Fireworks have been illegal in Massachusetts since 1943.
Along with bonfires, they were outlawed during World War II to keep the night sky dark, making the prospect of German airplanes bombing American cities during the war more difficult. That never happened, but the ban has stayed in place ever since.
A push by reparations activists in Amherst to start a public fund for black people has been greenlit by the town council.
The money is scheduled to come annually, roughly matching Amherst's current local marijuana tax revenue, which is about $205,000. The council set a ceiling at that figure. The council intends for the arrangement to continue for 10 years, totaling $2 million in reparations. However, the motion does not bind future councils, allowing them to decide to earmark the money annually, depending on the town's financial health.
