I want to start by saying that honest political debate is a building block of democracy; however, this requires respect. This campaign continues to be committed to working together with all the people of Worcester to create the changes that will make the best possible Worcester for all of us – our future lies in integrity, vision and being committed to constructive dialogue and problem-solving.

I apologize to those who have felt disrespected and have been honored to sit with some of those who spoke out. It is clear that neither they nor I have been accurately quoted in the media. The piece that has been quoted that was published as my statement was actually not an accurate nor finished public statement – it was published originally without my permission and was from an email dialogue which was removed from the piece. Likewise, those who were called as Jewish leaders for comment, not one said I was anti-Semitic and have been very clear with me that they had clarified that to the T&G.

As you know, I am committed to an open door policy when I get elected and that remains my policy now (limited only by the numbers of hours in a day). I have met with leaders in any number of Worcester’s component communities including reaching out to some of the Jewish leaders and advocates in the City. And it has been wonderful meeting and listening to the input of so many, including many in the Jewish community.

I will not engage in mud-slinging, nor will I use what are very important issues for some in the City I love as a political football to try to make political advantage. My long standing commitments to international solidarity including in South Africa are documented, as well as my work opposing discrimination and oppression including against my Jewish sisters and brothers. Let me clarify: I believe we must not only speak out against injustices we witness but be students of the process of change to effect positive change as swiftly as possible.

Given accusations by those who don’t know me, I have reiterated my commitment to dialogue; I have had good, positive conversations with those who have made themselves known to me, all of whom with one or two exceptions have been happy to meet.

This is a non-partisan race – why? Because our fore-fathers and fore mothers realized that at the municipal level the caliber of the person you elect far outweighs the influence of their political designation.

I know that for most people in Worcester it is the immediate challenges that face us locally that concern them the most and will determine their vote: our schools, our budget, our jobs, affordable housing, support for our neighborhoods and local businesses, supporting our diverse communities and working together to bring Worcester into its own.

For those for whom the issues of Sudan, Israel-Palestine, and the bombing of Lebanon matter a great deal, I am responding here – with the CLEAR caveat: I am NOT a Middle East expert, I am not a Sudan expert and if I am to be the best expert on the issues that most directly affect Worcester, you don’t want me spending my time becoming a Middle East expert – you want me continuing to become more of an expert on all things Worcester.

As many of you know I have been speaking with people when asked about these issues for months – there has been no “Silence” contrary to the title of the Worcester Magazine article which the editor had agreed to post a correction to, but did not then post. I still hope he will.

I am not a spokesperson for the Green-Rainbow Party, no matter how much some want me to be. I here publicly encourage them to do what I have told them through other venues to do: contact the Green-Rainbow Party directly and speak to their elected leadership who have the legal authority to be a spokesperson: I do not have that legal authority.

Are my positions the same as the published opinions of the GRP? No, these are statements created by a political party and anyone who has been through the creation of a party platform knows just how complicated and convoluted that process can be. And as some have pointed out my political positions are closer to the Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform than a number of elected Democrats in the state. Most people in Massachusetts I imagine have not studied what the Democrat, Republican or Green-Rainbow Party policy positions are.

(likewise, I have been attacked by folks on the farther ends of Middle East issues for photos people have taken of me near signs – I have been seen near many signs: previously I was blasted for the “Stand with Israel” banner in photo behind me, why is that not included in this round?)

So rather than try to tear apart the writings of others, I am going to do my best to make some statements here (again none of these can compare with a dialogue for clarifying and no, I am not perfect, and while I take stands and act as morally as possible, I continue to learn and situations continue to change.)

My letter about anti-semitism and running in Worcester, as printed in Worcester Magazine:

Dear friends,

In June, a letter to this paper labeled me anti-Semitic; I was profoundly disturbed by this serious allegation. Please forgive the time taken to find the right response. (I address elsewhere the confusion about my foreign policy positions).

I am deeply committed to backing the Jewish community against discrimination or exclusion in Worcester to the best of my ability, like all the communities of our wonderfully culturally and spiritually rich City.

Not being raised Jewish, my grasp of anti-Semitism is inherently somewhat limited. I was however raised in New York amid a strong Jewish community. My family took explicit actions against anti-Semitic discrimination and instilled great respect for Jewish traditions.

Jewish values around justice, righteousness and atonement heavily influenced me. I still learn and am nourished by Passover and Yom Kippur observances and increase my understanding of Jewish life.

Whether supporting my co-workers’ right to various religious holidays, joining celebrations or publicly denouncing anti-Semitic graffiti and other outrages, I always strive to serve and lead. Well-being and respect for those of us who are Jewish remains central to me as does the well-being of every person: no one is expendable on my watch.

L’Shana Tova,

Grace C Ross, City Council Candidate

My statement on Darfur:

“I favor moving directly to: shift fundraising to humanitarian relief, responsibly address global warming, reduce tension over oil, and organize a civil, nonviolent intervention force (if necessary). The humanitarian crisis in Darfur is huge; I believe all people of conscious are called upon to act. Non-partisan international aid agencies report a complicated situation with drought (connected to global warming), prompting some nomadic attacks on farming communities for food and with rebel/government fighting. Simplified descriptions of only ethnic fighting they report is fueling unfounded flight and making relief work harder. Some Americans demand divestment, a strategy we used against South African apartheid. But I remember how well-organized South Africans guided us and worked in parallel internally: still, divestment required decades to succeed. Darfur’s spiraling humanitarian crisis cannot wait. Recently, the UN security council referred the situation in Darfur to the international court for crimes against humanity – that seems overwhelmingly justified to me but the US and China abstained from the vote.”

My statement on the bombing of Lebanon:

I have had the piece some people keep quoting because it was a draft statement published without my permission and taken out of context. See website:

Crafting a statement on Israel/Palestine is the most complex – I will post as I have time. Like across the rest of the world – I support grassroots democracy, the right of all residents to have a say in their government and access to equal civil and human rights, including access to water and necessary medical care at all times.