Events Calendar

Name: In Defiance
Start: 2026-02-28T11:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-02-28T12:30:00-05:00
Location: Holyoke Public Library

The Explore Holyoke community events calendar highlights the arts and cultural events throughout the city of Holyoke to help plan your visit. You are invited to submit your event. Events encouraged to be submitted are art openings, dance concerts, open mic events, cultural lectures. Events not allowed on the calendar are, political fundraisers, city meetings, daily specials from restaurants and events outside the city of Holyoke.

In Defiance

February 28 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Authors Tom Weiner and Dr. Amilcar Shabazz will offer an engaging discussion of their recent book, In Defiance, which uncovers the stories of 20 individuals who risked their lives to fight enslavement and serves as a compelling call for justice and the preservation of history.
The talk focuses on the lives and words of a few of these individuals, highlighting their courage, activism, and unwavering commitment to freedom.

Amid ongoing efforts to erase history, these stories serve as a powerful corrective—meant to challenge, inspire, and ignite action.
Tom Weiner is a Northampton-based writer, educator, and anti-racist activist, and Dr. Amilcar Shabazz is professor of History and Africana Studies at UMass/Amherst and former president of the National Council for Black Studies.

Sponsored by the Holyoke History Room.
Free and open to the public.
Recommended for middle school through adult. Light refreshments will be served.