Protesters halt – Eight adults were arrested at Boston City Hall Wednesday after protesters disrupted the City Council’s vote on an amendment package tied to Mayor Michelle Wu’s $4.9 billion budget plan. The confrontation unfolded during debate over an $8.1 million package, wit
At about 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, Boston City Councilors were debating an $8.1 million amendment package from Councilor Benjamin Weber when a group of protesters stormed the moment with chants and interruptions.
Live stream footage from the meeting shows some protesters walking out on the chamber floor while calling out councilors by name and chanting, “You failed us.” Council President Liz Breadon tried briefly to stop the group, then called for a recess as the footage cuts out.
Just over two hours later, the meeting resumed. Breadon cited the demonstrations as violations of council rules, warning that the chamber would no longer tolerate disruptions. “There will be no more warnings,” Breadon said. “If you make a disturbance or distraction, you will be escorted out.”
As police arrived, protesters laid on the chamber floor and held a sign reading: “Save our youth jobs, city funds now, not empty promises of mythical private jobs and funding.” Several members of the public were also escorted from the chamber.
By the time the disruption had run its course, eight adults were arrested. A Boston Police Department spokesperson told Boston.com that the eight were arrested but could not provide details about charges or court dates.
A few protesters left about an hour after the disruption began, but others stayed on the chamber floor. Councilor Brian Worrell sat on the floor to talk with one of them, according to The Boston Globe. Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia chanted with protesters and livestreamed the incident on social media.
Wednesday’s confrontation fed into a broader fight inside the City Council over Wu’s $4.9 billion budget plan. Wu’s proposal would reduce or remove funding for several discretionary grant programs, including youth employment. Wu later enlisted a coalition of private organizations to employ students who would be affected. but the City itself would not be funding the positions.
For weeks, several councilors have signaled they intend to reject the budget plan in the hope of forcing Wu to submit a new proposal with increased spending and fewer cuts. That discord spilled into Wednesday’s meeting.
A motion to reject Wu’s plan failed with an evenly split 6-6 vote. Councilors Miniard Culpepper, John FitzGerald, Ed Flynn, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy, and Brian Worrell voted in favor of the motion. Councilors Liz Breadon, Sharon Durkan, Ruthzee Louijeune, Enrique Pepén, Henry Santana, and Benjamin Weber voted against it.
Boston City Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday evening.
Boston City Council Michelle Wu $4.9 billion budget youth employment protests arrests Liz Breadon Benjamin Weber