Tensions, accusations of racism erupt during Boston City Council meeting

Tensions boiling over on Wednesday inside and outside the Boston City Council chamber. The serious concerns raised suggesting the Boston City Council is racially divided. And it all came to a head during debate over the handling of sex assault allegations against one of their own.

“I walked into this City Council hearing today knowing all our dirty laundry was going to be put out to dry,” said Councilor Julia Mejia.

And during the meeting, a lot was aired out.

“The community thinks that the council is racially divided,” said Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson.

A discussion surfacing in the wake of revelations of decades old sex assault allegations against councilor Ricardo Arroyo, who’s now running for Suffolk County District Attorney.

“It is 2022. We’re going back and forth about allegations. But here people are not innocent until proven guilty,” said Fernandes Anderson. “People are guilty first. People are crucified. People are lynched. Same old tricks, same masters though.”

Councilors of color including Fernandes Anderson and Kendra Lara were critical of Council President Ed Flynn’s decision to strip Arroyo of his leadership positions on committees, believing that move was motivated by an agenda.

“It was very clear this had more to do with redistricting and how redistricting was going to be conducted than anything that has happened in the last two weeks,” Arroyo said after the meeting.

Some members expressed concern that redistricting could intentionally change racial make-up of some districts, and ultimately who’s elected to represent them.

“People are calling me saying--don’t say anything, stay in your lane, be quiet,” said Fernandes Anderson.

“What the (expletive) do I have to do in this (expletive) council to get respect as a black woman?”

“I just want to send my care and my love to Councilor Fernandes Anderson. I know what it feels like to be a woman of color on this council,” said Councilor Lara. “I have to show up to events in my district with security because of death threats that come to me.”

They say the threats are constant and Fernandes Anderson played a voicemail she received as an example. The caller said in part “Don’t forget this country was built by white people, sustained by white people. The presidents all back in the day were white. If you don’t like why don’t you take your (expletive) back to your (expletive).”

Still, other members of the council like Frank Baker say actions against Arroyo are about standing with sexual assault victims.

“This body that preaches transparency and accountability has a dark shadow cast over it. I implore my council colleagues to acknowledge our moral responsibility for the sake of the sexual assault survivors,” said Councilor Frank Baker. “If a predator continues to roam the killing field only becomes larger”

Wednesday’s meeting ultimately ended abruptly. Then tensions between dueling protestors spilled over into the hallway.

“If we can’t get along , why should we expect the city of Boston to get along,” said Councilor Erin Murphy.

Boston 25 News reached out to Boston City Council President Ed Flynn about the chaotic meeting and abrupt end to it.

He sent a statement saying:

“As we move forward during these challenging times in our city and country, it is critical that members of the Boston City Council always look to treat each other with respect and dignity, to listen to one another, and learn from each other’s lived experiences regardless of our views and differences of opinion. The work that we have been duly elected to carry out by our neighbors, and the communities we serve, is too important to lose sight of. We need to continue to focus on the big picture, work together as colleagues, and to improve the quality of life for the people of Boston.”

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