Governor candidate Mike Kennealy criticizes Springfield organization over ‘disturbing' social media posts
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – One local organization that received a grant from the Healey administration is receiving criticism from Republican candidate for governor, Mike Kennealy.
Arise for Social Justice received a grant from the Healey administration this month, but they are receiving backlash over content on their social media.
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The Springfield organization was one of 12 groups across the state that received funding for their inaugural Environmental Justice Capacity Building Grant Program, with Arise for Social Justice receiving $56,000. With the current federal landscape, Arise told 22News they have seen about a 40% rise in desire for their services.
'We are using the money to pay for translation services here in our office, for written materials, and for meetings and other interpersonal interactions,' said Rusty Polsgrove, Associative Director and Environmental Justice Organizer of Arise for Social Justice.
But after receiving the grant money, recent Arise for Social Justice social media activity came to the attention of Republican candidate for governor in Massachusetts, Mike Kennealy, and he called the posts 'disturbing.'
'What this group has said online about police officers, about landlords, about an accused murderer is despicable,' Kennealy said. 'And now we are using taxpayer dollars to fund this group and the hatred they are promoting. I think it is awful.'
One of those posts praised Luigi Mangione, the man accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
'They are internet memes, they are re-posts,' Polsgrove said. 'They are not Arise's own words, but the sentiment strikes a chord, and it is not just with us that it strikes a chord. The stuff that he is citing is some of our most popular posts on social media.'
Arise said that they are open to having Kennealy visit their office to show him the work they do in the Springfield community. 22News has reached out to Governor Healey's office for response to the issues brought up by Kennealy, but has not yet received a response.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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