Setti Warren's statement on Charlottesville

Dear Friend,

 

​Yesterday, Tassy and I sat our two kids down to talk about Charlottesville. We spent the weekend darting around the house turning off TVs when the terrible images of the racist terrorist attack popped on their screens, but if you're a parent, you know you can only protect your kids from the truth for so long. Before they left the house for camp on Monday, we decided we had to tell them what happened.

 

Abigail took a few minutes to process what I was telling her. The idea that a group of people who have never met her in a place she's never been to could hate her just because she's my child is a hard concept to grasp for a 10 year old. Our 6 year old John asked if the man who drove a car into a crowd of people did it on purpose. 

 

I told them about the time, during Boston's bussing backlash, when my parents kept me home from a field trip to Bunker Hill because they could't be sure that I would be safe. Tassy reminded them that we recently visited Bunker Hill as a family and no one bothered us. Things get better, we told them.

 

I talked more about the conversation Tassy and I had with Abigail and John in a radio interview yesterday. If you have a moment, please listen in.

 

In the long term, I have faith that things will get better. Right now, we need to be honest about the fact that we are witnessing a resurgence of hate groups who aim to foment violence and intimidation by hijacking our political discourse. They know they can only win if they turn neighbors into enemies and cause one outrage after another. 

 

We can't let them. 

 

My grandfather fought the Nazis in the Battle of the Bulge. I will do whatever I can to stop the spread of their evil ideology today, but I will not allow the anger I feel about the evil actions of a despicable few to drive me to hate my fellow Americans with whom I have political disagreements. This is a serious challenge for our nation, but it is not about Democrats versus Republicans. It is about good versus evil, love versus hate, the best of America versus Nazis.

 

Tassy​, Abigail, John ​and I will keep the families of Heather Heyer, H. Jay Cullen and Berke M.M. Bates in our thoughts and prayers.

 

All the best,

Setti

Council President Wu Releases Statement on Charlottesville, Planned Boston Rally

Council President Wu Releases Statement on Charlottesville, Planned Boston Rally

Boston City Council President Michelle Wu released the following statement:  “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the hate-fueled violence by white supremacists that took place this weekend in Charlottesville, VA.  Make no mistake, this was a despicable act of domestic terrorism.  My heart goes out to the victims and their families.

“While unfortunately this kind of hate is not new in our country, our values and founding principles require us to do better.  When we say there is no place for hate here, we do so knowing that we have to take action to remove the foothold that white nationalists and white supremacists currently have.

“We also have to recognize that these hate groups are not limited in their membership to any one city, state, or region.  Boston has offered opportunity and security to people of many different backgrounds.  We strive to do better, and to be more inclusive, every day.  But we are not perfect, and we are not immune.  The event planned for Saturday August 19th demonstrates that. We are facing a pivotal moment when we must decide who speaks for our City.  We may not be able to deny hate groups the ability to speak, but we can drown them out with voices that are stronger and more numerous.  We can overwhelm their hatred with our own collective love.

“Ignoring these groups has allowed them to fester and flourish in the dark.  The dangerous rhetoric of President Donald Trump’s campaign and administration has made them feel secure spewing their hatred out in the open.  They are preparing to stand in one of Boston’s most sacred places, on land that has belonged to the public collectively for over 350 years, and to tarnish it with views that disgust us.  Therefore we must prepare ourselves to show them -- peacefully, lovingly -- that their views are not “common”; that they have no place on the Boston Common; that this City welcomes immigrants, people of color, people of different religions, ethnic identities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

“The Boston I love is the Boston that used the Common to protest tyranny in the 1700s, protest slavery in the 1800s, rally for civil rights in the 1900s, and rally at the Women’s March just this year.  One rally by hate groups will not destroy that legacy of progress.  Boston is stronger than that.  And that is what we must demonstrate to the world on Saturday.”

AG HEALEY ISSUES STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO EVENTS IN CHARLOTTESVILLE

AG HEALEY ISSUES STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO EVENTS IN CHARLOTTESVILLE

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today issued the following statement in response to the recent events and violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“I am deeply disturbed and saddened by the bigotry and violence on display in Charlottesville over the weekend. These acts are inimicable to our shared values as Americans and to the rule of law. They have no place in our hearts or on our streets. Together we must stand up for equality, respect, and inclusion, and work together to lift up every member of our community. As Attorney General, I want to assure you that my office and I are committed to these core principles and will work to protect them.”

Statement from City Councillor and Mayoral Candidate Tito Jackson on the planned white supremacy rally in Boston

Statement from City Councillor and Mayoral Candidate Tito Jackson on the planned white supremacy rally in Boston

We, the people of Boston, are a city of diverse backgrounds, the birthplace of America’s fight against tyranny, a sanctuary from intolerance. White supremacist domestic terrorists are not welcome here, we have no place for you or your vile ideas. We all see you for what you are: nothing more than un-American thugs who betray the noble ideal of an inclusive America.

We will not allow you to divide us, we will not allow you to try to mask your hateful ideas in respectable clothing, we will not allow you to terrorize any one of us. We stand together as a united Boston, as a united America, against the ugly hate and violence you seek to spread.

I affirm that I will do everything in my power as an elected official, Bostonian, American, and as a human being to resist the spread of hate and violence white supremacy seeks. I commit to fighting their intolerance in all its forms, and I will proudly raise up my voice and my spirit with the hundreds of millions of others in our United States who are as disgusted as I am at the racism, misogyny, anti-semitism, homophobia, xenophobia, and Islamophobia of white supremacists. Let us overturn social, economic, and racial injustice in all its forms, institutional as well as individual, in Boston, as well as in Washington D.C., and throughout America.

Let us use these dark times as an opportunity to spread the light of our shared humanity. Let us, we the people, recommit as one community with one voice to fulfill the dream of a nation that judges us by the content of our character and not the color of our skin, dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal, and avow that that proposition shall not perish from the earth.

CAPAC Chair Condemns Violence by White Supremacists in Charlottesville

CAPAC Chair Condemns Violence by White Supremacists in Charlottesville

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the violence that occurred during a rally by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) released the following statement:

“The protests organized by white supremacists in Charlottesville over the weekend represent a manifestation of hate and bigotry that has unfortunately continued to rise over the past two years in particular; their actions inspired by xenophobic and prejudiced rhetoric and policy. The values of these white supremacists are inherently violent towards communities of color and religious minorities, and such demonstrations attack our core American values of inclusion and equality. Make no mistake – President Trump’s failure to directly denounce this ‘Unite the Right’ rally only further emboldens white supremacists and fuels their prejudice. I unequivocally condemn their message of hate and intolerance that was so blatantly on display this weekend. And to those who felt intimidated, frightened, or unwelcome because of this march, know that you are not alone. Diversity is our strength, and our community of support far outnumbers their community of hate.

“I stand with the counter protestors that risked their safety to speak out against hate, and mourn the death of Heather Heyer and the two state troopers who tragically lost their lives this weekend. I also grieve for those injured by these deliberate acts of domestic terrorism. Hate has no place in America – we cannot become complacent to this rising tide of bigotry. Nor should stoking racial resentment be a tool for attracting political support. We must come together to denounce and defeat hate in all forms.”

Eastern Bank Announces Senior Leadership Changes

Barbara J. Heinemann named new head of Consumer Banking

Steven L. Antonakes promoted to Director of Enterprise Risk Management

BOSTON, Aug. 14, 2017 – Eastern Bank, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Boston, today announced the appointment of Barbara J. Heinemann as its new head of Consumer Banking with direct responsibility for its Retail and Mortgage business, as well as its Customer Service Center. 

Heinemann, an Executive Vice President at Eastern since 2008, previously served as Senior Director of Enterprise Risk Management. She joined Eastern in 2001 and has overseen a variety of functions, including Technology, Operations, Payments, Corporate Culture, and Security. In her new role, she will report to Eastern Bank President Quincy Miller and continue to serve on Eastern’s Management Committee.

“Given Barbara’s extensive experience at Eastern, along with that in Retail Banking prior to joining us, I know that her insights, perspectives, and proven, effective leadership skills will have a tremendous impact as we further prepare for our exciting future,” said Bob Rivers, Eastern Bank Chairman and CEO.

Prior to joining Eastern, Heinemann spent more than 13 years at Cambridgeport Bank, where she was the Director of Retail Banking, Senior Vice President of Technology & Operations, and managed numerous enterprise-wide projects and initiatives.

Heinemann earned an MBA from the University of Maryland and is also a graduate of America’s Community Bankers National School of Banking at Fairfield University and the Massachusetts Bankers Association School of Financial Studies at Babson College. 

Since 2001, Heinemann has served as a Director at the New England Automated Clearing House (NEACH) and was recently appointed Director of NEACH Payments Group, its for-profit subsidiary.  

In conjunction with Heinemann’s new role, Steven L. Antonakes, Eastern’s Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, was promoted to Director of Enterprise Risk Management, overseeing BSA/AML, Compliance, Corporate Security, Information Security, and Operational Risk.

Antonakes, who joined Eastern in 2015 after serving as Deputy Director and the Associate Director for Supervision, Enforcement, and Fair Lending at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), will report to Rivers. Prior to joining the CFPB, Antonakes was appointed by successive governors to serve as the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks from December 2003 to November 2010. 

“Steve’s 25 years of compliance, risk management and financial services experience at the local and national level make him a natural choice for this critically important role as we continue to grow our business across New England,” said Rivers, who added that both appointments are effective September 1, 2017. 

Previously, Antonakes served in various managerial capacities at the Division of Banks and began his regulatory career as an entry-level bank examiner in 1990.  In March 2007, he received NeighborWorks America’s “Government Service Award” for his work in combatting foreclosures.

Antonakes, a graduate of Lynn Public Schools, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State University, an MBA from Salem State University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Law and Public Policy from Northeastern University

第48屆波士頓中秋節聯歡會12個功夫團體展演

波士頓華埠中秋節聯歡會開幕。

             (Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導) 紐英崙中華公所8月13日在夏利臣街、必珠街等華埠內主要街道舉辦「第48屆中秋節聯歡會」，出席民眾成千上萬，川流不息，欣賞12個武術團體舞獅，示範功夫，7個舞蹈，藝術團體唱歌跳舞奏樂器，遊逛書法，手工藝等攤位，又一年接受中國傳統文化薰陶。

波士頓華埠中秋節舞龍。(波士頓僑教中心提供)

              今年要競選連任的波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)特地出席，祝華埠民眾過節愉快，還代表相關單位，頒發美國國家史蹟牌匾給紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊，誌記中華公所大樓做為全美第一所公立學校舊址，獲准列入美國國家史蹟名冊。

              駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，麻州眾議員黃子安等其他嘉賓，紛紛應邀致詞。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊致詞。

              從早上10點開始到下午近五點才結束的這波士頓華埠中秋節聯歡會，由黃強醒獅隊的祥獅獻瑞揭開序幕，接著有亞美藝術團表演薩克斯風獨奏”回家”，高宏偉京胡獨奏”夜深沉”，摩頓康乃馨表演團唱”快樂的好朋友”，跳”荷塘月色”舞蹈，鄉土舞蹈團演出”苗韻”，”桃花淚”，”鴻雁”，”華夏舞蹈團”跳舞，元極舞演出”天青地泰”，”吉祥西藏:，陰陽道”，”吉祥西藏”，新英格蘭功夫養生舞協會表演”功夫扇”，”和諧之光”，葉秀聰鋼琴學院學員演奏鋼琴，

波士頓僑教中心提供)

參與舞獅，示範功夫的團隊或體育會包括黃強醒獅團，洪青體育會，波士頓安良工商會，巾幗醒獅團，美東國術總會，中國南派武術總會，超武館，胡清白鶴派，太極氣功十八式，黃氏醒獅隊，陳耀祥武術健身學院，華林派國術總會。

              華埠街道上，由僑團，非營利組織擺出各式各樣的文化，藝術攤位，包括，波士頓佛光山三佛中心，慈濟功德會波士頓聯絡處等。

波士頓僑教中心提供

                 中華書法會和紐英崙中華公所，北美藝術家協會聯合舉辦的”波士頓地區正體漢字文化節”，也由會長林卓培，黃周麗桃等人和歷屆會長黃鏡明，周文熙，陳綺怡率書法家們在司徒麗英公園那兒即席揮毫，為中秋節增添中國傳統文化氣息。
              在波士頓中秋節聯歡會之後，下週末輪到昆士市中秋節聯歡會上場。(圖片部分由波士頓僑介中心提供，部分轉在自臉書)

華埠中秋節舞龍。

阮鴻燦(左一)像華埠商家介紹波士頓市
第二區市議員候選人愛德華費連
(Ed Flynn，右一)，(轉在自臉書)

波士頓市第二區市議員候選人愛德華費連(Ed Flynn，左一)在阮鴻燦介紹
下到中華書法會攤位拜會，和會長黃周麗桃(前中)，林卓培(後)等人
合影。(圖片轉在自臉書)

波士頓市第二區市議員候選人Michael Kelly (立者右三)和波市長華埠鄰里
聯絡專員翁耀漢(前左)，以及醒獅隊員合影。(圖片取自臉書)

波士頓市第二區市議員候選人Michael Kelly (右二)向右起，甄碧鳳，
甄雲龍，柏志剛等人拜票。(轉載自臉書)