As School Year Starts, Senate Leaders Applaud English Language Learner Protections Amid Trump Attacks

 As School Year Starts, Senate Leaders Applaud English Language Learner Protections Amid Trump Attacks 

Supplemental Budget Provision Combats Federal Rollbacks 

 

(BOSTON—9/4/2025) As the school year begins for students across Massachusetts, Senate leaders are applauding newly codified protections for K-12 students who are English language learners. These protections were enacted in response to the Trump Administration's rollback of protections for students who are learning English.  

 

Thanks to a policy provision that was passed by the Legislature in July and signed into law by the Governor on August 5, 2025, English language learners in Massachusetts will be legally required to have educational supports. In addition, parents will have the right to have trained interpreters for school interactions and students with disabilities will be legally protected from being disciplined for disability-related behaviors.

 

This new law comes as the Trump Administration is rescinding federal guidance that requires schools to properly identify and serve English learners, provide trained interpreters for parents, and safeguard students with disabilities from inequitable discipline and exclusion. 

 

“It doesn't matter what language you speak or where you are from—if you are a Massachusetts resident and a K-12 student, you have the right to the resources you need to get a good education,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “President Trump is taking away opportunities for students because of the language they speak. In Massachusetts, we will protect our students, and we will not back down from this bully.” 

 

“With the swift passage of these critical provisions, the Commonwealth has moved decisively to ensure that long-standing educational rights for English language learners and students with disabilities are codified into state law, right from the start of the school year,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Fortunately, the federal government’s efforts to roll back the rights of students does not apply here in Massachusetts, the birthplace of public education in America. When justice demands, we will continue to step up and act whenever appropriate to safeguard important public education protections in law; while continuing to provide vital resources to school districts to meet the needs of all students in our state.” 

 

“As someone who came to this country as an English learner at a young age, I know firsthand the challenges students and families face when language becomes a barrier to receiving a quality education,” said Senator Pavel M. Payano (D-Lawrence), lead sponsor of the legislation in the Senate. “Every student deserves the tools to succeed, no matter the language they speak at home. By codifying these rights into state law, we are sending a clear message that Massachusetts will continue to support all our students and their families regardless of their immigration status or English language proficiency.” 

 

“I am proud to be the lead co-sponsor of Senator Pavel Payano's legislation—now law—that maintains education rights for disabled and limited English proficient students across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett), Assistant Senate Majority Leader. “As the Trump administration takes rights and funding away from our children, it is my highest priority to use every legislative and funding lever we have to fill the gaps and enshrine critical protections like these into state law. I want to thank Senate President Spilka, Senator Payano, and my colleagues for passing this essential policy through the Senate.” 

 

“The Trump administration’s vile attacks on public education, immigrants, and students with disabilities are shameful and unpatriotic,” said Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I was proud to work with my colleagues to quickly approve this bill in the Education Committee and to advocate for its final passage this summer. Everyone deserves access to a high-quality education in the United States, and in Massachusetts we follow through and actually stand up for our American values.” 

 

Key Protections Now Enshrined in Massachusetts Law:  

 

·                Maintaining Special Education Protections for English Learners with Disabilities. Codifies 2015 federal guidance ensuring that schools meet the needs of English learners with disabilities, whose educational supports too often go unmet. 

·                Ensuring Qualified Interpreters for Parents. Requires that school interpreters be fluent in both languages and trained in ethics, confidentiality, and educational terminology, so families are not forced to rely on untrained employees or unqualified interpreters. 

·                Protecting Students with Disabilities from Inequitable Exclusion. Preserves federal protections that prevent students from being unfairly disciplined or excluded when behaviors are directly tied to their disability, while still ensuring safety for all. 

·                Preserving the Right to Public Education Regardless of Immigration or Disability Status. Explicitly affirms the right to public education in Massachusetts for all children, regardless of disability or immigration status, strengthening state nondiscrimination law and aligning it with Plyler v. Doe. 

麻州出現第 2 宗人類感染西尼羅病毒案例

 State Health Officials Announce Season’s Second Human Case of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts

 

WNV risk levels elevated in 10 additional communities

 

BOSTON (September 3, 2025) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the second human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Massachusetts this year in a woman in her 60s who was exposed in Essex County.

 

This follows yesterday’s announcement of the first confirmed WNV infection in a person this season. As a result of these two cases and ongoing evidence of WNV in mosquitoes, risk levels have been elevated to high in Belmont, Cambridge, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Revere, Saugus, Somerville, Wakefield, and Watertown.

 

“Massachusetts is in peak season for the spread of West Nile virus,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “While the temperatures have dropped slightly, this is the time of year when most people get exposed to the virus. We encourage everyone to use mosquito repellent, to wear clothing to reduce exposed skin, and to empty anything that may be collecting water outside your home.”

 

The first WNV-positive mosquitoes in the state this year were announced on June 17. Since then, 364 mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV so far this season from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. There has also been one animal case of WNV this year in a goat.

 

The risk for WNV is now high in 20 municipalities in Suffolk, Middlesex, and Essex counties and moderate in 183 cities and towns in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties.

 

In addition to WNV, Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has also been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts this year. There have been 21 EEE-positive mosquito samples and no human or animal cases so far this year.

 

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.

 

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

 

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

 

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

 

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

 

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all windows and doors.

 

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent West Nile virus (WNV) and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.

 

Learn more about mosquito-borne diseases, including all WNV- and EEE-positive results on DPH’s Arbovirus Surveillance Information page, which is updated daily, or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800

Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Community-Based Behavioral Health Services for Children and Youth

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Community-Based Behavioral Health Services for Children and Youth 

Statewide Network of Community Service Agencies Selected to Provide Critical Services for MassHealth Children 

 

BOSTON — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that 36 community service agencies have been selected across the state to provide home- and community-based services for children who are MassHealth members – nearly half of all children in Massachusetts – with behavioral, emotional and mental health needs. The new network will be the first expansion of the provider network in over a decade.  

 

The new network will offer more options for families, increase access to high-quality behavioral health services, and ensure geographic coverage across the entire state, including for families seeking specialized cultural and linguistic care. 

  

MassHealth provides health care coverage for nearly half of all Massachusetts children. As part of the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative, the selected agencies will provide intensive care coordination, family engagement services, and new intensive team-based treatment services for families of children and youth with particularly complex needs.  

 

Childhood mental health conditions affect many children and families across the country. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in five children ages three to seventeen have, at some point, been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition. 

 

"This expansion will strengthen the behavioral health system of support for hundreds of thousands of children and their families here in Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Through this important work, we are making sure that our young people get the care that they need.” 

“These agencies will help us provide coordinated, innovative services that are essential to the behavioral and mental health of children here in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We are thrilled to work with our partners to increase access to these services.” 

“Meeting the behavioral health needs of our young people and supporting their families is foundational to our commitment to a healthy society and is crucial to our work,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah. “This expanded network offers families of children enrolled in MassHealth the assurance that their child will get the care they need to thrive.”   

“MassHealth is dedicated to offering integrated behavioral health services and a comprehensive, community-based system of care for our members,” said Undersecretary for MassHealth Mike Levine. “This expanded network will help us strengthen those efforts to reach more kids who need help.” 

Community service agencies were selected through a rigorous review process led by the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP), with review teams comprised of community members and caregivers with relevant lived experience and representatives from state agencies and managed care entities. MBHP will conduct a rigorous readiness process with the selected agencies prior to contracting. 

 

“We are excited to announce the selection of new community service agencies, key partners in providing every child and family with access to coordinated care,” said Sharon Hanson, Vice President of Client Partnerships and CEO, MBHP. “With innovations like Family-based Intensive Treatment, we aim to transform behavioral health services and create lasting positive change in our communities."  

 

As part of Carelon Behavioral Health, MBHP manages comprehensive, high-quality behavioral health care for over 400,000 MassHealth members statewide, ensuring accessible and culturally sensitive services through strategic collaborations with state agencies, providers, and community stakeholders to promote rehabilitation, recovery, and whole health. 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Opens Application for $60 Million in Career Technical Education Capital Funding for Schools

Healey-Driscoll Administration Opens Application for $60 Million in Career Technical Education Capital Funding for Schools  

Funding will add over 2,000 new career tech seats and support schools to buy and install training equipment 

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that applications are now open for comprehensive high schools and career technical schools to apply for $60 million in Career Technical Education (CTE) program capital grants. This multi-year funding will support over 2,000 new CTE seats through expansion of existing and new career tech programs, as well as for the purchase and installation of training equipment. 

The capital grants, made possible through Fair Share funding, will enable new programs that meet the workforce needs of regional employers. Projects will be prioritized that offer more CTE programs at night and on weekends to serve more high school students and adult learners and in geographic areas that have long waitlists and limited regional capacity. 

“We know there is a strong demand for Career Technical Education because it is proven to give students the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce. This capital investment project answers the call for more seats and additional program hours across the state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This multi-year expansion plan reflects our commitment to growing career pathways, closing workforce gaps, and improving career readiness for students across the state.” 

“Career Technical Education plays a vital role in our economy and our communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By investing in facilities, equipment and flexible learning time, we’re empowering more students to gain the skills they need to succeed and ensuring every region in Massachusetts benefits from these investments.”  

As part of the administration’s “Reimagining High School” initiative, CTE programs equip students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market through development of innovative, applied learning opportunities that align with current industry needs and provide students with high quality learning experiences that enable them to see and understand their future career paths, including continued education. 

CTE programs are offered during the regular school day at approved comprehensive high schools and dedicated career technical schools. Career technical schools and comprehensive high schools also offer CTE Partnership Programs “After Dark” that take place after the school day to provide additional public-school students with access to career technical education. Further, CTE schools provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers through the Career Technical Initiative (CTI). 

“With this investment, we’re giving schools the resources they need to train the next generation of skilled workers and to support adult learners who are ready to acquire new skills or change careers,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “CTE programs are a proven pathway to good jobs and this expansion project will allow more students to thrive and reach their full potential.”  

“Career Technical Education schools provide job training and placement for adult learners, positioning Massachusetts to develop a workforce pipeline for in-demand occupations in regions across the state,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration appreciates partnering with CTE schools to invest these capital funds, grow critical infrastructure, and close skills gaps that will empower future talent ready to compete in high growth industries.” 

“Career Technical Education is one of the smartest investments we can make in Massachusetts’ economy,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “At the beginning of this session, I recommitted the Senate to making historic increases in funding in this area, and I’m proud to see that commitment come to life — delivering the resources that both students and employers need to grow and compete in the global workforce. I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their leadership and for expeditiously opening these applications so schools across the Commonwealth can access these funds.” 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been expanding access to career-connected education in a variety of ways through their Reimagining High School initiative. Over the past two and a half years, the administration has approved 49 new CTE programs, supporting 2,334 additional students. Also, Governor Healey’s BRIGHT Act includes $100 million for Skills Capital grants that help high schools, colleges and educational institutions upgrade technology and instructional lab spaces, expand career programs, and increase the capacity of workforce training programs. These efforts build on expansions the administration has made to Early College programs, Innovation Career Pathways, work-based learning opportunities and My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP). 

"There is huge demand for more CTE programs, and these grants will help address the need for additional capacity," said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. "I look forward to seeing programs expand across the state to help students connect their learning with their future career." 

"The MSBA has been proud to support grants for the new construction and improvements to 28 career and vocational schools as well as adding programs in academic and comprehensive high schools since 2007, paving the way for thousands of students to learn the skills needed for a successful future,” said Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. "As Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, I am pleased to see this additional funding provided through the Fair Share Act that will continue to promote learning opportunities for CTE programs and students." 

Massachusetts comprehensive high schools and dedicated career tech schools that operate CTE programs interested in this grant program can apply online. The deadline for submissions is October 30, 2025, by 3:00 PM. An opportunity will be available later this fall for comprehensive high schools that do not yet have a CTE program to apply for planning grants. 

昆士市不分區市議員初選 袁自強、Andrew Pham 告捷

袁自強（Susan Yuan)初選告捷，11月4日能否當選還戴亞裔支持。（周菊子攝）

                   （Boston Orange周菊子綜合報導）麻州昆士市的9月2日初選，幾家歡樂幾家愁，初次參選的2名亞裔，袁自強(Susan Yuan)和Andy Pham順利晉級，成為11月4日大選的6名不分區市議員候選人之一。第六區市議員初選，競爭過於激烈，陳天偉飲恨。

Andrew Pham 晉級昆市是不分區市議員大選。（周菊子攝）

            昆士市的這2025年市級選舉，儘管亞裔人口已高達全市人口30%以上，亞裔參選人數也創下歷來最多的歷史紀錄，但選民出席投票率卻相當低。在68,000名登記選民中，僅只9.5%已登記選民在不分區市議員選舉中投了票。

梁錦輝（Tom Leung，右一)刻正競選昆士市學校委員會委員。（周菊子攝）

            進入大選，將角逐3個不分區市議員席位的6名候選人，分別為曾任市議員，參選過昆市市長，得票數最高的Anne Mahoney，得3234票。其他晉級大選者，分別為得3018票的在位市議員Noel DiBona，得2576票的Scott Campbell，首次參選，得1853票的袁自強（ Susan Yuan），現任昆士市計畫委員會委員，得1804票的Alie Shaughnessy ，和年僅28歲的會計專業人士，得1617票的Andrew Pham。

            另外2名不分區市議員參選人，Jackie Carvey得707票，Hannah Kaplan 得594 votes票，落選。

            第六區市議員部分，晉級大選的是目前在位，得646票的Bill Harris，和挑戰席位，得609票的Deborah Riley。

李啟文（左）將於11月4日競逐昆士市學校委員會席位。（李啟文提供）

            參選新人陳天偉（Christopher Chan）得259票，Jim Coffey得235票，未能晉級。

昆士市市議員選舉第6選區，有11,660已登記選民，但只有其中的15.22%，在9月2日這天出席投票了。陳天偉的得票數雖然排名第三，但得票數和2名晉級大選的候選人差距頗大。

昆士市學校委員會委員部分，6個任期4年的席位，每2年改選其中的3個席位，今年共有6人參選，符合大選僅有2名候選人角逐一個席位條件，所以不辦初選。

李啟文(Kaiman Lee)和梁錦輝（ Tom Leung）這2名亞裔，將在11月4日和其他4名昆士市學校委員會委員參選人，角逐3個席位。

麻州勞工節大遊行 州長、市長大批川普政府揚言絕不退縮

麻州州長Maura Healey(前右二）和工會領袖們一起遊行。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 2025年9月1日，成千上萬麻州工會成員、民眾和政要，高舉民主、自由、正義旗幟，從州府大樓穿越國王墓地，郵政廣場，芬紐廳，遊行到波士頓市府廣場，疾言厲色，聲勢浩蕩的強調，「勞工比億萬富翁優先（Workers Over Billionaires）」。

麻州州長Maura Healey指控川普幫中國和有錢人。（周菊子攝）

            這是19世紀以來，麻州第一次的勞工節大遊行，由大波士頓勞工會（Greater Boston Labor Council）發起，取代了過去多年來慣例在公園廣場酒店舉辦的勞工節早餐會。

麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey），波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu），聯邦參議員Ed Markey，聯邦眾議員Ayanna Pressley，國際油漆工和相關行業聯盟總會長Jimmy Williams，大波士頓勞工會會長Darlene Lombos，AFL-CIO麻州會長Chrissy Lynch，麻州教師工會會長唐佳宇（Jessica Tang）等人，分別在州政府大樓前的工會卡車上，波士頓市政府廣場中的舞臺上發言。

勞工節遊行主題是“勞工優於億萬富翁”。（周菊子攝）

華人前進會榮譽主席李素影和主任陳玉珍，這天也率同數十名前進會會員，穿上紅色T恤，手持「自由，民主，正義」的標語牌，一路跟隨數千人大隊遊行。

國際油漆工和相關行業聯盟總會長Jimmy Williams說工會是為工人爭取共同利益。
（周菊子攝）

            奚莉州長激昂地說，麻州擁有許多個美國第一，但最早是麻州人團結起來，發動革命，第一個站出來爭取自由與民主。她說自己和副州長Kim Driscoll，勞工廳廳長Laura Jones在過去這2年半來，每天都致力和所有人合作，達成許多勞工協議，增加工資，增加州政府員工。

麻州教師工會會長唐佳宇。（周菊子攝）

            奚莉州長說，過去這72個小時以來，她傾盡全力的保護麻州工人們的工作，他需要麻州的每個人團結起來，知道誰站在自己這邊，又是誰不站在自己這邊。川普將再次砍掉麻州所贏合約的所有工作機會，發出了裁員通知，包括川普取消了在Salem市建離岸風力碼頭的經費 （3400萬元），意味著木工，勞工，樁工，油漆工，以及許多其他人的工作機會都受影響。川普的刪減研究經費，更是砍進了教育界的工作機會，包括美國教師聯合會（AFT），麻州教師協會（MTA），美國汽車工人聯合會（UAW），美國州縣市公務員聯合會（AFSCME），以及建築業的建築工人等的工作機會。川普對醫療護理(Medicare)和醫療補助（Medicaid）的刪減，更是對護士及醫療護理工人造成毀滅性影響。

            她呼籲大家別搞錯，川普不是在幫美國，以及其工人，川普只是在幫助中國，和他那少數的最有錢的億萬富翁朋友。

波士頓市長吳弭（左）和聯邦參議員Ed Markey。（周菊子攝）

            他說大家在麻州要團結一致，別退縮，大家知道要做什麼，要相信什麼，要支持誰，而且她相信大家都知道她和誰站在一起。

            波士頓市長吳弭感謝出席的所有成就了波士頓。她說，二週前，波士頓人才聚在波士頓市府廣場這兒，告訴川普「波士頓不會退縮」，不會向恐嚇戰術低頭，不會怕政治敗類，更不會向想要把波士頓買下來，把我們的社區賣出去的億萬富翁讓步。

遊行人群會聚在波士頓市府廣場中。（周菊子攝）

            他說，大家這天遊行，是要表達觀點。億萬富翁在華府牽引資助某一位特定的波士頓市長候選人，告訴工人們閉上嘴巴，低頭做事，以保生存機會，針對“我們”的用策略來威脅，以期他們重寫規則時，“我們”會保持沈默。但波士頓再次發送了“見鬼了，才不要(Hell, No)“這樣的訊息。

華人前進會的中文標語牌十分搶眼。（周菊子攝）

            她說，波士頓市是保羅瑞維爾（Paul Revere），梅爾金（Mel King）的地方，不會容忍暴政，不會讓人塞住嘴巴，不會讓他們奪走我們心愛之人的醫療保險，去資助有錢人的做法得逞。她說，“我們”會站出來，打回去“。

            國際油漆工和相關行業聯盟總會長Jimmy Williams說，他從費城來，那兒沒有億萬富翁。他請大家記得，一年有365天，經過前人爭取，勞工們只得到一天來抒發，而這遊行是要把各行各業的工人帶到一起，為共同利益而並肩努力，對抗暴政。大家必須站在一起，向億萬富翁級的人說，工人階層不會再容忍了。

李素影（左）和陳玉珍（又）率隊遊行。（周菊子攝）

            麻州教師工會會長唐佳宇請了尚莫維爾市的代表發言，敘述了該是工會在合約上爭取到的3項勝利，包括尚莫維爾市教育工作者工會的合約，大幅提高該市助教薪資，縮小班級人數，美國服務業僱員國際工會（SEIU）第三地方分會針對清潔工的新合約，調整了工資公平性。尚莫維爾市警察主管協會的合約，大幅加薪。

遊行路線繞過國會街前的波士頓市府大樓。（周菊子攝）

            大遊行到波士頓市府廣場的舞台後，上台發言者也談及好幾項工會合約，包括今年5月成立工會的麻州總醫院與布里根婦女醫院（MGB）一般醫療醫師，正在爭取改善待遇，代表芬衛球場（Fenway Park）和鄰近MGM音樂廳共約1000名特許經營員工的「在這兒團結本地第26分會（Unite Here Local 26）」發起了芬衛球場113年歷史上的首次罷工，要提高薪資福利，反對自動化。代表麻州廢棄物處理公司約450名員工的國際卡車司機工會（Teamsters Local 25），也派員上台發言，說明他們從7月1

華人前進會的工人互助中心率隊在波士頓廣場集合。（周菊子攝）

日起開始罷工，爭取更好薪資、福利和工作條件的行動，迄今未能與資方（Republic Services）達成協議。他們的罷工，造成Beverly，Malden， Canton ，Gloucester ，Danvers， Peabody ，Arlington ，Watertown等城市的垃圾堆積如山，嚴重影響居民的日常生活和地方上的公共衛生。  

現場標語包括呼籲美國人覺醒，法西斯主義已來到美國。（周菊子攝）

CBTU工會合影。（周菊子攝）

遊行隊伍中有一人旗隊。（周菊子攝）

罷工的收垃圾工人，是遊行中的主角之一。（周菊子攝）

大波士頓工會祝福勞工節快樂。（周菊子攝）

工會呼籲人們加入對抗行列。

遊行標語，呼籲像有錢人課稅，資助醫療保險。（周菊子攝）

遊行群眾等出發。（周菊子攝）

Faneuil Hall前有樂隊表演。（周菊子攝）

參加遊行群眾人數成千上萬。（周菊子攝）

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES THAT CITY OF BOSTON ACQUIRED SISTER MARY VERONICA PARK IN SOUTH BOSTON FOR PERMANENT OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES THAT CITY OF BOSTON ACQUIRED SISTER MARY VERONICA PARK IN SOUTH BOSTON FOR PERMANENT OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION 

BOSTON - Tuesday, September 2, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department today announced the City has officially acquired Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston, securing the neighborhood gathering space as permanently protected public open space. At a public hearing on July 28, 2025, the Boston Parks and Recreation Commission voted to approve the purchase of the park, located at the intersection of West 8th, F, and Grimes Streets in South Boston. The property will be protected in perpetuity under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution and placed under a Conservation Restriction held by the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation. Closing took place on Thursday, August 14. 

“Ensuring that our community spaces remain protected and accessible to all residents is a top priority,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This acquisition of Sister Mary Veronica Park reflects our dedication to preserving our city’s rich history and strengthening community- driven spaces across Boston.”

The City negotiated a price of $200,166.67 with the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston (RCAB), supported through the Community Preservation Act funding for the Boston Open Space Acquisition Fund. The acquisition fulfills a years-long community effort to protect the property from potential development.

Originally owned by the City of Boston and transferred to the Archdiocese in 1955, the site became an informal pocket park in 1968 when the South Boston Resident Association cleaned and improved the parcels. Maintained over the decades by the Archdiocese and neighbors, the space features five mature trees, several benches, and a small planter.

When the property was listed for sale in 2023, neighbors formed the “Save Sister Mary Veronica Park Committee” to advocate for the preservation of the property as open space, gathering over 2,000 signatures from South Boston residents on a petition. 

“We’re excited to share that Sister Mary Veronica Park will now be a City park, ensuring that this space will remain a community asset for generations to come,” said Cathy Baker-Eclipse, Interim Commissioner of Boston Parks and Recreation. “We’re grateful to the South Boston community for their advocacy on this project and look forward to maintaining the park as a welcoming place for all.”

“South Boston NDC is thrilled to support this acquisition by holding the long term conservation restriction to ensure that Sister Mary Veronica Park will remain open space in perpetuity,” said Donna Brown, Executive Director of South Boston NDC. “We’re thankful to our neighbors whose advocacy will ensure this park and its mature trees continue to grow and strengthen South Boston’s tree canopy for generations to come.”

To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call (617) 635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky.