Elected officials in Boston condemn ‘hate’ directed at Mayor Wu

BOSTON — A group of Boston elected officials of color released a statement Tuesday condemning what they describe as “ongoing threats of violence and hateful attacks” directed at Boston Mayor Michelle Michelle Wu.

The mayor has been under vocal pressure recently over the city’s mask and vaccine mandates.

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Face masks are required in all indoor public settings in the City of Boston for all people older than 2 years old. People are also required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to enter certain indoor spaces in Boston and first responders in the city are suing over plans to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine, with no testing option.

That worker vaccine mandate is currently paused while the courts examine a the first responder’s lawsuit.

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The mayor has also been met by protestors outside her home in Roslindale.

Protest outside Boston Mayor Wu’s home

“From the halls of Congress, to the steps of the State House, to the chamber of Boston City Hall, we must be unapologetic in rooting out white supremacy, racism, misogyny and hate in all of its forms. Make no mistake, the relentless threats of violence and hateful attacks on Mayor Michelle Wu and her family have no place in our society and are a far cry from the political debate and peaceful dissent that is welcomed and necessary in a healthy democracy,” according to the statement from elected leaders.

The statement was signed onto by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley; State Representatives Russell Holmes, Brandy Fluker Oakley, Chynah Tyler, Liz Miranda, Jon Santiago, and Nika Elugardo; State Senators Lydia Edwards and Sonia Chang-Diaz; City Councilors Julia Mejia, Ruthzee Louijeune, Ricardo Arroyo, Kendra Lara, Brian Worrell and Tania Fernandes Anderson; Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins; and Suffolk County Register of Probate Felix D. Arroyo.

“Since beginning her term, Mayor Wu has met the moment and worked tirelessly to address many of the greatest challenges facing our communities—including combatting the ongoing pandemic that has robbed us of more than 1,600 lives across the City of Boston alone. It is due to her brave and steadfast leadership, her commitment to science and the public health—including her common-sense and life-saving vaccine mandates—that the City of Boston is making necessary progress to combat this pandemic and protect our most vulnerable,” according to the statement.

“To remain silent is to be complicit, and as elected officials of color across the City of Boston, we will not stand by and watch as openly racist, anti-Asian and sexist rhetoric is normalized in our community,” according to the statement.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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