BOSTON — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu says the city will not be hosting a watch party for game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, citing the lack of time to prepare for another party, and alluding to some problems with the city gathering on Friday night for game 4.
“We simply didn’t have enough time in between the last party and this one to regroup and prepare,” said Mayor Michelle Wu on Monday, calling it a major, large-scale event.
“There’s a lot happening across the city this week, lots of events that are planned and so for staffing and planning and preparation we’re not having it tonight,” said Wu.
The mayor also responded when asked about some unruly fans and reported fights during the watch party at Copley Square on Friday night during game 4. Boston 25 News reporter John Monahan was there as crowds filled the area.
A massive crowd of mostly teens and young adults at the Copley Celtics watch party. A police source tells me that Mayor Wu only planned for 500 people. No bathrooms were set up and fencing never came down cramming thousands into a park too small to handle the crowd. #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/CEzkzgheup
— John Monahan (@JohnMonahanTV) June 11, 2022
“The vast majority of people had a wonderful time. Really enjoyed the chance to have a free opportunity to be in community with everyone taking in something that the whole city is so proud of,” said Wu. “We don’t ever want to have the actions of a few individuals ruin it for everyone else.”
“I know it’s been a while since we’ve all been together in person and maybe it still feels a little like we need to remember how to take care of each other in person, but we are all here part of a larger community, so I just want to encourage everybody to have fun and enjoy yourselves but just remember to be responsible and kind of watch out for others around you are feeling as well,” said the mayor.
The mayor said there is a chance of another watch party for game 6 of the finals when the series returns to Boston on Thursday.
“We’ll reassess for the next one, but very grateful and want to encourage everyone to support a local business,” said Wu. “Go watch at a bar and then get some food and drink while you are at one of our local establishments.”
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