Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, a Democrat, is facing backlash for her administration's admission of creating a list of her most vocal critics and sharing it with local authorities.
This revelation has led to accusations of "Nixonian tactics" and concerns about potential attempts to silence or intimidate her critics.
According to a statement from Wu's spokesman, Ricardo Patron, the list was compiled in response to a request from the Boston Police Department. The Mayor had been facing harassment and physical intimidation from individuals for several months, both outside her home and at public events such as the annual neighborhood parks coffee hours. The list was created to address these safety concerns.
The existence of the list came to light after it was discovered in an email obtained through a public records request by Wu's opponents. The acknowledgment by the administration has raised questions about the transparency and intentions behind compiling such a document.
The request from the police reportedly came after individuals on the list repeatedly disrupted the Dorchester Day Parade to harass Mayor Wu and her family and staff. Despite being asked by parade organizers to leave the parade route, these individuals allegedly yelled through megaphones at the Mayor and her children for nearly ninety minutes. Following this incident, the Boston Police met with City staff to create a safety plan for the upcoming Bunker Hill Day parade and requested a list of individuals involved in the disruption and harassment.
Critics have drawn comparisons between Wu's actions and the infamous "enemies list" compiled by former President Richard Nixon. The list, as reported by the Boston Herald, includes the names of Wu's most vocal opponents, such as City Council candidate Christine Vitale, anti-vaccine activists protesting outside Wu's house, and North End restaurant owners who have opposed Wu's policies.
Notably, the list does not provide any reasons for including these names and also includes individuals identified as the "Mendoza Brothers from the North End" and "A woman with the last name of Thuy who was arrested before."
The email containing the list was sent from Wu's former Director of Constituent Services, Dave Vittorini, to Boston Police Capt. Robert Ciccolo. Wu's aides, Tiffany Chu and Brianna Millor, were also cc'd on the email. It was sent after loud protests took place outside the Mayor's home in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston last year.
It is worth noting that last year, the city passed an ordinance prohibiting protests outside of Wu's home during certain hours. However, the creation of the list and its potential use in addressing criticism has raised concerns about the limits of free speech and the right to protest.
Michelle Wu, the first woman and first Asian-American to hold the top political office in Boston's history, was sworn into office in November 2021. As the controversy surrounding the list continues to unfold, questions remain about the implications for free speech and the role of local authorities in addressing criticism of public officials.
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