SALEM — Project Witches Protection has very little money, relies heavily on volunteers and promotes a message that often falls on deaf ears.
But the anti-defamation organization trucks on, stuffing hundreds of envelopes at Laurie Cabot's witch shop every month to send to authorities across the state. Inside the envelopes is literature designed to inform people about the civil rights of witches.
Formerly known as the Witches League for Public Awareness, the group is on a mission to educate every mayor, town clerk and police chief in Massachusetts.
"You'd be surprised, people don't realize it's a real religion," said Cabot, who is president of Project Witches Protection. "We need to let the authorities know so they can step up to the plate and protect witches."
To do that, they're also doing some fundraising.
"We are now just sending begging letters like everyone else," Cabot said. "Quite a few people have donated, but it hasn't defrayed the cost of mailing."
The group also helps witches who make complaints that they are being persecuted.
"People have lost custody of their children because of the fact that they practice," said Rhonda Flynn, who is treasurer for the group.
The project responds by sending a letter and pamphlet along with a law memorandum explaining that witchcraft is a real religion and those who practice it have civil rights.
"It is one of the most abused and exploited religions," said Rick Carvino, vice president of the group.
"It's one thing to be afforded civil rights, it is another to claim them," Cabot said. "And we are the last to claim them."
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