registration due to lack of required documentation.
10:00 AM SB 514, preventing ballot questions concerning alterations to municipal tax caps from being altered by local legislative bodies.
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
1:00 PM SB 600-FN, requiring the governor to submit and present a quarterly fiscal year budget report about the general and education trust funds to the general court fiscal committee.
1:30 PM SB 603-FN, relative to the funding of the SNAP program by the department of health and human services.
1:50 PM SB 419-FN-A, relative to the housing champion designation and program and the affordable housing fund, and making appropriations therefor.
JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
1:40 PM SB 555-FN, relative to critical risk protection orders.
1:55 PM SB 463-FN, relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
CAPITAL BUDGET, Room 122-123, SH
1:00 PM SB 497, removing references to contracts and projects concerning capital appropriations for the community college system of New Hampshire.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 103, SH
9:30 AM SB 420, relative to the state commission for human rights.
1:40 PM SB 530-FN, relative to fetal death reporting to the Centers for Disease Control.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 100, SH
1:00 PM SB 506-FN, relative to community engagement and work requirements under the state Medicaid program.
1:15 PM SB 476, relative to consumer health care cost transparency.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22
EDUCATION FINANCE, Room 103, SH
10:00 AM SB 584-FN, increasing the amount of funding provided for students receiving special education services.
10:20 AM SB 491-FN, enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding.
10:40 AM SB 582-FN, modifying the base cost of an adequate education.
11:10 AM SB 583-FN, directing the department of education to create an education funding transparency data and reporting system.
11:25 AM SB 581-FN, modifying education freedom account (EFA) eligibility and removing priority guidelines and the enrollment cap relative to EFA eligibility.
Upcoming Events
Want us to list your peace and justice-related event? Contact us at afscnh@afsc.org.
Every Third Tuesday
Protect, Resist and Build with AFSC– 8 PM to 9:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Monthly webinar series that brings together AFSC constituents to learn about how to protect, resist, and build just peace, just migration, and just economies.
Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now - 2 PM in Dover at the district offices of Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Chris Pappas. The January 21 vigil will be at Shaheen’s office, 2 Washington Street, Dover; we gather at the entrance to Henry Law Park. The January 28 vigil will be at Pappas' district office, 15 Third Street, Dover.
Every Third Wednesday
Countering Christian Nationalism conversation - 7:00 PM, hosted by the NH Council of Churches, every third Wednesday of the month. Zoom link here.
Every Thursday
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Peace in Palestine & Israel - 7:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Every week, AFSC's Quaker Engagement team hosts Meeting for Worship virtually for Friends from across the globe. Embracing the practice of Quaker unprogrammed worship, we gather to bring our attention to witnessing injustice in our world and bolstering our solidarity with people facing oppression. Join us to explore and experience the spiritual dimensions of activism and social justice.
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now – 12 noon at City Hall Plaza, in front of the State House, Concord.
Every Friday
AFSC Action Hour for a Ceasefire – 12 noon. Join AFSC staff every Friday to hear updates on what's happening in Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact Congress and call for a permanent cease-fire, arms embargo on Israel, and humanitarian access for Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us!
Stronger Together: Protect Our Neighbors Weekly Visibility – 3 PM to 4 PM. Hosted by the Stronger Together Coalition. Corner of North Main Street and Loudon Road, Concord. Join us for a weekly visibility to stand against the war being raged against our communities. Our immigrant loved ones and neighbors are being targeted and kidnapped off the streets. Our public dollars are being funneled into a violent, bloated deportation and detention machine while local police are being weaponized against the communities they are supposed to serve, and life-giving programs are being defunded. Stand with us to protect our communities. All are welcome!
Saturday, January 17
Stop the War on Venezuela! – 3 PM to 4 PM, State House Plaza, Concord. Hosted by NH Peace Action. NH joins the Global Day of Action to declare that we the people want peace! Co-sponsored by AFSC, NH Council of Churches, Veterans for Peace, and others.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!
Find a helpful list of events here (NHPR)
Saturday, January 17 - “Let Freedom Ring for All” – 12:30 PM to 3 PM at the Senior Activity Center, 125 Cottage Street, Portsmouth. Free and open to all. A Soul Force of Music & Message! Join us as we honor the Rev. Martin Luther King, his life’s work, and his philosophy of solidarity and unity. Join us as we embrace how Dr. King can inspire us to face today’s challenges to Civil & Human Rights. Musicians and speakers include Sharon Jones, Randy Armstrong, Kent Allyn, Carol Coronis, the Leftist Marching Band, TJ Wheeler, Hatrack Gallagher, Poor Howard Stith, Kiyoshi Imai, Fran Calo, Michael Ward, Deputy Mayor Joanna Kelley, David Holt, Bruce Pingree, Bob Moore, Voices of Hope, EJ Ouellette and others. Folks are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or a cash donation that will be given to Gather, the Portsmouth-area’s food pantry.
Saturday, January 17 - Out of the Darkness, Into the Marvelous Light, 6 PM at First Baptist Church of Nashua, 121 Manchester Street, Nashua. Once again, FBC will host NH’s oldest annual tribute to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. The first Martin Luther King celebration was sponsored at the church in 1982 at the request of The Council for Civil Rights of New Hampshire. At that time, First Baptist Church of Nashua was the only church in the state willing to host this event.
Sunday, January 18 – “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop: A Vision of Justice and Unity,” 4 PM at the Madbury Town Hall, 13 Town Hall Road, Madbury. Featuring invited speaker Nur Shoop of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. With music by Wendy and Marty Quinn, Stu Dias, and the Madbury Maranatha Indonesian Choir. All are welcome at this free community event, and please stay to enjoy refreshments to follow provided by Dover Cooperative Ministries. Hosted by the Dover Area Religious Leaders Association; co-hosted by the Madbury UCC and the Maranatha Indonesian UCC.
Monday, January 19 – Annual Seacoast NAACP MLK Breakfast, 8:30 AM at South Church, 292 State Street, Portsmouth. Program starts at 10 AM. Join us for a morning of food, gospel music, and an inspirational talk by Rev. Jerrell Riggins of New Hope Baptist Church, and a tour of the African Burying Ground at 12 noon.
Monday, January 19 – Uplifting Resistance Through Community, 11 AM to 4 PM, Memorial High School 1 Crusader Way, Manchester. Hosted by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition. More information at their website. This year’s MLK award winner is the Honorable Melanie Levesque.
Monday, January 19 – Lift Every Voice: A Celebration in Song, 5 to 6 PM, The Park Theatre, 19 Main Street, Jaffrey. The MLK Day 2026 theme, “Lift Every Voice: A Celebration in Song,” recognizes the importance of singing in Dr. King’s life and in the Civil Rights Movement. The keynote address will be delivered by Andre de Quadros, Professor of Music at Boston University, international conductor, writer, and human rights activist. The title of his presentation, “Beloved Community in the Making: Performance, Radical Hope, and Repair,” will delve into the powerful influence of music, sharing his experiences around the world with musical performance and healing, reconciliation, and peacebuilding. This event is free with a reception and Q&A to follow.
Monday, January 19 – Community Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - 6:30 PM, at Cook Memorial Library, Tamworth. Featuring music by the Silver Lake Singers and Amy Berrier, and a story by Andy Davis.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Walkout for Our Freedoms – 2 PM to 5 PM at the NH State House, Concord. Hosted by Women’s March. On January 20, we call on our communities to organize teams, call your neighbors and classmates, and turn your back and walk out on fascism. Host mutual aid planning meetings, organize public service, but walk out to block the normal routines of power, and make the stakes real. This is a protest and a promise. In the face of fascism, we will be ungovernable.
You’re Welcome: A Safe Space for Queer and Ally Networking - 5 PM to 7 PM, 299 Vaughn Street, Portsmouth. We hope you will join NH Outright and The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth for this free event designed for LGBTQ+ and allied adults to network and connect. We will be at The Rooftop at The Envio in Portsmouth on Tuesday, January 20. Kick the new year off with us and meet some new folks!
HB 155 Intel Briefing – 7 PM Hosted Online by 603 Forward, 350 New Hampshire Action, NH Youth Movement, Momsrising.org, Kent Steet Coalition, Rights & Democracy NH. HB 155, which reduces the rate of the business enterprise tax, has passed the House—but not cleanly, quietly, or easily. Our campaign is exposing corporate tax cuts for what they are: risky and unpopular. Now our fight moves to the Senate. Join the campaign team to break down what happened in the House and how we organize to stop this corporate bailout.
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Seacoast Unity Hub – 6 PM to 8 PM, at South Church, Portsmouth. Seacoast Unity Hub convenes people across the Seacoast who are committed to democracy, justice and courageous love. Through connection, reflection and shared learning, we support local efforts to resist authoritarianism and build a more resilient inclusive community. You don't need to be an expert or already involved; just curious, caring, and willing to show up. All are welcome. Light refreshments provided.
The Police Shooting of Nick Turenne and the ICE Shooting of Renee Nicole Good – 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Hybrid: In person at Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, Manchester; or online via Zoom. Open community discussion; come share and hear your neighbors’ views. Hosted by the Manchester NAACP, #2069.
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Democracy in Action: A Community Forum & Celebration – 9 AM to 1:30 PM, UU Church of Nashua, 58 Lowell Street, Nashua. Learn about ranked-choice voting, fair maps, ballot initiatives, protecting democratic institutions – and the actions we can take to make them a reality. Enjoy coffee, a potluck, and help us close the day celebrating Granny D’s birthday with cake and community.
Seacoast Rapid Response Training- 2 PM, in Dover. (Address provided upon registration.) Looking to get involved? This training is for people who want to be part of an organized group that responds to ICE encounters in our communities. Learn to peacefully observe and document the interaction and what to do to assist the victims and their families during and after an enforcement action. Contact Occupy NH Seacoast for more information, OccupyNHSeacoast@gmail.com.
Monday, January 26, 2026
Peace & Justice Conversations: State-Sponsored Violence In and By the US – 7 PM, on Zoom. NH Peace Action focuses on questioning and ending our country's violent foreign policy. We have always noted the ways in which this treatment of those outside our country is reflected in violence at home as well. We are currently seeing an upsurge in the use of militarized force against people within our borders through an increase in the purview, funding, and impunity given to ICE. There is also a strong and inspiring wave of resistance. Come learn more about the work in NH to disrupt ICE activities and how you can help. Presenters are Maggie Fogarty, AFSC-NH, and Megan Chapman, World Fellowship Center.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Fed Up & Fired Up - 7 PM to 9 PM, at To Share Brewery, 720 Union Street, Manchester. Hosted by 603 Forward. Feeling fed up with politics but not sure what to do about it? Join us to learn how to use our My State Rep Checker tool to find out who represents you, how they’re voting, and how to hold them accountable. More details coming soon.
“A House of Dynamite” film discussion – 7 PM, on Zoom. Hosted by NH Peace Action and Back from the Brink. The current administration's plans to renew nuclear weapons testing is one alarming reminder that the threat of nuclear war is still a very real concern. “A House of Dynamite” is an apocalyptic political thriller that gives us a view of the devastating anticipation of a nuclear attack. Get drawn into the nerve-wracking decision rooms as this unsettling picture shows us what could become our future if the right choices are not made today. Watch the film (on Netflix) and then join us on zoom for a discussion about this film and what actions we can take now. Jeremy Love of Back from the Brink will lead the discussion to help us find a sense of purpose instead of hopelessness. Before watching the movie, we recommend you take a look at Back from the Brink's Beginner's Guide to Nuclear Weapons. Accessing the film: If you are not able to access this movie on your own, but would like to be a part of this discussion, let us know (info@nhpeaceaction.org). If there are enough people who need access to the movie, we will attempt to connect people to watch the movie together. As you watch the movie, think about how you feel about the threat of nuclear war, what you think is realistic considering the actions of current world leaders, and how you feel life would change after a nuclear attack.
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Ice Out for Good- Noon to 2 PM, NH State House, Concord. Rally, hosted by NH 50501. Now more than ever, we cannot afford to be silent. Collecting donations for Concord Kind (coats, hats, etc) and NH Immigrant Aid Fund.
The Work That Reconnects – 1 PM to 5:30 PM at South Church, Portsmouth. In these challenging times we invite you into an afternoon of rejuvenation with The Work That Reconnects. This is a set of practices developed by Joanna Macy to support and re-energize folks who are working to create change in the world. There are four stages, beginning in gratitude, then moving through honoring our pain, seeing with new eyes, and going forth. The practices help make space for grief, anger and uncertainty while also cultivating possibility and joy. The workshop will be led by Kendra Ford and Amy Antonucci. If you can support the organizations who are offering this, you are welcome to make a sliding scale donation of $1-$50.
With best wishes,
Maggie Fogarty, Maille & Kathleen Wooten, and April Richer
AFSC’s New Hampshire “State House Watch" newsletter is published to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord including housing, the death penalty, immigration, education, civil liberties, and labor rights. We also follow the state budget and tax system, voting rights, corrections policy, and more.
The AFSC is a Quaker organization supported by people of many faiths who care about peace, social justice, humanitarian service, and nonviolent change. Maggie Fogarty is the NH Director for AFSC which publishes this newsletter; April Richer is the NH Interfaith Organizer. Maille Wooten, in partnership with Kathleen Wooten, is AFSC’s State House Watch researcher and database manager.
"State House Watch" is made possible with your financial support. Click the DONATE NOW button on our web page to send a secure donation to support the work of the AFSC’s New Hampshire Program. Thank you!