Last month, a powerful crowd gathered outside the Eversource headquarters right here in Springfield to take a stand against corporate greed. Led by Mass Power Forward in partnership with Climate Action Now and the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition (SCJC), the rally brought together more than 35 residents, advocates, and local news crews to protest excessive utility profits as a part of demonstrations all over the state. Activists sent a clear message to our lawmakers: it is time to strictly regulate utility profits and pass meaningful clean energy legislation. 

Driven by community voices and a creative streak of street theater the rally showed "Mr. Eversource" trying to steal cash straight out of "The people's wallet" before being chased out of town by fed-up Massachusetts residents. The speaking program was co-led by Arise for Social Justice and SCJC — local leaders bringing the real-world impact of these rate hikes to light. Charlie Holmes of SCJC shared a moving account of how rising utility bills are putting a massive squeeze on his neighbors, directly causing an increased need at his small food pantry. Teniel Rhiney from Arise closed with a rallying cry, detailing the deep harms these profiteering utility companies inflict on our neighborhoods, families, and communities, reminding us all that we must show our lawmakers we will no longer stand for it.