City Councilors Lydia Edwards (District 1), Michelle Wu (At-Large), and Julia Mejia (At-Large) proposed a system that would direct non-violent emergency 911 calls away from law enforcement and toward a public safety response team. This proposal comes in the midst of racial injustice protests that continue across the Commonwealth following the death of George Floyd Read More…
In response to “numerous complaints received by the Board and the Inspectional Services Department (ISD),” the licensing board has called a mandatory emergency virtual meeting on Wed., June 24, 2pm for all North End restaurants with liquor licenses regarding the outdoor cafe zones. The notice is posted on Boston.gov and posted below. NOTICE OF MANDATORY Read More…
Progressives too, can back the blue By District One City Councilor Lydia Edwards Thank you. I haven’t said it enough to the men and women in blue that serve our great city. Time and time again they are expected to be at their best when we are at our worst. Whether it was during 9/11, the Read More…
UPDATE: Since the writing of this article and following the City Council meeting, the Four Seasons has reversed their decision and agreed to pay the 192 laid-off workers their full severance packages. In response to the controversial layoffs of nearly half of its staff by the Four Seasons on Boylston Street, City Councilors Ed Flynn Read More…
During the weekly City Council meeting on June 17, City Councilor Andrea Campbell (District 4) offered a resolution to support the Bipartisan House Bill H.2146 that would require a special commission on establishing a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) system. Under this system, municipal police officers would require certification. This would ensure that municipalities Read More…
NEWRA MEETING VIDEO Click/tap here to view the video of Mayor Mayor Marty Walsh and State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, as well as the entire North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) meeting. Use the password: 7Z!+uG8. (including the period) Following a brief COVID-19 update, Boston Mayor Walsh and State Representative Aaron Michlewitz weighed in on Read More…
As protests continue in an effort to address racial injustice and police brutality across the country, the Boston City Council has turned their attention toward police reform. The City Council is in the process of finalizing their FY21 budget and recently held a public hearing around their police budget. Advocates have urged the Boston City Read More…
Boston City Council hosted a hearing this week to discuss a proposed ordinance that would ban the use of facial recognition technology. Councilors Michelle Wu (At-Large) and Ricardo Arroyo (District 5) introduced their proposal for banning facial recognition technology over concerns about its inherent racial biases and the dangers of allowing unregulated use of such Read More…
The Boston Reopen fund is helping small businesses open their doors while keeping our community safe. By Mayor Martin J. Walsh Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of the people of Boston has been my top priority. As our city and our state begin a gradual reopening process, based on Read More…
Protesters at City Hall Plaza had a defined message on Sunday afternoon calling for specific police reforms, now two weeks after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The 1,000+ person demonstration was peaceful with heavy presence by Boston Police and the National Guard. Speakers on the plaza called for (1) reopening death cases by Read More…
Outdoor dining on existing patios, retail stores, childcare facilities and hotels are some of the businesses allowed to reopen as Phase II of Massachusett’s reopening plan begins June 8th. City officials emailed restaurant owners that temporary extended sidewalks/street tables are still under consideration, but have not provided additional guidance. The move is sure to be Read More…
Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards, representing District One (North End, East Boston, and Charlestown), has announced the hire of Jesse Purvis as the new Director of Policy in her office. Purvis joins the office after graduating from UMass Law where he served as a Public Interest Law Fellow and founder of the school’s local chapter Read More…