Mayor Michelle Wu’s proposal to cease the early-morning protests exterior her residence was criticized by metropolis councilors, who mentioned they’re anxious about “unintended consequences.”
Wu’s Roslindale residence has been the scene of anti-vaccine mandate protests for months, as her neighbors have woken as much as loud 7 a.m. protests. As a outcome, the mayor filed an ordinance that might bar picketing, protesting or demonstrating exterior a selected residence between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.
But some metropolis councilors on Monday mentioned they can not help the ordinance because it’s presently written. The proposal “really doesn’t line up with a number of values we consider to be so important,” Councilor Julia Mejia mentioned throughout a Boston City Council listening to.
“I’m concerned about the unequal enforcement of this ordinance on organizers of color,” she mentioned. “I’m concerned that using the police to enforce an ordinance like this, we have seen how the police in the past have cracked down disproportionally on organizers of color, LGBTQ organizers as well.”
“As a neighbor and a single mom who lives with her whole family, I get the impulse to want this ordinance, but we can’t be impulsive with our values as elected officials,” Mejia added.
Violators of the proposed protest ordinance might face fines. A primary violation can be a $100 tremendous, adopted by a $200 tremendous for the second offense, and $300 for the third and subsequent offense. The ordinance would defend any focused residence, not simply elected officers’ properties.
City Councilor Kendra Lara, like Mejia, mentioned the ordinance may very well be “incredibly problematic for marginalized communities.”
“While we’re trying to solve a temporary issue, the unintended consequences will no doubt disproportionally impact marginalized communities who use civil disobedience and direct action as tactics to secure civil rights,” Lara mentioned, later including, “We can’t trust that they’re going to be enforced equitably.”
Boston City Council President Ed Flynn has additionally seen protests exterior of his residence in current months. Public protests must have some limits, he mentioned throughout Monday’s listening to.
“Certainly I agree with my colleagues that there should be a balance, and there’s room for compromise,” Flynn mentioned, later including, “But I think there should be some type of reasonable restrictions on demonstrating in public at the homes of public officials.”
Part of the job as metropolis councilors is to work together with residents, Councilor Ricardo Arroyo mentioned.
“I don’t see that as the job of my neighbors,” he mentioned, including that he believes a 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. protest interval is accommodating for protesters.
But one of many lead protesters exterior Wu’s home, Boston Police Sgt. Shana Cottone, mentioned she questions that timeframe.
“Rights are not negotiable,” she mentioned. “Our rights to constitutionally demonstrate are not something that should be negotiated or legislated through ordinances.”
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