Boston's Mayor, Michelle Wu, has been under scrutiny for her lenient stance on crime, advocating for the abolition of the gang registry and suggesting that certain criminal activities, such as theft, should not be exempt from prosecution.
These revelations came to light through her responses to the "2021 Boston Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire" issued by Progressive Massachusetts, a nonprofit organization that monitors and ranks the progressiveness of elected officials.
The organization, as stated on its website, aims to "transform Massachusetts into a bold laboratory for progressive state initiatives." In the questionnaire, Wu revealed some of her most progressive commitments, including her endorsement for noncitizens to vote in Boston's local elections.
When questioned about her stance on the Boston Police gang database, Wu responded affirmatively to its closure. She also expressed her support for a do-not-prosecute list implemented by the former Suffolk County district attorney, Rachael Rollins. Rollins had identified over a dozen charges, including shoplifting, larceny, disorderly conduct, and non-marijuana drug possession, among others, that she believed should be declined for prosecution.
However, Rollins' tenure was marred by controversy, leading to her resignation following an ethics probe that found her guilty of "egregious" ethical violations and "abuse of power."
Wu's progressive stance extends to her views on law enforcement. She pledged to advocate for the reallocation of some of the police's budget towards other city priorities. She also expressed her belief in the demilitarization of law enforcement, stating that police should not have access to tear gas, rubber bullets, and attack dogs.
In response to a question about white supremacist affiliations among officers, Wu confirmed her belief in the existence of such a problem within the Boston Police Department. She stated, "Yes. I have advocated for terminating any [Boston Police Department] employees who were involved with the January 6th Capitol insurrection."
Wu also expressed her desire to make personnel files relating to "use-of-force" publicly accessible, a move that critics argue could potentially endanger officers.
Despite her progressive views on law enforcement, Wu has faced criticism for her alleged use of "Nixonian tactics." A report from July 2023 revealed that her administration had created a list of her most vocal critics and provided it to local authorities, raising concerns about potential attempts to silence or intimidate her critics.
Wu's tenure as mayor has also been marked by her efforts to create a more "equitable city for generations to come." She established offices focused on "Food Justice, Black Male Advancement, LGBTQ+ Advancement, and Worker Empowerment." However, these initiatives have drawn criticism for their perceived exclusion of White people, leading to numerous complaints to the state's attorney general.
In December, Wu faced backlash for sending out invitations for a holiday party intended only for non-White city council members. The invitation, which was mistakenly sent to all council members, led to an apology from Wu's aide, Denise DosSantos, for the oversight. However, no apology was made for planning a party that excluded White city leaders.
Despite the complaints, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell decided not to investigate the Boston mayors "electeds of color" holiday party.
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