City Council standing against hate crimes

This week, Councilors Wu, Edwards and Mejia invited a woman and her daughter to the City Council meeting after they were brutally attacked in East Boston for speaking Spanish.

According to advocacy group Lawyers for Civil Rights, the woman and her 15-year-old daughter were brutally assaulted by white assailants because they were speaking Spanish near the Maverick Square MBTA station on the evening of February 15, 2020. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video.

“This hate crime was perpetrated in our City and in our neighborhood and we know that these types of actions are specifically meant to frighten and isolate people. I was moved to see the courage, determination and strength that they both displayed in wanting to make sure that this doesn’t happen again to any other people in our City,” said Councilor Wu.

“When these incidents happen we need to stand together as a City Council to say you are not only welcome, but we are excited to have you here,” said Councilor Edwards who represents the area where the attack occurred.

“As someone who had to learn to speak English in this country at a time when we were not wanted and still being here in this country, in this city, I recognize the opportunity and responsibility that we all have to lead with our hearts and put our differences to the side, but we can’t do that unless we are leading in ways that make people feel comfortable,” said Councilor Mejia.

The Boston Police Department urges people to report hate crimes and reminds immigrants of the Trust Act, which prohibits Boston police from getting involved in deportation matters.