Michelle Wu has been Boston’s mayor for a little over a month, and she is already getting heckled. On Monday, she announced new COVID restrictions for Boston, including mandatory vaccinations for city workers and to enter certain businesses.
When she spoke at city hall, she was nearly drowned out by protesters yelling in the background, many of whom were first responders who felt betrayed by the city.
NBC News in Boston reports:
Boston Implementing Proof of Vaccination Requirement for Restaurants, Other Indoor VenuesBoston Mayor Michelle Wu announced new proof of vaccination requirements for restaurants and other indoor venues including gyms and theaters on Monday.She also said all city employees must be vaccinated along that same timeline, eliminating a weekly testing option that had existed previously.”This is just one step in an aggressive approach the city has already been working hard to implement,” Wu said. “It is absolutely a necessary one. We’re ready to take this step forward to protect our residents.”The proof of vaccination requirement for indoor venues will go into effect starting Jan. 15 for everyone ages 12 and up. All patrons and employees will be required to show proof that they have received at least one dose of vaccine. Beginning Feb. 15, everyone will have to show proof of two doses. Starting on March 1, children over age 5 will be required to be vaccinated as well.
Buried at the bottom of the article, we get this:
From outside Monday’s press conference at Boston City Hall, protesters could be heard chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!” and even singing lyrics from “The Star-Spangled Banner,” including the line, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” At times the chanting made it difficult for those at the podium to hear themselves speak. Boos could be heard at one point during the announcement…”These are our rights. Our rights are not negotiable,” said Shanna Cottone, with Boston First Responders United. “Why is it vaccine or fire? Jabs or jobs. It’s not right. We are from the city. We live in the city. We work for the city. These are our communities. We want to serve them.”
Wu was joined by Dr. Bisola Ojikutu of the Boston Public Health Commission, Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, and a representative of the Huntington Theatre Company for some reason.
The noise in the background goes on through the entire thing. This video is cued to start at the 6:04 mark:
In this video, you can see the protesters are in the lobby. They sing the national anthem:
Here’s more:
Why Mayor Wu has decided to go down the same road as New York City is anyone’s guess. It seems like a baffling choice for someone who just took office at a time when the public has lost patience for such measures.
Featured image via YouTube.
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