BROCKTON When Claire Cronin ran to represent the 11th Plymouth District in 2012, it was her first time seeking public office.
Less than a decade later, she has had other firsts as a state representative becoming the first woman to chair the Joint Judiciary Committee and now becoming the first woman to serve as majority leader, the second highest position in House leadership. I have appreciated that I have been given a lot of responsibility during my time in the legislature where I have had the ability to work on issues that are important to me and my district, Cronin said. I always appreciate that I have been put into positions that have given me the opportunity to build up a legislative record.
It s totally ridiculous, says Phyllis Ellis, president of the Brockton Area Branch NAACP. It was overwhelming. An immediate shock, says Robert Connolly, lead pastor of Rezarec Church in Brockton.
These were just some of the reactions from community activists in Brockton to the riots and storming of the U.S. Capitol that took place Wednesday night in Washington, D.C.
What appeared to be a last stand for supporters of President Donald Trump due to Congress confirming President-elect Joe Biden won the 2020 Presidential Election provided a surreal reality for many about the state of the country. I wasn t actually as shocked as other people were, says Will Dickerson, executive director of Brockton Interfaith Community.