Working Families Party Endorses Michelle Wu for Mayor of Boston

Working Families Party Endorses Michelle Wu for Mayor of Boston

 

Boston, MA— The Working Families Party endorsed Michelle Wu for Mayor of Boston today. 

"This is what putting progressive values into action looks like," said Georgia Hollister Isman, New England Regional Director of the Working Families Party. "From leading the charge for paid family leave, affordable housing and climate solutions that meet the moment, Michelle’s bold vision has improved the lives of thousands of working families. She’s a changemaker who doesn’t shrink away from transformative solutions, and she’s ready to lead on the most pressing issues facing Boston families. WFP is proud to have her back in this race.”

 

“From fighting for a livable wage and safe working conditions, to organizing powerful campaigns throughout the nation, the Working Families Party has led the way in reshaping what’s possible,” said Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to be endorsed by the Working Families Party in fighting to make Boston a city for everyone.”

The WFP is a national independent political organization that recruits, trains and elects grassroots progressives to office. In 2020, the Working Families Party led a $2.5 million voter mobilization effort in Georgia to elect Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to the Senate, helped elect WFP champions Jamaal Bowman and Mondaire Jones in heavily contested Congressional races, drove a wave of victories for progressives in Rhode Island, shook up the New Mexico Democratic establishment with progressive victories under the banner of "No Corporate Dems,” elected a diverse slate of progressives in Delaware, and helped create the most progressive NY state legislature in decades by winning thirty-three state legislative primaries. 

 

The WFP will be mobilizing its 16,000 members in the state and lending the support of its national texting team to help elect Michelle Wu for mayor.

 

The Working Families Party’s endorsements add to an enthusiastic multigenerational, multicultural coalition of grassroots supporters, including leaders Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Mayor Kim Janey, Sheriff Steve Tompkins, Suffolk County Register of Probate Felix Arroyo Sr., Boston City Councilors Ricardo Arroyo, Liz Breadon and Lydia Edwards; State Senators Assistant Majority Leader Sal DiDomenico, Sonia Chang Diaz and Julian Cyr; State Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Mike Moran, Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, Jay Livingstone, Adrian Madaro, Vanna Howard, Natalie Higgins, Liz Miranda, Tram Nguyen, Maria Robinson, Andy Vargas, and Tommy Vitolo; former State Representative and Assistant Majority Leader Byron Rushing; former State Transportation Secretaries Fred Salvucci and Jim Aloisi; former MBTA FMCB Chairman Joseph Aiello; former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson; former State Representative Charlotte Golar Richie; labor unions 1199 SEIU, 32BJ SEIU, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Teamsters Local 25, New England Joint Board of UNITE HERE!, UAW Region 9A, Laborers Local 22, Alliance of Unions at the MBTA, MBTA Inspectors Union Local 600, OPEIU Local 453; climate organizations Sunrise Boston, Sierra Club, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, 350 Mass Action; Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale; Boston’s Ward 1, Ward 4 and Ward 5 Democratic Committees; The Boston Guardian; and fellow municipal elected officials from across Greater Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For all of Michelle for Boston’s endorsements, visit michelleforboston.com/endorsements.

MAYOR JANEY ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO HAVE A FUN AND SAFE HALLOWEEN

MAYOR JANEY ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO HAVE A FUN AND SAFE HALLOWEEN  Boston residents are urged to prevent injuries and COVID-19 transmission

 

Boston – Thursday, October 21, 2021 – Mayor Kim Janey and the Boston Public Health Commission today released guidance on celebrating Halloween safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, urging residents to take extra precautions to keep themselves and others safe. The City offered practical tips to have a fun Halloween, avoid injuries and to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. “Enjoy the fun tricks and treats of Halloween, while taking precautions to stay safe,” said Mayor Janey. “I encourage everyone to practice social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand washing. And remember to carry a flashlight and use crosswalks. I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween.” “We are thrilled that vaccination rates in Boston are high but remember that children under 12 still can’t be vaccinated against COVID-19 and some neighborhoods of Boston have much lower vaccination rates than the overall Boston rate,” said Dr. Jennifer Lo, Medical Director of Boston Public Health Commission. To prevent the transmission of COVID-19, BPHC encourages residents to: ·    Get vaccinated ·    Keep all activities outdoors ·    Wear masks and encourage your children to wear masks underneath their Halloween masks. This will protect your children without getting in the way of their costumes. ·    Wash hands regularly and use hand sanitizers as much as possible ·    Consider individually wrapped goodie bags that are lined up so children can grab-and-go, while continuing to social distance. ·    Consume food and treats outdoors. ·    Consider hosting a vaccine clinic at your event. ·    Encourage participants to get COVID-19 tested before and after attending ·    Alcohol use can affect behavior. Encourage moderate alcohol intake if it is present. ·    Encourage smaller groups. Younger children can trick or treat earlier, while older kids can participate later Additionally, take simple steps to prevent injuries while celebrating Halloween. ·    Carry glowsticks or flashlights to be visible. ·    Cross in the crosswalk and follow the traffic lights. ·    Wear a mask that allows you to see and a costume that doesn’t create a tripping hazard. ·    If driving, stay alert for children and others in the streets. ·    To prevent choking, don’t allow children under five to have hard candies ·    Ensure that all candies are wrapped and packaging intact. Several City departments are hosting COVID-safe and family-friendly events for Halloween, including Boston Centers for Youth & Families, Boston Parks Department, and the Boston Police Department. Visit Boston.gov for more information. For more information on preventing injury and preventing transmission of COVID-19, go to www.bphc.org and follow us on twitter at @healthyboston.

麻州第86屆168新州警畢業 3州警因打疫苗規定辭職

麻州州長查理貝克為州警畢業典禮致詞。

                (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 在麻州正副州長、總檢察長，以及逾千名家屬、親友出席的祝福中，186名州警10月21日在屋斯特 (Worcester) 的DCU中心畢業，將從22日起實習12週。

                   麻州州警發言人Dave Procopio表示，這一屆的州警學員共有216人，經過22週訓練後，有186名學員畢業，其中73人來自地方市鎮警察，43人曾經在軍隊服務，包括23名女警，共有37%為女性或有色人種。

                 22日開始，這些新州警將從22日起隨同有經驗州警出勤，巡邏12週，試用期一年。

麻州副州長Karen Polito致詞。

             麻州州警警司 (Superintendent) Christopher Mason上校在畢業典禮致詞中，提及在發生喬治弗洛伊德謀殺案，以及其後的明尼阿波利斯警察被定罪後，目前的大環境氛圍是全國清算種族正義，加強了對警察工作的檢視。新警察們是在執法行業正快速巨變，人們支持度搖擺不定之際入行。那些心臟不強的人恐怕早被嚇走了，但新警察們卻有別於眾的選擇了踏進這領域。

             查理貝克也嘉勉這些新警員，稱他們能夠從警察學校畢業，一定是非常特別的人，歷經考驗，接受訓練後，要從事極為光榮、困難，卻能為社區、人民帶來極為正面改變的工作。

麻州總檢察長Maura Healey致詞。

             不過波士頓前鋒報(Boston Herald)指出，在有一批新警察將加入服務行列之際，由於麻州州政府規定轄下42518名員工都必須接種新冠疫苗，有300多名警察面對處罰危機，有3人甚至已經辭職。麻州州警可能出現人手不足現象。

麻州州警警司 (Superintendent) Christopher Mason致詞。

波士頓亞美電影節今晚揭幕 首映「三華埠傳奇」

             (Boston Orange整理報導)波士頓亞美電影節(BAAFF)第13屆影展訂今(20)晚揭幕，7點半首映「三華埠傳奇(A Tale of Three Chinatowns)」，將一連舉行5日，至10月24日止。

              今年的影展礙於疫情，將於網上舉行，包括劇情片，短片等在內，將共放映50部影片。除了開幕影片的「三華埠傳奇」只放映一場以外，其他所有影片都可在24小時之內欣賞。所有的短片，將從10月21日起的凌晨12點至10月31日的晚上10點止，在購票24小時之後可隨時點閱。

              「三華埠傳奇(A Tale of Three Chinatowns)」這部片由Lisa Mao執導，全長90分鐘，探討美國華府，芝加哥及波士頓這三個華埠的興衰，變化，以及發生在其中的一些故事。這三個華埠，芝加哥的亞裔人口正在增長，華埠範圍也在擴大，華府的華裔人口卻減少到只剩300人左右，和芝加哥成為一個非常鮮明的對比。波士頓則介於其間，也正面對著社區豪華化，人口結構大變的考驗。

              影片於7點半放映之後，波士頓亞美電影節安排有9點15分開始的和製片者晤談環節，鏈接網址為https://youtu.be/Wo5-lmI2Lbc。

              在這幾天中，10月21日將放映核心敘事片，「威基基(Waikiki)」，10月23日放映核心紀錄片「天花(Sky Blossom)」，10月24日為閉幕片，「誰是露娜梅諾(Who is Lun*na Menoh?)」。影片放映後都安排有和導演，製片人員晤談環節。這閉幕片只有康州、麻州、緬因州、新罕布夏州，羅德島州及佛蒙特州居民可以欣賞，也只放映一晚。

              10月24日週五的另一環節是「菲律賓週五電影」，3部片24元。

              在主要影片之外，每天都有短片放映。10月21日晚7點放映「威基基」之後，晚上9點15分開始放映「亞裔美國人 – Eyz’d：移民喜劇特輯 (Asian American – Eyz’d: An Im migrant Comedy Special)」。

              10月22日(週五)下午5點半放映「無論我們可能在那兒(Wherever We May Be)」，7點半放映「翹家女孩(The Girl who left home)」，晚上9點45分放映描述3名洛杉磯亞裔移民喜劇片「 春捲復仇(Lumpia with a Vengeance)」。

              10月23日下午3點放映Hui-Ling Chen導演的紀錄片「給阿嬤的信(A Letter to A’ma)」，下午6點放映Richard Lui導演的紀錄片「天花:下一代的日記(Sky Blossom: Diaries of the Next Greatest Generation)」，晚上9點放映Iman Zawahry導演的「美國式(Americanish)」。

              10月24日下午2點有一場任何人都可參加，在網上舉行的特別聯誼活動，下午5點放映Jeff Mizushima導演的紀錄片「誰是露娜梅諾(Who is Lun*na Menoh?)」。

              開幕片，核心片及閉幕片的票價為12元，劇情片及短片為10元，可欣賞所有影片的套票為100元，只看短片30元，3部菲律賓片套票24元。學生及耆英優待票8元。

              查詢相關詳情可上網www.baaff.org/2021。

百人會10/28講座談「在華裔科學家中的以種族劃界限現象」

 

羅德島州華人葉超、吳子平獲美國總統義工服務金獎

國際領袖基金會創會會長董繼玲(右一)頒發美國總統義工服務金獎給葉超
(右二)，吳子平(左二)。左一為國際領袖基金會創辦人Joel Szabat。

                        (Boston Orange 羅德島州報導)國際領袖基金會 (ILF)10月17日在羅德島州中央瀑布市河畔舉辦露天盛會，頒發總統義工服務金獎表揚葉超、吳子平，並邀羅德島州州長麥基(Daniel McKee)做主題演講，頒特別獎表揚10名該會有功於社會的會長等人。

              葉超和吳子平兩人還在會上代表10個華人教會合作舉辦的”愛心音樂見證會”，把共籌得8萬元平分給八個幫助弱勢群體非牟利機構的最後1萬元支票，捐給羅德島州普域敦斯救援任務(Providence Rescue Mission)。

羅德島州州長Daniel McKee頒發特別獎給國際領袖基金會各分會會長，幹部後合影

國際領袖基金會是全國亞裔總商會執行長董繼玲和創辦人Joel Szabat於22年前創辦，旨在培育政商各界下一代亞裔領袖的非牟利組織，迄今已在全美設有20個以上分會。

董繼玲表示，該會所有分會的會長，成員，在各行各業各有成就，卻都熱心服務，願意為社區奉獻，新英格蘭分會的共同會長葉超和吳子平在羅德島州從經營餐館到服務教會，社區，進而成為土地發展商，擴大亞裔的在地影響力，更是其中的極佳例證。該會為能有這些社區領袖共襄盛舉，感到光榮無比。日前她應邀進白宮晤見拜登總統和哈里斯副總統，談及新冠病毒對中小企業的衝擊，反亞裔仇恨犯罪對亞裔社區人心、士氣的打擊。她語帶提醒的強調，在此時刻，亞裔、華人團結合作，獻身公益，對美國的繁榮、復甦也更為重要。

羅德島州州長Daniel McKee發表講話

羅德島州州長麥基在會上也點名感謝香港大澳出生的葉超，吳子平，把他們私人的國際關係帶給了羅德島州，讓羅德島州在疫情期間獲得20多萬片口罩，又曾組團赴台，開發商機，爭取龍舟，還每年頒發獎學金鼓勵年輕學子。他們的以身作則，為公益奉獻，是他很願意和國際領袖基金會合作的主要原因。麥基也簡述在他的州長任內，羅德島州曾是全美疫情最嚴重的前三州，但經由全州39個市鎮的通力合作，如今是全美疫情最輕的二個州之一，新冠病毒疫苗接種比率也排名全美第三，羅德島州的復甦程度排名全美第四。他鼓勵大家翻查該州最新推出，長55頁的羅德島2030計畫，到該州做生意，旅遊，參觀。

羅德島州中央瀑布市前市長James Diossa(右起)代表現任市長送上市鑰給
國際領袖基金會執行長董繼玲、創辦人Joel Szabat夫婦。

在拜登政府執政後，甫卸任的前美國交通部政策副部長Joel Szabat這天應邀作特別講話。他說明，國際領袖基金會的主要宗旨之一是鼓勵年輕一代亞裔積極參與公眾事務，培養領導能力，為社區、國家奉獻心力。讓人很高興的是，在該會成立之初，美國僅有3名亞裔國會議員，如今已有21位，成長了7倍。他進一步指出，美國的建立奠定在開國功臣們的二個基本原則上，一是人人平等，二是政府的權力來自其所管理人民的共識，而這也是美國吸引人的地方。他又引述林肯的話，指今日社會中對民主定義的左中右派等各種分歧見解，是人們面對的新挑戰，美國是否能再如過往般成功，要看包括亞裔的所有美國人民如何因應。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元、倪雪娥夫婦應邀出席觀禮，
和國際領袖基金會創會會長董繼玲，Joel Szabat合影

當天的活動由ILF主任黃靈輝主持，曾任中央瀑布市市長的James Diossa為開幕致詞，並代表該市現任市長Maria Rivera，送了一把市鑰給董繼玲、Joel Szabat。到會嘉賓包括駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元、倪雪娥夫婦，羅德島州眾議員Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung及前任克蘭斯頓(Cranston)市市長馮偉傑夫婦。布朗大學學生董家睿代表公民事務領袖學員，北阿圖孛羅高中學生李美恩代表青年領袖學院學員致詞。

 獲羅德島州州長麥基頒給特別獎的，有國際領袖基金會創會會長董繼玲，前述2名新英格蘭分會共同會長，底特律分會孔慶超，紐約分會黃亞村，奧蘭多分會嚴培達，西雅圖分會吳小燕，北卡分會陳海娜等，以及亞洲分會榮譽會長陳銘達。

會議在羅德島州黑石河畔舉行，現場擺有台灣捐贈的龍舟，氣勢非凡。

羅德島州州長Daniel McKee(左二)和葉超(左一)、吳子平(右一)把10,000元支票捐給
羅德島州普域敦斯救援任務(Providence Rescue Mission)，由Shawn Crew牧師代表接受。

波士頓中華民俗藝術工作坊學員應邀出席觀摩。

會議共有近百人出席。

Lydia Edwards endorsed by UAW Region 9A, Iron Workers Local 7, and Massachusetts State Council of Machinists

Lydia Edwards endorsed by UAW Region 9A, Iron Workers Local 7, and Massachusetts State Council of Machinists

Edwards is a longstanding member of UAW Local 2320 

BOSTON – Lydia Edwards has been endorsed in the special election to State Senate by: the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, UAW Region 9A; International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 7; and the Massachusetts State Council of Machinists. Primary Election Day is December 14, 2021. General Election Day is January 11, 2022.

“We are excited to endorse one of our own members, Lydia Edwards, for the First Suffolk and Middlesex Senate Seat,” said Beverley Brakeman, Regional Director for UAW Region 9A. “Beginning with her amazing work at Greater Boston Legal Services, under UAW Local 2320, to her time in the Boston City Council, Lydia has always been a champion of working people. Lydia’s focus on progressive values and her inclusive style of leadership is what has made her so successful. Lydia cares deeply about the issues we advocate for every day – the right to organize, worker protections, affordable housing, food security, healthcare, and more. We know that Lydia will push back against the system and address every issue through a lens of equity, justice, and transparency. UAW Region 9A will stand behind Lydia all the way to the State House.”

“Residents of Boston and all of Massachusetts' cities and towns are finding it difficult to make ends meet in this global economy and troubling times,” said Daniel McWilliams, President of Iron Workers Local 7. “We know that Lydia understands our views and will continue in that same manner protecting the working families of tomorrow. We need more people like Lydia that are willing to do the hard work required, such as bringing people together to have challenging conversations.”

The Massachusetts State Council is part of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, representing more than 1,500 machinists in Greater Boston. The State Council of Machinists voted unanimously to endorse Lydia Edwards, saying of Lydia:

“The Executive Board members of the Massachusetts State Council of Machinists feel that you are the one candidate in the race that will represent the issues and challenges that are facing the working families of our Union and those in Massachusetts. Thank you for demonstrating to us that you have the ambition and courage to stand up for working people. We fully support you in your campaign.”

The UAW Region 9A proudly serves over 30,000 active and retired members in all the New England states, New York City, and Puerto Rico. Their membership is very diverse, including legal aid attorneys and staff, technical and office professionals, childcare workers, graduate student workers and postdoctoral researchers, auto repair technicians, museum and cultural institution workers, draftsmen and women, light manufacturing workers, casino dealers and more.

Lydia Edwards is a fierce advocate for workers’ rights. In the Senate, she’ll continue her strong record of passing legislation and delivering resources and results for working people. As a member of the United Auto Workers, Lydia knows the power of a union, but she also knows that every worker, organized or not, deserves dignity, fair compensation and freedom from harassment in the workplace. Lydia Edwards has stood with workers in the hospitality industry, service workers at Logan Airport, student workers in our higher education system, teachers, Brazilian immigrant workers and many others.

Lydia Edwards is a candidate for State Senate representing the First Suffolk and Middlesex District, following the departure of Senator Joseph A. Boncore. For a full and up-to-date list of endorsements, visit: LydiaEdwards.org/endorsements

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES CREATION OF NEW POSITION TO HIRE FIRST FULL-TIME, IN-HOUSE ASL INTERPRETER

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES CREATION OF NEW POSITION TO HIRE FIRST FULL-TIME, IN-HOUSE ASL INTERPRETER

 

BOSTON - Wednesday, October 20, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced that the City is now accepting applications to hire its first full-time, in-house American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter as part of the COVID-19 equity in recovery efforts. This unique governmental position will significantly increase access to City communications for members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. Mayor Janey announced the City would create this position at the City of Boston’s annual Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Day celebration in July.   “This new position adds to all of the City’s efforts to ensure access and equity for every Boston resident with any type of disability as Boston continues to reopen,” Mayor Janey said. “From distributing clear face masks to front line workers so residents who rely on lip-reading and facial cues could communicate with others, to distributing ramps to restaurants so that people with mobility impairments could access on-street outdoor dining, the City of Boston is committed to accessibility and inclusion.”    ASL is mainly used by people in the United States who identify as “Deaf” (with a capital D). The capital D signifies that they were born deaf and/or they are part of the Deaf Culture. ASL is an integral piece of Deaf Culture, and it is used mainly by people who grow up using it as their primary language. ASL is its own complete language, wholly different from spoken English.    “During the pandemic, communication from government officials was more frequent and more important than ever,” said Disability Commissioner Kristen McCosh. “The situation and our response to it was changing regularly. Real-time access to updated information in residents’ primary language was a matter of life-and-death. We are proud that we were able to secure ASL interpretation for 100% of the Mayor’s COVID-19 press conferences during the state of emergency, but it has been difficult to sustain that success rate. Our Deaf and Hard of Hearing neighbors deserve better, and this position will allow us to do better.”   The ASL Interpreter position will be responsible for providing live interpretation/transliteration during Mayoral press conferences as well as public events and meetings. In addition, the Interpreter will produce signed videos translating Boston.gov webpages and other text-based online content.    The position has been posted on the City of Boston’s Career Center and can be viewed here.   ###