Letter to the editor

To the Editor: 

I am writing to support Bilal Ansari for the Williamstown Select Board in the May 10 election. Williamstown needs leaders who will listen to residents, care about understanding their experiences, and lead healing by calling for change instead of sweeping problems under the rug. Bilal’s unique ability to bring people together and courageously step forward to advocate for victims has already made him an invaluable leader in Williamstown. He is the right person at the right time for this town. 

The issues currently facing Williamstown demand that we hear and validate each other’s experiences as a community. To rebuild trust, we must fully reckon with the impact of police misconduct on this town. We must make changes so that our town will be better for everyone who lives here. The Select Board can play an essential role in demanding accountability and ensuring that victims and minorities in this town are heard and validated. Bilal is the candidate who will stay strong and vocal in the face of pressure to minimize or ignore issues. His compassion, grace, and humility make him an incredible advocate for the people of Williamstown. 

As a student, I’ve been in community-building workshops with Bilal where he brought students together. He has a unique ability to encourage awareness and appreciation among groups. As a town resident, I’ve talked with him about my concerns and he has listened deeply. His sincerity shines through in every interaction. 

Bilal’s moral leadership and his capacity for building community is unmatched among the candidates running for office. As a student and concerned town resident, I wholeheartedly support Bilal Ansari for the Select Board and encourage all Williamstown voters to vote for him on Tuesday, May 10. Thank you. 

Sincerely,

Lilliana Wells

Lilliana Wells ’23 is an economics and French major from Williamstown, Mass.